Purfling strips are shorter than normal binding, and are used for adding a decorative inlay either inside of binding, or as part of the rosette around the soundhole in acoustic guitars. Available materials include long pieces of plastic (celluloid, ABS and PVC), wood, and sets of natural pearl and abalone.
Purfling is a thin strip of inlay which sits in a channel to add a decorative accent or outline.
Our range includes plastic and shell purfling strips. Plastic is a general term and in fact we stock 3 different varieties which are available in their own patterns, colours and sizes. Shell strips are solid natural pieces of shell, precision cut to the same dimensions, which are available in both straight and curved versions. These materials differ in size, pattern and how they can be used The following table should help:
| ABS | Celluloid | PVC | Shell | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Cellulose nitrate | Poly vinyl chloride | Abalone Mother of pearl |
| Patterns | Plain colours |
Plain colours |
Multi-ply |
Green abalone Paua abalone White mother of pearl Gold mother of pearl Black mother of pearl |
| Recommended glues |
Acetone |
Acetone |
Binding cement (UHU Hart) |
Binding cement (UHU Hart) |
| Dissolves in acetone? | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can be lacquered over? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shape with |
Scraper |
Scraper |
Scraper |
Sandpaper |
| Bending tips | Heat gently for tight radii | Brittle when cold - heat very gently for tighter bends | Very flexible, heating not recommended | Won't bend Straight strips can be cracked around small radii For tighter radiii, for example soundhold rosettes, use pre-curved strips |
To glue guitar purfling we recommend UHU Hart, which is a clear cement that is compatible with wood, shell and all of these plastics. ABS, CAB and celluloid can also be adhered to wood (and to each other, for laminating) using acetone, which dissolves the surface of the plastic which will adhere to a surface when it then dries. Superglue (cyanoacrylate) works well for adhering shell to wood, but should not be used in conjunction with plastic inlays due to its reactivity.
The two most common scenarios and fitting methods for purfling are:
Soundhole rosettes, where the channel of suitable diameter should be cut out using a router jig, into which curved shell pieces or flexible plastic purfling can be inlaid.
Edges inside of binding, which is a slightly more complex process:
