Official Luthiers Forum!

Is it possible to remove a just attached back from my sides? (48 hours ago)

Somehow I got it on a little crooked (don't ask) and if I can remove it without ruining the sides, reversed kerf lining, or the back set I would like to.

If possible - what is the procedure???

Sing along with me:

Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help

(for those of you who care about these things - notice I didn't say "kerfing" - HA)

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

What glue did you use? If Titebond or similar, I use a thin palette knife that I heat on a clothes iron until it slides easily into the joint. If you used a collagen glue, the process is the same, but you add some water and the joint should separate cleanly. Go carefully with the heat and water around the back plate seam...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Use a heating device such and an iron, those little hobby ones are probably safer than borrowing your wife clothes iron. Work around the top untill the glue starts too soften and use a spatula to work into the seam and loosen it. Probably best to work on about 6"or 8" at a time. Go gently and it'll come loose.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I used Titebond glue.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

the only thing I can add is I use a thin flexible pallet knife. Anything that is thin and flexible will work. With a back and fresh glue I would use wax paper to follow things up as I am getting the back off so the glue won't retack. Any damaged kefing can be easily repaired and once off you can clean things up very well.
Take your time. It takes a few minutes for the heat to break down the glue , but once it starts it will come off on its own. There is no need to force it . Patience is key for a successful result.
john

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Thanks to the encouragement of all of you posted, we have fixed our problem.

We took a look at all of our options - took our time - and came up with adding a back strip of bloodwood and b/w/b purfling to match the bindings (As suggested by Todd - thanks!)

We were able to hide the fact that the back was a bit crooked. The good news is that you really can't tell now from either the inside or outside.

We're "back on the horse" that bucked us off for a couple days and back to feeling positive about this.

Here's photos of our fixed back - I really like the way the bloodwood pulls you to seeing some of the red striping in the EIR back. If you have to make a mistake - I'm glad it turned out so well.







Again - Kyle and I thank you all for your help and suggestions - I'm just glad we didn't have to pull the back after all!

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Paul,

Nice save. You and Kyle are really doing a spectacular job this early in the game. Congratulations!

Dan

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Dan

I was thinking the same thing!