Binding repair

[Martysf67]

Hello I am new to this forum.
I recently acquired a 1967 starfire iii that needs some work. I have done some restoration but never binding so I am seeking advice. The binding from the upper bout cut out is long gone. Does anyone have pointers on what size and type purfling and binding I should buy? How I might color match the natural vintage yellowing, and tips for how to apply it properly.
Many thanks in advance.
Marty

 

[davismanLV]

Beautiful guitar, my friend. And welcome. Binding is (to me, other than a neck reset) the hardest stuff. It's not as hard now since I've made some mistakes already and been crazed with binding and purfling installation. So you want to repair the binding on the cutaway only and leave the finish alone? Just getting a feel for what you're up to. That can be cleaned up and fixed. Key is cleaning glue off all surfaces to be worked on, and prepping carefully. Then it's a matter of matching the size and shape of the materials in question. Then you have to do vintage touch up on finish. Let me know how far you're going with this and after that there are way better people to advise you but that never stopped me from talking before.... okay?

 

[Martysf67]

Beautiful guitar, my friend. And welcome. Binding is (to me, other than a neck reset) the hardest stuff. It's not as hard now since I've made some mistakes already and been crazed with binding and purfling installation. So you want to repair the binding on the cutaway only and leave the finish alone? Just getting a feel for what you're up to. That can be cleaned up and fixed. Key is cleaning glue off all surfaces to be worked on, and prepping carefully. Then it's a matter of matching the size and shape of the materials in question. Then you have to do vintage touch up on finish. Let me know how far you're going with this and after that there are way better people to advise you but that never stopped me from talking before.... okay?

Thanks very much davisman, appreciate the welcome and the quick response. Right I want to leave the finish as is, and just replace the missing binding. I’m really puzzling over what size to buy, I did some measuring and I think I should by .060 purfling and .060 binding. But I could very well be off and need .040 purfling.
If you or anyone has replaced binding on a vintage starfire I would love to know more.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! Regarding yellowed lacquer see what Frank Ford (Gryphons) proposed. You simply fill some lacquer in a small glass put the lid on and put it in the window in the full sun or outside in the full sun. After a few weeks it has the perfect vintage color!

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Quickies/AmberLac/amberlac.html

Regarding Glue, StewMac has this: https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...lue/stewmac-bind-all-guitar-binding-glue.html

Ralf

 

[Martysf67]

Welcome to LTG! Regarding yellowed lacquer see what Frank Ford (Gryphons) proposed. You simply fill some lacquer in a small glass put the lid on and put it in the window in the full sun or outside in the full sun. After a few weeks it has the perfect vintage color!

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Quickies/AmberLac/amberlac.html

Regarding Glue, StewMac has this: https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...lue/stewmac-bind-all-guitar-binding-glue.html

Ralf

Thank you sfiv67! I take it from your handle that you own a 67 starfire? I am loving the feel of it, the neck is as fast as any modern neck in my opinion (and I have an ibanez and esp).

 

[SFIV1967]

I take it from your handle that you own a 67 starfire? I am loving the feel of it, the neck is as fast as any modern neck in my opinion.

Yes, a SF IV, but the neck is very skinny on my one! Probably the smallest neck on any of my guitars. The look is like it's a sister to your SF III.
Ralf