Need recommendation for binding headstocks

[samwheat]

Who would you recommend to bind headstocks and set the pearl inlay? I have 2 and possible one more to get done. This should be standard with H150's (they look so much nicer). Hint to the factory.

[HANGAR18]

Who would you recommend to bind headstocks and set the pearl inlay? I have 2 and possible one more to get done. This should be standard with H150's (they look so much nicer). Hint to the factory.

 

The comparable Gibson offerings don't come with bound headstocks. As in H150 vs Les Paul Standard.

[TalismanRich]

I agree that the binding makes the headstock look worlds better, and it is an option that can be ordered when you put your guitar together. That's one reason I went with the 157 when I ordered my first guitar. I like the binding, but at the time, I had no clue that you could customize to that degree.

 

If I was ordering today, it would still be a 157, but probably a LW with Seths.

[Blunote]

Yes, a bound headstock looks better, but they're also more resistant to dents than a headstock without the binding.

 

I'm curious to see if it's feasible to add the binding after the guitar is built. It looks to me like the routing for the binding is done before the fingerboard is attached. I'm not an expert on the topic but I would think whoever does the job would first have to remove the fb, route around the headstock, carefully chisel out the bits just above the nut, apply the binding, sand it flush with the edge & refinish.

 

Yoslate apprenticed with a luthier. Maybe he has some insight. PM him.

[Kuz]

It can definitely done (even at Heritage, I believe), I asked a former Heritage rep if it could be done at Heritage, and he said, '"Yes it can be done, but you might not like the time frame or the price".

[barrymclark]

It can most certainly be done. I wouldn't due to likely cost.

 

 

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[brentrocks]

Vince tried to propose this same idea....for bound/inlayed headstocks to be standard.....i'll give you 3 guess who intantly shot it down

[samwheat]

Would anyone recommend RS Guitarworks to bind the headstocks on my guitars? How about Pete Moreno?

[DetroitBlues]

Pete may not ever touch another Heritage, RS may be able to handle it.

[tbonesullivan]

The hard part is the finish work. not to mention that the channel for the binding is usually added before the fretboard/nut. Those things can get in the way.

 

Standard? Why? Binding doesn't serve any purpose on the headstock anyway. Heck it barely serves any purpose on a solid body guitar. I also don't see how it makes a headstock more resistant to denting. It's going to dent/chip the binding and knock the finish off. If you don't want headstock dents, be more careful.

 

also lets not for get, every joint on the guitar is another place where you can get finish checking:

 

[TalismanRich]

The hard part is the finish work. not to mention that the channel for the binding is usually added before the fretboard/nut. Those things can get in the way.

 

Standard? Why? Binding doesn't serve any purpose on the headstock anyway. Heck it barely serves any purpose on a solid body guitar. I also don't see how it makes a headstock more resistant to denting. It's going to dent/chip the binding and knock the finish off. If you don't want headstock dents, be more careful.

 

also lets not for get, every joint on the guitar is another place where you can get finish checking:

 

 

 

Maybe its not structural, but is damn sure makes the headstock more appealing visually (to me).

 

The lack of binding is only an issue if you are buying used. For new orders, just include the binding to start with. Problem solved!

[peterbright]

I prefer them non-bound myself

[Gtwibs]

I feel like the demand for bound headstocks has been crazy on the forum lately. Personally, i think the models that come with it standard (157, 555....) look great and it looks a little out of place on an otherwise regular 535 or 150.

[Kuz]

For me, I think every Heritage should have a bound headstock and MOP inlay for the Heritage name.

[Vanschoyck]

For me, I think every Heritage should have a bound headstock and MOP inlay for the Heritage name.

 

Totally with you on the inlay. I don't get why they use that other logo application.

[AP515]

I prefer them non-bound myself

Me too. It seemed to me that the binding was just to cover up poor edge finishing. If you make the guitar right in the first place, you don't have to go around covering up the edges with plastic.

[Millennium Maestro]

I say order them however you want them...

[FredZepp]

Sometimes it's nice to have some binding and nice inlay done...

 

[tbonesullivan]

Me too. It seemed to me that the binding was just to cover up poor edge finishing. If you make the guitar right in the first place, you don't have to go around covering up the edges with plastic.

 

Technically the binding serves no structural purpose on a solid body guitar at all. On a Hollow body, it is to increase the glue joint surface area for a more solid joint around the body edges. They put it on the fretboard too for looks, and looks ONLY. The fretboard doesn't need any help staying attached.

 

When they started making solid body electrics, they put binding on it because they wanted to make it look "familiar". like the hollow bodies. People equated it with "quality", when it really means nothing like that.

[Blunote]

 

Technically the binding serves no structural purpose on a solid body guitar at all. On a Hollow body, it is to increase the glue joint surface area for a more solid joint around the body edges. They put it on the fretboard too for looks, and looks ONLY. The fretboard doesn't need any help staying attached.

 

When they started making solid body electrics, they put binding on it because they wanted to make it look "familiar". like the hollow bodies. People equated it with "quality", when it really means nothing like that.

 

I think the binding tidies up the seams between pieces of wood that are joined together. The seam between the mahogany body and the maple top being one example, and the seam between the fretboard and neck being another.

 

As protection, it's arguable. For me, the top edge of the head stock north of the third set of pegs is what I'm most likely to ding or dent. Neither of my guitars with a bound headstock have any dings where those surfaces are bound. For that matter, none of my bound body guitars have dents or chips along the bound edges. I think the binding helps.

[DavesNotHere]

Sometimes it's nice to have some binding and nice inlay done...

 

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