I believe it's a styling statement, and also helps to hold it in place kind of like electrical tape does on modern wrap. I may have to twine mine too.....because...

I got the left side done just fine, then started the right side. Someone had rounded out the expander bolt on the right barcon. Arrgh! Thank goodness it's tight at least! So, I wrapped up from the bottom, and shellaced it in place after trimming. I don't know how well it's going to stay in place without a binding of some sort.

I'm going to do the same color on the Grand Record, but I may use one coat of stain first, to darken it a little more for the new Swift.,,,,BD