Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: HTH AMPS on November 10, 2013, 07:09:45 PM

Title: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 10, 2013, 07:09:45 PM
New guitar day, couldn't pass this up for £100 locally.  Needs a bit tlc to the binding which I hope to do myself; with some help/suggestions from the resident guitar repairers  :lol:

Sounds surprisingly good as it is, but there are plans to put some nicer pickups in after xmas (Riffs Raffs being the obvious choice).

Any suggestions on repairing the binding?
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: PhilKing on November 10, 2013, 07:58:08 PM
For a hundred quid I think you have yourself a bargin.  I love white SG/Les Paul Customs ever since I saw the John Verity band at Bradford University refectory back in 1970 or so.  John had one (which I've played a couple of times), and Geoff Lythe had a black John Birch SG.  John was also using his blonde Dual Showman with a matching 2x10 and a blonde Bassman 2x12 cab.
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 10, 2013, 10:13:55 PM
If you find a good luthier then that should be repairable.  Companies like Stew Mac sell binding material for luthiers to use.  They could either insert a section or replace the whole piece. The colour probably won't be an exact match though.
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 11, 2013, 08:45:05 PM
Thanks for the replies.  I know its repairable, but I'm really looking on advice and support on doing it myself.

Best I can gather is that superglue built up is the way to go, then cut it back to shape with files, maybe some wet n' dry.

Anyone?
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Lew on November 11, 2013, 09:07:28 PM
Disclaimer: I haven't got a $%&#ing clue what I'm talking about but wouldn't it just be a case of cutting a uniform piece out. Cutting an equal bit and gluing it in? Anywho ask Feline or Wez ;-)

Love SGCustoms
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 11, 2013, 09:13:05 PM
Super glue can be used on very small gaps in binding, but this is more substantial.  It would seem to involve cutting a piece out and then inserting a new piece and then shaping it with files.  Have a look at the following page:

http://www.stewmac.com/Shopping?actn=search&keyword=binding (http://www.stewmac.com/Shopping?actn=search&keyword=binding)

There's more to it than it might seem.  Colour, thickness, etc
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: WezV on November 11, 2013, 09:19:11 PM
the superglue will obviously dry clear and will also take a lot of building up with the potential for a lot of runs.   if going for that kind of "quick fix" repair i would look at dyed epoxy.  similar idea to the superglue but you have more colour options, also you could dam the edge with masking tape and it wouldn't wick as much as superglue will.  find some white powder to mix the epoxy with and you will get close, and it will make it a bit more of a paste which will help it stay in place.  its a bit guerilla but it will work.

although personally i would be looking to insert  a new piece of binding just for that fret, but you can always come back to this option.  it won't be invisible.  replacing the whole strip is the best repair but with the extra finish work that needs and the frets to think about too its far too much work for this
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Mr. Air on November 12, 2013, 12:06:39 PM
Congrats on the NGD! Cool looking guitar, but I have no idea how to fix the binding though.
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Philly Q on November 12, 2013, 02:16:24 PM
Almost on topic, I have a guitar with some binding that's come loose.  What's an appropriate glue for sticking it back on?  Of course superglue would "work", but I imagine there are better alternatives?
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 12, 2013, 05:41:29 PM
superglue is actually your best bet Phil as you are sticking plastic to wood.
You can use model airplane glue but it gets messy and wood glue is better for sticking wood to wood in my opinion
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: WezV on November 12, 2013, 07:08:09 PM
yeah, superglue is best for sticking binding on, it will wick along the join better than all other glues too.   you can get epoxy to behave in a similar fashion but it means playing with mixing ratios and temperatures.   whereas a drop of two of superglue will usually get you there with very little clean-up needed, 2 seconds with a razor usually does it
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 12, 2013, 10:39:03 PM
Thanks for the suggestions guys, and also Jon for his suggestions on the phone the other night.

I quite like the baking soda and superglue idea, or melting down a pick with acetone (cheers Jon) - that kind of craziness is right up my street.

Guerilla botch-job here we come  :lol:

To shape it back and get a smooth finish, what is best? - wet n' dry or a file or some kind? (I have an emery board here, ha ha).

It just needs to be playable, not pretty.
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 14, 2013, 08:23:03 PM
Progress update...

I tried bicarbonate of soda and superglue, but it hardened almost immediately, so no time to mould it into shape to fill the dent.  I almost stuck my fingers together without realising I had glue on them too, so I'm staying clear of this stuff.

Acetone and a plectrum melted down has however worked a treat, just leaving it to harden fully overnight, then filing it down.

Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: PhilKing on November 14, 2013, 08:32:01 PM
I tried bicarbonate of soda and superglue, but it hardened almost immediately, so no time to mould it into shape to fill the dent. 

I thought it was baking soda and epoxy not superglue?
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 14, 2013, 10:22:31 PM
There is a brand of super glue that takes a lot longer to set, it is called Gorilla.

Personally I don't like it as it has always taken too long to set for my applications I've used it in (generally slot cars) but it might work here.  The one thing I would avoid is a 'zapper' (the stuff you spray on to make super glue set instantly once it is all in place).  It tends to turn the glue yellow
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: JDC on November 15, 2013, 12:45:47 AM
I like how the colour of the guitar compliments your bed sheets ;)
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: WezV on November 15, 2013, 07:31:31 AM
Progress update...

I tried bicarbonate of soda and superglue, but it hardened almost immediately, so no time to mould it into shape to fill the dent.  I almost stuck my fingers together without realising I had glue on them too, so I'm staying clear of this stuff.

Acetone and a plectrum melted down has however worked a treat, just leaving it to harden fully overnight, then filing it down.



the idea with very fine powder and super glue (ca) is that you fill the gap with powder then apply glue .  because superglue wicks so well it soaks straight through all the powder and instantly hardens.  it can get messy but generally works if you can control the flow of glue

the epoxy method i suggested does work differently and you do have to mix it all first, it makes a thick paste which will stay where you put it and file down to shape easily... similar to the fix with the melted plectrum


many ways to skin a cat
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 15, 2013, 06:51:44 PM
I went with the melted plectrum method in the end, not invisible, but it does the job and cost me 99p buying the acetone in home bargains  :D

Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: gwEm on November 15, 2013, 07:27:10 PM
Repair actually looks quite good  8)
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: WezV on November 15, 2013, 07:55:13 PM
yeah, that is a fine functional repair
Title: Re: NGD - binding repair advice sought
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 15, 2013, 10:56:30 PM
Cheers guys, I'm quite happy with the way it turned out.  Like I said, just wanted it to be a functional repair and not too concerned about colour matching.  With some binding that matches the colour I could've melted it down and got a better match, but its not that far off to be fair.