Headstock break repair

[XpensiveWino]

I scored a nice 2016 Traditional yesterday. Like new minus a broken headstock - crazy thing to say, I know. It was a steal though! Stupidly cheap considering what they go for off the rack.

I've done a lot of guitar work before, including cleaning up a prior botched repair. However, this is my first go at repairing the break from the
beginning.

I cleaned out any random splinters. Fortunately the break was beautifully clean. I used Titebond Original. I didn't water it down. I felt comfortable enough with how far in I was able to get it. I used an old guitar string to wick it into the break.

I then set up a contraption to force the headstock into place by wrapping wire around the tuners and then the strap pin. I used my son's dense foam blocks to protect the guitar finish, and to add tension to the wires, thus tightening the crack. I then clamped it up using the dense foam as a caul. The fit looks good judging by the sideview of the headstock.

 

[XpensiveWino]

Today I took off the clamp, but left the wire tension in place. The fit and seam look good. It does have slight ridge on the center of the back of the neck.

I figured while I left the wire tension on for another day, I would start the drop fill work on the ridge. It looks very good after applying the CA glue to the seam. I think it will sand and polish out near perfectly.

 

[TheZ]

Nice work!

 

[fumblefinger]

Titebond Orig is definitely the way to go for glue. I'm a little concerned about you getting enough pressure with the foam. I think I'd have simply put a couple of cauls on either side and clamped it down. Here's a pic of my usual clamp set up for a little further down the neck.

 

[XpensiveWino]

Fumble, that setup is nice! I used the foam after having success using it with other clamps in the past. It's very dense and is a good option to not Nick up the finish. It seemed the combination of the clamp and the tension wire did the trick. Of course the proof is in the results. I hope your fears don't come to fruition. Planning to string it up tomorrow night and see how it does under string pressure.

 

[XpensiveWino]

Sanded with 600 grit. Still a bit to go, but looking sharp so far. I'll string it up tonight test the bond. I've also never heard this guitar. Looking forward to that too!

 

[guidothepimmp]

looks like a great save, congrats

 

[XpensiveWino]

Thank you! I'll string it up in a few hours and see how I did.

 

[fumblefinger]

It looks good. I use cut off string ends to spread glue also. What you can't see in the pic is that the caul has two layers of EPDM on the face for cushion. I've used it a number of times and never marred the finish with it. That is also what's on the clamp board next to the fret board. Saw cuts give relief for the frets. It's a bit displaced in this pic, but if you notice the two screws, they are used to push a caul up at the nut to open up cracked necks. The one in the pic was the usual crack from the corner of the nut recess down the neck. I clamp the jig to the neck and run the screws up as far as I dare. This opens things up enough to stick a glue syringe in to get glue in the crack.

What are you going to use to buff the neck?

 

[XpensiveWino]

Got it string and mostly setup. All seems very well. No movement on the joint under pressure!

Fumble, I'm wet sanding to 1500 as we speak, then 3m microfiber successive paper, then Meguiars scratch x, then Meguiars polish. Then I'm gonna play the thing.

 

[XpensiveWino]

Wet sanding

 

[XpensiveWino]

Thanks Who. I'm happy to. It helps me remember for future projects too.

Final shot. Not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with it. My only notes would have been to add color before the drop fill. The seam is visible in person, and nothing seems to be able to penetrate the CA glue for color. Oh well, time to crank out some music!

Cheers!

 

[Brewdude]

Looks great as is!

However I vote to add a stinger, even if its not hiding a crack I think they look awesome

 

[XpensiveWino]

It doesn't have to be a "perfect hide". The fix is part of the nature of the guitar, now.

You're exactly right. It will never be unbroken, or unrepaired. I enjoy the challenge of perfection, but am not going to let it get in the way of enjoying this guitar.

 

[kiko]

Great save!

 

[moreles]

Outstanding score, and nice job on the fix. There are ways to diminish the visibility of the crack if it bugs you, but as most note here, minor visible evidence is a non-issue for many.

 

[The Ballzz]

So, the most important questions: How does it play & how does it sound? It should crush, like all that crushes. If so, plug into a good Marshall or Tweed and "Rock out, with your c0ck out!"
Just Askin'
Gene

 

[XpensiveWino]

Yeah, it plays great. The pickups and guitar combination are brighter than some of my others with a similar configuration. That's a good thing for me, I can always turn the tone knobs down. I use the knobs a lot when I play. Gibson and their PLek's seem to get a bad rap, but this one is great. The frets and fretboard are still like new. I still have some setup tweaks to do to it before I make a final decision on it. I have to unload one, but this one looks like it's going to be staying, and I'll free up some cash with the sale of one of my higher dollar ones. I guess that's enough of an answer of how I think it plays ; ) I'm happy with it.