Gluing help please.

[David Herring]

I am currently restoring an old Onyx electric accoustic guitar. It has a fibreglass body ( like the old Ovations) and A wood plastic laminated top. The wooden bridge has popped off easily and I'm not sure what is best glue to use to replace it. The top has quite a dip at front and hump at back. Top is very rigid and I suspect brittle and I dont think a bridge doctor will move it. Any suggestion please?

[56nortondomy]

Sounds like maybe an epoxy job David, someone else might have an idea.
Wayne

[David Herring]

Thats what I was thinking Wayne although others dont favour epoxy on bridges in case they have to come off again. Not sure if titebond will stick to plastic.

[kiwigeo]

It'll stick...for about as long as it takes to undo the clamps

Thats what I was thinking Wayne although others dont favour epoxy on bridges in case they have to come off again. Not sure if titebond will stick to plastic.

[David Herring]

Thanks Kiwigeo. What do you suggest?

[56nortondomy]

Epoxy on bridges isn't ideal but sometimes it's the only option, I've used it on bridges a couple of times when I've had to. I think in your situation your options are pretty limited. Wayne

[kiwigeo]

Thanks Kiwigeo. What do you suggest?

If the top gluing surface is plastic then epoxy is probably your best bet. Not ideal for wooden tops as when there's a bridge failure it rips half the top in the process. A plastic top is a different scenario.

[pkdz]

I would be tempted to use medium CA glue.
This is from another forum to glue a bridge on a Formica top:
use just enough CA to cover the bottom of the bridge so there will be minimal squeeze out. glue it like you would with regular clamps and wood glue making sure to clean off any squeez out with paper towels. with the bridge clamped, you can use acetone to clean off the CA that has been left behind after clean off and has left a mess on the top. you dont have to worry about the acetone melting the top as it is melamine or whatever. NOTE : THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CANT DO ON A NITRO FINISHED TOP!!!

Paul

[Allen]

I'd also suggest the medium or thick CA. It is what Rich Turner used for gluing bridges to his Polyester finished instruments for years.

[kiwigeo]

What's the sheer strength of CA compared to epoxy?

[David Herring]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I went with the epoxy before the ca suggestions came through. What a job even after masking. Anyway all done and restrung now. The electronics looked cactus and I had removed the piezo and made a new saddle to just have the guitar as accoustic. However after fiddling (I know nothing about electronics) I got the thing working again but have a lot of crackling when powered up. I guess after 40 odds years of dust it's not surprising. Any suggestions on a cleaner that wont cost me an arm and a leg. I mostly fix up classical guitars so wont need much. This guitar has had a lot of use. Grooves in the frets and troughs in the fretboard so I guess at some stage it must have sounded Ok

[David Herring]

I would be tempted to use medium CA glue.
This is from another forum to glue a bridge on a Formica top:
use just enough CA to cover the bottom of the bridge so there will be minimal squeeze out. glue it like you would with regular clamps and wood glue making sure to clean off any squeez out with paper towels. with the bridge clamped, you can use acetone to clean off the CA that has been left behind after clean off and has left a mess on the top. you dont have to worry about the acetone melting the top as it is melamine or whatever. NOTE : THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CANT DO ON A NITRO FINISHED TOP!!!

Paul

I think I will try ca next time Paul. How do you pick a nitro finish. With my limited skills they all just look 'shiny'?

[kiwigeo]

Any suggestions on a cleaner that wont cost me an arm and a leg.

Any contact/pot cleaner should do the job. Whatever you do don't use WD40 or other "cleaners" high in distillate and other nasty solvents.

[pkdz]

David
I would try a very tiny bit of acetone under a tuner.

Paul

[kiwigeo]

How do you pick a nitro finish. With my limited skills they all just look 'shiny'?

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier ... etest.html

[David Herring]

David
I would try a very tiny bit of acetone under a tuner.

Paul

Thanks Paul.

[David Herring]

How do you pick a nitro finish. With my limited skills they all just look 'shiny'?

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier ... etest.html

Nice link Martin. Thnks

[David Herring]

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All finished and ready to go to a good home. Had not seen an Onyx before but looks like Ovation copy. Fixed all the crackling with cotton buds and Kleanium contact Kleen. Bridge is glued and not pretty but solid. Thanks everyone for your help.

[David Herring]