How to Do Guitar Binding
Binding is the decorative material that conceals the joints on a guitar. It is also called purfling. On acoustic guitars, the primary function of binding is to protect and conceal the joint between the body and the sides. On electric guitars, it is typically used for decoration. The grooves are added to the edge of the guitar with an edge-router so the binding fits. Types of binding material include ebony, abalone and plastic. Each has a different appearance. When building or restoring a guitar, the binding gives your guitar a neat attractive appearance, as well as protection for the edges.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Binding material
- String
- Pocket knife
- Rag
- Naphtha-based cleaner
- Polyvinyl acetate
- Glue brush
- Aluminium foil
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Heat torch
- Masking tape
- 80-grit sandpaper
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the portion of the guitar you want to bind. If binding a fretboard, use a measuring tape. However, if binding a curved part, such as the body, use a piece of string. It’s not practical to fit all of the body binding in one go, especially on the curved part.
-
2
Cut the binding to size, then cut it into three equally sized sections if binding the body.
-
-
3
Clean the groove with naphtha-based cleaner and a rag. This removes any glue residue remaining from previous bindings.
-
4
Brush a thin layer of polyvinyl acetate into the groove.
-
5
Wrap aluminium foil around the outside of the binding. This is the smooth side. The foil protects the finish of the binding from the heat.
-
6
Put on a pair of heat-resistant gloves and gently heat the binding with a heat torch for approximately 30 seconds to make it soft and pliable.
-
7
Push the binding into the groove with sufficient force so the soft binding material conforms to the contours of the guitar. If you're fitting binding to a straight part of the guitar, such as the fretboard, there is no need to heat-bend. Simply push it into the groove.
-
8
Remove the gloves.
-
9
Tape the binding into the groove with masking tape so it sets correctly. Leave it for approximately three hours.
-
10
Cover the next section of binding with foil.
-
11
Put the gloves back on, heat the binding and push it into the groove. Repeat this process until the entire groove is concealed, taping each section down as you go. If using ebony binding, bend it very carefully. Ebony is particularly brittle and may snap if bent too hard.
-
12
Remove the tape and the aluminium foil from the outside of the binding.
-
13
Sand the edges of the binding so they are flush to edges of the guitar.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cut the body binding so the joints are in the curved parts of the guitar. This makes it easier to fit them and also helps to conceal the joints in the binding.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
