adding neck binding after the fact

[ex-250]

so ive fallen in love with this SG faded at the local guitar store by my parents' house, its simply the most resonant guitar ive ever laid my hands on. they have a big sale every january where nearly everything in the store drops to half price for one day, and i totally plan on camping out overnight (lots of people do it) and grabbing this guitar.

to my point- im a real bastard for binding, and i feel that all SGs should have neck binding. ive been looking around online and seen a few fadeds that people have added binding to.

my question is- how hard/expensive would it be to have neck binding added to that SG?

 

[Kevincharles]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

a lot of luthiers dont work on frets, which is what you you have to get into, because its tedius and in order to be profitable they have to charge a lot. relaly you'll just have to find one desperate enough for work.

 

[jmh151]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

You could fake it and use automotive pinstriping tape. I did it on the body of my Jackson Soloist, it gives it a much classier appearance, and no one knows the difference unless you're really up close.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

binding takes forever to do and is very tedious painstaking work.

i would just play the guitar and not worry about it bro.

 

[beandip]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

a lot of luthiers dont work on frets, which is what you you have to get into, because its tedius and in order to be profitable they have to charge a lot. relaly you'll just have to find one desperate enough for work.

A lot of Luthiers do work on frets, it's kinda the reason that we're known as luthiers.

Dave, to be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. If you'd really like to know what it would require, lemme break it down for ya.

Removing frets, one at a time, and doing it carefully to minimize chipping

Using a special heating blanket, or a hot spatula, remove the fretboard from the neck. After scouring the finish first, of course.

Taking careful measurements, run the neck on a spindle sander, belt sander, or the like to take away the correct amount.

Reinstall fretboard on the guitar

Cut, stretch, and glue binding

Apply finish, touch up around where fretboard was removed, scrape binding flush

Refret, level and crown frets, set up, nut work, etc

Now you have your binding.

 

[sosomething]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

I just wanna say, to back up beandip here..

If you don't work on frets, you are not a luthier. P.e.r.i.o.d.

 

[mrfunnyman]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

I've done what you are trying to do and honestly it's just not worth it! You're better off just buying a Gibson SG Standard, b/c by the time you get thru paying for what it would cost to put the binding on that guitar you would have paid more just to put the binding on that SG faded than you would have shelled out for the SG Standard.

 

[beandip]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

I've done what you are trying to do and honestly it's just not worth it! You're better off just buying a Gibson SG Standard, b/c by the time you get thru paying for what it would cost to put the binding on that guitar you would have paid more just to put the binding on that SG faded than you would have shelled out for the SG Standard.

If it could be had at half of the street price, it would be worth it for him. Resale value would hit rock bottom though.

 

[ex-250]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

meh, doesnt sound worth it. haha. too much tearing apart the guitar. thanks for all the input though.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

you love it, its the most resonant guitar youve ever laid hands on, you can get it for a killer deal (assuming you have the cash)

If you DONT buy because it doesnt have binding I am going to come slap you!

 

[ex-250]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

haha, nah if i can get it for half price im absolutely buying it either way. i should be able to afford it by then, new job should have started already.

ill be fine without it, was just curious. itll learn me to be less of a superficial asshat

 

[Zerberus]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

so ive fallen in love with this SG faded at the local guitar store by my parents' house, its simply the most resonant guitar ive ever laid my hands on. they have a big sale every january where nearly everything in the store drops to half price for one day, and i totally plan on camping out overnight (lots of people do it) and grabbing this guitar.

to my point- im a real bastard for binding, and i feel that all SGs should have neck binding. ive been looking around online and seen a few fadeds that people have added binding to.

my question is- how hard/expensive would it be to have neck binding added to that SG?

if I were to do it, it would run about 600 dollars for "standard" neck and headstock binding without "nibs" on the fret ends.

The frets have to be removed
The binding ledge has to be precisely cut.
The binding needs to be installed and then brought down to final profile.
The neck has to be refretted, leveled and dressed.
The neck has to be refinished or at least touched up.

Essentially if you´re not capable of doing it yourself it´s probably not worth the investment of doing it aftermarket.

While Dustin´s method is viable, I´m personally not a fan of removing the fretboard to do so because IMO it´s more painstaking and complicated to shave the sides of a fretboard off, install binding, and properly reinstall the board than it is to remove the frets and use a binding knife or router to cut the channel. Just a different way to skin the cat.

a lot of luthiers dont work on frets, which is what you you have to get into, because its tedius and in order to be profitable they have to charge a lot. relaly you'll just have to find one desperate enough for work.

A luthier that doesn´t do fretwork shouldn´t be calling themselves a luthier IMO but a "tech" or "repairman" (though fretwork is definitely something a repairman should also be capable of). Work is work and hourly rates are hourly rates.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

You could also just have the fretboard removed and replaced with another that is bound....

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

You could fake it and use automotive pinstriping tape. I did it on the body of my Jackson Soloist, it gives it a much classier appearance, and no one knows the difference unless you're really up close.

I think this would be the best option considering cost and that it is a SG Faded (not at all knocking the guitar, just saying to go through the expense of adding binding is like putting Platinum Rims on a $500 beater car...)

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

Being it's been 6 years did ex250 even buy the guitar? If he did does he even still own it?

 

[ItsaBass]

adding neck binding after the fact

Neck binding is actually pretty simple to add, if you have a reasonable understanding of tools and building things. It will cost you hardly anything if you do it yourself (if you already have the tools). I have a project going right now in which I will be adding it to a Les Paul Special. Basically, I am setting up a router jig that levels the router over the fretboard. I routing in about 3/64", going around the frets closely. Then I will go back in with a sharp chisel to clear the areas below the fret ends. In the end, I want the existent frets to go completely over the binding. Another option would be to simply come in with a grinder bit or metal file, and remove the fret ends completely, building them back up out of binding material, as Gibson does.

I am prepared to do a refret if anything gets screwed up. I'd love to re-radius the board (for more curve) and get skinnier frets anyhow.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

Being it's been 6 years did ex250 even buy the guitar? If he did does he even still own it?

I just noticed the date...am I the only one who doesn't look at that? lol :smash:

Neck binding is actually pretty simple to add, if you have a reasonable understanding of tools and building things. It will cost you hardly anything if you do it yourself (if you already have the tools). I have a project going right now in which I will be adding it to a Les Paul Special. Basically, I am setting up a router jig that levels the router over the fretboard. I routing in about 3/64", going around the frets closely. Then I will go back in with a sharp chisel to clear the areas below the fret ends. In the end, I want the existent frets to go completely over the binding. Another option would be to simply come in with a grinder bit or metal file, and remove the fret ends completely, building them back up out of binding material, as Gibson does.

I am prepared to do a refret if anything gets screwed up. I'd love to re-radius the board (for more curve) and get skinnier frets anyhow.

If you have the tools and ability/skills to do it then I'd say go for it. But paying for that work on a Faded SG is just probably not worth it (in my book)

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

I just noticed the date...am I the only one who doesn't look at that? lol :smash:

Nah by far you're not the only one. I dont mind it if someone bumps and adds good info... but in this case doesnt seem so.

But Iam curious if EX250 ever did buy that guitar.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

Nah by far you're not the only one. I dont mind it if someone bumps and adds good info... but in this case doesnt seem so.

But Iam curious if EX250 ever did buy that guitar.

Now that you mention it I am curious if EX250 did also!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: adding neck binding after the fact

If you have the tools and ability/skills to do it then I'd say go for it. But paying for that work on a Faded SG is just probably not worth it (in my book)

Absolutely. I'd never actually pay for it, or suggest that anyone else do so.