Tele Bass build by Dingobass.

[dingobass]

Very nice Phil.

I have yet to do any binding. I have been researching for my next build and although it will just be plain it is still going to be a challenge.

Phil, can I ask you 2 questions please:

1. With normal binding would you usually laminate 2 strips of binding before applying to the body or as you apply it to the body?
2. Do you use glue or acetone for laminating and applying?

Thanks mate.

For your first attempt I would highly recommend just using a single strip, but if you want to go for the double binding look these are the steps.

Make sure you get ABS binding, cellulose binding is a different beast and quite a pain to work with..

1: get one of those teflon type chopping boards. It will need to be big enough to fit the whole body.
2: with a template, rout a groove 3/4 the depth of the binding and the width of both pieces.
3: gently heat the first strip with a hair drier set on a medium setting and feed it into the groove.
4: next grab the second piece and repeat.
5: remove the second strip then with a small paint brush apply acetone between the strips as you feed it back into the slot.
(You need to stand on one leg, holding your tongue inbetween your teeth as you go... It is a bit tricky but worth the effort )
Leave it for a few hours then pull it out.
Bingo, you have a pre shaped binding ready for install.

Then as you install it into your binding rout apply some medium viscosity CA glue, or you can use Tarzans Grip.
You will need to hold it in place with high tack binding tape as you go (I prepare a heap of strips of tape before I start)

If you go for a single binding strip, you wont need to pre bend it in a jig. You can do it by heating and bending it around the edge of the guitar. Again, hold it in place with a few strips of tape as you go.

With the binding channel, make sure it is slightly narrower and shallower than the binding. You will scrape the excess of later.
It is also important to make sure the sides of the Guitar have been pre sanded and are free of any uneven bumps and hollows as these will show up as gaps between the body and binding.

After you remove the tape, you may see a few gaps. Simply make a slurry with the offcuts of binding in acetone which you can then use as a bog to fill them.
Let it cure over night and then you can scrape the bindings flush