I tried to find some glue to use on the top binding that would successfully glue binding to wood. My tests with different hardware store glues failed, so I decided to seal the binding channels with shellac and glued the binding with gap filling CA glue. Using a small brush, I applied shellac to the binding channel, and approximately 1" onto the top of the guitar, this way if I got any CA on the top it wouldn't stain the spruce. Then I glued the binding in the same way I did the back.
After letting the glue dry, I removed all the tape, and scraped the binding flush with the top and sides. You'll notice in the pic below that I still have a little shellac left on the top and the odd spot of CA glue on the sides, both of which I will sand off in the near future.
After letting the glue dry, I removed all the tape, and scraped the binding flush with the top and sides. You'll notice in the pic below that I still have a little shellac left on the top and the odd spot of CA glue on the sides, both of which I will sand off in the near future.
Over all, the binding on the top didn't turn out as nice on the top as on the back. I found it more difficult to cut the channels on the softer wood, but still got a nice tight fit all around the top, and most of the binding is uniform thickness. The waist on the treble side turned out quite nice!
The waist on the bass side isn't quite as nice - you'll notice a bit of a gap just left of the center of the waist, but the gap filled with CA glue so it still doesn't look too bad. Once again, considering my methods of doing the binding channels, I am quite happy with it!
At times like this, I wish my first build wasn't a cutaway. The worst section of binding is the inside of the cutaway, where I have a bit of a gap (which I filled with CA glue) and here the binding is probably thickest on the whole top.
The joint at the end wedge looks like a great fit to me!
My next step will be to start fitting the neck to the body and setting the neck angle!
My next step will be to start fitting the neck to the body and setting the neck angle!