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Hi everyone, i need your thoughts on the next decision that i'm about to make, been looking at my soundbox and since i'm about to build the neck, i was looking at all the choices that i had and would like to know if a neck built with mahogany and a maple lamination running in the center, with cocobolo fretboard bound with white ash and cocobolo headplate veneer would look ok with my soundbox here:





I also have a very nice plank of Jatoba that would make a very lovely neck but seems to be very heavy, your input will be very appreciated on this, TIA!

Serge

Serge -- tough call.

One thing I am not keen on is binding the fretboard with ash when the body is bound in ebony. The other thing to think about is how will the ash binding look if you don't bind the headstock? Or if you do bind the headstock would you use ash as well?

Serge, I like the idea of coco for a FB, but I think I would bind with ebony to match all the other ebony binding. Then again, I've never bound a FB, so I can't help much.      I am anxious to hear how you do with the FB binding, though. I may try it on my #4.

Ron

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Anthony, yes, i would bind the headsttock the same way, i am asking because i don't have ebony anymore and looked at what i had to work with. i did put the white ash next to the cocobolo fretboard blank and on top of the soundbox but none of the pieces being cut to length, it was pretty hard to visualize indeed.

Thanks Ron!

If you plan on binding the headstock I definitely wouldn't go with ash. I'd sooner leave the fretboard and headstock unbound.

Why not pick up some ebony binding?

[QUOTE=Anthony Z] If you plan on binding the headstock I definitely wouldn't go with ash. I'd sooner leave the fretboard and headstock unbound.

Why not pick up some ebony binding?[/QUOTE]

Because i'd have to order some and wait!

Hey, unbound, what a great idea Anthony, it might look even cooler that way, i'll check that out, thanks bud!

Hey Bud, I agree with Anthony on this one. If I couldn't bind with the same wood as the guitar, I think anything else would look out of place. I would leave the fb and headstock unbound.

As far as the neck goes, can you take a picture of the mahogany sitting on top of the body. Just to give us a visual?

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Rod, we posted at the same time! Again!

Yeah, i think i'll definitely go unbound, i have fresh in the memory how that coco plank looked against the red cedar top and it was killer and would look elegant.

As for the pic, , i'll take some tomorrow for sure !

Edited before anyone would throw rocks at me! Serge Poirier39092.0062268519

I'll edit mine too Rod True39092.011875

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

ok i'll be quiet!

ditto on what the other guys have said, ebony or nothing

Mike

Serge, I have ebony bindings at home if you want some...
PM me if you want (too bad I wasn't on the forum yesterday, I could of brought those over to you tonight...)

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Thanks Mike and Alain!

Alain, will check again with the coco plank to see how it will look unbound and will come back at you, thanks pal!

Just food for thought ... I never leave a board unbound anymore - bind it with cutoffs of the same if you can, the fret ends will look much better IMO, no slot gaps to fill. Usually a FB is wide enough to take a couple strips off, slot, then glue them back on as binding.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

[QUOTE=TonyKarol] Just food for thought ... I never leave a board unbound anymore - bind it with cutoffs of the same if you can, the fret ends will look much better IMO, no slot gaps to fill. Usually a FB is wide enough to take a couple strips off, slot, then glue them back on as binding.[/QUOTE]

I'll second that great idea...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Make that a third!

Great idea Tony, i'll give that a shot! Thanks!Serge Poirier39092.3738773148

Tony, I always wondered how that was done.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

As well, what I have been doing lately when I buy FB blanks is to get a couple extra, and slice them into binding - cheaper than buying ebony binding, and there is little waste as the length is perfect.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Tony, you seriously rock coach!

Serge I do it exactly like Tony says. Every fretboard blank I have ever received is big enough to cut a couple of strips off the side and use for binding.

Also, I think a mahogany neck will look fine on just about anything.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I too, would bing in ebony,coco from the board or leave unbound...
Make any choice you make will look great!

Good job bro!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Thanks Hesh, Dave and Peter, my decision is made, i will bind it with coco for sure, this plank is absolutely gorgeous and will give the neck much elegance i believe, just don't know what i'll use as fret markers yet, i'll check with Stew Mac and LMI.

tHANKS GROUP!

Thanks for the info Tony, I have never tried that with cutting strips off the soundboard

Serge, it will look most beauuutiful my friend!

Mike