Temporary Fix

bassist1962 · #1 12-21-2009, 04:18 AM

I have a seam in need of repair, and really need to get it in to the shop, but as a temporary fix, would a product called tightbond (titebond?) work without damaging the instrument? If so which one, I have seen red, green and blue bottles.

Heifetzbass · #2 12-21-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

I have a seam in need of repair, and really need to get it in to the shop, but as a temporary fix, would a product called tightbond (titebond?) work without damaging the instrument? If so which one, I have seen red, green and blue bottles.

Do not use titebond- it is an alpharetic resin glue, yellow, that is used in other woodworking and some use in guitar building. If you must do it yourself, get a bottle of liquid hide glue. Not the best solution, but much better than titebond.

Seams are cheap to get fixed. Take it to a luthier!
BG

uprightben · #3 12-21-2009, 05:30 AM

Just to be clear- titebond makes liquid hide glue, it is in a brown bottle. liquid hide glue contains urea to keep it liquid at room temp, which has the infortunate side effect of making glue fail over time, so if you use it make sure your luthier cleans the seam out before a proper fix. A better temp fix for an open seam is to use unflavored gelatin (konx brand or otherwise) mix with water and heat in a double boiler. you want it the thickness and consistincy of hot maple syrup. Also, make sure you have a good plan for clamping before you start- your clamps should bring the seam together and hold it there, any more pressure is bad.

robobass · #4 12-21-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uprightben

Just to be clear- titebond makes liquid hide glue, it is in a brown bottle. liquid hide glue contains urea to keep it liquid at room temp, which has the infortunate side effect of making glue fail over time, so if you use it make sure your luthier cleans the seam out before a proper fix. A better temp fix for an open seam is to use unflavored gelatin (konx brand or otherwise) mix with water and heat in a double boiler. you want it the thickness and consistincy of hot maple syrup. Also, make sure you have a good plan for clamping before you start- your clamps should bring the seam together and hold it there, any more pressure is bad.

+1. But if you are going to do what it takes to use the gelatin, you might as well go for it and get yourself some real hide glue. It's not really that hard to use, and a really good skill to acquire. I just keep mine made up in a jelly jar in the fridge, set the jar in a pan of water and heat on a hotplate to prepare. Clamping is very important too. You can use hardware store clamps. Just have a supply of wine corks and mounting tape on hand. You can cut up the corks to make proper protecters and stick them to the clamps. Also, keep some rags ready as well!

ee-san · #5 12-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uprightben

Just to be clear- titebond makes liquid hide glue, it is in a brown bottle. liquid hide glue contains urea to keep it liquid at room temp, which has the infortunate side effect of making glue fail over time, so if you use it make sure your luthier cleans the seam out before a proper fix. A better temp fix for an open seam is to use unflavored gelatin (konx brand or otherwise) mix with water and heat in a double boiler. you want it the thickness and consistincy of hot maple syrup. Also, make sure you have a good plan for clamping before you start- your clamps should bring the seam together and hold it there, any more pressure is bad.

Just to be contrary, I used the ready-mix liquid hide glue to close a 16-inch seam "temporarily" last July. It is now nearly six months later and the temporary seam has held very well through many weather changes in this mid-Atlantic region. So, for a "temporary" fix you have little to lose but a few bucks for the liquid hide glue and some of your time.

bassist1962 · #6 12-22-2009, 04:03 AM

Thanks guys. Someone warned me off the knox gelatin for whatever reason. If I can't find the liquid hide glue, I will try the knox. Would surejell work just as well, my wife shas a box or two around currently.

Just for the record, I have lost more time/money looking for an answer to this fix.