Official Luthiers Forum!

Just a general question that i didn't find much help when searching. How do you ultimately decide on the binding and purfling scheme for your builds? Is it the customers decision or do you start with an idea and try to lead them in that direction?

Theres too many choices and I'm having a hard time deciding what to use on my first build. Thanks for the help.

_________________
Stephen

If it is a commission, it varies. Some customers want to pick out every single detail they can. Others don't want to get overwhelmed by all that and will trust the luthier.

For some builds I want contrast, others I want a more subtle look. I know that probably doesn't help, but you just need to consider the overall aesthetic of your build.

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

If this will be the first guitar that you have built,go easy on yourself and think about ease of construction rather then the eye candy factor. Maybe use plastics or if wood use something like EIR which is resonable in price and easy to bend. Simple and plain can be very nice if design is good and well execxuted. Leave the fancy stuff to future guitars.
Tom

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

This will be my first guitar. The back and sides will be African mahogany and the top will be engelmann spruce. I would prefer to use wood bindings, but since this is all new I'm not completely opposed to plastic or anything else. Thanks again for the help.

_________________
Stephen

Yea I pretty much plan the builds out prior to the batch. Almost all of the time the customer pick the schemes and specifics of a build. Nut width, scale, woods, trim, finish.

If I do it, it is what to me looks like a good scheme based on the sets of wood. Many times I use the remains of the sides for the binding. I also do some contrast (maple or koa with coco and others) I also use plastic (fake tortoise or cream nitro) All of that depends on how I feel on a day aand what looks good with particular sets and who going to, since they all differ. But the plan is the plan once I set it out.

But on all of them and before starting the batch, I match what trim I am doing with the back. rims and top, and mark them in lack of a better term kit in a storage area. I do that because I don't want to be running around looking for stuff, which I seem to do anyway.

The Boss has a nice board on the wall on which he has the wood, trim, and other specifics of the commission, which is what I should do and if I can remember sometime will do as I start orders. But now in a note book that is if ever lost I am in trouble.

With your situation, look at the wood. Take some samples of trim and hold it up to the main componets and let your eyes work for you in what you want. Nothing at all wrong with plastic binding and purf for any build, and particularly the first. Do what works for you on scheme and then concentrate on the work and process of the build of the guitar. The process of the build and getting that right is the main objective and the rest will work out.

Stan,
Who is "the Boss"? Are you working with Bill Moll now?

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

No don't work at his shop now. But always referred to him as Boss out of respect. We remain great friends and he still is my mentor and helps me out when need it. We also share interest outside of guitars. Hope to go up and see him in a week or two. Always a good day. He has a new shop and haven't seen it since he finished setting it up. 3 stories of shop and studio fun.