Every Guitar Neck You Make NEEDS To Have Binding... And How I Think You Should Do It

If you ask me... All guitar neck should have binding!
it adds a touch of class and helps prevent fret sprout too.
In this video we talk about why you should want to do it and I show you how easy it is to do a neck binding.
StewMac binding router bit...www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools...
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Original score: Electric Boogie Dawgs & Jim Jamm Jimmy
Artwork: Paul Shellooe
DISCLAIMER: Our videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work with power tools should be carried out by trained users.
We (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your property resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos.
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By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above. In the instance we include copy written material it is done so with consent of the owner.
In the rare instance we include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
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Remember, we are showing you what we do, not how to do it. If you do not possess the necessary skills to perform work at this level, do not attempt to replicate what you see here. If you're going to be dumb, you have to be TOUGH.
You can instantly stress out anyone just by shouting "catch"

[@kevinmorris7722]

I love the detail of leaving a bit of fret board showing. Super cool.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

it looks like it should be a lot harder than it is

[@rocker6957]

And very cool that you included Dusty at the end. R.I.P.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got to mellow down easy baby

[@saucetguitars]

Very instructive video, thank you. I like to bind my fretboards with the same wood as the top I use on the body and headstock veneer, i think it links both parts and looks nice. For those who prefer to do it without a router, you can bind the fretboard before gluing it or the neck. Just cut the fretboard 1-2 mm narrower on each side, glue the binding on each side, flatten the back flush and then glue the fretboard to the neck.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Alex, you certainly can bind before glue up. I used to do it that way and it worked great.

[@scottmartinezguitarandbass]

I would be VERY interested seeing you fret that neck afterwards. I guess I'm not clear on how you would do that at this point! Do you cut the frets the exact size and pound them in BEHIND the binding? Aren't they sharp? I'm a noob so I just don't know enough to picture the next steps.

[@retrosonixofficial6891]

i like the look of binding but prefer rolled edges on an unbound fretboard.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I have been hearing that a lot today

[@ChrisFranklyn]

I must be hungry. I read rolled eggs.

[@MrChrisPalmer]

Same.

[@TarynnElizabeth619]

@@TexasToastGuitars you know. I love most of your videos, but saying all guitar necks should have binding…. One of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. 😂🤣

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@TarynnElizabeth619 I don't know... some guy told me about some cheese that was better than anything else.

[@guitarnerd6174]

Thanks for the video! I doing my first acoustic build and this was the only instructional video I could find on KZbin regarding binding fretboards.

[@seanjoynt2605]

First of all very much R.I.P. Dusty Hill!!! Now. I never gave binding a second thought until I did it on the guitar I'm building. Now I agree with you 💯percent. I really like the accent underneath your binding. I was going to do that but it did not work out for me on this build. 🤘👍

[@jokingker2553]

😇

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Well said Sean

[@jokingker2553]

@@TexasToastGuitars The world lost a giant who was one of Jimi's best friends, even. Losing sucks.

[@jokingker2553]

@@TexasToastGuitars Irreplaceable God amongst men.

[@jokingker2553]

@@TexasToastGuitars The drunken student becomes the pest. Lol! 🥃🤢🤮

[@lancecluster]

Nice video. The difference between your guitar building videos and most other builders on KZbin is that you build enough guitars that you have really gotten the process down. You have all of the jigs, you have all of the tools, and you understand the need to produce in a reasonable volume. Great videos and really nice looking guitars. Thank you for making these.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Well said Lance, thanks for watching

[@heymrguitarman7637]

Agree binding on the neck looks cool and I like doing it on the guitars I build, but personally I hate neck binding on the guitars I play. I like the feel of rolled bare wood fingerboard edges

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I have been hearing that a lot today

[@karemare6426]

@@TexasToastGuitars because that's how everyone feels, lol. Most people just don't like binding. My personal opinion is that it also looks stupid, and incredibly boringly vintage.

[@famousaimless2]

We're adults, we can handle less than perfect audio on a super cool video

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Bryan

[@BLAZEBLAZEN-tq4iy]

Yeah, I'm with Bryan on that one; you can clean up some of that echo with compression and EQ...

[@agustinseva6682]

​@@BLAZEBLAZEN-tq4iy Compression is going to make it worse 🤔 I don't care how it sounds when the information is that good

[@LoneWolf-ni1zj]

I love binding on Electric Guitars. Of my 17 Electrics (Fender, Gibson and Schecter), 7 of them have bound bodies (single or double). The Schecter has abalone binding on the body, fretboard and headstock and is my favorite bound guitar, second only to my 12 String Traditional Les Paul... which is where my love for bound guitars started. I love binding so much that I have a double bound Tele and a double bound Strat and while you lose the comfort cuts on the Strat... she is a beauty to behold.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Agreed

[@Les537]

I personally love necks with rolled binding. My old 90s LP has thick neck binding that might cause some to run out of fret. My newest SG ( '61 stop bar model) has thin pink binding that is great. Neck binding - specially rolled binding - is for sure something I want in my guitars.

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

I have put plastic binding on a couple acoustics years ago and they look nice. The glue joint is a finishing pain in my opinion. I also have have a couple friends bring over expensive store bought guitars that had plastic binding coming off for me to repair. Another finishing pain. I don’t do it anymore. Wood binding works much better in my opinion because it stays on! Great tips!

[@chrispkreme7708]

Love your 1950s craftsman drill press in the back. I recently restored one! Also love your channel as well a lot of great info! God bless

[@demodeiowa]

love binding since day one. all my axes have em. love that it keeps the fret edges from poking the fingers. Love the video!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks my friend

[@jamesleaper7167]

1 of my 9 guitar necks have binding and its the 1 of my 9 guitars that has finger stabby frets if you're fret ends are dressed properly they won't pole you're fingers

[@garrywright3566]

I always love your tutorials you remind me when I was young going through my Apprentice to my journeyman and Millwright state older guys about your age would always have something cool to say like you say I got that done now it's time for me to go get a cheeseburger I love it great job as always I love your shop tools your surface sander in the background is that long belt sander surface sander and the long belt sander. Stay well and keep having fun.

[@RayDGoodwin]

Thank you! Great video

[@mikeivey8471]

Great video , Matt !! As usual !!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks brother Mike

[@joshmoates9730]

you guys are awesome... so much killer info

[@dsb227]

Nice Dude!

[@bobbydill6388]

Hey Matt, Really cool and making it look easy as usual.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks brotherman

[@WoolfordCraftEndeavours]

Awesome stuff

[@scottakam]

Thanks Matt. I like the echo. Makes it sound more impressive!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

HAHAHA I think so too

[@treverroddick8489]

It’s like hall reverb!

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

I love binding on my guitars. Great video!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks so much Jonathan, binding does kinda just class up everything

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

As I've said before leaving that little reveal of fretboard beneath the binding is "Extra Fancy" and I really like it.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Lord knows I love it

[@kylemoran4343]

I'm a sucker for binding up the neck and around the headstock. Just makes them look classy and finished all the way, if you know what I mean. Cheers

[@juliansuarez3849]

Looks pretty cool Matt!!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Julian

[@matthewstephens6848]

Thank the lord I found this video. I'm in a real 'bind' trying to figure out how to bind a board that I've already cut.

[@abcguitarworkshop8929]

Hey Matt. Pretty helpful video as usual.. it's a pitty that I didn't make the top 10 at the GGBO, I would really like to hear your thoughts (and Chris') on my build. Maple binding on the fabric-top body and headstock, and also on the fretboard. Cheers

[@oldguy5381]

Phil’s going love that fret board, you have skill young man. Thank for the video

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm feeling young today

[@165strat]

sounds fine...keep the content coming

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got it my friend

[@saikakam]

Super vidéo, thanks a lot. Can you show in a specific video how you made your radius jig mounted over a long belt sander. Using sanding blocks give always a thinner thickness of the fretboard on the low end (pickups side) Thanks

[@JalopyTechnology]

After 60 years of playing I prefer the look of a bound neck. Got spoiled on my first St Blues Bluesmaster...super smoothband stylish...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I agree my friend

[@douglassloan6831]

Awesome video. Thanks for posting! Anything to look out for when installing the frets?

[@cheapskate8656]

if you want to have the fret ends line up with the side of the neck then you will need to "nip the tangs".

[@oqsy]

Godspeed, Dusty. What a legend.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got to mellow down easy baby

[@johnulrich5572]

Love that Jim Jam Jimmy music. That's a classy looking neck.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks John, JJJ is one cool dude

[@smokepeddler]

Super clean work. Personally I do not usually like the way binding looks on Fender style necks though.

[@jafo1970]

Well, I'm convinced. (Other than on something pure and simple, like an Esquire or Junior.)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That would be cool too

[@reikenkayzer]

Is it possible to add binding to a finished neck? My latest guitar is a Fender Jaguar '65 vintage that has binding. I really love the way it looks. I have a Fender Mustang where the dots kinda blends in with everything, but not only that, I think it would look very cool to bind my favorite guitar neck.

[@memyselfi1340]

So if I want to carve side channels up and down the left and right sides of the fret board of a new guitar just to put ablone pearl inlays strips in, how would I go about doing that the easiest way?

[@hoollehoop9299]

Totally ready to watch you fret it now

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Cool man, we will do that in the work shop with less echo

[@NACHOXVALLE]

Does your radius jig allow compound radius?, it seems very interesting.

[@jjdillon2007]

Matt, I'm glad you did this video. When I see super expensive private stock, wood library guitars, from Annapolis, Maryland, made from rare nutsack wood, from the Amazon Rainforest, going for $8,000 and up, I always think, "and you didn't at least bind the fingerboard"?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Does PRS do any binding on anything? I want to say I have seen some headstock binding on a few things

[@briank6789]

@@TexasToastGuitars Their cheapest SE Custom models have had binding as recently as the past year or so, the $499 range. I have the $799 model without binding.

[@jjdillon2007]

@@TexasToastGuitars Matt, they bind the McCarty 594's fingerboard, because it's a Gibsonesque guitar to begin with. It's quite possible that they bind the fingerboards of a few of the upper echelon (not in the regular core lineup) guitars, because they also have the same type of "Made to Measure" program that Gibson has, and they may have had it, first.

[@coltknight3945]

I use a low angle block plane to remove that extra binding. It's very quick and easy.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sounds cool man

[@modernwives9817]

Do you have a video of fretting a bound neck?

[@dastardlydave1455]

Binding turned out nice!! Time to get out the fret tang nipper....

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That is the next video

[@thewabisabicollective7170]

Awesome vid, sir! I really enjoyed it and it was informative! Thanks! ~Beauty & Peace~ Kyle-

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad you enjoyed it Kyle

[@pigjubby1]

So, the official verdict is StewMac Bind All over acetone? I like binding but I like dark fingerboard edges with MOP dots contrasting maple necks a little bit better. Although tortoise shell binding is always nice. Thanks for sharing all the information.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

There are so many great guitar ideas I hope we can get to them all

[@johnnycab8986]

Very cool, the pin router looks awesome. Do you have any tips on how to do the routing on headstocks for binding when the binding goes into an angled intersection below the first fret/nut area? (Like on Gretsch Falcons)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I do indeed, maybe that will be a future video

[@rafaelcoli4797]

Neat!

[@jasonpedley]

I just realized the neck on my acoustic is bound. The color is so close the fretboard color that I never noticed until today. In my defense I've only had the guitar for a week. Lol

[@kevinbecquet]

Thanks for doing the video, good info. Do you use that bind all stuff on the wood binding too? Or just stick with the tite bond?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I just use wood glue for the wood binding

[@rocketpoolpki]

Awesome, real impressive...your binding is blinding and the echo I'm not minding...cos Texas Toast rocks \m/

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks Dave

[@davekellum6845]

Being a moron keeps biting me in the ass. Ive bound my first three necks using Titebond 2 because I used ebony. Even after judiciously applying minimal glue, when I clamped on my MDF walls, some glue squeezed into my slots: big pain! On my next two necks, I cut business cards to fit into each slot to keep out the glue. That works, but Ive got a feeling you have a much better way. You do, right Matt?? Thanks, Dave TumbleweedGuitar

[@BombShot]

I'm a nerd, just started building. I'm going to do cuts for all the frets that are completely inside the fretboard, (I.E. The fret slots are not cut all the way through, leaving the edges of the fret-board without any visible gaps or filler without binding.) I've done tests with a jig and a Dremel with a router bit that's the right size for the fret tang, and it seemed to work well, plan on taking it onto a full custom build this summer. It makes it easier to actually pull off a clean side without the extra time of wood binding. I stole the idea from Schecter's process that's up on Rob Scallon's channel, but they use a CNC that I currently do not have and cannot afford. I personally don't like bindings on my guitars for aesthetics, as well as just the fact that I personally prefer the feel, I don't tend to notice it about 30 minutes in when I'm on my grandpa's SG with binding, but I still notice it every time I play, and something about feeling two different materials just irks me for some reason. I plan on adding some class to my necks in other ways so I feel like It's just generally not super worth it, for me personally anyways. I also find nice dome medium high frets to be ULTRA comfy for me, but I'm not a great player, I'm so far a wayyyyyy better builder. Here because my grandpa's 68 sg is worse for wear so I'm trying to restore it, the binding is starting to peel off and the fretboard is super uneven due to long term un-oiled storage. Soooooo I'm gonna have to bind that lol.

[@HENNINGRAS]

Just came across this video, question: How and with what do you fill up that line gap that the binding created?

[@cheapskate8656]

What gap are you referring to? He left a thin stripe of the fretboard below the binding, its not a gap it dark timber. I dont see any gaps myself.

[@briansimpson8116]

I think everything looks better with binding. 👍

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Me too amigo

[@IntenseJim]

Can you add neck binding to a set-neck guitar AFTER its been built ?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Jim I'm not going to say you can't. But I would recommend that you don't. Unless, of course, you just like the challenge or idea of doing something yourself. The cost for me to do it for someone would be prohibitive. BUT That shouldn't stop you from doing anything.

[@larskjr1610]

You Are not correct.... I prefer guitars without binding, i think i looks too bling.... But I still like your videos 👍

[@robertcampbell6253]

What I don’t understand is the way you operate your pin router on this binding video and on your 7 degree headstock angle video because I can’t see the pin I just got my first pin router (Delta inverted) and I have everything except for the pin part of the machine so I would love using this thing with no pin so please enlighten me and I must say that I really enjoy your channel I always learn something and I have never seen a bad show yet Thanks

[@stevenfolino405]

All class! R.I.P. Dusty Hill Cool Jim Jam Jimmy aka Diego tune And cool content! Awesome video. Lastly, what size binding did You use? Thx Matt

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hey brother Steve, thanks man We used the .06 for the neck but you can use thinner or thicker too.

[@brad-guitar-miller813]

So if you do the maple binding do you still trim the excess first then radius sand? Cool look 👍

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I do indeed

[@oneconsc3333]

That particular guitar would look great with white binding.🙏🏻💜🇨🇦

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We do a lot with white

[@MonsterGuitars]

I bind my fretboard before gluing it to the neck. So I don't have to do any rebate cutting.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Live how you want to live baby!

[@angelmariogarciagarcia3845]

I love your videos! I have a question. Just as you mentioned, people who buy guitars love bindings! I have an Ibanez RG and would like to know if it's possible to put binding on an already built guitar. Greetings from Mexico!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It is certainly possible but it would be an awful lot of work

[@joshmoates9730]

only question so far is how do you fret it with the binding?

[@Rockstar-lx2li]

How thick is your fretboard?...

[@victorguitarrista]

Is it strange having a binding on a one piece maple neck? Because my guitar came from factory with ivory binding on a maple neck that is one with the fretboard. I do not know if I should consider it cool or not lol. Maybe if the binding material was darker, i would like it more.

[@danielbell4007]

Hey Matt, what’s your thoughts on channel binding? Also, do you have any tips/plans for a diy fretboard radius jig?

[@marccarlin1]

I think he’s already posted a video showing how he made the fretboard radius jig.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I have only seen channel binding but no cutters for it

[@davedupuis2069]

What exactly is channel binding?

[@danielbell4007]

@@davedupuis2069 on a maple neck there is a “channel” carved out of the top with another wood, usually rosewood slab dropped into the channel. Fender ran them on a couple guitars a few years ago. Cool concept, not sure how popular it was though.

[@davedupuis2069]

@@danielbell4007 interesting, thanks for the info!

[@ginolamendola4084]

Love the neck. Do you sell replacement neck ? Cost ?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Gino, We no longer sell replacement necks

[@nsjguitarsakascotsman6989]

I haven't built a neck yet but I'm working on it lol. Regarding the routing though, it looks like you could maybe use a pillar drill with the correct bit?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I can not recommend using a drill press for this

[@nsjguitarsakascotsman6989]

@@TexasToastGuitars I don't think I'd expect anyone to recommend such a thing tbh lol

[@rocker6957]

This looks familiar.... Nice work Brotherman

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I just cleaned up the binding on your Strat-o-bone

[@martinclayton7260]

You should make a video about channel binding!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I don't have access to channel binding or the cutting tools for it... if I were able to get it. Do you have these things? If you do, and send them to me I'll be happy to do the video

[@flapjack413]

I much prefer building a neck with binding to with no binding. It's just easier honestly. I always undercut the tangs, regardless of binding or not. Filling in the ends of the fret slots on unbound necks with dust and glue is a tedious process I truly despise, and binding the fretboard eliminates it. That little bit of fretboard showing under the binding is a nice touch, Matt. I may have to try that sometime!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm with you man, the little extra work is worth it and if you consider the work to fill in the slots it isn't any extra

[@gregmercado9492]

Would you post the Video, installed binding on a guitar "neck" off the rack, already finished...????

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I don't have a video about that

[@VoyeurGuitars]

Bind the body, bind the fretboard, bind the headstock, bind the pickguard, bind your strap and maybe bind your cab too! 🤣😂🤣

[@vincenttrottier6053]

For the echo. Waves clarity vx, 30$ Works pretty good.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Cool man I'll give that a look

[@TexasToastGuitars]

cool man, we would love to have you

[@arcarioandsons]

The section of fretboard showing, could that be considered purfling? Also seems like lots of people that don't like binding say they prefer a rounder edge, but couldn't you just round the edge of the binding then if that's the issue?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm sure you could roll the edge of a neck with binding, no sweat. As to the purfling question... hmmm that makes sense to me man

[@alectronicmail]

Another great video. Patreon 👍

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Much appreciated my friend, thanks for your support

[@gregmercado9492]

Do you have video on that?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

yes

[@HypotenusLuvTriangle]

Just curious, why did you use such oversized binding for the neck and then clip it down with the clippers? Why don't you just put a specific size of binding on it to fit the channel and be flush with the fretboard edge? Removes the clipper option.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

The binding I get comes in lots of sizes since I wanted to do the Gibson style get nubs I went with the tall stuff

[@thetoneknob4493]

some builders bind evry seam witch looks cool but not something you would ever see on a stratocaster. and if im going to bind the neck fret board might as well do the fret nibs while im at it. i like nibs lol

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I do too, how about blind fret slots?

[@Helllllllsing]

Does it really become tonewood if the rabbit is thin as an hare?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

No, it becomes purple

[@frankcarter6427]

yeah, I prefer an unbound neck too

[@TexasToastGuitars]

you and 5 other people

[@Eliseo_M_P]

Make me a microtonal guitar neck please.

[@nsjguitarsakascotsman6989]

Ps removing the ends of the tangs without the proper tool is a chore!

[@BBGuitars]

Im definitely stealing that idea with the exposed fretboard under the binding...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You will be one of the cool kids

[@garagemasterguitars]

When I've saved up for a pair of fret tang nipper things :) Did my first (body) binding using acetone after your vid. Worked really well, made things very easy, thanks.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Fantastic!

[@beigebook]

I dont like Bindings on the neck. It feels sticky and disturbing while going up and down the Neck during playing. Rounded necks and satin finish are the best for me (y)

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks for sharing

[@williambock1821]

Looks great! Now don’t clutter it up with dots or anything else. Ebony is best without inlays tho.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I agree

[@777PLove]

your guitars look awesome I have too say im not a fan of binding I think it looks nice just not something I dig just saying

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Fair enough!

[@dappawap]

hmmmm....I think it might be a great way ti cover my terrible fret work...if I can learn to route in a straight line...

[@LosRockson]

03:46 Dat Phil McKnight Easter egg tho…

[@kmichaelp4508]

What’s up Matt? Highland Guitars said you don’t know what your doing! 😂😂😂😂🤭

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Probably, but no one cares

[@kmichaelp4508]

@@TexasToastGuitars , but I care! I enjoy a good fight 😬

[@DE-GEN-ART]

the reasn ii dont do binding is because its a pain in the ass

[@jonahguitarguy]

RIP Dusty!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You got to mellow down easy baby

[@rodjos5463]

😄

[@kyran4238]

Binding is the worst, I will never buy a guitar with binding. It will eventually fail and it makes refrets more difficult. How the hell did crappy plastic strips on beautiful wood become a high-end thing anyway? If joints and fret finishing is done well you shouldn’t need to cover everything in tacky plastic strips.

[@JamesSClapperton]

Artisan made indexing pin. 😂

[@shanewalton8888]

Matt thinks I'm smart. Boy, is he in for a shock.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I think you got what it takes