ivoroid binding

[antsdmb]

hey all. i've been around ivoroid binding since it came out i'm pretty sure, but what exactly is it? it must be pretty decent stuff if it graces the 900 and presentation series' right? what is everyone's opinions on ivoroid binding? like it? not like it?

my only question is this: is it as white as the white plastic binding or does it have a little off white/cream color to it like my eyes tell me it does.

Mark

[cpmusic]

Ivoroid is a plastic material that's made to resemble ivory. It's an off-white color with fine lines running through it to make it look less manufactured. I've seen it up close on some guitars, and I thought it added a little vintage vibe.

[Andromeda]

I had it on my W65. It is an off-white color. I like it. If you're looking at a guitar with it, I don't think you'lll be dissapointed with the looks of it.

[TheStugots]

My personal take is that it looks cheep! I am beside myself that they put it on a PS, 900 and800 series guitars. That being said I tend to like the natural wood bindings, or since I can't afford those I will have black thank you. If I could I would buy 700 series over any one of the aforementioned guitars JMO.

[~j~]

Originally Posted by TheStugots

My personal take is that it looks cheep! I am beside myself that they put it on a PS, 900 and800 series guitars. That being said I tend to like the natural wood bindings, or since I can't afford those I will have black thank you. If I could I would buy 700 series over any one of the aforementioned guitars JMO.

I'm almost positive even the ivoroid is made out of wood fiber just as an FYI. I used to not like the hot white binding on the 4 series, etc, but I've had my 414ce for a while now and it grows on me.

[wthurman]

Ivorois binding isn't new.

From Frets.com:

"Unless you're looking at a Martin guitar made before World War I, that ivory colored binding is almost certainly "ivoroid," a form of celluloid plastic.

Celluloid has been around for more than 100 years and is the most commonly used plastic material for binding and pickguards on stringed instruments.

Much of the celluloid was made to resemble natural materials like pearl, ivory or tortoise shell. The ivory celluloid was trademarked with names like "ivoroid," "French ivory," "ivorine" and a host of others.

Here's a sheet of ivoroid, fabricated into a raised fingerrest for a Gibson A-3 mandolin, circa 1920:..."

The rest of the article is here: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Gene...d/ivoroid.html

It's actually a vintage material. It also has a softer, warmer look. I had it on my XXX-MC and thought it looked great - certainly not cheap. But it also takes being a bit closer to it - otherwise, it looks like regular old plastic because you can't see the grain in it.

It's also expensive stuff. For my money, I generally prefer wood, but think that ivoroid can provide a very nice contrast that's not as harsh as white plastic.

Just my opinion.

Wade

[wthurman]

Originally Posted by TheStugots

I am beside myself that they put it on a PS, 900 and800 series guitars.

I'm not. If I don't like it, I just don't buy it.

[wthurman]

By the way, celluloid is a plastic derived from Nitrocellulose, which is also the basis of the lacquer used in most guitars - even Taylor's UV cured lacquer, I understand, has as an ingredient a variation of nitrocellulose lacquer.

[Harmonist34]

My Bourgeois has ivoroid on the neck - I really dislike the stuff. "Vintage" or not, it's just plain ugly when compared to wood binding.

[Kaimana450k]

Originally Posted by Harmonist34

My Bourgeois has ivoroid on the neck - I really dislike the stuff. "Vintage" or not, it's just plain ugly when compared to wood binding.

I totally agree. I can't understand why they would use plastic binding on the 600 series and us rosewood binding on the 500 series. It took me a while to finally order my 654ce because the bright white binding totally bugged me.... Oh, well I ordered it so I guess I have "accepted" hahaha

[Taylorplayer]

I really dislike the stuff. "Vintage" or not, it's just plain ugly when compared to wood binding.
__________________

Well, you know, it's just nice to have choices...

[SteveS]

Originally Posted by TheStugots

My personal take is that it looks cheep!

I agree, even if it is on expensive guitars. Why not use maple?

[TheStugots]

Originally Posted by ~j~

I'm almost positive even the ivoroid is made out of wood fiber just as an FYI.

Its plastic. Here is a link
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Gene...d/ivoroid.html

[wthurman]

Originally Posted by TheStugots

Its plastic. Here is a link
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Gene...d/ivoroid.html

Yes it is. However, it IS a combination of cellulose (wood fiber) and nitric acid.

You know, I actually have to take it from guitar to guitar... I liked it on my XXX-MC, but don't like it on the 900 series. I can take it or leave it on the 800 series. I generally don't like bright white plastic (600/400 series) and if I'm going with plastic prefer turtoise or black. Ivoroid is at least somewhat less blinding.

It can be used well or badly, like anything, IMO. And whether or not you think it looks cheap (which is fine either way) it isn't. If you're going from straight plastic to ivoroid, they charge the same excruciatingly high price for ivoroid that they do for changing to wood.

Take care,

Wade

[catfreckles]

Originally Posted by Harmonist34

I really dislike the stuff. "Vintage" or not, it's just plain ugly when compared to wood binding.

Same here, especially on the Presentation series, give me flamed maple any day.