Fender's new 'Channel Bound Fingerboards'

[jonPhillips]

Take a look here...

What's your view?

I'm not sure by looking at the pictures – maybe I'll change my mind when I see one in the flesh

 

[Jbird]

Interesting.

As long as it works and feels good, why not?

 

[Tiltsta]

Wow, that is different. I'd have to see and play it before I really decided. I'm a little worried about how long term sturdy that might be compared to a normal neck, but that is based solely on my luddite fears.

 

[Muppet]

I'll reserve judgement until I play one. I'll want to see if it really does improve resonance and toanz.

 

[Mark Wein]

Wow, that is different. I'd have to see and play it before I really decided. I'm a little worried about how long term sturdy that might be compared to a normal neck, but that is based solely on my luddite fears.

I kinda feel the same way.

 

[kayd_mon]

I don't think it'll be any less sturdy, nor do I think it will add any resonance. But it is an interesting look. I'd like to see it up close.

 

[dodgechargerfan]

I've seen that before. *Trying to remember where*

I think it's a great idea. I just don't believe that it is unique to Fender.

 

[dodgechargerfan]

There it is...

 

[reverend1]

I've seen that before. *Trying to remember where*

I think it's a great idea. I just don't believe that it is unique to Fender.

It's not, I have that same thing on a few guitars. I'm not sure why it's special or way I'm supposed to be impressed.

 

[Elias Graves]

I like the look. Very clean.
Easier construction than traditional binding, too, it appears.

 

[Tiltsta]

My main concern is that binding is often found loose, missing, and falling off of old guitars, making me think glueing plastic to wood isn't as solid as glueing wood to wood. Could be completely unfounded, but that is my thinking on the design. Maybe they have some badass high tech glue or something, but I don't want to be the test market for the durability of these things.

 

[jp_nyc]

I’ve never noticed that Fender had any trouble getting a clean and lasting join between fretboard and necks, so I don’t see any reason why this would be any more likely to go wrong than a traditional fretboard would. And getting the fret ends tucked away is always nice, if that’s what they’re doing here. I’m calling bullshit on their claim that this will make the guitar any more resonant, though. They’re not using more wood, just more glue, and glue isn’t some magic potion that makes guitars ring out like the bells of old Moscow.

 

[2manband]

My main concern is that binding is often found loose, missing, and falling off of old guitars, making me think glueing plastic to wood isn't as solid as glueing wood to wood. Could be completely unfounded, but that is my thinking on the design. Maybe they have some badass high tech glue or something, but I don't want to be the test market for the durability of these things.

I think the channelbound neck would have more wood to wood glue surface and no wood to plastic, if I'm understanding it correctly.

My take on it - it looks cool but probably doesn't matter much in use. Fender found that they can do some very precise routing with new CNC machines, which enable the tight fit that makes this possible. And with that part of the manufacturing process sorted, it's now cheaper to build than traditional plastic binding. So lower production costs, and you can market it as a premium ($) option.

Win/win for Fender

 

[bluesnapper]

Looks cool.

Would make it harder/impossible to replace a worn-out fretboard though.

 

[jp_nyc]

Would make it harder/impossible to replace a worn-out fretboard though.

It’s a bolt-on. New necks are simple.

 

[Grave Bomber]

That's innovative. I'd like to check that out. It'd really be cool with some different/nice woods with the contrast, but that ain't going to happen with Fender.

Here's another take. It's almost like a binding. I wonder if this is Fender's way to save time/work for a bound look without the binding process.

 

[Elias Graves]

My main concern is that binding is often found loose, missing, and falling off of old guitars, making me think glueing plastic to wood isn't as solid as glueing wood to wood. Could be completely unfounded, but that is my thinking on the design. Maybe they have some badass high tech glue or something, but I don't want to be the test market for the durability of these things.

It doesn't look like there's any plastic to it. Aren't they just in laying the board into the neck?

 

[Elias Graves]

That's innovative. I'd like to check that out. It'd really be cool with some different/nice woods with the contrast, but that ain't going to happen with Fender.

Here's another take. It's almost like a binding. I wonder if this is Fender's way to save time/work for a bound look without the binding process.

That's what it looks like to me. Fender is all about being production friendly with designs.

 

[Punchy]

Sounds like a good idea to me, as long as the fit and finish are done proper

Of course the marketing mumbo jumbo is just that, but I'd give it a shot, given te opportunity.

 

[Elias Graves]

Sounds like a good idea to me, as long as the fit and finish are done proper

Of course the marketing mumbo jumbo is just that, but I'd give it a shot, given te opportunity.

The "resonance" bit sounds like the marketing department to me.
I still think it looks good. Isn't that enough?
Apparently not. Marketing probably insisted on THREE reasons its better.