Hide Glue Contruction

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by Sax Player Guy

All Gibson acoustic guitars are made with hide glue. No upcharge, that's just how they do it.

Absolute nonsense. Wherever did you get that piece of misinformation from ?

[AxeDude]

No animals were harmed during the construction of my guitars. (straps maybe).

[Bruce Sexauer]

I do not think HHG is significantly more time consuming that PVA glue, at least not for me. The set-up time is longer for HHG, but there are many other tasks at hand to fill the time. The glue must be prepared and viscosity maintained, but that time seems easily offset by the ease of clean-up. Actual cost per guitar is a dollar or two higher, I’m guessing. I have never seen any reason to upcharge for it, especially since building better guitars is good for business.

[BT55]

I’ve learned a lot about Hide glue in this thread. When using hide glue do heat lamps have to be used? What is the reason for using the heat lamps?

[redir]

Originally Posted by BT55

I’ve learned a lot about Hide glue in this thread. When using hide glue do heat lamps have to be used? What is the reason for using the heat lamps?

HHG is kept at 140-145deg F in the pot as it's waiting to be used. It will have the consistency of maple syrup. At about 90deg F it starts to gel. So you can imagine that one would have to work quickly to brush the glue on the wooden parts and clamp them together before the glue gels. If it starts to gel then it's too late, it cannot be used. You would have to scrape it off, or possibly just reheats it, and try again.

So working under a heat lamp heats up the parts and the general working area. I also use a heat gun. If for example I am gluing on a bridge I'll zap it with the heat gun so it's nice and warm then apply the glue with a brush and it will stay liquid for a longer period of time allowing me to manipulate the clamping system in place.

[mz-s]

Gibson uses hide glue for their neck joints, titebond everywhere else.

If Martin can get an extra $1500 for a hide glue upsell, more power to them.

There is so little glue in a properly prepared and clamped joint I fail to see how it could make any difference at all with everything else being equal.

To each their own.