Body binding or no?

[Bassi5t]

I have a roasted maple neck with black block inlays and cram binding. I am ready to have a body made for it. It will be a warmoth custom T body in satin black. The question is, do I go with the cram body binding to match the neck or no binding at all?

PS. There will be no control plate/ controls on the front and no pickguard

 

[Killing Floor]

I would pick binding to go with the neck.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I would pick binding to go with the neck.

+1.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Binding

 

[Tubehed]

As they say, you only live once. Binding!

 

[MAJOR METAL]

If your doing a Tele body, go with double (Top/Back) binding!

 

[Bassi5t]

If your doing a Tele body, go with double (Top/Back) binding!

That was going to be my next question

with everyone voting binding, the next natural question is, double or single binding?

I like simplicity which would suggest I would want no binding but I also enjoy using fancy stuff for everyday activities (I.e. using the good silver all the time) so that would be a vote for double! The bummer about binding is it eats up my funds. Ive got the scratch to do double but will have nothing left over.

 

[micguy]

Binding means a relatively sharp corner on the front of the body. My first bass had that. A bass that digs into your arm is not fun to play, no matter how cool it looks. Never again!!!!

 

[Aloe]

Binding means a relatively sharp corner on the front of the body. My first bass had that.

uhm, that was a Rick, right?

my Gretsch doesn't have a sharp binding, my Hofner doesn't have a sharp binding. binding is not always equal to a 'sharp corner'.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

uhm, that was a Rick, right?

my Gretsch doesn't have a sharp binding, my Hofner doesn't have a sharp binding. binding is not always equal to a 'sharp corner'.

Yes, I’ve built or bought several basses and guitars with binding. No sharp edges on them.

 

[Jhalb]

I vote no binding, but it’s your bass.

 

[chris_b]

No. I've never owned or played a bass with binding on the body or neck. Not missed it either.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Binding means a relatively sharp corner on the front of the body. My first bass had that. A bass that digs into your arm is not fun to play, no matter how cool it looks. Never again!!!!

That was my first thought: binding requires somes well-defined angle. I'd pass in favor of a well thought out contour(s), front & back.

Riis

 

[2saddleslab]

Love me some binding.

 

[Stewie]

Gonna look nice, but I prefer the contours

 

[Bassnkeys]

I have a Rob Allen Mouse and an Ibanez with binding. Looks awesome, but I agree that you can feel it. So, might want to consider — especially if the body doesn’t have a contour (a contour would likely lessen the “sharpness” of the binding). I’ve noticed an imprint on my forearm from the binding after playing.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I don’t like binding on Fender instruments but I love binding on Gibson.

 

[burgerdj]

I think Warmoth stills offers a light or dark wood contrast line - that’d be my vote, depending on whether you’re going with a natural stain or paint.

 

[dutchwife]

The body colour in your photo there is just gorgeous.
BAlso, as pointed out earlier re binding..those sharp edges! Spent a lot of time playing Rickies before Spector came along, so you can take my word for it, you'll be buying a lot of long wristbands.
Soft contours are the win for comfort in anyone's book and for looks in mine. Best of luck either way.

 

[gln1955]

I'd go with binding. It makes a pedestrian Fenderish body something special.

I had binding on my Fender Aerodyne and I could not notice any sharp edge. I guess it's one of those things that some people are sensitive to, but the majority aren't.