I've had some luck with thinned, wet masonite strips covering the binding as I bend. It adds some steam to the outside bend, but with curly wood there's always a point where the attempted radius of the bend exceeds the length of the fibers you're trying to curve.

Good tip Glen. I did not show it in the photos for visualization sake but I always use aluminum flashing on the outside of the wood being bent. It retains heat & moisture probably similar to the masonite strips you use.

And most importantly, it keeps the rain out of the guitar.

Sorry about the binding mishap. That walnut is really pretty. I'm sure you'll find another use for it that's less demanding of the wood.

Sorry about that... I think 90% of my waking life seems to be in that exact pose. Have you tried cutting angled kerfs in the back of the binding? Helped me on a couple bound Strat builds, and it helps keep the purfling from kinking up. Although admittedly, I was using maple. I've all but given up on the bass side of the binding, I just glue a block of solid wood and match it to that tight radius...

Now that's funny:roll:

That is, because from that last pic it looks like it's going to rain hard!

You do leave the flashing on when the guitar is built, right?

Hey, cut it out guys you are cracking me up ... though I do have a good excuse to laugh ... just had cataract surgery yesterday on my left and I'm still a little woozy from the happy juice they shot me up with :cool: They said it was Michael Jackson's drug of choice and now I know how he did the "moon walk" so smoothly.

I'm not sure what happened in the operating room, after the ceiling stopped spinning, but I ended up with a BIG BLACK EYE! I just want to see what the rest of the surgical team looks like.

BTW, its snowing here in Ohio, in APRIL!!! Therefore, the flashing is the keep the SNOW out :)

That doesn't sound normal, did you say something inappropriate to the anesthesiologist before surgery?????:)

Who was your anesthesiologist, Mike Tyson?!

Are you sure it's snow and not the after effects of the anesthetic and/or the eye healing funny? :)

LOL, I'm going to have to keep my [black] eye on you 3 comedians :rolleyes:
















http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL89.../412368495.jpg

Sorry Tim, it's too easy...

On a more serious nore, hope all is well. I have no experience with olive wood, wondering what your thoughts were as to sound/workability. ... it sure is pretty stuff.

Well, If the Walnut doesn't want to play nice... Bloodwood? Coco or another RSW? Spalted Maple? Or... Olive scraps stained darker (like walnut)?

Worth every penny you paid for the free "advice." (air quotes intentional)

It will end up magically.

Chris

OK, before we get too far off topic, chasing rabbits in the snow ... back to some actual guitar content:

After much deliberation on binding options our customer opted to go with Ivoroid binding since this guitar is going to have a vintage-esque vibe. We bound the prototype McTele first just so he could see how it would look before we bound his guitar.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...2/IMG_3269.JPG







This little radius required some additional coaxing into position while the glue sets:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...2/IMG_3272.JPG





And yet another high tech, sand paper covered, PVC pipe, put to good use:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...2/IMG_3275.JPG





The high dollar entertainment center in the McKnight guitar shop. The cassette player still works, too!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...2/IMG_3277.JPG




Flushing the binding for a perfect fit as it adjoins the neck cavity:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b...2/IMG_3279.JPG




The Ivoroid bindings were certainly more willing to comply with the tight radius on this body:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/IMG_3280.JPG