binding

[huitzlopochtli]

I've noticed a little separation of the binding from the body of the guitar where the body of the guitar dips in near the soundhole. It's only about an inch or so - would it be all right for me to use standard wood epoxy putty to glue the binding back on, or is there something special I need to do?
Thanks.

 

[Jahn]

you mean the rosette? mine's separated too but i leave it alone. but if you mean the binding on the side of the guitar that is right next to the neck, i'd take a closer look at it. i could mean you need to humidify, or in the worst case it could mean your neck is bending into the top and could be an indication of a needed neck reset. do you have a pic?

 

[huitzlopochtli]

Unfortunately, no pic because my our dig camera just broke and we have yet to get a new one. I mean the binding on the side of the guitar though, not the rosette. But it's only in the area where the body curves towards the soundhole, on either side.

 

[huitzlopochtli]

I should mention, it's not on the front of the guitar, it's on the back. Where you usually rest your armpit, you know?

 

[hideglue]

But it's only in the area where the body curves towards the soundhole, on either side.

At the waist. Like this?

 

[Jahn]

whew, at the waist, not a sign of a neck reset needed, hehe. yep just keep that thing humidified and enjoy!

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

This is common on guitars with binding.
Lack of humidity and heat is usually the problem.
The binding shrinks and pulls away from the guitar.
It's too late now to add humidity as a cure.
You can reglue the binding, but if it were me, I would have a professional do it.
They know how to use heat and add pressure to the binding to put it back in place.
I don't know what glue thay use, but they will prep the area and clean it out before regluing it and pressing it back in place.
Too many things can go wrong, if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[hideglue]

... but if it were me, I would have a professional do it.

They know how to use heat and add pressure to the binding to put it back in place.

Too many things can go wrong, if you don't know what you are doing.

yes, yes and yes.

I've seen far too many 'attempts' at simple binding repair

 

[huitzlopochtli]

Thanks for the help - that's exactly the spot it is at, hideglue. Can I ignore the problem? I mean, it's not obvious and it doesn't really bother me.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have a guitar with the binding pulled away on the top side in the same place that you are talking about.
It has been that way for years and hasn't changed, as long as I have kept the humidtiy up.

 

[Tres]

Thanks for the help - that's exactly the spot it is at, hideglue. Can I ignore the problem? I mean, it's not obvious and it doesn't really bother me.

Yes, the plastic bindings (not to mention pickguard material and headstock overly) used on Guild (and most other guitars) shrinks over time (you should have seen how small the headstock overlay on my '65 Guild D-40 had become before I had it replicated with ebony!)

I would say unless it is extreme, or bothers you while playing, to not worry about it. It is just part of the guitar "living and breathing"

Tres
Atlanta, GA