Is a broken headstock the kiss of death?

[Yoko Oh No]

Looking around CL for a beater...came across a pretty nice Yamaha that has a repaired headstock crack.

The dude wants $100 for it...I'm guessing the stress of being a beater (car heat and cold/ travel, etc) will only shorten the life of the repair.

Anyone have any experience with a headstock repair?

 

[killdeer43]

Yup! :triumphant:
Wanna see a pic? I'm sure you remember this one.

D4-12

Joe

 

[killdeer43]

All better now, as solid as can be.

Sounds/looks/feels better, too! :apple:

Joe

 

[SFIV1967]

I think headstock breaks happen all the time and a well repaired one is as good as new. Often the glue is stronger than the wood would.
Ralf

 

[AcornHouse]

If the repair is solid and well done, then it's not something to worry about. Since you're looking for a beater, this would be ideal, it's been pre-beaten!

 

[krcrisp]

With a modern wood glue like Tite Bond, you will find that prying properly clamped and set wooden parts apart actually tears away wood fibers. The glue doesn't fail.

There are breaks that fit together well (good) and ones where the pieces break in such a way that positioning and strength are not ideal. If it was a 'good' break and properly repaired it should be fine.

 

[killdeer43]

Come to think of it, my F112-6, was knocked off its stand in New Orleans when it was still a 12 string. I don't know if he's still around but forum member littlesongs related the details on LTG long ago when I bought it.
I was just looking at it and you can see where the break was and it, too, was a solid repair.

So there, :apple:
Joe

 

[AcornHouse]

With a modern wood glue like Tite Bond, you will find that prying properly clamped and set wooden parts apart actually tears away wood fibers. The glue doesn't fail.

Not so modern hot hide glue is also stronger than wood, and many luthiers prefer it for headstock breaks, since it doesn't creep.

 

[bob sears]

In 1982 I traded a bow for a 1978 D-25. The peghead was broken completely off. I took it home and repaired it then strung it with medium gauge strings. It became my every day go to. Played with a Christian group and in prison,( I went home at night) for 10 years. Play with a celtic group now and old time at nursing homes. It is still going strong. This guitar and my Guild 12 string get played every week, though I have several guitars. Must admit I now use lighter strings but that is due to old age. 32 years with no problem and I used titebond.

 

[krysh]

I had owned a starfire bass with a repaired broken headstock that sounded killer and was stable like a rock. if the repair was done well, there is nothing to worry about - it's all only wood in the end...

 

[killdeer43]

In 1982 I traded a bow for a 1978 D-25. The peghead was broken completely off. I took it home and repaired it then strung it with medium gauge strings. It became my every day go to. Played with a Christian group and in prison,( I went home at night) for 10 years. Play with a celtic group now and old time at nursing homes. It is still going strong. This guitar and my Guild 12 string get played every week, though I have several guitars. Must admit I now use lighter strings but that is due to old age. 32 years with no problem and I used titebond.

First post hello and WELCOME TO LTG!
And a great first post, too! :triumphant:

Stick around,
Joe

 

[davismanLV]

Hey bob sears.... we love testimonials!! Well glued headstocks are better than UN-glued headstocks. I think a good repair is perfectly acceptable on a player guitar. Yup.....

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Played with a Christian group and in prison,( I went home at night) for 10 years. Play with a celtic group now and old time at nursing homes.

WOW....what kind of music were you playing with the Christian group that landed you in jail for 10 years? And you played with the Celtics too?!?! You ought to write a book, man...

 

[P-E-Zmusic]

not fatal

 

[killdeer43]

WOW....what kind of music were you playing with the Christian group that landed you in jail for 10 years? And you played with the Celtics too?!?! You ought to write a book, man...

Yoko comes through, again....:smiley_simmons:

Joe

 

[Los Angeles]

A broken headstock sometimes means a tone problem. The real kiss of death is to the collector "value" of the instrument. If you are hoping to sell the guitar some day, you won't get much for it.

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Lots of good posts in this thread.Much appreciated here in Sand City. (It's a dry heave.)

Hatted Frau

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

PS Maybe move this to tech shop?

 

[fretless]

i bought a washburn in '80 that had a crack in the headstock... still fine. had an Alvarez 12 string for a decade with one... fine have 1 19995 JF30 12 with one and it's awesome! resale may be a problem... GO For It. i know here, Alabama law won't let you call it a beater unless it's got a neck crack

 

[fretless]

but he's not paying much for it either!