Were Westerly built guitars made with hide glue?

[stormin1155]

Were Westerly built guitars made with hide glue?

 

[chazmo]

Yup. I don't know if hide glue was used for all models, but definitely most.

 

[adorshki]

Were Westerly built guitars made with hide glue?

Absolutely yes. They even glued the pickguards to the tops with it.
And noted luthier Flip Scipio even commented on the fact that in the mid 80's when he worked there for a couple of years they never even cleaned the gluepot, they just kept re-filling it.

 

[stormin1155]

Thought so. Thanks guys!

 

[chazmo]

BTW, I'm not sure the same is true for the electrics. I think it is true though, as Al said, for all the acoustics.

 

[stormin1155]

The question is related to an issue with a G-312 Where one of the sides separated from the kerfing and was protruding past the binding. There is really no way to get between the kerfing to clean out the old glue, so I first got everything lined up (clamps and all), then shot some steam to soften the old glue, then applied some fresh glue, pressed it into place, and clamped it all together. Everything lines up, and I think it will be fine.

 

[chazmo]

Excellent. Steam is the answer. And, yes, definitely hide glue for the box on your G-312.

 

[SFIV1967]

Absolutely yes. They even glued the pickguards to the tops with it.
And noted luthier Flip Scipio even commented on the fact that in the mid 80's when he worked there for a couple of years they never even cleaned the gluepot, they just kept re-filling it.

Just an added info for the later years:

Cost of replacing a dreadnaught's back

That ebay D55 with everything ruined except the back has me wondering. What would it cost to swap the backs of two dreadnaughts? I assume the bracing inside would be the same on each, so you could leave the bracing alone.

letstalkguild.com

And that was one of the famous Westerly glue pots (former LTG member @nature boy had posted it years back):

Hold-Heet glue pot

Any one out there looking for a little bit of working Guild history? This is one of the last hot glue pots that came out of the Guild Factory in Westerly. Look at all the tradition dripping down the side of this baby. One might believe that this hot pot must have seen thousands of guitars get...

letstalkguild.com

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, I guess Otto took that glue pot from the factory when they shut down. Can I just say.... eew.

 

[adorshki]

Yeah, I guess Otto took that glue pot from the factory when they shut down. Can I just say.... eew.

Those vintage hideglue crystals were a lot more potent than the modern stuff.

 

[jp]

Absolutely yes. They even glued the pickguards to the tops with it.
And noted luthier Flip Scipio even commented on the fact that in the mid 80's when he worked there for a couple of years they never even cleaned the gluepot, they just kept re-filling it.

Just like a McDonald's McFlurry ice cream machine!

 

[adorshki]

Just like a McDonald's McFlurry ice cream machine!

The cleanings led to excessive breakdowns. Now they just add painstakingly calculated amounts of Quaternary Disinfectant and bleach.