NGD - binding repair advice sought

[HTH AMPS]

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?

[PhilKing]

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.

[Dave Sloven]

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.

[HTH AMPS]

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?

[Lew]

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

[Dave Sloven]

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

There's more to it than it might seem.  Colour, thickness, etc

[WezV]

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

[Mr. Air]

Congrats on the NGD! Cool looking guitar, but I have no idea how to fix the binding though.

[Philly Q]

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?

[FELINEGUITARS]

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

[WezV]

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

[HTH AMPS]

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.

[HTH AMPS]

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.

[PhilKing]

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?

[Dave Sloven]

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