Binding around cut-out

[saturn]

Someone, maybe Tim, explained the deal with that shim or whatever it is between the binding and body around the cut-out.It was a long time ago though and I can't remember why it's there. Can someone refresh my memory? I got this pic from that Ebay link to that Tom Murphy 59 LP someone posted on the Lounge.

 

[GuitarJunkie]

It's not a shim. It just that the maple cap in that particular area is about 3/8 of an inch while the binding is only 1/4". Since the bottom of the cap runs parallel to the back and the binding follows the contour of the top, the binding doesn't cover all of the maple.

[Wolff]

I remember when I bought my sunburst LP the store manager made a point of showing me that area: "Look man, you can see the nice thick maple cap!".

[esch]

yes, it is not a flaw in any way.

Great explanation, GuitarJunkie.

[saturn]

Thanks. I knew it wasn't a flaw because you see it on them all.

[deepblue]

I call it the beauty mark.

[Tim Plains]

http://forums.gibson.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=6007

[L5Larry]

It just that the maple cap in that particular area is about 3/8 of an inch while the binding is only 1/4". Since the bottom of the cap runs parallel to the back and the binding follows the contour of the top' date=' the binding doesn't cover all of the maple.[/quote']

 

Here's a pic of the Norlin era tapered binding in that area. During that period they lined up the bottom of the binding to follow the flat seam line between the maple and mahogany. This caused a tapered, or thicker binding strip in the cutaway area.

 

[Thundergod]

I dont like the look of that Larry... looks kind of weird after the whole binding is one size... I preffer the current forumla.

[Flight959]

Even visable on my Custom...

[weeladdie]

My 98 Standard has the wider binding in the cut out too.