• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Help me choose the appropriate binding color on a ES335

zerp

New member
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
4
So I have a ES335 custom order with gibson, and initially I thought this binding is the color "cream". But now it has come to my attention that it can be tanned?

I think it is impossible to distinguish the difference on them. It seems like you have cream with "ageing" which looks identical to tanned. Help?

I do not, I repeat, I do not want the bindings to look white.

The best would be if could post a specific image showing the difference.
Cheers


0EMTxBT.jpg
 

wmachine

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
303
I don't understand threads like this. You need help with what you like?
 

zerp

New member
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
4
I don't understand threads like this. You need help with what you like?


Pretty clear that you didn’t read it :)

i need help distinguishing the difference between cream and tanned bindings. Google ES335 cream bindings. Sometimes it’s like white, other times it’s like golden. Before I define what I like, I need to know what Gibson are doing..


edit: I asked my local dealer, and they said Memphis cream is yellow and Nashville cream is white. Don’t know if that’s true?
 
Last edited:

Midnight Blues

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
1,703
I wouldn't rely too much on Google, that'll give you pretty much anything related to 335s, even if you qualify it with "cream", so it'll all be mixed together.

I'm likely wrong about this, but I think generally speaking, cream binding is used with sunburst colors, white binding is reserved for ebony finishes, as well as 355sand tan for the rest. There are exceptions of course.

Here's cream:

ESDS16SBNH1_MAIN_HERO_01.jpg


Here's tan:

ES6318SCNH1_MAIN_HERO_01.jpg


It's a bit darker than cream.

And here's white:

ES5516RDBG1_MAIN_HERO_01.jpg


Sorry if this didn't help, but I gave it a shot nonetheless.


:salude
 

wmachine

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
303
Pretty clear that you didn’t read it :)

i need help distinguishing the difference between cream and tanned bindings. Google ES335 cream bindings. Sometimes it’s like white, other times it’s like golden. Before I define what I like, I need to know what Gibson are doing..


edit: I asked my local dealer, and they said Memphis cream is yellow and Nashville cream is white. Don’t know if that’s true?

Okay, I get it. But shouldn't Gibson be able to show you exactly what it is? Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks it is or should be.
I do find it interesting that even on the reissues with the "darker" bindings that the pick guard edges are still stark white. And that is still an unwanted contrast to darker bindings. However on VOS finished models, they add some of that finish to the pick guard edges, and that takes some of the edge off the white.
 

GotTheSilver

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,433
I can't help you with your question, but tell us more about your custom order. What did you spec out?
 

Dan#1287

New member
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
Messages
18
Yes, no flame!

The photo was more intended to show the binding color. I have no idea what is the difference between the two, and neither does it seems that Gibson does.

A flame top red ES335 looks stunning I think.
 

jwalker

Les Paul Forum Sponsor
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
I think for an ES-335 all of the binding is cream. If the binding looks more yellowed I think it simply means the lacquer clear coat has been tinted amber to mimic the color of the old yellowed lacquer clear coat that you see on a vintage Gibsons.
 

Trans-Am

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
......just having fun here:##

I think the BLACK binding is the bomb:biggrin:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64345569@N03/48711947448/in/dateposted/" title="335_3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48711947448_769d32583a_z.jpg" width="640" height="338" alt="335_3"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Top