Neck Binding. Yay or Nay?

[Ken J]

I prefer the clean and natural look.
Nay for me.

[topcat2069]

Originally Posted by Templar

Yes, because the side dots are easy to see in the dark.

+1.... I paid for the neck upgrade....

[georgiagoodie]

How about some pearloid binding?

[Pilgrim]

I like it. It's pure eye candy (there is absolutely no difference in action or playability, except maybe in your own mind), but I like eye candy.

[wraub]

Neck binding usually make things feel sticky to me. Increased resistance to hand movement and all that.
Imo a big nay.

wraub

[jim777]

I voted carrots as well. I like the look on some basses but I'd be lying if I said I could tell you blindfolded if I was playing a bound neck or not.

[Duuuuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by VinKreepo

Yes, binding is nice on a show bass. However, I wouldn't have it on my main bass unless I were willing to pay the extra cost for re-fretting a bound neck when the time comes.

Also, it depends on the quality of the binding. It would cost a small fortune to have replaced.

Just out of curiosity, how often do you refret your basses? Two of my basses I've had for 20+ years and have never needed to replace the frets

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by jim777

I'd be lying if I said I could tell you blindfolded if I was playing a bound neck or not.

+1, but my Stambaugh is my only bound bass.

Aside from six vs five strings of course, there's no difference in playability from my Stambaugh compared to my other basses. Maybe it's the material used for bindings that's making the difference to those that are commenting on playability of bound basses? (Not all bindings are wood, right? I've played a couple basses with white bindings and the material looked like plastic?)

5sg.

[MikeyB]

Voted Yay.
Music is about mojo.
Blocked & Bound screams MOJO!

[wideload]

I wish I was a Photoshop geek, because a neck with carrots hanging off the edges would be really hard to play, but a big hit with the bunnies. Carry on...

[woodyng]

I voted Nay. I've had a lot of basses over the years,and strictly from a looks standpoint,i think binding is really nice. In the case of RIC basses,i find the unbound models way more appealing,both esthetically and for a better overall feel. I recently got an Italia bass that has a flat bound back,and a bound neck,but like previously stated,the fret ends are not covered by the binding.(so why bother ?) every time i pick up a 4001 or 4003,i am reminded why i no longer own one. Same thing for jazz bass necks,i just prefer the unbound dot models.

[StrangerDanger]

I like binding ok as long as its under a gloss finish. That white binding on satin finish neck looks cheap imo.

[Jared Lash]

Yay.

[amimbari]

I voted YAY, some of mine do, some don't





.

[thisSNsucks]

Yay on a Jazz, Nay on just about everything else (except a Rickenbacker)

[jasonbraatz]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fingers

It depends. Block-inlays without binding is fugly, so there a binding is a must. But with just ordinary dot inlays, I like it more sober, and a binding is a bit too much (except when the body is bound)

Same here - I think blocks & binding need to go together, otherwise I would rather have no inlay or binding.

[C.Linton]

I like binding, but TBH it doesn't make much difference to me.

[zortation]

I never gave it much thought. The only bass I've played with bound necks were '70s j basses, but I prefer them because of the neck markers.

[chef wong]

Neck binding and blocks are too "Vegas". Nay.

[wmheilma]

I voted "Nay" for neck binding because it makes fret maintenance more of a hassle year later. It does look good though!