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Hey all,

I've started a new project telecaster, and got it cut out nicely. I had planned on binding it with ebony+bloodwood, but that wood is wicked hard, and doesn't bend easily, ended up snapping a couple pieces. Problem is, I've cut the edges already, and don't really want to change my color scheme, nor use plastic.

Are there any helpful tips on binding tight curves, or any curves for that matter? I thought about maybe making some templates to put in my acoustic side bender, but it still won't be able to handle the tight radius of a telecaster on the lower bout. The only option I thought of, is get a bunch of binding strips, and shave them down so they're super thin, and putting them all together that way, but I don't really like that option either.



Thanks...

John

i'm far from a wood bending expert, but, you just can't bend the rock hard woods like that.
when's the last time you saw a violin, cello, guitar, jewelry box, coffin, whatever, made in the last 500 years that had curved ebony binding? ....gotta take some cues from history sometimes and say "hmmm......."
you could easily dye some softer light woods black or very dark brown though.

Ebony can certainly be bent, ditto bloodwood. Not easily, but it can be done.

For ebony, you can consider bending thinner veneers and laminating them instead, as the joints will disappear. Chris Verhoeven has bent wood around some extremely sharp corners on both his acoustics and his 'electric arch tops' (and electrics, for that matter). I've bent flamed maple around PRS contours. It's not something I plan to do often. Expect to break a few pieces.

I think the laminating portion is the best choice. Is there somewhere that sells the ebony in really fine strips like that so I can avoid sanding a while lot off them down?

I did one guitar in ebony. It was a total PITA to bend and under lacquer it looked just like black plastic. Figured next time I wanted black binding that's exactly what I was going to use...