"To glue or not to glue, that is the question"

[Rob Grant]

A close friend whom I recently sold a mandolin to approached me on the weekend and asked if I could repair her early 20th century German violin. Seems the back and top plate are separating from the ribs. I've repaired a couple of violins in the past, but only my own instruments. I backed off from the job mainly because, living in the tropics, I don't use hide glue. Because of heat, humidity, mould and six legged critters I've steered well away from what many other builers in temperate latitudes prefer... hide glue. Aliphatic resin based glue (eg."Titebond") has always been my preference here in the tropics.

Ok, I know this is a mando forum, but there are a few serious violin builders/repairers amongst 'ya. Anyway, a mandolin is just a plucked violin without a sound post, right?!! Is it "kosher" to use aliphatic with a good violin or should I go wash my mouth out with soap before the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" start coming fast and furious.<g>

[Stephanie Reiser]

I would only use hide glue on a violin.
If you were building, say, one of those kits you see, then m-a-y-b-e Titebond. But for repair work on an existing violin I would stay with Hide. If you currently do not use this glue, and do not expect to begin, I think I would shy away from the repair. But that is just me. Others may have differing opinions.

[martinedwards]

1st rule of repair is do no damage.

personally I wouldn't.........

but on the other hand, the violin is unplayable as it is now......... some might use the phrase "what have you got to loose?"

[TomTyrrell]

I am a big proponent of aliphatic resin glues in everything except the repair and restoration of old violin-family instruments. Titebond won't damage those old instruments but the next person working on it just might if he assumes it is held together with hide glue.

[Rick Turner]

There are additives that make hot hide glue more moisture resistant. I'd have to dig through my notes on the stuff. But don't use anything but hot hide glue on violin family instruments.

As for Titebond...the LMI white glue, a different polyvinyl formula, seems to be a better choice. It dries harder (possibly making better sounding glue joints), it's less likely to cold creep, and it takes heat a bit better than Titebond. So it's got all the advantages...and then some. I find it to be about half way between Titebond and hot hide glue.