Off to repair..?

[Ningirsu]

Hey everyone,

Once again I have a question of vital importance that I want to ask you. I recently found a discontinued Epiphone Les Paul Zakk Wylde Les Paul Buzzsaw on Allegro for 375€ since the guy was moving countries and couldn't bring it along and needed the money. I was supposed to get shipped the other day but since he already left for Paris, he left his 60 years old mother in charge for putting it in the box and handing to the DHL guy. Yet the old lady got clumsy and the guitar fell on the floor and I'm informed that the headstock is broken. (I guess typically from the neck joint nder: )
I heard before that even the famous ML of Dimebag had the same accident numerous times and a skilled luthier can repair it. Plus, in this case, I'd get an even better bargain.

So, I just wanted to hear from all of you: Any similar experience, any suggestions or warnings? What do you think? Should I not miss the opportunity since I never can afford one over 500€ and since it's a discontinued model?

 

[GLJazz]

Re: Off to repair..?

No doubt about it, i think everyone here will agree that a headstock repaired epi/gibson is tougher than a fresh, unbroken one. Make sure to have someone that really knows what they're doing do the job for you.

I don't know what the market is like in your neck of the woods so i can't speak monetarily, but if its hard to find, you like how it plays, and the cost makes sense to you, do it! Just note that even a good headstock repair will seriously impact your resale.

Those are cool guitars, good luck and post some pics if and when you get it!

 

[Ningirsu]

Re: Off to repair..?

Wow, If I may be completely honest, this is the first time that I hear that a headstock repaired Epiphone is tougher than a fresh, unbroken one and I must admit that it brings new-born hope to me :scratchch I have a luthier back home whom I trust a lot, I have no problems about finding a competent luthier whatsoever.

Epiphone Zakk Wylde Buzzsaws are very difficult to find 'cause everybody bought the Bullseye model seeing that it's the main design that ZW sports. Whereas it is only Buzzsaw which sports a maple top like a real Les Paul should have. Plus, ZW models are the most counterfeited Epiphone models out there so it is really a problem to find a "real" one, even if it's made in China and this one is Korean. Besides, I'll be making a project out of it so reselling is the furthest thought for me.

I already have pictures of the guitar, I'm just waiting for a picture showing the damage after the collapse. So if anyone would be interested I can already share a link to an album on Flickr

No doubt about it, i think everyone here will agree that a headstock repaired epi/gibson is tougher than a fresh, unbroken one. Make sure to have someone that really knows what they're doing do the job for you.

I don't know what the market is like in your neck of the woods so i can't speak monetarily, but if its hard to find, you like how it plays, and the cost makes sense to you, do it! Just note that even a good headstock repair will seriously impact your resale.

Those are cool guitars, good luck and post some pics if and when you get it!

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Off to repair..?

While it could happen the day after you got it anyway, I would probably not do it. It is really hard to tell just what you need to do to fix it.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Off to repair..?

Sounds fishy to me...his old mother somehow conveniently breaks the headstock while trying to pack it, after the dude has left the country? How unlikely.

Besides that, discount or not...I wouldn't buy a guitar with a broken headstock, or really any guitar I had to repair before I could even play it. I wouldn't know whether it was an easily repairable break, or something that will create an on going problem. Doesn't sound like you are someone that would be able to tell either. Also wouldn't be able to play it and figure out whether it was even good enough to be worth the repair...I say skip it.
It might be a "rare" model, but its still just an Epi LP. If it were a vintage Gibson, Vintage Epiphone, or even a newer Gibson, it might be worth some consideration/investigation...But a modern Korean Epi? No.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Off to repair..?

Sounds fishy to me...his old mother somehow conveniently breaks the headstock while trying to pack it, after the dude has left the country? How unlikely.

That's what I think too. The only problem is guys that left the country are less likely to offer you a refund than urge you to accept his broken guitar.

You may be between a rock and a hard place on this one. Any pics of the break? How much do you want to bet that it's beyond reasonable repair?

And also, was this an unregulated internet purchase from a guy who may be scamming you......as in you're out your money?

 

[Ningirsu]

Re: Off to repair..?

Well, let me go over the deal so far then: I saw this guy's ad almost 2 weeks ago but back then I was losing time to figure out if another ad is a real or fake Epiphone which happened to be a FAKE in the end. So I contacted this guy and get some photos from him. Then I asked for some additional ones and got exactly the pictures that I wanted from him 1 day later. This Sunday I'd have already bought the guitar if we hadn't a problem on eBay. So then I passed a couple days to come up with the cash to pay when I receive the guitar on delivery after checking it. I told him that he should call her mother and tell her to immediately send it since I have the money and then this happened. He contacted a friend to get pictures of the break from every possible angle and I once have them I'll put a link to Flickr on here. I'm looking for this model since 2 years and it's impossible to get a good deal since I'm in Europe and there's always VAT charges once I try to get it from USA anyway

I'll pay when I get the guitar so my money's still safe

That's what I think too. The only problem is guys that left the country are less likely to offer you a refund than urge you to accept his broken guitar.

You may be between a rock and a hard place on this one. Any pics of the break? How much do you want to bet that it's beyond reasonable repair?

And also, was this an unregulated internet purchase from a guy who may be scamming you......as in you're out your money?

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Off to repair..?

I'll pay when I get the guitar so my money's still safe

Safe...Cept for the fact that its being spent on a broken guitar...