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I am working on my first guitar and used wooden bindings. To hold the bindings in place, once they were glued, I used a tape made especially for that prupose bought from a well known supplier. The tape worked great and held the bindings in place. Problem is when I removed the tape it was not at all kind to the spruce soundboard. I peeled it off real careful and at an angle - but now I have some sanding to do. Didn't do any damage to the mahagony but the spruce - well - Please advise ideas for clamping wooden binding on to the spruce

Welcome to the forum, Mike.

You need to put a seal coat of shellac on the top before applying tape, then when removing the tape, don't pull it straight up, pull it straight back over itself or better pull at a 45 degree angle. Sealing with shellac really helps. I use the regular binding tape from StewMac and have no problems when I follow my own advice.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I did the same thing on my first ever spruce topped guitar, I learned real quick that the soft fibers between the grain lines like to hang on to the tape.
What Ron said, A seal coat of Shellac and pulling at a 45% angle will take care of that problem.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Hey Mike:

Welcome to the OLF!

Yup - been there done that, got the pics to prove it! What everyone else said is the way to go. But I hadn't even thought about heating the tape a little - good one Hesh!

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Mario Proulx, who is a great guitar maker and teacher, but he doesn't post here anymore, would say: It is the guitar's way of telling you that it wants it's top thinned in this area .

Welcome!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Brushing a little naptha on the tape will let it pell right of with no damage.

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Use the blue painters tape from 3M, never had a problem with it.

Welcome Mike.

I'm with Mark. I use the green painter's tape from 3M. It's comes in 2 shades here, green and light green. The light green is best because it has light adhesive, which if you wait long enough will come of its self but has the staying power until the glue is dry. One big plus is that it is inexpensive and comes in a variety of sizes.

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Michael Lloyd

“I was born to ignorance, yes, and lesser poverties ...
I was born to privilege that I did not see ... I didn’t know it, but my way was paved” – John Gorka

I've never found any painter's tape that wouldn't break when applying as much pressure as you need for binding. I've broken the binding tape, but it takes a lot of pull to break it.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I use fiber tape as per the advice of coach Tony, plenty strong and easy to pull back on itself, very sound advice for shellac on the top edges or even on the whole top as minimal protection against dings and scratches on any softwood.

Good advice Serge. I use a little heat on the tape too.It comes right off when warmed a little.Shellac on the top also is a good thing.I have used the brown Stew mac tape with no problems.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Thanks for asking that Mike, and thanks all who replied.
I have never seen anyone mention sealing the top for the binding tape. It seems to be a common beginner problem though as you all attested to.

DavidO

I seem to be the odd one out here . I wrap the bindings with rubber innertube ,cut into a continuous 3/4" strip .

It pulls the bindings and purfling snug against their ledges.



Craig

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Youre not the odd one out Craig...I use a similar technique but with dressmakers bias binding tape or macrame rope.

If I ever apply for a job in a bondage shop Ill be a shoe in.

Yeh, but I've had experience with black rubber Martin,,A bigger chance

I've tryed the tape method ,and besides the tape wanting to pull off fibres (sides too ) , I found that the rubber strip does a better job of clamping the binding/purfling . It pulls it in nice and snug and maintains the pressure . I only do one side of the top/back at a time , but don't find that a drama . Gives me time to bring my heart rate back to normal .

I have the guitar on a solera , suspended out from the bench . The rubber strip goes around the guitar and solera . It's very quick . I can tie off the strip as I glue a section at a time .

I have heard of others using surgical tubing



Craig Lawrence

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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I coat the surface with my clear coat epoxy sealer that I will finish later with KTM9. Seems to save a step for me. After that I'm heat and gentle scraper. I'm going to try the naptha too.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

I put a seal coat on the top back and sides as soon as possible just to help protect every thing. But thats more for my comfort than any thing else.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.