Ok so everybody likes blocks and binding

[Number27]

anything and binding.

 

[Simon Langley]

I find black blocks on a maple neck tacky (sorry Geddy Lee owners) I do like pearloid blocks and binding on a rosewood neck.

+1

 

[jmeyers44]

I can go either way. Remember if you get binding tough prices on fretwork tend to go up.

 

[cnltb]

I don't like dots, blocks, or bindings.
I do like properly laid frets into a well aged fratboard and knowing my fretboard well enough to not need any of these. ;-)

 

[amimbari]

dots and binding? how about diamonds and binding?

or triangles and binding?

.

and blocks and binding, ya I got one of those also:

.
on the topic...dots and binding? ..don't have one ( yet )

 

[Nino Valenti]

I've seen a couple of late 60's and early 80's Js with dots and binding and it looks awesome.

 

[electracoyote]

I'm hooked on blocks and binding, but it's purely aesthetic (obviously). I think my preference is due to so many influencial bass players from the 70s played blocked and bound necks (Rics, J's etc.). It's just a cool look.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I don't like dots, blocks, or bindings.
I do like properly laid frets into a well aged fratboard and knowing my fretboard well enough to not need any of these. ;-)

so..... What does inlay choice and binding have to do with knowing how to play? LOL

 

[Nino Valenti]

Is that a Valenti with a different looking headstock?

This is a bass I built for myself before production of Valenti basses. It's actually prbably the 2nd or 3rd bass I actually put a Valenti decal on. No serial #, though.

 

[Valerus]

For those nonbelievers:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mouthwatering.

In the flesh!

 

[Crockettnj]

I liked the block inlay look well before I knew that it was popular. I dig it.

 

[cnltb]

so..... What does inlay choice and binding have to do with knowing how to play? LOL

...not too much.
But, I personally like a "clean" board and find that knowing the board makes this choice a more feasible one.
Hence my post.

 

[MarkusBass]

Totally depends on the bass

 

[bassrique]

I hate binding and I hate blocks. Don't ask, just let "1969 Jazz bass neck in 1969" be enough...

Ahhhh... you're the person I was thinking of. IIRC, didn't you make the argument at one time that blocks may take a bit away from neck stiffness?

 

[kcole4001]

Here's how I see it FWIW:
Perfect example is the pic of the two Js above.
The contrast of a block + bound 'board matches the stark contrast of the black body with the white guard.
The darker burst finish with a black or similarly dark guard seems to fit more with a dot neck with no binding, blends together better as a whole.

Another example: a bound body (Gibson guitar, Rickenbacker, etc.) pretty much demands a bound and blocked 'board, aesthetically speaking.

In other words, it's a case by case issue keeping in mind the aesthetics of the whole package.

 

[Hoover]

Mouthwatering.

Bleh...more like Anus Lathering.

There ya go, that's why I don't like blocks & binding...because even a pristine 60's Fender Jazz reminds me of a POS Asian import like this bass when it gets all blocked & bound. Too tacky imho.

A swanky Gibson guitar (like a Les Paul Custom, ES-355TDSV, or L-5S), sure...but on a bass? Just Say No.

 

[Kipaste]

Love 'em. To me, a jazz bass is missing something without those two features.

 

[JTE]

Your premise is wrong. I DESPISE blocks 'n' binding. It reminds me too much of the crap I had to try to sell when they were new.

Dot's and binding is cool, but binding isn't really all that important to me.

John

 

[YCBass]

Oh ya, getting 'em on my Alleva-Coppolo on order.

 

[vinxbass]

Binding is ok, but I really prefer just dots. I've been waiting to say this and now I can finally say it - I DON'T LIKE BLOCKS AT ALL. There, I finally said it.