Putting a bound top and back-routing a 67-like Flying V?

[zorrow]

To those who build/personalize/repair guitars around here, this question is for you:

How hard/expensive would it be putting a bound top and back-routing a 67-like Flying V? It doesn't have to be a thick top. Something thin would do. The colors I have in mind are either solid black, or trans black with figured maple, if possible. Single-ply cream binding would be my choice.

I'm talking about a guitar similar to this one:

Opinions? You may PM-me if you're up for this job.

[cmatthes]

Those have pretty thin bodies and the edges are beveled. It could be done, but might end up costing you more than the platform guitar, easily. Jay/Murkat could pull it off, but I'd get an estimate first.

I have an '05, that is a surprisingly great playing and sounding guitar, but the neck is thinner than I prefer.

[Jem]

It's do-able but as Chris said, the amount of work involved, take down the top, glue a new one on, route it for binding, pickups etc, then route the rear, then bind it plus a full re-spray might be nearer than you think to the cost of the donor in the first place.

[zorrow]

It's do-able but as Chris said, the amount of work involved, take down the top, glue a new one on, route it for binding, pickups etc, then route the rear, then bind it plus a full re-spray might be nearer than you think to the cost of the donor in the first place.

I see. Taking down the top, like grinding or sanding it down, that's what looks cumbersome to me. And one might have to refinish the guitar on its entirety after. Yeah, I think it's not a project I would like to embark on right now.

Thank you, guys!

[cmatthes]

Sure thing - planing down the top would likely require removal of the neck.

I got mine for a riduculously silly low price on Craigslist, so it made all the changes and refin well worth it - still cost me hundreds less than a new Gibson. Mine is also the "good" version, not the "Faded" stuff they put out.

[Stike]

Sure thing - planing down the top would likely require removal of the neck.

Yeah the neck would need to come out. It'd be a real bitch to rout the channels for the binding with the neck in place. Also depending on the size of the edge radius you would either need a very wide multi-ply binding or take the body thickness down until it's square and have the new top thicknessed to the amount that was removed.

All in all I would put this in the way more trouble than it's worth category.

[Steve Haynie]

My Sunburst got a veneer replaced, new binding, and a refinish. The labor cost was estimated correctly, and I agreed to it. The labor was more than the guitar.

Unless you have a V that you love so much you are willing to put the money into it, just find something close to what you want or do a custom order. If you do not like the guitar you can sell a custom ordered guitar for more than a modified guitar.

[velorush]

How about a faux binding (popular on Les Paul Studios, for example).