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 Post subject: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:19 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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The last six months or so I've been using hide glue for both primary and re-frets. I have it in a syringe and lay it in the fret slot and then press or hammer. I've been leaving them overnight before even cutting off the ends so they are as stable as possible.
I may be totally crazy but these instruments seem to sound a little better. Is this nuts or have others seen this?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:54 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I switched to fish glue but I agree that filling the voids in the fret slot helps

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:23 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I switched to FG from HHG also and believe there's a difference vs no glue or CA. The FB even taps better and that can't be bad.

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:53 pm 
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+1 more for fish glue. I don't know about sound difference but it is easy to work with and the clean up of the fretboard is easy. Some hot water and scotch-brite gets it off the wood even after it has dried.

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:10 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Thanks guys. I was using a fresh bottle of the Elmers hide since it dries hard and we are really just looking at gap filling. What's the advantage of HHG or Fish?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:33 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Terence Kennedy wrote:
Thanks guys. I was using a fresh bottle of the Elmers hide since it dries hard and we are really just looking at gap filling. What's the advantage of HHG or Fish?


Probably nothing as long as it dries crystal hard. I know for a fact that HHG and FG solidifies as such but I have no experience with the liquid HG. I've heard that the liquid HG has an expiration issue. I also know that Mario used to use the Franklin glue but now uses FG for frets.

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:51 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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That's cool JJ. I actually used the Franklin stuff based on some of Mario's old posts. How long to you fishers allow the glue to set up before you nip the ends and bevel?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:35 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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With HHG I used to clamp the fretted board for 2 hours or 9 holes of golf. With the FG I clamp the board for 12 hours minimum. I then file (SS frets) the ends anytime afer unclamping.

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 6:49 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Thanks JJ

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 7:19 am 
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Mahogany
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No doubt about it.
Fish Glue or Hide glue improves tone !!!

Terence. Commercial liquid hide glue does not dry crystal hard like FG and HG.

I'd stay away from using any liquid hide glue on any part of the guitar if you want to improve tone.

LHG is ok for temporary alignment cleats and clamps in repair work.

If you need to use LHG for repairing difficult places to reach or even crack repair.
It is advisable to learn how to make your own in small batches.
If you make it fresh it will harden almost as hard as FG and HG.

BTW. despite the fact it is called liquid hide glue. You should still heat it up.


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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:45 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Yes, HHG in the slots for me too. I think it does improves the sound by filling in the gap.
Any clean up is easier using hhg over CA too.

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 3:26 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Just saw this thread. So for those of you that fill the slot, do you have any issues with the frets not seating? Especially on a bound finger board? Seams to me that you could have a kind of hydraulic effect keeping the fret from coming all the way down...or is it that HG is thin enough to just get pushed out the top of the fingerboard and under the fret bead? My first few refrets where I used titebond I had this problem but granted TB is much thicker.


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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 3:41 pm 
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+ whatever number we're at on fish glue. Started using it after the 2nd refret where I had to clean out CA.

I have used CA and clamped frets into oversized slots but have moved to using a standard size slot, filling with FG then pressing the fret.

Those of you who are clamping and allowing to dry - are you using standard or oversize fret slots?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:27 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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where can I get fish glue (that ships to Taiwan)?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:03 am 
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Koa
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I haven't tried this yet but doesn't glue go flying everywhere when you tap them in?

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:28 am 
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banjopicks wrote:
I haven't tried this yet but doesn't glue go flying everywhere when you tap them in?



I've just started doing this, but no. The glue is about the consistence of honey.

Kevin Looker

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 Post subject: Re: Hide Glue And Frets
PostPosted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:57 am 
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It is a good idea to be diligent in removing the glue, as getting fish glue right up to the fret off after it has dried is more difficult. I use a damp rag, and then a heat gun (on the lowest setting, please! think hair drier) to avoid adding too much moisture to the FB. It is also easier so see if there is glue residue left on a dry fingerboard. Fish glued frets=good.

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