Attaching plastic black/white to the narrow edge of Ivoroid binding

[Don Druckenbrodt]

I am doing a harp guitar restoration and looking for some ivoroid binding with plastic black/white already attached to the narrow edge (viewable from side of the guitar when mounted). I have have some mounted on the wide edge viewable from above (LMI & FQM). If someone has a proven DIY technique for attaching the B/W to the ivoroid, I would welcome the information.

Project URL: http://www.niteowlguitars.com/RestorationDyerHarpGuitar.html

Thanks,
Don

[Greg Mirken]

This is generally not glued to the binding strip beforehand, but the multiple strips all laid into the recess and glued to the guitar in one step.

[Don Druckenbrodt]

Thanks Greg, I have never done this type of binding and did not know if the plastic strips would flex enough to follow the contours. It seems your one step description would include installing the large binding on top and taping it all down. Is it better to use individual B/W strips or get them already joined?

Thanks,
Don

[Tim Mace]

Best damn step by step documentation I've ever seen............what a master builder you must be.
Why didn't you just make a lil' 'ol harp guitar from scratch? Truly high tech too.Looks like the shuttle lining up on
on the space station. WOW!!! I quit!

[Don Druckenbrodt]

Thanks Tim, I have years of experience in an unrelated hobby that required attention to detail but have only been building guitars for 3 years. This is my first and last restoration project and am trying not to make any non-recoverable mistakes. There are only about 100 of these Larson Brothers harp guitars surviving and I wanted to give this one a second chance at life. I have been meticulously documenting this to keep the owner informed of progress on this long term project and for the benefit of a two part article for Guitarmaker magazine. If you can locate ASIA's Guitarmaker issue 67 you will find part one of the article. I will be building a new harp guitar in the near future. It will be far easier than a frame up restoration.

Thanks,
Don

[Tim Mace]

I guess you've seen Cumpiano's Ramora,a modernized harp guitar ....

[Don Druckenbrodt]

Yes, it reminds me of a musical harpoon.

[Bruce Herrmann]

Don, that has to be one of the finest step-by-step documentations of any restoration I've seen. And some of the finest work.
That is one luck old harp guitar to find it's way to your shop.
I'm afraid you won't find any ivoroid binding with any purfling attached. There are some white plastic bindings where that's a possibility but they would not be appropriate for your work on this guitar. It's not hard to do what Greg was mentioning, especially after all you've been through. Even finding good ivoroid binding these days is not easy, it does not look much
like the old stuff but if you are not trying to match it up, you'll be ok.
Keep the photos coming....
Bruce

[Don Druckenbrodt]

Thanks Bruce, the original binding on the harp guitar was actually white ivoroid which is no longer available. I would love to have that to use for bindings today over the plain white plastic. The ivoroid I am leaving on around both peg heads has yellowed from age and abuse. It is almost a perfect match to the ivoroid color available today. I have found 4 sources of ivoroid, Martin Guitar Makers Connection, LMI, First Quality Music, and Grizzly. Use the vendor that does not stick you with the hazardous material shipping fee.

Thanks,
Don

[John Cadd]

What amazing quality work! You`re an artist and a scientist.About the narrow top section.What does that part do to the sound compared to a straight guitar?I have a drawing I worked out to make a violin without the top right bout so I could reach all the high notes.The left side grew a narrow extra bit to compensate.Just to try an idea the grain of the belly is tilted so the vibrations will reach right to the end.The string to grain angle is about 18degrees.Leaving room for the bow movement was a real headache.