Wood Binding, is Larrivée the only one?

[fantex]

As far as I've found Larrivée is the only major manufacturer to use wood binding. Why? Is it too expensive? Too labor intensive? Even Collings is using just ivoroid, which is just plastic right? I'm surprised at that.

[William2]

Look at the price hike for a Martin with wood binding. I don't think it is a cost thing either. I wonder if it is tradition that has something to do with this? I thought I watched a video last year of a guy performing on a Larrivee. He said he had requested that Larrivee put the Ivoried on the instrument to give it that vintage look.

[BlueBowman]

He said he had requested that Larrivee put the Ivoried on the instrument to give it that vintage look.

This seems like a downgrade to me. I love wood binding on a guitar, as do many players.

As William mentioned, Martin has the Modern Deluxe (less worry about separation on those). SCGC and Lowden also build guitars with wooden bindings. There are surely others. Solo luthiers use it a lot. I personally love flamed koa as a binding. It looks good against all woods!

[B0WIE]

When you get into the higher end, some shops don't charge any extra for wood vs ivroid.

Ivoroid is cellulose, which is derived from cotton. It's natural in the sense that some rubbers are natural. It can also be called a plastic, even though it's not synthetic.

I think wood bindings look fantastic with modern poly finishes. Larrivee made the right choice. But, I'll have to admit I'm totally cool with ivoroid on nitro finished guitars. The way nitro discolors and shrinks looks good on ivoroid.

[Rockysdad]

I'll take Larrivée wood bindings all day, every day.

IMHO wood looks so much better.

[teh]

The purpose of binding on a guitar is to reinforce the edges and protect the guitar from damage while adding to the overall look and feel. My two 35 series Martins have White Plastic binding (aka Boltaron). Over the years the lacquer has yellowed with age and chipped off in places giving both of them a relic'd look. This doesn't bother me in the least. My four Larrivees all have wood body binding which is really a nice touch however my parlor and my 12 string have Ivroid binding on the neck. Again, I've never given it a second thought.

It's worth noting that the radial wood rosette and purfling used on the 24 series really blends well with the mahogany top I ordered on my 00-24. Coupled with the Vine inlay on the headstock, the pyramid bridge and the tulip tuners are nice touches. I added a set of black ebony bridge pins with abalone dots to complement the headstock and the bridge. While I'd never trade my 2004 and 2005 Larrivees, the quality and workmanship that went into my Forum VI and 00-24 guitars is phenomenal.

[fantex]

It's worth noting that the radial wood rosette and purfling used on the 24 series really blends well with the mahogany top I ordered on my 00-24. Coupled with the Vine inlay on the headstock, the pyramid bridge and the tulip tuners are nice touches. I added a set of black ebony bridge pins with abalone dots to complement the headstock and the bridge. While I'd never trade my 2004 and 2005 Larrivees, the quality and workmanship that went into my Forum VI and 00-24 guitars is phenomenal.

I really like the look of the 24 series too. The Rosewood binding nice.

[StringPicker6]

The limited edition Larrivee 19 series uses the original ivoroid binding on the neck, but the body has rosewood binding. Pretty cool that they used all the vintage specs. You can see pics on the sweetwater website. I'd love a C-19, but only if I win the lottery!

[Silence Dogood]

I like wood bindings, but my own Larrivee has white plastic binding, which is one of my favorite things about the guitar.  It just looks cool and stands out nicely against the wood.  I actually prefer it over wood binding.  Diff'rent strokes, as they say.

[musical123]

I recently purchased a Taylor 812ce that has maple binding. Just an FYI.

[fantex]

I recently purchased a Taylor 812ce that has maple binding. Just an FYI.

Nice, thanks for the info. Maple looks good on my 00-40.

[Gill]

The wood (Maple) body binding on a new friends Larrivee OM-03 Sitka over Hog,was what first turned my head sharply to the Larrivee build.

That,and the overall build quality,not to mention playability,and that sound,after that,I was hooked.

I've had several Larry's since then, and am down to three at this time,one of them is a OM-03 all Hog,with Maple bound neck and fretboard.

One of life's great mysteries,to me anyway,is how Larrivee can knock out quality like this,without breaking the bank,if this was a Martin equivalent,I'd have paid three times as much for it.

I notice that many Larrivee parlours have Maple fretboard binding ,and yet they are in the cheaper price bracket,interesting.

[Sandstorm]

I like the natural look of the maple binding and call me old fashioned but I prefer the look of an ivoroid neck binding, especially once it's aged or if it's meant to look aged.  I appreciate the older Larrivees with the ivroid binding.