snapped the truss rod.

[Grenade]

Re: snapped the truss rod.

If it's just the adjusting nut Stew-Mac sells a repair kit.http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Truss_Rods/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit.html

 

[dominus]

Re: snapped the truss rod.

I would just have someone fix it. You've had the guitar so long, you might as well keep it with all the "proper" parts. At 24 years of ownership, you've got your money's worth many times over, and you can justify the repair cost by dividing it by 24 and considering it a yearly cost of ownership in your head.

Why?

Keeping it with "proper parts" only makes sense if you plan on selling it, and that will take away from the value anyway, unless you're dishonest about the repair happening.

A 1991 Fender USA Strat is going to be worth about $500-$600 on the used market, depending on condition. If it was parted out, probably about $250 for the neck and tuners, $250 for the body + bridge + electronics. (Again, depending on condition.) Having someone fix it will cost more than a replacement neck, unless you go with a super high-end replacement.

 

[ItsaBass]

snapped the truss rod.

Because if I had had a guitar that long, I wouldn't take replacing half of it - probably the most important part on the whole guitar -- lightly. I'd want to keep "my" neck, and keep the guitar intact. It's not about the money. But even so, a truss rod replacement isn't exorbitant on a decently made guitar that has served well for a quarter century. The extra hundred bucks or so over the cost of a replacement neck would be an easily justifiable amount.