Broken SF IV headstock

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Jersey Paul

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My wife slammed her music stand into my 1967 SF IV knocking it down hard and breaking the headstock.

I brought it to Mandolin Bothers on Staten Island, expensive but the place to go around here for a difficult repair and they said they wouldn't do it because the damage is so great. The only thing holding it on to the neck is the plastic.

The question is : Do any of you know a luthier that would attempt this repair.

I’m in northern New Jersey but will drive a half day each way or ship it to the right shop.

Paul
 
AlohaJoe

AlohaJoe

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Dang, I'm sorry... I imagine your wife feels as bad about it as you do.
Default said:
I find it hard to believe that they thought it was irreparable. No experience with this place, but impressed by some of the repair photos.
http://www.guitarspecialist.com/headstocks.htm
Click to expand...
Those ARE some very impressive repairs, and I agree... anything is fixable in the right hands. I hope you find a repairman who will do a good job at a reasonable cost.
 
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danerectal

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Dreamlander had his '74 SFIV repaired at Marguerite's Music in Moorhead, MN after it did a belly flop at a show. The headstock was held on by the slackened strings. I think Paul did it for less than $50, and it's as solid and beautiful as the day she was born. I'll see if I can get in touch to verify because at that price it might pay to ship it.
 
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Jersey Paul

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Cool. I can't tell you guys how much better I feel.

I'll get on the phone tomorrow to the two closest and and drive to one of them immediately.

The SF IV is the go to electric around here. The late 60s F-30 is the go to acoustic.
 
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billydlight

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Curt at mid state is your guy. He did some serious repairs for me and made em perfect!
 
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Jersey Paul

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Dropped it at the guy in Westchester today.

Expensive, , and I'll get back in a couple of months.

Ouch!

Many, many thanks for the help.
 
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yettoblaster

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Take heart.

I once owned a Heritage H140 LP type that had an extensive headstock (splinters, et al) repair. It was a jigsaw puzzle, but apparently all the pieces were saved, and the truss rod still worked fine after assembly. Wood and glue is as strong as wood. Sometimes stronger.
 
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Jersey Paul

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Didn't like the "call me in a couple of months" attitude so I got on the horn to every player I know and got several recommendations for this guy.

http://www.guitartechny.com/Home.html

Drove up and picked up the guitar and brought it to Guitartech.

It will be back in my hands in a week for about a third less.

Whew!

Paul
 
Brad Little

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Jersey Paul said:
It will be back in my hands in a week for about a third less.Paul
Click to expand...
So is it back and ready to go? FWIW, I just brought a beat LoPrinzi dread to my luthier. It had a pretty sloppy job done on a snapped off headstock, so I asked if it was worth ungluing and redoing, he said just to clean it up as his experience was that neck rejoins either held or didn't, and this one had obviously held. So if it holds, it should be good. I also wouldn't worry about string tension, I had to have the head on my F-212 reglued about 10 years ago-it fell over in its case and the added weight of the Schallers I had put on just did the trick. I've kept it up to concert and obviously a 12 has a lot more pull than a six.
Brad
 
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Jersey Paul

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It's back!

Actually, it was ready on Wednesday but work reared it's ugly head and I couldn't get into the city to pick it up until Friday afternoon.

The headstock repair job is excellent and, now with the new medium frets, its much easier to play.

As they say, Work is the curse of picking class.
 
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If you get a chance, post some pics and show us the repairs. We always have our eyes out for a good luthier.
 
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