Would you buy a Les Paul with a repaired neck crack?

[mjross]

My 2006 Custom had a headstock repair brand new. Repair done buy Seuf’s and you would never know it if you were not really looking for it. No problems what so ever after 15+ years. If it’s done right, no worries!

 

[Bwk]

Yeah I gather it’s not an issue if done properly. I just don’t know much about neck cracks. The guitar I posted is an ultra heavy aged Murphy Lab that looks awesome otherwise. That said, it’s still super expensive and I’m just trying to determine if it makes sense to go that route or not.

 

[RedSkwirrell]

Personally, no.
But I also recognise that there are carpenters and luthiers who are able to amazing things with these things that are beyond my understanding and full appreciation.
I also believe that dogs fully understand my every word.

 

[darkvoice]

NO.

Once I bought a LP Classic with repaired neck and it arrived broken in the same spot. I hear people saying that re-glued spot is supposed to be stronger than the rest of the neck, however in my case it was the weakest.

Most sellers still price repaired guitars quite high, it's not like you are getting half off. I decided that to me few hundred dollars in savings was not worth it. The repair would bother me, I would keep thinking about it. Plus, it could break again and you will certainly have problems re-selling repaired guitar.

 

[ehb]

Dependent on how it was repaired... Repairs by Gumpy Greg I've seen pics of are impressive...

 

[modavis99]

Yeah I gather it’s not an issue if done properly. I just don’t know much about neck cracks. The guitar I posted is an ultra heavy aged Murphy Lab that looks awesome otherwise. That said, it’s still super expensive and I’m just trying to determine if it makes sense to go that route or not.

My two cents. If you’re shelling out for a Murphy Lab — these are great guitars BTW — then don’t get one with a headstock crack just to save a fed dollars. go ultra light aged if you want the cheapest Murphy lab

 

[Bwk]

My two cents. If you’re shelling out for a Murphy Lab — these are great guitars BTW — then don’t get one with a headstock crack just to save a fed dollars. go ultra light aged if you want the cheapest Murphy lab

Yeah that’s fine. I didn’t necessarily want the cheapest. Just saw that one and got curious because it was an ultra heavy aged. As I’ve chewed on it, I think it’s a mistake. I have no warranty to speak of, I doubt I’d be able to resell it easily, if at all. Just seems like an unnecessary risk when there are plenty of guitars out there at similar price point with perfectly fine necks

 

[msalama]

Yes, I would, if the repair was well executed and the guitar is priced sensibly.

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

Somehow I would prefer to buy the guitar before it was repaired!
That way I could see the real damage and have it fixed the proper way by the proper person.

 

[Christosterone]

my es les Paul was dropped when un-packing at a big box store…
sweetwater got it from them and had it repaired…
its perfect in every way…

the repair is noticeable only if u know it’s there…and the break was horrific…they sent me before/after pics before I bought It sight unseen..

and it was a smoking deal…likely the best deal i’ll ever get on a perfect playing, high end lester

 

[Peter M]

Nope.

 

[jstarr823]

If it's a ridiculously good deal? 100%

 

[Deftone]

I would and have. I prefer Gibsons with a headstock repair and actively seek them out. They should be priced accordingly.

 

[Bwk]

So what would you consider a reasonable price (discount off retail)?

 

[kisschicken]

I wouldn't buy a salvaged car and wouldn't buy a broken Les Paul.

 

[jstarr823]

I wouldn't buy a salvaged car and wouldn't buy a broken Les Paul.

You’re missing out. I bought a salvage 2018 Mini Cooper. Replaced the hood and fender, painted it, then gave it to my daughter for her first car. Total investment? Under $5,000.

 

[Deftone]

So what would you consider a reasonable price (discount off retail)?

IMHO that will depend on a number of factors, like the year and model of the guitar itself, who did the repair, how bad the break was, etc... I would think somewhere around 10% off minimum for vintage Gibson guitars all the way up to 50% for newer, less valuable guitars.

A lot of older, vintage Gibson guitars have had neck repairs.

FWIW: I was looking at a 2019 Les Paul Classic Light husk (no hardware, body only) for sale with a repaired headstock. The guy wanted $1000. Price of the guitar new was about $1899. Hard pass. Not worth the money when you add up all the components + the de-valued guitar.

Another seller was asking around $700 for a 2019 Les Paul Classic Light husk with a repaired headstock. It sold almost immediately. But that was another hard pass from me. I think I would have pulled the trigger at about $500.

I ended up buying a used Classic Light for $1450. Complete and in perfect condition.

 

[Gridlock]

Absolutely not.

 

[VancoD]

I bought an Epi for next to nothing that was repaired from a catastrophic break. The repair person was "good at repair, but not confident at color-matching" and left it as-is and I could care less.

While visually obvious it almost fully undetectable by feel. I imagine if I sat for a bit and hit it with some super-high grit "buffing" papers I could make it perfect, but as I said, I am not concerned in the least

It was the 12-string side that broke...

 

[ScubaK]

most people don't know, but if its done right they actually play BETTER after a headstock break