Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm a brand new OLF member seeking your sage advice and counsel. I purchased an arm rest for a dreadnaught guitar on eBay. The arm rest came with a 1/4 inch strip of cork along the top edge. My idea was to use silicone to bond the cork to the edge of the guitar. But, I watched a YouTube video on arm rest installation and the luthier(?) recommended using "double backed tape" to enable the arm rest to be removed without damaging the guitar's finish. Also, the arm rest in the video did not appear to have cork or other material attached to the arm rest. My question: What do you recommend I use to attach the arm rest? Should I leave the cork on or scrape it off? Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance for your kind assistance.

Don't use silicone. Double stick tape is the way to go. You want to be able to remove this later without damaging the finish or making a mess. double stick tape will allow for that. I'm sure someone will stop by with a recommended tape. Obviously you don't want something like two sided scotch tape and I wouldn't use the foam stuff either (if it were me). I'm blanking on exactly what to call the type you want.

I'm not sure about the cork. from your description, I think the armrest has a 90 degree bend so it can touch the sides and the top and that the surface that would bear on the top has cork on it. Do I have that right? I think I would just use the tape on the sides. I would think that would hold well enough and make removal much easier as well. I'd just leave the cork.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Bryan:

You have it right. The arm rest has a raised area along the curve that rests at the edge of the guitar. The remaining inside surface of the arm rest is recessed about 1/4 inch so it doesn't contact the guitar top. If I understand your advice, you're suggesting I use double backed tape to secure each end of the arm rest and allow the cork to remain touching but unattached to the edge of the guitar. I hope I've got that right. I'm curious to know if anyone can recommend a particular brand of tape that would be advisable in this situation.
Thanks.

Use the double-stick tape. When it’s time to remove it a bit of Naptha will dissolve the adhesive on the tape without hurting the finish on the guitar.


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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shurtape-1-88- ... pe/3407976

I'm pretty sure this is the tape I bought last time I needed some. The roll is almost empty so it has been a while. I probably got it at Lowes also.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

I figured the forum members collectively knew everything there is to know and I was right! You've solved my problem. Thanks, guys!

I'd use this, if it's available where you are.

https://www.findtape.com/tesa-4939-Pape ... Tape/p991/