1959 T-100B DP Plastic banding curling

[kevrocker900]

Hello, I'm new here.

I've had this 1959 T-100 B DP for about 15 years.

The plastic banding is shrinking and curling in two spots.

Does anyone know the correct procedure and correct material for doing a restoration?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kevrocker900]

Also, the wood is splitting away on the back side. Please see photo.

 

[AcornHouse]

A common woe. There’s no easy fix. Either replace it. Not a cheap job unless you do it yourself and hard to make it look old. If it can be carefully separated from the body, it can be glued back on. But, since the shrinkage is permanent there will be a gap somewhere. It might get hidden under the tailpiece. Still tricky to do cleanly and not leave marks.
Or, just have to live with it. At least it’s not crumbling and rotting.

 

[AcornHouse]

You posted that other photo while I was typing. Looks like there’s some separation of the back from the sides. Not as big a deal here since there’s no binding. Clean the glue surfaces and use either hide glue or fish glue for best results. That’s not as big a job as the binding for a luthier. (Many don’t like to take on binding jobs.)

 

[Walter Broes]

Replacing binding on a (nice) guitar is not something you want to attempt yourself if you have no experience with it.

 

[Default]

The binding shrinking is pretty common. Usually, a repair is cutting the binding, glueing it down, and only replacing enough to fill the gap.

 

[jp]

EDIT: Oops! Didn't see Default's post above as I was working on mine, which essentially is "what he said."

Proper repair also depends on each section of binding. In certain cases (like on the waist of your T-100d), a good luthier might be able to cut the shrunken original and insert a small piece of matched binding and finish to match. Even this takes a lot of expertise. Here's an example done on one of mine, which I think was done well.



Your cutaway is much trickier. Bending the binding back into shape requires heating, and heating can cause further shrinkage and deformation beyond what has already occurred.

I think your best bet is to find a luthier willing to replace all the binding at once to ensure finish consistency. It will be costly, since it requires experience and being properly tooled up.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Welcome, and nice guitar!

If you mention what area of the country/world you’re from others here might be able to offer suggestions for a luthier who could repair it.

It is a common problem, I had a pro repair multi-layer binding that was shrinking on an X-550 and although it stopped it from getting worse it was just a quick (therefore noticeable) job.

I also have a ‘59 CE100D with lots of loose and even missing binding that I just play as is since I haven’t taken it anywhere for repair or replacement.

Your guitar’s binding appears to be in pretty good shape so you may be able to have a clean repair done. Keep us informed!

 

[kevrocker900]

Thanks, awesome responses.

I'm a specialty woodworker, but I definitely won't be doing this myself. I'm comfortable with hide glue, so I'm considering doing the back/side separation.

As for the banding, it's been this way for a while, but I'm assuming it will just get worse? I'm considering each option (repair or complete replacement) but it's a tough call.

If any one knows a good lutherie in the Boise Idaho area, I would appreciate it. I know a few, however, I'm not sure if they're up for it, skillwise and/or willingness.

Thanks again for the responses, this is a great resource.

I love the guitar, I'm glad I've found others who appreciate them as much as I do.

 

[kevrocker900]

A common woe. There’s no easy fix. Either replace it. Not a cheap job unless you do it yourself and hard to make it look old. If it can be carefully separated from the body, it can be glued back on. But, since the shrinkage is permanent there will be a gap somewhere. It might get hidden under the tailpiece. Still tricky to do cleanly and not leave marks.
Or, just have to live with it. At least it’s not crumbling and rotting.

I like the idea of hiding the gap under the tailpiece, I hadn't considered that.