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| Guitar binding/back removal https://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=57693 |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Tue May 05, 2026 9:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Guitar binding/back removal |
Hi! I haven't been here in years, at the OLF. I built #2 Weiss style lap steel 25 years ago, and want to remove the Birdseye maple binding and then pull the back. Reason is I want to re brace top x brace, and some back bracing, as the top has a 'dish', concave, because I glued braces when humidity was too high. Any hints for removal? Unfortunately Titebond original glue was used. Thanks! Alan |
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| Author: | bobgramann [ Tue May 05, 2026 11:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guitar binding/back removal |
Titebond isn’t unfortunate. It will release with heat (although it takes enough to ruin the finish). Glue up a dummy section, let it age a couple of days, and then with a small iron and a very thin spatula, practice taking the joint apart. It will be pretty easy separating the back along the bindings and quite a bit harder where it’s glued to the blocks. Unfortunately, the back joint is at risk when you’re working on the blocks. I would consider just routing the bindings off and replacing them with new wood at the end. You’re likely to break them removing them anyway. You might also consider the work involved and just build another instead of saving this one. I have some early instruments that documented my learning curve. |
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| Author: | Bryan Bear [ Tue May 05, 2026 12:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guitar binding/back removal |
bobgramann wrote: You might also consider the work involved and just build another instead of saving this one. I have some early instruments that documented my learning curve. That isn't terrible advice. . . I get wanting to go back an repair and that is a perfectly reasonable option, but there is a lot to be said about moving forward wit what you have learned. It is also nice to see how far you have come when you look at old work. |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Tue May 05, 2026 3:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guitar binding/back removal |
Thanks for the info. I'm done building guitars. Good idea to build another, but, I have enough guitars, I built several after this one, with a radius for top and back, and watched the humidity for 40 percent or so to glue the git together. I learned about the humidity thing here on this forum, so thanks! I have a bit that I could router the binding off, and make new ones, so. I will have fun doing this, as I am retired and can take my time. I still have my pipe for bending sides and bindings. .Alan |
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| Author: | James Orr [ Tue May 05, 2026 6:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Guitar binding/back removal |
I recently removed a top from one that I botched a few years ago. It was glued with Titebond. I routed the binding off, then used an iron and frosting spatula to slowly work it off the rim. The hardest part is working the spatula in. Once it's in you'll be able to feel the glue give and slowly work it along. |
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