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Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:39 pm
by Kevin in California
As I have been spraying the current OM build with nitro lacquer, I've exposed a very thin glue line between the sapele sides and the walnut binding. It is obviously in places with the joint was not perfect as this line does not show the full length of each seam, but starts and stops in about 5 places, some as long as 3 or 4 inches. Against the other woods, it looks like a white line.
I used Titebond and glued this up last summer when the weather was actually quite hot. I have never had this happen before. This is the second guitar using the sapele, but on the other guitar I used maple bindings, no glue line shows.

There is nothing I can do about it now, but it is a bit disappointing. Have any of you guys experienced this with Titebond, or any other adhesive?

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 7:52 pm
by John Parchem
I have had glue lines with LMI instrument glue and unfortunately in that case it fluoresces under a black light. Just right for the stage. Fish glue, titebond hide glue and hide glue to not show through as white.

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:44 pm
by Kevin in California
I never had that happen with the old LMI white instrument glue, and I bought one bottle of the newer yellow stuff and that was okay too for me,
but the last 3 or 4 guitars I've just used regular titebond, never had this before.
I have fish glue, but I don't like the idea that it softens with moisture. Is there any issue you think using fish glue on the bindings?

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:54 pm
by John Parchem
fish glue on bindings is great. It may soften with moisture but unless the guitar is underwater the joint will not get any moisture in it. It softening with moisture is a plus as you can repair a joint. I also use the titbond hide glue. It gets a worse name than it deserves, maybe I would not use it for an x-brace but it will quite happily hold the bindings in. I used it for my my entire third guitar before I was told that it was bad for guitars. That guitar is still happily holding together.

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:49 pm
by Kevin in California
Thanks for the input John.
My next guitar is going to be a special one for my tenth anniversary building, so I don't want to have glue lines showing.

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 11:40 pm
by John Parchem
Kevin in California wrote:Thanks for the input John.
My next guitar is going to be a special one for my tenth anniversary building, so I don't want to have glue lines showing.
I should look at my dates as we started close to the same time:)

Re: Glue line shows on my latest build

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:12 pm
by Herman
Hey Kevin,
Bummer. I cannot help, 'cause I did have this issue before. maybe it has to do with the not snug fitting of the binding.
Stuggling with these things comes with our not industiral way of building I guess.
Maybe comforting: At the moment I am dealing with glueing on a torrified top.

Herman