new trade secret video from Dan Elewine

[arie]

showing basic brace repair. what's interesting:

-a 61' epiphone frontier
-a see-through top guitar body showing what's being done
-actual how-to regarding brace cleaning prior to gluing.
-tape, pipettes, magnets, sheet metal, saw blades, fish glue, etc...

[charles Tauber]

Each repair person has his or her own methods and approaches.

In my experience, removing old glue from the surfaces of a partially loose brace is unnecessary. In 35 years of doing this work, I've never had one come back when the old glue has not been removed.

A simple syringe works very well for getting glue where you want/need it, with minimal mess and no need for the sheet metal, etc. Simple wood props of the right length work well on brace ends.

While I have no doubt that his methods produce good results, there are, in my opinion, simpler ways to accomplish the same result.

[Ned Milburn]

Originally Posted by arie

showing basic brace repair. what's interesting:

-a 61' epiphone frontier
-a see-through top guitar body showing what's being done
-actual how-to regarding brace cleaning prior to gluing.
-tape, pipettes, magnets, sheet metal, saw blades, fish glue, etc...

So, no link to the vid...??

Charles makes good points.

[arie]

sorry, poor quality low grade coffee failed to power my brain:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Trade_...254_C_20151203

[redir]

I think this is probably the link to the video:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Trade_...254_B_20151203

I'm not sure to what level people clean up the glue but I always go in there with a strip of sand paper just to remove any big boogers that may be loose and in the way. Using the blades like he did is probably not a bad idea so as not to round off the edges.

I've actually done tests to show that what Charles is talking about is indeed strong enough. BUt I still get in there at least just to get any dried chunks or splinters out because that could get in the way.

Dan does top notch work to say the least but honestly I think making cauls out of bondo and wood for a perfect fit is a bit over the top. It's great no doubt, perfect fit, but for the time it takes to do that I don't think it's really any better then just gluing it up with regular jack clamps right on the brace itself.

[Ned Milburn]

Originally Posted by arie

sorry, poor quality low grade coffee failed to power my brain:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Trade_...254_C_20151203

Decent work. Myself, I don't think taping off or using metal scraps before gluing is necessary. But, if it works, use it, if it doesn't, don't.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

Each repair person has his or her own methods and approaches.

In my experience, removing old glue from the surfaces of a partially loose brace is unnecessary. In 35 years of doing this work, I've never had one come back when the old glue has not been removed.

A simple syringe works very well for getting glue where you want/need it, with minimal mess and no need for the sheet metal, etc. Simple wood props of the right length work well on brace ends.

While I have no doubt that his methods produce good results, there are, in my opinion, simpler ways to accomplish the same result.

Is it possible Erlewine is presenting methods that will also help Stewmac sell things?

[arie]

Originally Posted by Ned Milburn

Decent work. Myself, I don't think taping off or using metal scraps before gluing is necessary. But, if it works, use it, if it doesn't, don't.

yeah, he does use a lot of bric-a-brac but apparently it works for him.

i thought the clear topped study guitar was a good idea in terms of illustrating what is going on in there during the repair. a nice idea for the newer people.

[arie]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Is it possible Erlewine is presenting methods that will also help Stewmac sell things?

you bet. as a business man wouldn't you?

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Is it possible Erlewine is presenting methods that will also help Stewmac sell things?

The videos are infomercials. I sometimes get a belly laugh at how many tools they can include to perform a simple repair. Some people find the tools helpful, others "not so much". There are tools they have/sell that I think are idiotic, but others swear by. That's what makes the world go 'round: different strokes for different folks.

The clear top is a good pedagogic tool.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by arie

you bet. as a business man wouldn't you?

Oh absolutely. Nothing wrong with that. It was just context for the "you can do this a lot more simply / with fewer tools" comments

[mirwa]

There selling a product and doing a fine job at it.

Last ten years I have seen business's like stewmac grow in leaps and bounds, usually through doing online repairs with there tools.

Makes the average guitar player more confident in giving things a go themselves

Steve

[bnjp]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Is it possible Erlewine is presenting methods that will also help Stewmac sell things?

Yep. Did you notice he used fish glue, which happens to be a "NEW" product on the Stewmac website? Aaaaaaaand....I logged right in and ordered a bottle.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by bnjp

Yep. Did you notice he used fish glue, which happens to be a "NEW" product on the Stewmac website? Aaaaaaaand....I logged right in and ordered a bottle.

Proof their advertising works. And, it's twice the price of fish glue sold by Lee Valley.

What he didn't mention is that fish glue should typically be left clamped for 12 hours. It wouldn't be my first choice for re-gluing a loose brace that was probably initially glued with aliphatic resin glue. Particularly given all of the specialized stuff he's used, to complete the job, one doesn't need the 30 minute open time that goes with fish glue's 12 hour clamping time.

[bnjp]

Originally Posted by charles Tauber

Proof their advertising works. And, it's twice the price of fish glue sold by Lee Valley.

Yep, but I have Stewmac's STEWMAX shipping (which they upsold me on at checkout one day. haha)