Am I the only one who dislikes rope binding?

Do you like rope binding?

  • Yes, love it!

    Votes: 34 26.2%
  • I dislike rope binding.

    Votes: 59 45.4%
  • I am neutral towards rope binding. I neither lover or hate it.

    Votes: 37 28.5%

  • Total voters
    130

haziz

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The title is self explanatory. Am I the only one who dislikes rope binding? I don't dislike binding or purfling in general, particularly discrete binding or purfling, although I tend to dislike too much bling. Rope binding is not too blingy, but I still find it to be a bit of an eyesore.

Do you dislike rope binding or are you in love with it?

Opinions, impressions, thrown rotten eggs and tomatoes welcome!

Thanks.
 
I wouldn't say I am overly for or against it, to tell the truth. I would say that I like it "sometimes."

I know that sounds like dodging the question, but let me explain. I like it on certain instruments, with certain woods. I think it is overused sometimes, maybe a little cliche at times. But there are certain instruments where it just looks "right."

The best example I can think of is the Kamaka HB-2D Ohta San. Something about that body shape, the layout of the woods and the fretboard, it just looks right. It all fits together in a way that is pleasing. If you will excuse the expression, the rope binding just ties it together. :)

But it is telling that when I ordered a custom instrument from Aaron Keim at Beansprout, I told him to do whatever he felt the wood was telling him to do for binding, but don't make it a rope binding! He opted for a simple binding that really complimented the wood, and it looks great!
 
Oops, a slight typo with option 3; it should say "love" rather than "lover". I am not sure how to edit the spelling in the poll, if it is at all possible.
 
I largely agree with Cluze. I don't often care for rope binding, but it works occasionally on ukuleles and guitars. It's nearly always an eyesore on mandolins. The wood dictates the binding that works best with it, imo.
 
I voted that I disliked rope binding even though I own and very much like a uke that has rope binding. It is the one thing that I wish I could have changed about it but in its defense, it's a slightly muted version of rope binding. It's not as garish as a lot of the rope binding I've seen. I don't love it but overall, the look works for me.

Ohana CK-42R - not my actual uke but a fairly representative facsimile. The binding on mine isn't as light/white as the pictured uke. It's more of a light brown/tan color and matches the lighter of the two colors in the rope binding.

CK 42.jpg
 
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I'm not a fan at all. In fact, (I hate to say this), but that's one of the reasons that I went with the Ohana TK-50G over the Mainland cedar/rosewood combo when choosing years ago. I wish I could have heard both before buying, but it wasn't an option. So looks definitely played into it.
 
I'm not usually a fan,and if i was having a uke custom built i certainly wouldn't ask for it in my specifications,but two of the best ukes i have ever played both had rope binding,one was a Kenny Hill,and the other which i own is an anniversary Kamaka concert,which to be fair is quite subtle,as it ages,so it wouldn't be a deal breaker,for the right instrument
 
One more for sometimes, depending on the instrument. I tend to prefer less to more bling. Usually I don't find purfling attractive. And if done correctly, no binding looks slightly better to me.

Sometimes binding looks nice, but it's not automatic. It needs to compliment the rest of the design. More so for rope binding/purfling. It's better when it's subtle. Trying to think of what conditions it works best in, but I'm not sure. Seems to go better with satin than gloss finishes. Maybe it's better for ukes that look a bit more rustic or old, Hawaiianish.

I agree it fits an Ohta San better than a Mainland. Actually, Mainland's rope binding is one of the worst looks for me, partly because of the headstock. They look like they belong in Toy Story. Which is unfortunate because I think their ukes are otherwise some of the best in their price range. I would probably have owned a Mainland or two had it not been for their rope purfling/binding.
 
I think it’s a tricky thing because it’s easy to go too big with it and the body size needs to be factored in. Usually, I’d say it’s too much for my taste, but Pono’s recent ukes with rope binding look gorgeous because it’s only obvious from probably six feet away. Past that it just looks like solid purfling.

That’s the sweet spot for me. ;-)
 
I don't really like the look of it, but since I love the feel of my Mainland uke in my hand I can overlook it.
 
Hate the look of it..... :D

(It stopped me from even considering Mainland ukes.)

I like a nice plain looking uke, it can have a simple rosette & a bit of binding, as long as it doesn't 'shout' it out - & I personally don't like figured woods either - let me see the nice straight grain pattern. :)
 
Not a huge fan, but it sometimes looks ok to my eye, depending on colors, and how thick it is. The more subtle, the better. Here's a Mainland on the left, Ohana on the right. The Ohana looks much more subtle and natural to me. YMMV. Plus, a bright white binding really makes the rope purfling seem to pop out more.

View attachment 126753

The white binding on the Mainland pictured is what puts me off.
 
I'm seeing a surprising amount of hate towards the rope binding but I do have to agree that it doesn't suit all ukes. Especially with darker coloured wood it tends to create too much contrast, whereas on lighter coloured ukes it looks really good in my opinion. Something like cedar or lighter coloured koa goes really well with rope binding. Kamaka Deluxe models and the Nunes ukulele both are excellent examples, whereas it doesn't go that well with something like mahogany.

However, as a soundhole rosette, I think it's really nice looking, regardless of the colour/wood of the soundboard. As an example, I really like how Pono ukuleles use it as the rosette.
 
I kind of like it IF it's not overdone/overpowering. As much as I like Mainland ukes, the heavy rope binding turns me off. On the other hand, my Pono ATD-CR has a nice subtle binding that I think is very attractive and fits in well with the overall design and color palette.
IMG_3732.jpg
 
I kind of like it IF it's not overdone/overpowering. As much as I like Mainland ukes, the heavy rope binding turns me off. On the other hand, my Pono ATD-CR has a nice subtle binding that I think is very attractive and fits in well with the overall design and color palette.
View attachment 126760

Yes, that looks great to my eye, blends well.
 
I tend to steer away from bling in general so I'd say no. Having said that, I owned an Islander SAT-4 once with subtle rope binding and I was okay with it. But I bought it despite the rope binding rather than because of it. Definitely can be overdone though.

But everyone's got their own style. I'm sure a lot of people would consider my ukes boring looking!
 
Love it...:D :shaka:
kamaka_hf-2d(2).jpg
 
Is rope binding always black and white ?
That´s what puts me off.
Reminiscent of gents toilets and street furniture.
My new Islander soprano, (arrived today) has lovely abalone edging that the sun shines through.
Nothing warm about black and white.
 
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