Taking on the most challenging headstock repair I have ever tried

[Chris Pile]

Is it even reasonable to pay an extra $550?

Short answer - YES.

 

[brentrocks]

What did you pay for the pieces themselves?

when it’s all done, I’ll have into it, about 1/2 of the cost of an all original 74 Les Paul

 

[uOpt]

when it’s all done, I’ll have into it, about 1/2 of the cost of an all original 74 Les Paul

And a refret.

 

[brentrocks]

I took it up to Grand Rapids today, to Russell’s shop.




He’s gonna re fret it, repair the headstock and touch up the back of the headstock too.




He said it would be about a month.

 

[piblock]

I wish we could see a time lapse of how he does it. That's about as bad as it gets with headstocks breaking off.

I've never had a Gibson break like that, but I knocked my old Tiesco sharkfin off the stand somehow while getting out of bed years and years ago. I saw the guitar falling in slow motion, and I totally froze and just watched it. The floor had thick carpet too, looking back I'm surprised it broke. Maybe it was tension from heavy strings and tuned to E (I used it for slide). That was a painful, painful moment.

 

[formula73]

I love watching yt videos of nasty hs breaks, particularly ones that end up needing splines. Incredible amount of attention to detail that I’ve realized just is too much for me to attempt alone.

 

[DCikes88]

I love watching yt videos of nasty hs breaks, particularly ones that end up needing splines. Incredible amount of attention to detail that I’ve realized just is too much for me to attempt alone.

Yeah, this looks nasty af. Like, possible human casualties nasty. Can't wait to see the result.
In my country this might be a deal-breaker, as I don't know of anyone I'd be confident in entrusting a repair this severe.
I sincerely hope OP ends up with a beautiful, never-ever been broken looking 74 LP.

 

[Tubes]

Reminds me of this video of the Edge's 76 original explorer where he was showing off the repaired headstock (1:20 into the video), broken in a similar manner to yours:

 

[brentrocks]

Update.




The guitar has been at North Coast Guitars, in Grand Rapids for a bit. Russ is going to make a new headstock and scarf joint it. He will be utilizing the original head veneer and the original serial number. He is going to shave the back of the original headstock off and laminate it onto the back of the new headstock to keep the original serial number intact along with the original head veneer. He will also be doing a complete re-fret and new bone nut. It should be done in another three weeks or so.

 

[jeremy]

thats a heck of a repair, look forward to seeing the finished product!

 

[Mincer]

Wow, that is one hell of a process to get a 70s LP back!

 

[JMP/HBE]

and the asking price ...:usa2:

 

[NegativeEase]

Yo Brent -we are 2.5 months in on this project.

Any updates or pics?

 

[JOLLY]

Yo Brent -we are 2.5 months in on this project.

Any updates or pics?

No pics, but see post #29.

 

[NegativeEase]

Update.




The guitar has been at North Coast Guitars, in Grand Rapids for a bit. Russ is going to make a new headstock and scarf joint it. He will be utilizing the original head veneer and the original serial number. He is going to shave the back of the original headstock off and laminate it onto the back of the new headstock to keep the original serial number intact along with the original head veneer. He will also be doing a complete re-fret and new bone nut. It should be done in another three weeks or so.

-
that sounds hard!

still PICS PICS PICS! plz

 

[NegativeEase]

No pics, but see post #29.

Thanks, I scolled expected the update would have pics and missed that.

Preeeeesh!

 

[playas]

I bet you're glad you didn't take it on now!!!

Sounds like he'll do a great job. Hope it's really worth it once you get it back.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Id get it if the LP was original 50's or 60's. Never seen anyone put so much energy into a broken Norlin Deluxe but hey.
Id be surprised if you recoup your dough.

 

[jeremy]

i do like those 70's lp delxue and if it was picked up cheap enough then... why not

 

[brentrocks]

I bet you're glad you didn't take it on now!!!

Sounds like he'll do a great job. Hope it's really worth it once you get it back.

Oh yeah. I would have fucked it up for sure. Lol