Double Bass Titebond? Reversible?

[HBlair]

Is Titebond reversible? What are your experiences?

My Engelhardt had a neck break that was DIY-repaired by the previous owner. He said he used Titebond on a recommendation by someone else.

On the "repair", no consideration was given to centering, overstand or angle. The neck is now off-center (pointing toward the treble side) and with a low angle (but the bridge is still 5 3/8" - no table collapse either). Heck, it might be in perpetual motion toward the treble side for all I know.

The Titebond site mentions different varieties of the glue and all seem to have "applied heat" as the reversing factor. But applying heat deep into a neck joint may create more problems than it solves?

I know, and don't disagree, "Get thee to thy luthier, Cheechako". I hate to bother my luthier, at least without good reason. He's always so busy. The Engel is playable, I'm just concerned about future stability.

EDIT: Previous owner swore he didn't use screws, or dowels.

Butchery Illustrated...

 

[iiipopes]

Which Titebond product? There are several, including the better known carpenter's glue (Aliphatic) and cold hide glue.

 

[HBlair]

The Titebond site mentions different varieties of the glue and all seem to have "applied heat" as the reversing factor. But applying heat deep into a neck joint may create more problems than it solves?

I wasn't told which version of Titebond.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Which Titebond product? There are several, including the better known carpenter's glue (Aliphatic) and cold hide glue.

Well, it wasn't the liquid hide or the joint would have already failed and we'll hope that it isn't the waterproof Titebond III that some local moron used to re-glue (badly) a very early Gibson guitar's broken top...

If its regular Franklin Titebond I it should be removable with steam (I reset Titebond-glued Martin necks all the time) and if push comes to shove you can get a new Englehardt neck from Tom Link or Bob G and take it from the top.

 

[HBlair]

I appreciate all your responses.

At this point, I'm just waiting/hoping for joint failure so I can have it repaired correctly. Until then, it's playable and I'm playing it.

Thanks again.
Hank

 

[robobass]

Concentrated vinegar - a.k.a. ascetic acid, removes both hide glue and most wood glues. It's what my local guys use in a syringe bottle to pop a fingerboard. If the joint is holding well, however, I'd leave it alone.

 

[HBlair]

Concentrated vinegar - a.k.a. ascetic acid, removes both hide glue and most wood glues. It's what my local guys use in a syringe bottle to pop a fingerboard.

I'll be giving this a trial on something called Gorilla Glue; just for grins.

If the joint is holding well, however, I'd leave it alone.

My exact intention, but I'm still hoping for failure so I can get it fixed by a pro.

Many thanks.