What is Double Binding?

[Mike Conner]

Seems like I should know this, but I'm not sure precisely what double binding is. I see reference to this in descriptions of manufacturers guitars, but searching has not yielded a specific description. I am familiar with common bindings and purflings (eg herringbone), just not with this feature.

[Alan Carruth]

It may be that they're referring to binding on both the top and the back. I've heard the term used that way about solid body guitars. Some affordable production acoustics only have binding on the top to protect the edge of the soft wood.

[Mike Conner]

Thanks, Alan
I certainly have worked on some budget guitars that lacked binding on the back edge. I guess Martin and other manufacturers using are using the term as a marketing feature. I don't consider binding on both front and back edges as anything special, rather as almost essential.

[Mark McLean]

Seems like I should know this, but I'm not sure precisely what double binding is. .

No, I don't think you should know this. I have not heard this term, and if Professor Carruth doesn't know it either then I think we have established that it is bogus terminology.

[Alan Carruth]

But I have seen the term used, in the way I said in my post. Just because it's a new usage that doesn't make it 'bogus'.

Back when I started getting into guitar making, 'flamed' was a term that could be employed about any sort of grain figure in maple, such as quilt, curl, or bird's eye, and referred to how pronounced the figure was. Now, on these groups, it means 'curly', and we have to jump through hoops to talk about something else, and specify how 'figured' it is. As far as I'm concerned we've reduced the power of the language, and the current usage is what's 'bogus'. But it's language, and it means what people agree it means. If we can agree on what 'double binding' we're all set.

[Carl Dickinson]

Could it be that the purfling layer is the same height and thickness as the binding thus "Double binding?"

[Mike Conner]

I've seen the "double-bound" term used on the Elderly Instruments used postings. Given Elderly's expertise and repair staff skill, I wouldn't interpret the description as bogus or misleading. The listing for a 1995 Martin D-41 states "This attractive Martin D-41 has a double bound body with spruce top with scalloped braces, with lots of abalone inlay, ....". Also appears in the listings for a Larrivee D-60 and a C.Fox.

I have purchased quite a few "as-is" instruments from Elderly to repair and gift to young folks interested in playing for worship services. I guess I can give them a call and ask what the description means to them, then report back here

Who knows, I might be double binding my builds and not even realize it!

[Mark McLean]

Fair comments - I should not have used the word bogus. Sloppy description. What I meant is that it does not seem to be a term that has widespread recognition, or consensus with regard to its meaning.

[Mike Conner]

So, I called Elderly Sales and spoke with Ben. He stated that it is likely just referring to both the front and back edges having binding - as Alan had surmised. Ben said that it's up to the appraisal department to provide the descriptions for used instruments, and they do not always include that in the description, depending on what they find when they research the instruments specifications. For example, sometimes they include the weight of the instruments, and sometimes not.

Kind of disappointing - I was hoping for a neat "bling" feature to include in my builds. On the other hand, now I can emphasize that my guitars are "double bound" while trying to look serious to impart the appropriate "gravitas".

Learning something every day!

I have used solid curly maple (or sometimes walnut) binding for all my builds. Most folks seem really impressed and view that as a high end feature. But for me, the wood bindings are pretty easy to make and bend, and I can use regular Titebond to install them along with fiber purfling. I guess my technical brain lacks the marketing instinct.

[Alan Carruth]

I've always used wood binding, and curly maple gives a look you can't get from plastic.

We have had to use two layers of binding a couple of times on student instruments, where they wanted to make the binding too thick to bend for whatever reason.