Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

[StuTDavis]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Personally, I think guitars with just binding on the neck and not on the headstock look kinda...odd. I always vote for binding neck and head.

As far as black binding on mahagony and ebony logo on mahagony, are you sure they are going to be very visible at all? Mahagony is already fairly dark, and even if it is true "natural" mahagony, with no stain at all, the finish coats are going to darken it even more some, aren't they? I'd be skeptical on black on mahagony until I saw it...hmm...

Assuming that it would show up just fine, then, sure, bind the body in black, too. Even if there's not a whole LOT of contrast between the black binding on the mahagony headstock, it will all become more defined, noticable and striking if the body is bound the same way too.

On the other hand, personally, if I found that the black binding and logo didn't show up too well on the mahagony headstock, I'd consider going with all abalone binding and MOP logo. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Other option would be some other light (white, white pearl etc) binding with MOP logo. I'm just not sure how defined an abalone logo would be on a dark, grained background headstock.

Stu

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Thanks guys. Stu, a fellow member just sent me pics of his Custom shop Kelly with natural mahogany done the Jackson regular way with black binding on the neck-body-headstock and I must say, it looks very striking!! The black binding shows up very pronounced as does the Burnt in Jackson logo, but I am going with the ebony inlaid logo. so now I am down to deffinately binding on the neck and no binding on the body and head, or binding on the neck and binding on the body and neck. Let`s take a Poll!! Thanks-Jack.

[toejam]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Binding on the neck and headstock = yes.

Binding on the body = no.

I think body binding looks better on pointy bodies like the Kelly, Rhoads, Warrior, etc., but not on Strat or Les Paul bodies. Though, the binding can sometimes dig into your forearm and be a pain. If you really like the look of binding on the body, maybe get the ends of the body unfinished/finished differently (like how PRS or Carvin do) so there's not actually binding around the edges but it sort of looks like there is.

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Man, I have all the specs worked out except the binding, well except for the neck, that will have binding for sure, and yes Toe, I do feel a Soloist body is jsut sweet in it`s natural state without binding. Big decisions here, but what ever i choose, I will be very happy with her. My other decision, although not as worrysome is the bridge humbucker, either the Rio Grande BBQ or the eMG 85, I love both of them equally in an Active verse Passive way, the BBQ has some serious bottem end crfunch with sizzle, but it gives up some top end and pinch harmonics to the EMG 85. This one is easy to change, the binding isn`t. Jack.

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

I have another one for ya [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I have my 1993 Custom Shop Archtop Soloist and it doesn`t have the forearm cut and I kinda like it that way and I also like the squared off body shape without the cut, what do you think of no forearm cut without it? I am keeping the belly cut, that I really like and nead [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Jack.

[StuTDavis]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

HEHEHE I know JUST what you mean about needing the belly-cut. When I had my GMW Custom Scythe done, I had to put in the embarrassing request to Lee that the guitar have a...hrm...very pronounced belly cut hehehe. Luckily, I was a local out there at the time, he had me hold the raw body up to my body and we drew in a custom sculpt on the belly-cut for me hehehe.

That's awesome that you got to see pics of black binding on one like this, and it looks as good as you'd hoped. Should be VERY cool, then. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Like I said before, I'm all for binding all over the thing. Pretty much always enhances the look and "class" to me. I think what you're going for with the more traditional natural mahagony along with very untraditional black binding is a cool mix I'd call something like "kick-ass meets classy". That's what I was going for with my Scythe, and the binding on the body helps achieve that, I think. Bind that sucker all the way up, dude! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Stu

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Thanks Stu. It seams to be a 50/50 split on the Body binding and mostly all said black binding on the neck and head, which I agree with. So, now it is down to the body binding(yes or no) and arm cut or not, I think I loike it without one, anybody else like the top flat or am I just crazy over here [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Jack.

[Newc]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Strat-shapes without the arm cut on top don't feel right to me. If you like it, go for it [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Newc

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

You know what NEWC, I don`t actually feel any differences between the 2. So that is basically a looks thing in the end. Anyone have a Soloist or the like without the Arm Cut? Jack.

[sambencuda]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Jack, I just got my SL2 with black neck binding and an ebony board. It's hard to see, but it feels great. What looks cool is that you can't see the fret tangs. Now yours will have a natural neck, but it will look awesome with black binding. Go for the headstock and body as well!
[img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[VitaminG]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

genebaby has one: here

It has the pseudo-bound body too. Looks very cool. I believe it's his No. 1 player now.

[sambencuda]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Here's a shot of the black neck binding on ebony. I think it will look awesome against a mohogany neck.

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Wow, that is sweet!! I am going to think about the arm contour a little more, without it, well it kinda looks like a-well a Fender [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Binding the body is the biggest decision or not. One thing is for sure, if it has the arm cut I probably won`t have it bound, if the arm area is flat I may just do it. Jack.

[slayer]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Yes, I totally agree, black binding on the neck for sure. Jack.

[RacerX]

Re: Binding or Not? Custom Soloist

Will you hurry up and ORDER the danged thing! [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]