Issues getting K&K to stick with Superglue, What am I doing wrong??

kmgreensman · #1 12-05-2014, 01:35 PM

What? ...:K&K Pure Mini installation Issue..CA or Superglue not bonding
Guitar....: Martin D-18 GE
Other info: First off let me say, that I have installed this pickup on 5 or 6 guitars before the one before this one and never had an issue at all.. never came close to not bonding. The last K&K was installed back in December of 2013 and I bought the K&K that I am installing now in January of this year so both around the same time. I read they had a little problem with a batch or superglue they put in and maybe that is why I'm having issues and its a simple fix and both K&Ks had the bad superglue, BUT.. I can't get the super glue to hold the pickup in place. I tried it over and over and the putty was stronger than the glue!!!!

I had to just use the putty so my son could play at Church but I went back in to "Do it right" and even had another tube of Superglue I found and the same issues...I thought I had it last night because I used another tube of superglue I had in my "guitar crap drawer". SO that may have been that last one that also had issues.

My preperation.. I lightly sanded the area to get any old superglue or putty off and to get a fresh place for it to bond with. I then took a very damp cloth and wiped away any dust from sanding and let that have a chance to (completely dry if it even got wet) I thought this time was the trick when I held it there for a good minute and a half, and didn't try to pull away the jig..just put the guitar on its top (so it wouldn't have gravity pulling on it) all night and I just KNEW it was good...picked it up and it just came right off with the jig... not even pulled away..like it was just resting there...

I have NO IDEA what I am doing wrong but I am hoping this superglue I am trying is the issue..The superglue on those 5 or 6 prior guitars was that superglue that we have come to know and love... so tacky that one tiny bit would almost get my finger stuck to the pickup..and I had to be really careful, but both of these superglue tubes just don't seem to be like that. So the more I talk the more I am thinking....just unlucky and got two pickups from same batch..

Tonight!! NEW TUBE OF CA and try it again.. I am going to buy a fresh tube today and try it again, but this pickup now has some "battle scars" from the whole process. I need to let K&K know about my issues because I am sure they don't want this process to end up like this.. Heck, I remember saying...you better be sure before with the previous ones because once it touches, its there..these two tubes its...ohhh you have plenty of time. It just doesn't have that "superglue" feel to it.. ..cause thinking back I always remember that feeling you get when you open a tube of superglue...that tightening of muscles in places and that ok.... "focus"....you know that feeling of "don't do anything stupid, cause you might have to walk around with it like that" And really didn't have that feeling, so either CA or Superglue has changed and not like it used to be or I have bad luck and used two bad tubes....or I have lost my touch!

REAL QUESTION.. is...1)now what should I do to make sure I get the best sound and best overall quality of installation from here on. (cleaning of sensor's etc.)

2) is there a brand of CA that seems to be more reliable than others that you know of?
3) How to prepare the surface? It has a slick feel of old CA or what I like to say it has the feel of extreme disappointment. Did I do right by lightly sanding the area and should I do that again?

4) ANYTHING you can think of that might help me get this in his guitar so he can make some music with it?? I am pretty discouraged right now about the whole deal and need a little assuring that I can STILL do this..lol He needs it tomorrow night, so I don't have time to take it anywhere...its just ME..so thanks if you can share something that might help me out.

THANKS for your help!!! I love the K&K Pure Mini and I have tried the other pickups and I keep coming back to old faithful, but old faithful needs to be a little more cooperating, cause if I am a very very frustrated "guitar player/pickup installation specialist" right now!

Curt

tysam · #2 12-05-2014, 01:56 PM

Don't really know what you are doing wrong, especially if you have done this before but when I do a K&K I use the thick CA from Stewmac,light sand the bridgeplate and then give it a good wipe with naptha. No use trying to get glue to stick on loose wood dust. When that is dry and gone, I install.I find with the thick ca you can use a very small amount and use the pressure of holding the pickup against the plate to spread the glue rather than having it run where it wants.Good luck with your next attempt.

tysam · #3 12-05-2014, 02:03 PM

Sorry to have to repost but I reread your initial and now realize you don't have time to order thick CA. I keep a bottle of Gorilla CA in my emergency repair kit.I find it to be a bit thicker than standard ca. May help since you need it done ASAP.

vintageparlors · #4 12-05-2014, 02:49 PM

Hello Curt,
K&K changed their install instructions at some point. The pickup used to come with a small container of glue but no more. K&K now recommends the use of super glue gel for the permanent installation of their pickups. I just installed one today on a pre-war Gibson L-30 and the superglue Gel worked just fine.
Hope this helps,
Steve C

Ramesses · #5 12-05-2014, 03:46 PM

My Lowes carries Loctite gel super glue

redir · #6 12-05-2014, 03:59 PM

Loctite is very good stuff. IF your glue is old then it takes a lot longer for it to set and the set may not be as strong though probably strong enough. The gel is recommended but regular old Loctite will work too.

JLS · #7 12-05-2014, 04:04 PM

I always wipe the bridgeplate with CA accelerator, let it flash off. I use Gorilla impact-toughened CA glue, never the gel. I lightly sand transducers on my 320g flat block before installing them.

kmgreensman · #8 12-05-2014, 04:32 PM

Thanks everyone My son is picking up some Loctite tonight and bringing to me.. I am sure th.. Just put the superglue on the sensors after they are on the jig and then line it up and press down and pull away the jig and the sensors are stuck permanently to the bridge plate. How can I do anything differently than that.. if the glue will bond then I am good. I "fondly" remember that feeling of securely bonded and that putty didn't have a chance in the world of pulling it away...but that glue that they included in my K&K don't even put up a fight!

I didnt know they stopped sending that little tube of glue..I have had this pickup almost a year of so. I sure hope it works tonight! I am going to hold it till I can't before I let go..

Thanks everyone!

Curt

Ben-Had · #9 12-05-2014, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmgreensman

I didnt know they stopped sending that little tube of glue..I have had this pickup almost a year of so. I sure hope it works tonight! I am going to hold it till I can't before I let go

I had the same problem you are experiencing. I went out and bought some NEW 3m superglue (same kind that came with the pickup). It worked fine. The next pick up I purchased didn't have the glue and none have since. My theory is the glue was in the boxes too long from time packaged and unit being sold and K&K started getting complaints and figured it out.

YamaYairi · #10 12-05-2014, 08:57 PM

Clean the bridge plate with isopropyl alcohol, not water. Water will not disperse any oil that might be there.

kmgreensman · #11 12-05-2014, 09:02 PM

WOW..what a difference good superglue makes. NO DOUBT i had some of the bad stuff because this was perfect!

Just reminded me of the other ones I installed. Just amazing how easy something is when you have the right tools for the job. Thanks everyone for your help.

Finally...that K&K isn't coming off..

Thanks again...
Curt