Good binding, a tribute to tone

Selection of materials -- wood -- plastic -- routing the channels etc.
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Herman
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Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by Herman » Sun Aug 02, 2026 4:47 am

In modern production installing binding is increasingly skipped.
They say it is for esthetical reasons, but believe me, it is for cost- and labour saving.
I for me am convinced that well routed, glued and installed binding helps in anchoring the top to the sides. And therefore it helps for a better sound.
Try yourself:
1. When the body is completed, without the binding, tap the top and hear what the tone and sustain do...."Poing".
2. Rout the binding slot and do the same tap....."thud".
3. Install the binding and let it dry for a day. Tap the top....."poiiiing".

I experience this every time. Try it yourself and get convinced that a decent binding is of great value.
Let me know.
Herman

John Parchem
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Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by John Parchem » Sun Aug 02, 2026 12:29 pm

I agree good bindings make a difference. I have heard exactly what you describe. I have seen it as well with a spectrum graph of the body resonances before and after binding.

Dave Bagwill
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Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by Dave Bagwill » Sun Aug 02, 2026 12:37 pm

Good info, Herman

We on the forum had a good discussion on the subject:
viewtopic.php?t=175
-Under permanent construction

Kevin in California
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Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by Kevin in California » Sun Aug 02, 2026 6:19 pm

I've not made a bindingless guitar and never plan to.
Probably does sound better, but fir SURE looks better with a nice binding/purfling scheme

Kenny Wiebusch
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Location: Southeast Texas

Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by Kenny Wiebusch » Tue Aug 25, 2026 4:12 pm

I completely agree. I also believe that the bonding of wood binding makes it even stronger and better. I have also started using solid liners rather than kerfing. It's a lot of bending on an iron.

peter havriluk
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Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by peter havriluk » Sun Aug 30, 2026 10:40 am

I'e bent bindings in a mold (and touched them up on a pipe); can't see why sets of solid linings couldn't be gang-bent in the mold, the same way, saving some time and being more consistent (or sharing the same errors).
Peter Havriluk

Carl Dickinson
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Re: Good binding, a tribute to tone

Post by Carl Dickinson » Sun Aug 30, 2026 1:15 pm

That's how I do it Peter. Check this thread, https://acousticguitarconstructionforum ... php?t=3562.

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