Taking on the most challenging headstock repair I have ever tried

[brentrocks]

I pulled the trigger on a 1974 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe hush/project.




I’ve done headstock repairs before, quite a few, with great success. But this one is the nastiest break I have ever attempted.




Wish me luck!!!!

 

[Chris Pile]

Might be a toughie, Brent. I spend a lot of time with tweezers, an exacto knife, a toothbrush, and a pair of Opti-Visors lining up all the fibers so they go back together correctly. We are talking a lot of trial & error. Remove that truss rod nut and hardware, and then protect it from glue. Do a couple trial runs fitting and attaching clamps before you ever apply hide glue or Titebond. You want that wood to knit together as tightly as possible before glue. Go slow, and good luck. We haven't even talked about clean up and finish touch-ups yet, but I'm sure you're hip to what needs to be done then.

 

[Mincer]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

 

[uOpt]

Duct tape

 

[JMP/HBE]

Needs a scarf joint.

 

[GuitarStv]

Steinberger conversion!

 

[JMP/HBE]

.

 

[brentrocks]

Well…I just got off the phone with a fella in Grand Rapids who owns a guitar repair shop. He’s done work for me in the past and does incredible work.




I texted him the pics. He said he would repair the headstock, refret and new nut for $550. So I’m gonna let him do it instead of rolling the dice on my limited experience.

 

[brentrocks]

The more I look at it, the less confident I feel about pulling this off. It’s too nice of a guitar for me to f*+* it up!!!




I already bought the guitar, so I might as well do it right.

 

[Mincer]

I think one of the best things is to understand your limitations, especially with someone else's guitar!

 

[Chris Pile]

For all that work, that is a good price. You let us know how it all comes out when you get it back, okay Brent?

 

[piblock]

Well…I just got off the phone with a fella in Grand Rapids who owns a guitar repair shop. He’s done work for me in the past and does incredible work.


I texted him the pics. He said he would repair the headstock, refret and new nut for $550. So I’m gonna let him do it instead of rolling the dice on my limited experience.

I would have done the same thing. Looking at the pics, my first thought was "there's no way ..."

 

[eclecticsynergy]

That thing must've taken a heck of an impact. I think you were wise not to attempt it yourself.
Hoping the results are great.

That does seem like a very reasonable quote for this repair and a refret. Did he give you an ETA?

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Yow, yes, when they break vertically like on the bass side it's a true pita. It'll be sweet when it's done, ready for not getting fooled again .

One of the craziest LP headstock repairs I've seen is the following.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I agree. I think you made the right choice. Seems like a reasonable fee for that work.
Did you specifically request a refret? They don't look so bad in the pics.

 

[brentrocks]

I agree. I think you made the right choice. Seems like a reasonable fee for that work.
Did you specifically request a refret? They don't look so bad in the pics.

I did request the re fret. Russell did a refret for me on a 1951 L4C for me a while back it was incredible!!! I’m sure the frets on this 74 are pretty low and uneven. Just nip it in the bud now and then it’s all ready to go. Nice new medium jumbos and a new bone nut!!!

 

[Aceman]

You got some splining to do, Looo-chee.

 

[Aceman]

Well…I just got off the phone with a fella in Grand Rapids who owns a guitar repair shop. He’s done work for me in the past and does incredible work.




I texted him the pics. He said he would repair the headstock, refret and new nut for $550. So I’m gonna let him do it instead of rolling the dice on my limited experience.

What did you pay for the pieces themselves?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Yeah, what did that broken guitar cost? Is it even reasonable to pay an extra $550?

 

[NegativeEase]

Damn, that looks really difficult -Ive done a bunch, never one that crazy