Official Luthiers Forum!

For those of you that use highly figured bindings, I just got a set of killer Snakewood bindings from the Zootman and have a question. This will be for my first SS guitar--when using highly figured bindings, do you usually add a purfling line between the binding and side, or not? I know I'll have purfling on top, but I'm thinking the purfling on the side might detract from highly figured bindings. The back and side will be EIRW. What say you all?

Thanks!

John

John, this might be like asking everyone's favorite flavor of ice cream. But I'll say this, I've used a b/w/b purfling line on almost every high-figured binding scheme I've used, and it always looks better to my eye.
Of course, UMMV. And old grumpy Russell will chime in and say that's not how they do it in GB!

But perhaps one thin maple line would look nice.

SK

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I think if you are using a dark binding against a dark wood expecially since you want that snalewood (as Lance calls it) to shine, you need at least a simple and contrasting line to make it happen. So a nice single line purf on the back and sides and at least a double Purf on the top. And all mitered around the backstrip and tail wedge.John How38834.6031134259

_________________
Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I have not done side purflings before and have used flamed maple on the last few boxes I've done.

Here is a couple of pics

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

[QUOTE=Steve Kinnaird] John, this might be like asking everyone's favorite flavor of ice cream. But I'll say this, I've used a b/w/b purfling line on almost every high-figured binding scheme I've used, and it always looks better to my eye.
Of course, UMMV. And old grumpy Russell will chime in and say that's not how they do it in GB!

But perhaps one thin maple line would look nice.

SK[/QUOTE]

Steve,

Well this Mr Grumpy does

Rupola lacewood binding on Cuban Mahogany sides:

_________________
Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Hmm, those side purflings do look really nice. How would you guys recommend I add the purfling now that I already have the cut bindings? Do you think I can just glue them on with Titebond and they will survive bending?

Thanks again!

John

Personally I think the side perfing adds that extra level of class to a guitar, pushes it over the $2k range.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

[QUOTE=John Elshaw]How would you guys recommend I add the purfling now that I already have the cut bindings? Do you think I can just glue them on with Titebond and they will survive bending?[/QUOTE]

I too want to know how to do this, I have some nice mac eb to make into bindings and want to add a maple strip to it.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

John, I wouldn't attach them. Make a pack of two binding strips and the purflings in the middle. Wrap them tightly with tape all the way down so it looks like a barber shop pole. Then bend them. This gives you a little more flexibility if your miters don't work the first try, you can scooch it down and try again.

No I'll let you off on this one Steve, Either look is cool

[QUOTE=John Elshaw] Hmm, those side purflings do look really nice. How would you guys recommend I add the purfling now that I already have the cut bindings? Do you think I can just glue them on with Titebond and they will survive bending?

Thanks again!

John[/QUOTE]

John,

I glue the side purflings to the bindings with Titebond II, then bend them in the Fox bender (not the Piggy Toaster ):

I use small strips of masking tape to hold all 4 strips together and make sure that purfling isn't touching purfling (the purfling is on the outside 2 edges and the otside of the next 2 bindings - this gives the correct shapes for 2 top and 2 back bindings)

Paul's method will work fine too but be careful when you glue the binding/purfling that the purfling doesn't sit too far in to the body leaving a void when you scrape down.

_________________
Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Russ--many thanks.

Dave W.--that's a fine looking guitar! Of course all we can see here is one bit of one side, but I bet you handled the rest with aplomb. Or perhaps with acherry, but I still bet the whole thing looks good.

John E.--I frequently glue purflings on after the strips are cut. CA does a wonderful job at this task, and gets 'em on pretty quick, too. That stuff holds up beautifully under heat.

Rod--agreed.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Great idea Paul--I always wondered how you could bend purfling sideways if it wasn't glued. Problem solved.

John

It's Tim McKnight's solution. He saved my purflings many a time by teaching me that one.

Dave now that is one cool toaster

I glue the purflings to the bindings with super glue and bend them in the bender, they don't come apart. I like not having too many sparate purflings and bindings to deal with when I glue them to the guitar.

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Do you guys use the 1/16" wide purfling for the sides.
They look narrower in the picture.

Anyone?
Or is it a dumb question   

Alain - how much is 1/16th? I use .6mm veneer for purfling.

I usually glue it up to the binding material before it is cut, with titebond or titebond II if I have it around from more complex inlays.

John E., in my opinion side purflings are essential. To not include them (In my opinion) makes it look like you cut corners or do not quite have the ability, even though they're quite easy. I find guitars with side purflings much more refined than those without, but it is only an opinion.jfrench38840.9361921296

_________________
Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

When bindings are already cut, use some mdf boards on your workbench, and hang them over the edge. Glue the purflings together beforehand (for example, maple-ebaony-ebony-maple) then cut them close to binding width, then use spool clamps to glue them to the purflings. Its easy, but no where near as fast as doing it all at once.jfrench38840.9354050926

_________________
Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

Also - I am with Hesh re dyed vs. natural woods. but I'm a classical maker so it doesn't count

_________________
Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

Alain - how much is 1/16th? I use .6mm veneer for purfling

I meant 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm)

I have 1/16 x 1/16 bwb purfling but never used them as they just didn't look right to me.

Next time I will try a veneer glued to the binding before I cut them.Alain Lambert38840.9499537037