The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
  1. #1

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    Hi
    Ive seen a screaming deal on a lovely archtop. It has had a few knocks and cracks repaired but its all stable now. I just wondered if its possible to add binding to an unbound neck and headstock ? also the binding on the body is black could this be changed? its going to be a spare guitar so im in no need of a rush and im happy to spend money on it, just wondered if its all possible cheers

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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    Many things are possible if you're willing to spend the money.

    Broadly speaking, here are the tasks:

    • Changing the body binding would be relatively simple - remove the old binding, install the new binding, scrape the new binding flush, refinish the guitar
    • Binding on neck is a little more involved - remove the frets, maybe remove the fingerboard and nut, trim the edges of the fingerboard and nut, reinstall the fingerboard and nut if necessary, bind the fingerboard and nut, scrape, refinish, refret the fingerboard
    • And the headstock - remove the tuners, rout the edges of the headstock, install the binding, scrape the binding, refinish, reinstall the tuners


    I cannot imagine that all of this work, which is just cosmetic, could possibly be worth the cost. But that's me. It's your money, do as you will.

  4. #3
    Hi
    Thanks so much for the info and for your advice. Yes it is purely cosmetic. I think ill have to leave the headstock and maybe get a quote for just the body for now. Thanks again for your help cheers

  5. #4

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    Binding replacement by a competent craftsman will cost several hundred dollars. It's not a quick and easy job. It can be done, but it's not really economically feasible. It's your money, though.

  6. #5
    Hi
    Many thanks, im in the Uk so ill let you know what quotes I get for just the body, but maybe its not a good idea, ill keep you posted cheers

  7. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Heybopper
    Hi
    Ive seen a screaming deal on a lovely archtop. It has had a few knocks and cracks repaired but its all stable now. I just wondered if its possible to add binding to an unbound neck and headstock ? also the binding on the body is black could this be changed? its going to be a spare guitar so im in no need of a rush and im happy to spend money on it, just wondered if its all possible cheers
    As others have said, anything is possible but it would be a huge amount of work. On a bound neck frets are either installed over the binding or against it (so called "nibs") so the neck would have to be removed from the guitar (steam the dovetail apart), pull the perfectly good frets, route the channel, install the binding, install the frets. Neck binding is usually finished on the tall side, you would need to install marker dots.

    Binding a headstock is always tricky because of the tight curves. I normally use a little heat and lots of clamps, getting it to fit around the nut slot can be tricky. I would expect to have to do finish repairs.

    The body is relatively easy, particularly if you pull the neck to bind it. I would set my router up to route out the old binding and prepare the channel for the new stuff. Install, scrape and refinish. It gets trickier if you want to add any purfling.

    But just to show that it can be done, here is an old hollow body that I replaced the original binding that was totally rotten. I did this with the neck on (it was already bound and in good condition) and I was able to touch up the finish. Its not perfect but a heck of a lot better
    (the pictures got reversed when I attached them, the before pics are at the bottom and the after are first)

    Is it possible to add binding-img_3921-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3920-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3878-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3876-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3875-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3893-jpg

  8. #7

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    While we are looking at the pictures of that last guitar I thought I would throw in one of the headstock and the neck showing the "nibs". As I said, it is possible to bind a fretboard without nibs (and that is how I prefer to do it), either way it is a heck of a lot of work.

    Is it possible to add binding-img_3928-jpgIs it possible to add binding-img_3914-jpg