Views on headstock repairs?

[TCFA]

I'm idly browsing LP Studios (I've particularly always loved wine red LPs (and alpine white too) plus I like the idea of an ebony board and I can combine the two for a good used price maybe ...) and I'm coming across a few with repaired headstocks. Sometimes the repair's a bit messy, other times neater, but long and short is that it saves on the ££s

Used LPs with headstock repairs - good deal or something to avoid?


ps I know I'm fussy with the lacquer damage on my LP trad in another thread but that was brand new and big numbers - I've got a different take on used guitars!

 

[Guitaraxe]

I avoid them if possible.

 

[Tim Plains]

Get one with a good repair job and you shoukd never have an issue.

 

[SlapChop]

I think it depends on the type of break it was. A long, clean break that's been repaired is just as strong as new.

My wine Studio had a break and it was repaired and plays amazing still. Still my favorite guitar and I have a few other nice guitars.

 

[Lightningflash]

I have no issue with a headstock repair.
Like someone else said, a guitar is glued together slabs of wood, so what's the big deal about a little more glue at the headstock.

 

[TheX]

I buy, repair and KEEP them.

 

[Caretaker]

Get one with a good repair job and you shoukd never have an issue.

This

I hade a 68 LP that had 4 separate breaks(4 different times) and it never broke where it was repaired.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

There's a local luthier/tech I go to when I can't fix a problem. Neck repairs are his specialty. He repaired the neck on a Epi LP Prophecy owned by a former student. The break was near perfect after repair, it was only on a very close inspection that you could see it. And the guitar was as good as new.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

I wouldn't buy if not in my hands.

Good repair, no problem.

 

[Blinkers]

I have a repaired headstock and it works just fine for me. No issues to speak of....

 

[bossaddict]

My '54 Goldtop had a nasty break in its history, but it's solid as a rock. As others have said, if it's well done, it's not a deal breaker, but should be priced accordingly.

 

[rich85]

Each one needs to be treated individually. I would not hesitate to snap up a bargain les paul with a good headstock repair.

If you are going to be a les paul enthusiast you basically have to come to terms with these things in my opinion. We cant just quickly buy a new neck off ebay like those strat guys.

Nobody WANTS a headstock repair, but a good one especially where timber braces have been routed across the break are actually going to be stronger than the original.

 

[RobV]

The best sounding most resonant slickest playing guitar I have ever played & owned was a neck broke SG Standard with BB Pro's. I bought a brand new SG Standard and it didn't feel the same. I should have kept that guitar but I was new to guitars & it was my 1st "good" one & I wanted to try more out so I traded it for a sweet P90 LP Special that was really nice but I still miss that SG.

 

[ant_riv]

One of my favorite LPs ever has a repaired headstock break.

No issues and it is a great guitar. The repair was so well done that you need to look for it to tell that it has been repaired.

 

[Chris B.]

I probably wouldn't buy one online. But if I could check it out, then maybe.

 

[Pesh]

+1 to Chris B; if the price was right, and I could see and touch it, then I'd be happy getting one.

Weirdly enough I think I'd be happier buying a visible repair guitar than one with a scarf jointed neck - the aesthetic of them puts me right off for some reason.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

The only headstock break Les Paul I ever bought I still have & got a great deal & the repair is without a doubt stronger than the wood itself..
It may have even helped the tone of the guitar & the springiness of the headstock too..

I'd buy another if I could see what I was buying..

The last one was bought with just a few pictures from a couple hundred miles away..
With the option to return if not 100% satisfied, Which I was..

Still one of the best bargains I have ever come across..

 

[FUS44]

One of our very own members and super luthiers said he thought they improved tone.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/vin...-broken-headstock-les-paul-sounds-better.html

#25 and 27.

The key words being "repaired properly"

 

[judson]

it always depends on the deal...i honestly dont think it makes a difference but i would have to get one hell of a discount....

i returned one online purchase that maybe i should have kept but it was the second guitar i bought online where the dbag seller did not say anything about a crack or repair......

i still have one of them because it is a great guitar and i dont think about it except like now when someone brings up the topic........

dam i hate that seller but i love the guitar...

 

[ZWILDZR1]

Two things, a nice discount and a proper repair if done. Would probably pass on a guitar with a home hack job.