My Fingerboard Fell Off V_V?

OK, but the neck to my cello is skewed, but the fingerboard is flat. So, I don't think the instrument has much value, given the cost to repair/replace the neck. I would like to sell the beast to a memorabilia collector as it was owned by a celebrity. Since the surfaces are not flush, I think a thicker glue might fill the gap better; and, I would like it to be removable if someone wanted to repair it correctly. I understand that hide glue is preferred, but would hot glue, white/wood glue or rubber cement work better in this situation?

Adam
November 2013

FINGERBOARDS ARE ALL GLUED ON WITH ANIMAL GLUE WHICH AS YOU FOUND OUT IS REVESABLE WITH HEAT AND HUMIDITY.VERY CAREFULLY CLEAN OF BOTH SURFACES WITH SCRAPERS OR ANYTHING BLUNT ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE GLUE BUT NOT THE WOOD (IVE USED IN THE PAST BROKEN WINDOW PANES WRAPED WITH MASKING TAPE TO LEAVE ONE SHARP EDGE)ONCE CLEAN REGLUEWITH ANIMAL GLUE AVAILIABLE ON THE NET UNDER LUTHIER SUPPLIES CLAMP THE FINGER BOARD WITH LOW TACK MASKING TAPE UNTILL DRY ,TWO DAYS

A.RAMSAY
May 2008

clean both the underside of the fingerboard and thr surface of the neck. If it is Animal glue then warm/hot water will take it off othwise scrape with a scalpel blade or something flat and sharp but beware only to remove glue at this stage. When both the surfaces are glean apply whit chalk evenly to the neck surface and rub the board against it just enough to show the high spots. Once again with the scapel blade bremove just enough so the is a good area of meeting between neck and board. Next go to a haberdashers and buy about a metre or yard of cotton or linen tape about 1/4 - 1/2 inch in width and dampen with water. Make up some animal glue (fish or bone available from good artist supplies) and warm the glue. Warm the surfaces to be glued, tak thew chill off so that the glue does not gel the working quickly coat the surfaces with hot runny glue and slide them together to remove surplus. Then tie on the board using the tape. Start at the narrowest end of the neck and work your way down crossing the tape neatly down the length of the board. Some times the wid end s difficult because of the neck root and might need a seperate clamp. Make sure the alignment is good and there is room at the top for the top nut, which might still be attatched to the fingerboard. Leave overnight. If you have made good contacts and the glue is not overheated the board should stay on. Fit up the bridge and the strings. This whole process can take betweem 1-2hrs depending on what you come up against. A good honest repairer shouldn't charge much if you don't feel up to it. All the Best.

ccmonk@tiscali.co.uk
September 2007