Glues for laminating ribs

ctregan · #1 11-24-2009, 05:25 AM

I have an old ply bass, from my kids school (parental volunteer job), with a severely dented rib. If I choose to laminate a new one, what are some specific glues, recommended for this type of work?

Hide glue does not have enough open time. PVA or "Titebond" may not be good for transmitting sound waves. Urea Formaldehyde Resin might work, but I am unsure of the health risks. Suggestions?

Jake deVilliers · #2 11-24-2009, 11:54 AM

I think you'd be fine with hide glue CT, thousands of Kays were laminated up with it. Just make sure to heat your parts beforehand and get them in place fairly quickly. Hot wood really gives you lots of time.

Yellow glue would be fine too if you're skittish. Its a plywood bass, right?

**Matthew Tucker** · #3 11-24-2009, 01:15 PM

I wouldn't be worried about the glue's ability to transmit sound waves. Especially on a school ply bass.

james condino · #4 11-25-2009, 11:39 AM

Craig:

I'll go with the rest of the crowd on the glue for an old ply bass- whatever one you are most comfortable with, but hot hide glue is always my favorite.

How are you going to laminate it up? I've done a few by making an inside mold out of mdf and then used a vacuum bag system. It works incredible, and the great thing about vacuum systems is that they draw the moisture out very fast- in about 11 minutes tightbond is hard.

Jack Bogdonivich's (one of my neighbors and good friends) new book on classical guitar building has a strong focus on laminated ribs. He always uses tightbond.

j.

ctregan · #5 11-26-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james condino

Craig:

I'll go with the rest of the crowd on the glue for an old ply bass- whatever one you are most comfortable with, but hot hide glue is always my favorite.

How are you going to laminate it up? I've done a few by making an inside mold out of mdf and then used a vacuum bag system. It works incredible, and the great thing about vacuum systems is that they draw the moisture out very fast- in about 11 minutes tightbond is hard.

j.

I found an old vacuum pump on craigslist, going to set it up in the shop

Titebond would work fine for a school bass, but in the future I may want to go for better quality; hide glue could be a worth a try. What do the "big boys" (Upton, Englheart, Shen, etc.) use for their laminated basses?

It is interesting that Kay used hide glue for all there laminations.

Ken McKay · #6 11-26-2009, 06:26 AM

Craig,

I make laminated guitar plates for jazz guitars as well as sides. I use UF glue exclusively.

As far as health risks, it is pretty safe. Just wear a mask when you mix the powder and you should be fine. There are no fumes to worry about.

A vac bag is good. You need not put the whole mold into the bag. Just make a small bag to slide the side glue-up into, form it on the outside of the mold, draw the vacuum and let it cook for 5 hours or so. Done.

wayne holmes · #7 11-29-2009, 10:51 PM

For the sake of any future repair and the luthier who might work on it--- please use hide glue-thank you!

**Matthew Tucker** · #8 11-29-2009, 11:00 PM

But ... as we're talking a rib lamination that is never going to be needed to be pulled apart, I'm 100% sure Titebond or UF or resorcinol or epoxy could all be used with great success. Or hide glue if you're up for it!

Especially since we're talking an old ply student bass ...