Separating Glued Joints

by Nick Hayden

Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #7, 1975

Here’s a good method for separating glue. I’ve taken so many tops off without breaking, it isn’t even funny.

First of all, you have to get white vinegar, then heat it up. It has to be hot.

Work it into the glue joint. Use a razor knife and a small brush. The glue will turn white and you can work it loose.

I told this to Bill Spigelsky, and he couldn’t get over it, when he tried it. ◆

Tamburitzas

by Nick Hayden

Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #18, 1975

This is a run down on the Tamburitza family. This instrument came first from Yugoslavia, mostly from Croatia. In the past 25 years there has been hundreds of children’s junior groups formed in the U.S., from New York to California. Most of the Tamburitzas are made in this country by men like me. Some people order from Europe, but those are factory made.

There is a university here in Pittsburg which has had a Tamburitza group for over 30 years. They travel all over the world.

I know they travel out your way to perform, so watch the paper, and you can see them.

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