Pacific Rim Tonewoods
In a world of synthetic alternatives, we remain committed to the beauty and honesty of natural materials. Our binding woods are sustainably harvested and thoughtfully sourced, with respect for the forests that gift us their raw power and beauty. Whether you are a hobbyist working from a home bench or a master luthier producing world-class guitars, our bindings are made to support your highest craftsmanship. Pacific Rim Tonewoods is proud to be a steward of this craft—a bridge between tree and tone, between vision and sound.
Our rosewood guitar binding is a statement of tradition and enduring beauty. Crafted from ethically sourced Indian rosewood, each strip showcases warm chocolate hues laced with hints of burgundy and violet, drawing the eye while offering superior dimensional stability. It is the natural choice for builders seeking a timeless appeal—pairing effortlessly with spruce or cedar tops, and blending naturally into rosewood backs and sides for a seamless and luxurious transition. More than visual flair, rosewood binding lends tactile smoothness and a robust edge to instruments that must endure decades of play. It is this intersection of art and endurance that has made rosewood guitar binding a gold standard among artisans of fine acoustic instruments.
Ebony guitar binding, in contrast, speaks to a modernist sensibility. Deep, black, and naturally lustrous, our ebony binding is milled from select-grade Gabon ebony, a wood prized for its hardness and striking minimalism. This is binding for those who love stark contrast—perfect against light-colored soundboards such as Engelmann spruce, Sitka spruce, or even maple. It is the frame that defines the masterpiece, the silhouette that gives depth to tonewoods that glow from within. Beyond its aesthetic power, ebony guitar binding provides a tough, wear-resistant edge that resists nicks, dents, and delamination. Whether you're crafting a concert-level fingerstyle guitar or a performance-grade dreadnought, ebony binding offers an unmatched marriage of function and visual discipline.
Hawaiian koa binding is a celebration of the organic. With its radiant color range—from golden browns and oranges to reddish tones and deep caramels—koa evokes the volcanic soils and tropical sun of the Hawaiian islands where it grows. Our plain koa binding brings this rich palette in a subtle, clean-grained form that harmonizes with a wide variety of body woods. It’s especially suited to koa guitar bodies, providing visual continuity while preserving the wood’s tonal clarity and natural shimmer. But for those who seek dramatic flair, our figured koa binding is nothing short of spectacular. It ripples with flame, curl, and 3D movement, catching light like liquid gold. This figured koa binding is more than an accessory; it’s a signature, a bold brushstroke around the body of a handmade guitar.
