Scraping for sharp looking binding: here's how it's done!

The king of Gibson relic finishes: Tom Murphy is well known as Gibson's go-to guy for relic finishes: perfectly worn and age-cracked. Tom's business, Guitar Preservation, makes this a specialty. Here he shows us how to make and use a scraper for cleaning binding after spraying a sunburst.
This video was made at Galloup Guitars' Northwoods Seminar in August of this year.
If you have questions, please contact us through our webpage www.stewmac.com/email or visit our Facebook page / stewmac
For more information on tools and parts:
ColorTone Aerosol Finishing Kit
www.stewmac.com/1850.html
ColorTone Liquid Stains
www.stewmac.com/5029.html
ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer
www.stewmac.com/5880.html
Cream Plastic Binding
www.stewmac.com/5904.html
Guitar Finishing Step-By-Step
www.stewmac.com/5095.html
Scraper Blades
www.stewmac.com/0654.html
StewMac Guitar Buffer Complete Outfit
www.stewmac.com/3080.html

[@viola1]

Having done this to a few guitars, I can say it sure looks a lot easier when he's doing it. That's why he's the master.

[@jimiwills]

Yep!

[@Ibaneddie76]

I can't count how many times I've studied this video, it's really helped me with getting clean binding results. I don't know who the 12 people are who thumbs downed it but this is a short master class and if you pay attention you will learn pretty much all of the basics of binding scraping. prepping the blade is so important. Keep this video handy if you are attempting a color scrape for the first time it will save you a lot of tears and frustration. Hold the blade with a relaxed hand too, a relaxed grip is always the best way to hold any kind of hand tool when working on guitars.

[@xMcCarthee]

God that's satisfying to watch.

[@niptodstan]

The new ultra short scale Les Paul.

[@gmmakesmehurl]

The string tension would be heavenly.

[@MrRupeshW]

More like Less Paul.

[@ryanshreevedrums]

Thats just what they do with all the les pauls after the headstocks crack off

[@kosycat1]

best comment

[@hkguitar1984]

Freaking Amazing. TO see this man practice his art like this is a real treat. Thank You Tom and Thank You StewMac.

[@kephers]

Tom, makes it look so easy...

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

This guy makes it look so easy!

[@andrewbryan359]

What a beautiful job. I've had to send my guitar back as it has a ridge on the inside binding all the way round. So good to see an artist at work.

[@mamachip]

On top of being a very talented and creative luthier, Tom is also a great teacher. Somebody pay this guy to do more videos!

[@TomKrall]

man how good is this video; smooth like butter

[@jonahguitarguy]

What a treat to see a couple of tricks that a master like Tom Murphy uses.

[@brandondenby673]

Impressive skill. You make it look so easy. Best video ive found on this subject

[@Marjoline]

Great instructions, Stewart, thanks so much for sharing. I have two guitars to do that have bindings, and I was wondering how on earth to mask them. You just saved me the trouble. I really appreciate your nice clean and clear tutorial!

[@chrispile3878]

Outstanding knowledge and technique, Tom!

[@AshStrat1]

nice to see a man who knows what he is doing

[@ozgundemirr]

this is high class workmanship that takes years to master.

[@PetroLarsson]

Özgün Demir took me two guitars to master... the third one was easy peasy. It's all about the tools.

[@ozgundemirr]

I've been a luthier for more than 13 years, and find it hard to believe to master something in two instruments, but ok.

[@PetroLarsson]

Özgün Demir I've been a carpenter for 20 and also done some boat carpentry. I see no skill in scraping off Colour from a plastic string though... it's mainly in your thumb and the leaning of the blade. A razor I used as in this video, that's all.

[@ozgundemirr]

Petro Larsson thing is carpentry and luthiery are very different things.

[@santantruf]

Petro Larsson be the first person in the history of the Internet to back your words with some action. We're waiting for a vid of you doing the same thing with such precision. Unless what you said was just horseshit. If that's the case, stfu and gtfo.

[@shaggadelik]

A true master of his arts!

[@treasurew]

I remember scraping neck binding at the Mossman Co in the 70's - it was the first thing we did in the morning- the crew together drinking coffee, talking, honing our blades- I think it was just a hacksaw blade. I remember asking my co-worker Joe Cummings to trade scrapers- OMG how do you use this? and him responding OMG how do you use this? But when you really had it- Man, what a great job! Shout out to Mike Barrett, Chris Fisher, the Schlender boys- Mossman neck Dept- #1! Tom Hoeffgen

[@TempleGuitars]

I really enjoyed that. Thank you Tom!

[@TheReacTT]

This is so satisfying!

[@usefulvidiots7869]

What an amazing craftsman.

[@soyellowsoviolent]

this is so relaxing to watch.

[@juliansedor7101]

Beautiful work.

[@jerrymorganjr]

It does help to mask as much as you can, then scrape the rest. Saves a lot of work. The thin stewmac tape is perfect for that.

[@turftone]

wow great video now some newbie is going to dig right through the top of his guitar because he made it look so so easy. nice to watch a masters hand at work, I usually go with xacto blades but I'll have to a utility blade after seeing this .

[@thespanielinquisition7167]

Excellent work

[@BassWhoopinFishingTeam]

What a beautiful guitar

[@franckydookie]

That's super impressive

[@jonathanclarke2582]

That's so awesome!

[@JebJulian]

Awesome, clear video

[@Mactatio]

Great vid, as usual!

[@lolamann110]

Stellarwork...

[@joestevens8753]

Nice job, thanks.

[@jonyes4639]

You're the best Tom.

[@gnrock1981]

Top class. Love to be able to do that!

[@agungwayne3090]

Beautiful.

[@waterwoodguitars6871]

This was an excellent video and exactly what I was looking for. Scraping seems like such an easy concept, but it’s really a mastered skill. Here’s to hoping I don’t botch this ‘59 replica I’m building. Lol

[@Mojokiss]

Wow. Learned something new today. Feels like secret knowledge

[@pskemster]

That was a privelage to watch and thanks for sharing the tip!

[@rb032682]

Great video. Thanks.

[@SGspecial84]

Love this

[@MrCalland]

This video needs to be recommended for stress relief. So relaxing watching this

[@wiggsan]

Genius! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[@Decalto35]

man i wish there were professionals like him in my country. I wanna refinish a second hand les paul but dont know who i can trust to do it

[@robertmizek3315]

Smoooooth technique!

[@laurelrunlaurelrun]

no wonder guitars like this are so expensive! beautiful work.

[@saby8765]

finesse...amazing

[@stipanrogic8169]

Real master .

[@punkrockdadstv7674]

Absolutely beautiful to watch

[@davidhigginbotham5451]

That is skill, gentlemen. :)

[@DaMainDude]

Although video tutorials/instructions are always helpful, something like this is only learned and perfected with hundreds of hours of practice.

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

The master!!

[@andrewdarnley4608]

Thanks for the insight into you do this part of the finish. It’s very rare to come across this type of inside knowledge.

[@WillyFranklinOnBass]

He makes that look easy....

[@extansegura]

amazing hand

[@andrewdarnley4608]

That is priceless !

[@TungstenCarlbide]

Tom Murphy and Gene Baker are my "heros" of lutherie

[@nxindy]

I'm planning on using alcohol dye on the guitar. Also have Mixol dye. I'm doing a blue thing. I'm wondering if the blue dye will stain the white binding to the point where it can't be scraped off like a lacquer spray paint, which wouldn't necessarily sink deeply into the binding.

[@czs7709]

I've got a les paul studio. Could I create a natural binding on the rose wood fretboard?

[@sparklemachine]

This is great. Where did you get the blade you used and shapened at the begining of your video?

[@wolflahti412]

What is the best approach when you have a burst over a metallic? The chrome-like undercoat topped by the transparent coat topped by the burst coat results in a measurably thick finish (~1/16th inch) that chips out when attempting to scrape the binding as shown in this video. Even if one were able to scrape the binding clean without chip-out, one would be left with a significant stair-step down from the guitar surface to the binding.

[@Marcelo_Mammana]

Hi! Thanks for the video. Understanding that you cannot do the same procedure for a logo on a headstock, how do you deal with finishing a headstock (staining or using dyes or whatever) avoiding staining the inlay? And if, as in the binding, you cannot masking it, what procedure do you suggest to clean the inlay after finishing the headstock? Thank you very much!

[@AmIonArock]

Was the groove for the binding cut with the neck on the guitar

[@user-zi8wh3wv2q]

cool, I was wondering how to get that red stuff off the bindings on my 65 SG special

[@metalyourhead]

Do you do this after applying the finishing coat or before? I'm currently building my first guitar, and I've added binding to the body. But not sure whether to spray the guitar until the finish body and scrap the binding, or do it before adding my top coat??

[@mridlehands7262]

So I see all videos that I've seen have shown a les paul with a pretty boxy or right angle kinda edge, my les paul had a very rounded edge. Anyone have any tips for getting the binding on that?

[@YellowJack6]

Can binding be added to a fretboard without removing it? And if so, what would be the best way to do it?

[@Megarobotsquadron]

is this done before or after the nitro topcoat?

[@jheeeee7402]

Sir After scraping the binding Do I need to paint clearcoat or not?

[@lazarjeremias1421]

Hi. It is possible to put binding on LP Studio?

[@yrulooknatme]

looks like it grew there!

[@lorenzonovello698]

After scraping the binding, you put a clear coat on, right?

[@thematter4696]

didn't see this anywhere in the comments, but i found you can actually use mr cleans magic eraser to make the whole thing white again when your done staining the guitar.

[@luizdiaz5196]

How do you remove stain from the sound hole rosette?

[@vinnier6]

Skilled

[@CopiRightPlayer]

god, i am regretting so much that i didn't find this guide earlier

[@martinmartin8871]

I wish there was more radius on the outer edge of the binding, so it's easier on the forearm.

[@beckycification]

Thank You very much. I am about to restore my Dad's '49 Gibson Console Grande and trying to find all the resources, materials etc. in order to make the project as smooth as possible. This helped me. Is the binding just plastic? Thank You. Clayton

[@kmonz90]

+Clayton Willoughby some binding is plastic, some binding is celluloid plastic and some are wood. Its important to know the differences between the plastics and even between new and old because they all behave a little differently

[@RichardMedhurst]

Even though you're doing a fantastic job, I got a heart attack watching this.

[@rb032682]

"Don't fear the Scraper"

[@markoxbn]

How is the edge called?

[@biggstile]

Is that plastic or lacquer shavings coming off?

[@dantahoua]

Great! But what to do with wood binding...?

[@steelsergesteelserge9939]

COOL

[@whiteship100]

Is that binding same wood like the top or some other material glued? Thnx!!

[@tonyfdesign]

whiteship100 plastic.

[@curbshoppin]

Yep that's all there is to it, oh and the thirty or forty years of experience :-) nice video good tips

[@tomspallone1868]

sighhhhhh, now I have to repaint the whole thing and then do THIS!!!!

[@wyattsdad8561]

Does anyone know if this method is the same for a guitar that's black and been finished with poly??

[@stewmac]

Yes, it works for all colors and types of finish. Typically the bindings are scraped after the color coats and before the clear coats.

[@rom661]

All of the "how to's" I've seen, including this one, are with a somewhat translucent finish. I'm interested in painting the body a solid wine red. Does the binding typically still show through so it can be scraped? Dumb question, but...

[@DiffusalGaming]

Nope. Solid paint you're better masking off for a "binding", or routing/installing traditional binding

[@billlamb1745]

How about a center back strip on a guitar?

[@niptodstan]

If this is so critical, why when I look at custom shop Les Paul's does the binding have red bleed all over it? Surely just a lacquer coat wouldn't make the colour bleed so much?

[@bobbyhihi123123]

niptodstan just cause it's a custom shop doesn't really mean it's amazing. Sad thing of todau

[@tyler_bt3326]

LarryUK that's because Gibson have shit quality control and charge extortionate prices for a brand name

[@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn]

Because Gibsons are trash?

[@I_like_turtles_67]

The red bleed is a look the relic guitars tend to get. To make them look old.

[@bluetrainer3549]

ey dude a question after scraping the edge of the guitar do you apply the lacquer over it or do you also scrape the lacquer?

[@stewmac]

After scraping the color coats of lacquer off of the binding, you then want to apply your clear top coats over the entire guitar, including the binding.

[@sillydillydokieo]

@@stewmac is it normal for the clear lacquer to chip off the binding? I've got a double bound telecaster that some of the clear coat has chipped off the very top binding edge and it's driving me crazy.

[@NathanHassall]

Tom I am currently in prison, do you know of a way I can make a tool like the one described in this video only with a plastic spoon?

[@ReelinandRockin99]

im tellin' you got a phone in prison

[@skippyi6969]

bout pissed myself laughing

[@terryjones2012]

Idiot..lol

[@Audiostoke1]

I can send you a cake..

[@TJjjjjjjjjjj]

Should have smuggled one in your “ prison wallet” on the way in mate

[@ahf5471]

Oh my god

[@BeastBalls2155]

Is that the guy who refinished slashs les paul??

[@BruhM0ment_]

Gibson Memphis (could me Nashville and Acoustic too) just use plain old razor blades to screape binding, they don't need no fancy knife

[@wea69420]

There's literally nothing fancy about taking a metal strip to a file lol

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I have to ask but what happened to the rest of the neck ?

[@anyday82]

What happened to the headstock

[@mmore]

very good skills. where is the rest of that guitar neck?

[@stewmac]

The guitar that Tom is using to demonstrate his scraping technique is a guitar made specifically for demonstrations. The neck has been chopped to show this scraping technique in an efficient manner.

[@mmore]

@@stewmac thank you very much for the reply. I have learnt a lot from your videos. I have a question which is not related to this video if I may ask. when trying to replicate Petef Green's tone from Fleetwood Mac to achieve his signature out of phase tone in middle les Paul position, which is closer magnetically or reversed wiring internally? many thanks again

[@stewmac]

@@mmore You're welcome. We appreciate your feedback! The best way to replicate the out-of-phase Peter Green tone is to flip the magnet. The Les Paul Peter used had a flipped magnet in one of the pickups making the hollow, out-of-phase tone.

[@mmore]

@@stewmac thank you very much again. all the best

[@stewmac]

@@mmore Yes, you are very welcome. You as well!

[@glytch5]

what the... I always thought biding was something actually glued to the guitar. Holy crap.

[@curteisj9491]

it is glued to the guitar. what tom is doing is scraping lacquer off the binding after finishing.

[@glytch5]

@@curteisj9491 oh okay. Still though... that scraping looks like quite the job. This video has me looking at how bad the binding on my guitars are

[@curteisj9491]

@@glytch5 yeah it takes a lot of skill!

[@WillVRam]

3:20 why gold finish is irreparable?