Official Luthiers Forum!

I was reading another thread about HPL tops and the recommended glue, and that lit up a bulb in my head...

What are you guys using for Richlite bridge to solid wood tops? Is Regular Titebond OK to you? Sure looks like this was used on this Martin 12 that's lying on my desk with a bridge that was lifting two days ago, so that's what I used to glue it back on. But now I'm wondering. Not afraid to pull it back and use what's best, I just want the bridge to stay put.

What says you?

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Pierre Castonguay

I use fish glue, but I'd expect Titebond to work as well. Richlite intended for cutting boards (e.g., https://www.cuttingboardcompany.com/hi- ... ng-boards/) is available is ¼" and ½" thicknesses at remarkably low cost. I've been using it for fretboards, bridges, and nuts. It works very well -- it's very hard but machines and sands well; it can hold a precision cut. It can be buffed (e.g., https://bealltool.com/products/buffing/buffer.php) to a very attractive luster.

Now that's interesting, fish glue. I like it for a lot of things but have shied away from using it for high-stress joints. No problems with bridges pulling up under high summer heat?

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Pierre Castonguay

I've never had a problem, though I live in a fairly dry climate and haven't left instruments in the sun. I certainly wouldn't make a boat with it. I use fish glue because it dries very hard and exhibits minimal creep (both attributes are similar to hot hide glue). But fish glue allows a much more leisurely assembly than hide glue -- it gets fairly tacky in a minute or so but joints can be adjusted for a couple of minutes. I need that.

If you are concerned regarding fish glue, an alternative is LMI Instrument Glue, https://www.lmii.com/glue/2957-lmi-yell ... -8-oz.html It's similar to Titebond but dries harder. I've used it with good results.

I’ve put together a couple Martin kits with Richlite fretboards & bridges.
Instructions said to use Titebond so I did.
No issues so far. I play #1 very regularly and haven’t had any issues after several years.

Ah, good to know. Thanks for sharing your experience on this.

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Pierre Castonguay

I have used hide glue on several Richlite bridges over that last couple of years with no issues yet.

T