Gibson Hummingbird Pro 2016 - Neck Repair

[D30Man]

I am not a luthier. Early next week I am going to look at a 2016 Gibson HB Pro. Yes you read me correctly - still not sold on Gibsons completely. The guy had it listed for $1250 and I offered a chunk lower contingent upon my looking it over and playing it. He accepted. Here are pics. In true Gibson fashion it has been the victim of a neck break. Pic looks like it was well repaired. What are opinions here on buying a guitar that has had a neck break. What I like about it ( without having played it ) is the burst and the fretboard inlays. I also like the reviews I have seen / heard.

What are things to look for? If I like the way it plays ( big if ) I am going to want to get it. I just need some expert opinions here as I have never purchased a guitar with a neck / headstock repair.

 

[chazmo]

Well, it looks like it was a very clean neck break (luckily). and it was just glued and clamped back together. Looks fine to me. You should get a great deal on a guitar in this condition, D30man, but I'm sure you already knew that. Good luck!

 

[Wilmywood]

My 1972 Guild G-37 had a clean headstock break 30 years ago, was repaired and is still in good shape. If that Gibson was done right I would think you could expect much the same result.

 

[D30Man]

Well, it looks like it was a very clean neck break (luckily). and it was just glued and clamped back together. Looks fine to me. You should get a great deal on a guitar in this condition, D30man, but I'm sure you already knew that. Good luck!

Thanks, Chaz. His bottom number is $1k. I see them used for between $2200 - $3k...

 

[D30Man]

Knowing re-sell is going to be a struggle of course. My hope is that I like the way it plays as much as I like the way it looks.

 

[D30Man]

My 1972 Guild G-37 had a clean headstock break 30 years ago, was repaired and is still in good shape. If that Gibson was done right I would think you could expect much the same result.

That's pretty clean. Glad to hear it held up!

 

[bobouz]

As can be seen by my signature, I truly do enjoy a good Gibson, but I’m not a fan of guitars that have suffered such breaks. I’d probably ask who did the repair & contact them regarding the instrument in question - and to what degree do they stand behind their work? On the other hand, at $1000, if need be in the future, you most likely could have the repair redone by a top luthier & have it be virtually hidden - all within a reasonable cash outlay. Guess it all depends on how much you like the guitar.

Also as an fyi, iirc this model shares the Songwriter body shape which is just slightly smaller than a full dread, and was initially designed by Ren.

Have fun with the journey!

 

[Wilmywood]

That's pretty clean. Glad to hear it held up!

Yeah, if the HB plays nicely and the break looks well repaired, AND it's going to be a keeper, I'd get it.

 

[bobouz]

PS - I know what you mean about those fretboard inlays!

 

[D30Man]

As can be seen by my signature, I truly do enjoy a good Gibson, but I’m not a fan of guitars that have suffered such breaks. I’d probably ask who did the repair & contact them regarding the instrument in question - and to what degree do they stand behind their work? On the other hand, at $1000, if need be in the future, you most likely could have the repair redone by a top luthier & have it be virtually hidden - all within a reasonable cash outlay. Guess it all depends on how much you like the guitar.

Also as an fyi, iirc this model shares the Songwriter body shape which is just slightly smaller than a full dread, and was initially designed by Ren.

Have fun with the journey!

Bob, it is the SW body so yes slightly smaller than the full HB dread size. We shall see.

 

[D30Man]

Those are nice looking guits!!!

 

[bobouz]

I do recall that Ren was quite pleased by the results of the smaller dread shape. He also designed the infrequently seen (and rather attractive to my eye) L-130, L-140 body shape, which was sort of a cross between Gibson’s LG & small jumbo bodies. An early Emmylou Harris signature model carried the same design features (but was later changed to a more traditional small jumbo body).

 

[davismanLV]

I actually played one of those (non-burst) in Guitar Center and honestly it was one of the nicest sounding and easy playing guitars ever. I was not looking for a guitar, but it was hard to put it down. Breaks like that are fairly straightforward. Clean break, shoot some glue in there, clamp and you're good to go. I doubt it will give you any trouble. It's just a value thing, and at $1k.... if you like it, buy it!!

 

[davismanLV]

It's just a Gibson thing, but it always looks like they goofed and glued the bridge on upside down! LOL!!