Favorite headstock glue?

[Dave Staudte (rhymms with "Howdy") NB Guitar Repair (New Braunfels, TX)]

If it’s a crisp clean break that clamps us really well, I like to use Hide Glue.

If it’s a nasty break that the fibers might not line up well and I have to make adjustments to make it go back together then West Systems Epoxy.

I rarely use Tightbond anymore but have glued up well over a hundred over the years with it and not had issues.

[Lucas French]

What are the major benefits to hide glue over Titebond? Stronger? Easier cleanup?

[Dave Staudte (rhymms with "Howdy") NB Guitar Repair (New Braunfels, TX)]

Hide glue is weird stuff, I think it’s a chemical bond when you get down to the bottom of it. Yes, it is easy to clean up with warm water. (same water you cook it in) But the best part is that when it cures it shrinks a bit and sucks the 2 parts together. It’s great with Nitro (as in Les Paul headstocks).

(There is a great video from the early LoothGroup videos that Ian does a deep dive into hide glue during an interview with a hide glue expert. I think it’s the guy from Northern Nikawa. I’ve been using their glue ever since its really good)

Another redeeming value is, that it can easily be undone with heat if you need to start over for some reason. If you have to undo Titebond it’s a real mess and all the residual glue needs to be removed down to bare wood before another attempt is made.

[Beau Hannam – Beau Hannam Guitars]

Titebond, HHG or epoxy, depending on various factors.