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This is a question about a purely cosmetic issue.

I have a set of that wildly figured Sapele (from Brian) and am putting together the binding. I decided on Cocobolo binding with maple and cocobolo purfling lines on the sides.

I glued up the binding as follows (viewed from the side): Cocobolo binding, .030" maple purfling line, .030" cocobolo purfling line, .030" maple purfling line.

Now, as a guy who can never just make a decision and go forward, I'm thinking that maybe the two maple purfling lines may be a bit much. It looks OK when I hold it up against the side, but I'm having a hard time picturing whether it will be too much when it's finished. Has anyone ever done that many purfling lines on the side, and do you have any pictures? If it's going to be too much, I would rather decide to scrape the last maple line off now rather than after it's all glued up, for obvious reasons . . . .

This is the fun . What is it in the design you like. You must make the decision in the end. I love creating binding. God knows it covered more than 1 luthiers boo boo
john hall

I agree with John. This is an area where you have a bit of a chance to express yourself. I own a couple of guitars that have rather complex binding/purfling designs, and the guitar I'm working on right now is even more involved, but that was because my client wanted it:



I prefer a simple 1mm (0.040") line of curly maple, a la Charles Fox, but then I build classicals:



True, the sapwood presents contrast issues, but I elected not to worry about it on this build.

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I would just do two lines under the binding coco/maple.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Kelby - I use 3 line side purflings all the time, but not in the .030 thickness. That would make your purflings .090 thick. My side purfs are a total width of .030, .010 for each line. I think .090 is to thick for side purfs.
But hey! Thats just my take

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I agree with Lance...seems a little thick. But hey! It's all up to you ( and your customer if it's a commission). Do as you like! HAVE FUN.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Thanks, guys!
I'll sleep on this a couple days, and get after it this weekend. I appreciate all of your input.

I use the bold ones, as long as you get good contrast you should be fine, I took one to Harry Fleishmans class and he really like the bold purfling on the guitar.

You won't know until you try it... go for it

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Paul, that's a great thought.

On the one hand, I hate to experiment with this great sapele. On the other hand, isn't every new guitar an experiment?

BTW, Paul, on your website under "Gallery" there is a close-up of an endgraft on a "Cremona." I like the purfling on that --- do you remember about how thick those are?