Binding tale...
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:06 am
Hello All,
I am new to building guitars. I have a "Blog" of my build active here... It is a Dreadnaught kit from Martin. It came with binding, black plastic and also some purfling to match the sound hole. Myself (builder), Willie (son, player) and Annemarie (wife) all agreed to get light binding (curly maple) and no purfling for this first build. I talked to John (thanks), read many posts (thanks) and pulled the trigger. I ordered from LMI the long shanked cutter for my router, appropriately sized bearing and 1 curly maple binding. Here is where the commedy of errors started... I "thought" ordering 1 binding would be fine because I "thought" it was sold as a SET (2 pieces, top and bottom). Approximately $70.00 later ($15.00 for shipping) I got my package from LMI. I was all excited and opened it up and found 1 cutter, 1 bearing and 1 piece of curly maple binding! I said, I thought it was a set and told Annemarie and Willie I have to get another piece and pay another $8.00 in shipping. Called the guy at LMI, explained my situation and they basically told me, my error and they could do nothing to help me. OK, it was worth a try with the call... I went to place another order for the 2'nd piece of binding that I need and I figured I would be smart and order an extra piece just because I am so smart!... I ordered 2 pieces. I went to my shop last night, set up my router with my new cutter and bearing, practice a cut on a 2X2 scrap piece and went towards my mahogany body I just spent 2 1/2 months building... Steadying my hands I went for the first cut... Came out pretty good... I routed the whole bottom binding channel and took it upstairs to show all proud as a peacock!... I was showing my family and saying it will be sooo nice, then I said, let me start at the back of the guitar with the middle of the binding piece and just make sure it is LONG ENOUGH to fit around the whole bottom of the guitar... IT ISN'T... I need 3 MORE pieces of binding and I just ordered 2 a few days ago. So I will have to order ANOTHER piece of $ 3.50 binding from LMI and pay $8.00 in shipping... It is really nice binding and I can't wait to glue it on. I will show pictures as soon as I get it done. Thanks for all the help...
Lesson - Dreads need 4 pieces of binding ordered from LMI.
Sincerely,
Rich
I am new to building guitars. I have a "Blog" of my build active here... It is a Dreadnaught kit from Martin. It came with binding, black plastic and also some purfling to match the sound hole. Myself (builder), Willie (son, player) and Annemarie (wife) all agreed to get light binding (curly maple) and no purfling for this first build. I talked to John (thanks), read many posts (thanks) and pulled the trigger. I ordered from LMI the long shanked cutter for my router, appropriately sized bearing and 1 curly maple binding. Here is where the commedy of errors started... I "thought" ordering 1 binding would be fine because I "thought" it was sold as a SET (2 pieces, top and bottom). Approximately $70.00 later ($15.00 for shipping) I got my package from LMI. I was all excited and opened it up and found 1 cutter, 1 bearing and 1 piece of curly maple binding! I said, I thought it was a set and told Annemarie and Willie I have to get another piece and pay another $8.00 in shipping. Called the guy at LMI, explained my situation and they basically told me, my error and they could do nothing to help me. OK, it was worth a try with the call... I went to place another order for the 2'nd piece of binding that I need and I figured I would be smart and order an extra piece just because I am so smart!... I ordered 2 pieces. I went to my shop last night, set up my router with my new cutter and bearing, practice a cut on a 2X2 scrap piece and went towards my mahogany body I just spent 2 1/2 months building... Steadying my hands I went for the first cut... Came out pretty good... I routed the whole bottom binding channel and took it upstairs to show all proud as a peacock!... I was showing my family and saying it will be sooo nice, then I said, let me start at the back of the guitar with the middle of the binding piece and just make sure it is LONG ENOUGH to fit around the whole bottom of the guitar... IT ISN'T... I need 3 MORE pieces of binding and I just ordered 2 a few days ago. So I will have to order ANOTHER piece of $ 3.50 binding from LMI and pay $8.00 in shipping... It is really nice binding and I can't wait to glue it on. I will show pictures as soon as I get it done. Thanks for all the help...
Lesson - Dreads need 4 pieces of binding ordered from LMI.
Sincerely,
Rich