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I've noticed a few great looking guitars lately with AFB binding (one by our very own Chris Ensor ). I've wanted a very dark brown for the koa/redwood guitar I'm working on and African Blackwood seems perfect. The major suppliers don't seem to have it listed. Where would you look?

Have you checked Gilmer Woods?

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Wenge might also look nice and not look too much like plastic under finish.

To Help with the problem of ebony/blackwood looking to much like plastic I've gone mostly to macassar ebony, still dark with variations in it. Other than that Gilmer or maybe Bob at RC Tonewoods

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

My last 2 ABW sticks I bought for bindings came from Ebay. It can be a little hard to find. The last one I got was a bass fretboard. Mun and Macasser can be other good option for dark. IMHO the Wenge is one of the nicer looking but is porous and more brown than black.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/African-Black-W ... 27f79b25e9

Might work

Hmm, that guitar looks familiar!

I cut my own for that guitar. But I bet if you call RC or Gilmer, they might be able to help.

And as Clay mentioned, wenge is also a nice option. I have used it quite a bit and am using it on my current build.

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

I can't speak to their current stock, but Hibdon definitely has it listed. I've only ever received great products from Hibdon, so they'd be one of my first choices. All of their binding stock is listed as 1.5" wide boards that you have to rip yourself. Not sure if you have a table saw or other means of ripping. I'd be willing to help you out in that regard, if you need it.

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sweat the small stuff.

One caveat about wenge. Make sure you also fill the pores on the top of the binding, right next to the purfling. DAMHIKT

Steve

I bought material for my last guitar with ABW binding from Hibdon. Looks great. I will put pictures up in a day or two.

http://www.hibdonhardwood.com/products/binding-stock

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EddieLee

Thanks for the Hibdon references.

I've considered wenge, but the aesthetic character of the grain isn't really what I'm looking for here. My building buddy uses it all the time and does incredible things with it.

Macassar was another thought, and Allied carries it. My worry there was that it varies so much, who knows what I'd really get. Smokey stuff with a few tan streaks? Tan with streaks of black? I do think it would work really well though if I could be sure to get smokier stuff with light streaks of tan. The goal is a rich, dark binding, but with a little less contrast than Ebony in this case.

Thanks for the offer to help, Heath! I'll be able to rip it, but I'd love to meet up sometime since we're so close. The Hibdon reference was absolutely perfect.

Gilmer is a good source. Can't go wrong buying it in their cane blank dimensioned wood to cut your own or I believe they already have binding strips cut.

I like the look of dark brown for trimming on Koa and used dark brown Madagascar Rosewood on the 000 I built.

That sounds great, too.

Many thanks, gents. I just put an order through with Hibdon and called one in to Allied for some Macassar as well. I may call back to add on some Madagascar. My quest to pick up as little stock as needed maybe be crumbling...

Edit: When in doubt, get on the phone. I called Allied back to describe what it is I'm looking for, and they chose some more stock for me.

Thanks again for all the brainstorming.