How about plastic wood or wood putty?
Would that work?
Anyone?
Best to wait for a response from Larsji or Unkie Kenji. They would most likly have a good idea of what to do.
Good Luck!
Here is a good description of what to do and a list of tools needed:
http://raganet.com/RagaNet/Issues/2/sitar2.html
Btw, Raganet was updated 08.2003. i did not know. It was the first site i found on the net with relevant sitar info. If you are new to the Sitar or want to expand your knowledge read all the issues. . Not to forget Sitarsetc and Buckingham : )
Hi Flyingperfa,
I went to Raganet and think this may pertain more to serious cracks. What I believe you have going is hairline cracks that are stable? And some small holes? I'm not really sure what you have going. If you will email me at my profile I'll try to help you more. It would be helpful if you could send me a digital picture of what's wrong.
Usually hairline cracks may be completely fixed by using , not epoxy, but cyanoacrylate (superglue).
shouldn't be out of your ability to do. .Uncle ken
Ditto on Ken's suggestion. If it's just a hairline crack, CA glue is the answer. The thin penetrating kind will wick it's way into the crack and your done. Just don't let it get on any joints that are originally glued with hide glue, as this would cause problems later if you have to take the sitar apart for other repairs or modification. Epoxy is not the ideal glue for this, as it never really hardens and will absorb some energy (vibration.) Also, you would have to spread the crack to get the epoxy in. If the cracks are wide or if there are holes to be filled, I would use the advise on raganet, but I still wouldn't use epoxy.
One thing I might mention. Don't use CA (superglue) for anything that was originally glued with hide glue (the glue that the sitar was put together with.) Someone here mentioned that they were going to glue the tarb string-guide-groumet-thingies into the neck with superglue. The problem is that when the groumets need to be replaced, you're going to have a hellava time getting the pieces out without tearing out some wood with them. You're most likely going to have to drill them out if you want to do it cleanly.
Hey K.K,
I just glued the groves on the gromets to fill the gaps, not to glue them to the wood. They are probably shellaced in anyway (on a midrange sitar). I don't remember if I said I glued them to the wood, but it was clear in my head at the time :-)
Pb
K.K. (Feb 03, 2004 06:20 p.m.):
Ditto on Ken's suggestion. If it's just a hairline crack, CA glue is the answer. The thin penetrating kind will wick it's way into the crack and your done. Just don't let it get on any joints that are originally glued with hide glue, as this would cause problems later if you have to take the sitar apart for other repairs or modification. Epoxy is not the ideal glue for this, as it never really hardens and will absorb some energy (vibration.) Also, you would have to spread the crack to get the epoxy in. If the cracks are wide or if there are holes to be filled, I would use the advise on raganet, but I still wouldn't use epoxy.
One thing I might mention. Don't use CA (superglue) for anything that was originally glued with hide glue (the glue that the sitar was put together with.) Someone here mentioned that they were going to glue the tarb string-guide-groumet-thingies into the neck with superglue. The problem is that when the groumets need to be replaced, you're going to have a hellava time getting the pieces out without tearing out some wood with them. You're most likely going to have to drill them out if you want to do it cleanly.
pb (Feb 03, 2004 06:47 p.m.):
Hey K.K,
I just glued the groves on the gromets to fill the gaps, not to glue them to the wood. They are probably shellaced in anyway (on a midrange sitar). I don't remember if I said I glued them to the wood, but it was clear in my head at the time :-)
I've done a few repairs, if you take plane wood glue work it into the crack with a tooth pick it will hold, wipe the glue with a cloth that doesn't shed. After it drys, the take a damp, not wet cloth to get the excess glue off I've found this to work very well, without losing any sound. I'm not claming to be a know-it-all, but I've restored 7 violins, 8 Sitars, 2 mandolins, 1 upright grand piano, and numerous Guitars.But I'm still learning. . . . . . . . .Peace
