If it was retopped it's likely got some tough glue in there that is not hide glue. How are you applyong pressure to the heel to push it out?

Conor.... I got a tough one off once by padding the top with blocks and using a big c-clamp and a pad. I applied pressure with the clamp slowly, going a turn every 10 minutes. It finally slid out easy as you please, but it took a half-hour.

Wow that is a tough one. We are known to take the steam probe and steam it all up in and around the joint from the outside thinking that too much glue glued the cheeks to the rim and such.

I like Chris's idea using time and patience to your advantage.

Just make sure that however you are pushing it out as Dan suggested that there is enough push. Some people who reset fit the dovetail so that a considerable "tonk" is necessary to seat it. Then with steam, moisture and expansion there is now a mechanical bond to the joint regardless of the glue. May be time for a bigger hammer which is what we refer to as a "Gibson Tool..."

I was thinking that the joint probably needed some time to dry out a bit as all the moisture probably had swollen things a bit. Looking down into the exposed joint it does look incredibly tight.

So you don't mind hitting the outside of the joint with the steam? Blushing isn't a concern?

Just make sure that however you are pushing it out as Dan suggested that there is enough push. Some people who reset fit the dovetail so that a considerable "tonk" is necessary to seat it. Then with steam, moisture and expansion there is now a mechanical bond to the joint regardless of the glue. May be time for a bigger hammer which is what we refer to as a "Gibson Tool..."