T-100D Headstock Repair - is there a common way headstock cracks?

[JDubTX]

So I'm looking at an online, can't touch, T-100D Slim Jim that has a headstock repair. The person selling has zero-idea of the type of crack, who repaired it, or any history beyond "it plays great and sounds great" --- yeah, they always say that. Anyway....

The price of this sled is so very low, that I'm fine with the risk of grabbing it unseen, because a corrected repair itself (as extra-involved & expensive as that would be) + what they're asking = still a deal.

I'm not here for values-statements about "the risk of a bad headstock repair" - I'm well-acquainted with them in other guitars, both good & bad experiences. My opinion is = a good repair done right can make an axe even stronger.

I just want to know if anyone else has ever experienced a T-100D or Starfire from that era, vintage, where they had to repair the headstock. And are there any "common ways" the headstock breaks?

I'm new to Guild but not guitars or repairs, but anybody who has experience with fixed headstocks and Guilds --you're who I'm looking for to weigh-in.

Thanks all, have a great day!

 

[DeArmond Hammer]

Coincidentally, I recently saw a local 1960s T-100D whose headstock had split, and I think I saw a recent online listing of a vintage T-100 with a fixed headstock. I'm afraid I didn't examine those breaks closely, but there must have been something wrong with that model.

 

[Default]

If it falls off the guitar stand when a drunk bumps into it, I don't it matters what brand it is, if the headstock is wood, it'll break. I don't remember any particular model that was especially prone to that kind of damage.
$.02

 

[JDubTX]

Much-thanks for the replies thus far, I agree most any sled made of wood will crack or break if knocked off the stand, or dropped a certain way.

I almost wish someone comes along to say "T100D always had this one kind of break, and yeah super easy to repair and go get that axe...." but I know it's not that simple.

I don't think the T100D (of the two I ever held) seemed to have anything indicating a design flaw or problem in their necks -- very fast and modern C shape neck.

I'm an AA Bondy fan and he's consistently toured with a couple T100D Slim Jims, both with the Mickey Mouse pups and the later/newer pups on that model. The way he toured relentlessly from '08 until 2014 with this axe it's at least as hardy as Starfire or equivalent Gibson.

So I'm not worried about a design flaw, I guess my main concern I have is "what direction is the crack" as that's usually everything on a repair to know if it will last on mahogany necks (well, that if a decent luthier did the repair). I'm going to ask the guy that listed it to give me some close-up neck pics, or probably no deal.

The price is consistent with a headstock repair (e.g. he's not asking full vintage price these usually seem to go for) and I'd wager even a little under, which makes the risk feel low if I had to re-repair it.

 

[Guildedagain]

"Is there a common way headstock cracks?"

Yes, it's usually impact.

 

[JDubTX]

"Is there a common way headstock cracks?"

Yes, it's usually impact.

Love it! I'm gonna like it around here.

I was mostly aiming to if there was type of cut to their mahogany neck that made crack direction etc hard to repair --- but as that is probably not a thing with this vintage guitar design, I'm becoming more confident that this might yet be a worthwhile risky buy.

I'm waiting on the seller to send me photos of the neck to see if I can spot the repair, we'll see if I pull the trigger or not. Thanks all for replies thus far!

 

[Guildedagain]

Repairs are a little trickier in pictures for sure. I know because I've had to photograph a few, and when you finally capture it just right, it's a lot scarier looking in a really good close up than it is in person.

 

[JDubTX]

Repairs are a little trickier in pictures for sure. I know because I've had to photograph a few, and when you finally capture it just right, it's a lot scarier looking in a really good close up than it is in person.

Thanks, the few sleds with repaired headstocks I've held and played it always looked scary - but I was lucky in that they were all well-done repairs and sounded fantastic. I don't like lateral crack repairs, I feel like they could twist or something - but then again, I suppose if the right luthier repairs it - it wouldn't matter.

I just got the pics, so I'll share them in a minute and would love to hear what folks think.

 

[JDubTX]

Okay here's the pics I requested, looks like a 1966 from the serial I can tell it was never a case queen and looks well-traveled and probably gigged, non-stock tuners. But seller swears by it sounding great and not having any issues. He says she's a player, for sure - but really don't have much idea of what I'm looking at. I've seen gnarly-looking repairs on other guitars with no issue with playability, so I'm all shrugs here? Anyway, have a look and if anybody has had experience with one looking like this -- let me know.

I'm inclined to pass and maybe go have a look at another I had my eye on, but wanted to at least get these pics first. Seller clearly prices it to account for the repair, he's realistic I think compared to a '65 in my state of TX going for $1550, and a couple on Reverb starting at $1700 and up to $3000. This one is just under $900. At that price, for a vintage, when I'm more concerned with how it will play or sand (than resale value) I had to at least give this one a remote-gander, unfortunate that I cannot touch or play it....

Anyhooo -- here's the pixels --- gander with me, and opine if anyone is inclined --- and thanks again for the feedback so far!

 

[powerwagonjohn]

In the early 1980's my 1969 Gibson SG Std. fell over in a tornado and broke the headstock. I brought it in to a very good tech at The Forum guitar shop in MPLS. He fixed the break so well most people would not even notice. I still have the guitar and the repair has held for all these years with no problems. When I brought it in I was almost in tears and my guy laughed and said "is this your first time?" You know it is an SG!!!
Thanks John

 

[JDubTX]

In the early 1980's my 1969 Gibson SG Std. fell over in a tornado and broke the headstock. I brought it in to a very good tech at The Forum guitar shop in MPLS. He fixed the break so well most people would not even notice. I still have the guitar and the repair has held for all these years with no problems. When I brought it in I was almost in tears and my guy laughed and said "is this your first time?" You know it is an SG!!!
Thanks John

Thanks man, love that story - wow I can't even imagine how relieved you felt when that guy was all like "ain't no thang" and fixed it for you. Very cool. I don't know if sled I was in looking at is that well of a repaired state, but I'm definitely enjoying just talking to folks and hearing what ya'll have to say. Thanks again!

 

[JDubTX]

Also, this break pic indicates this T-100 I'm looking at may have this kind of injury. In the pic attached -- your typical wall-lean or floor-laying heartbreak ("I'll just leave it here for a sec and put it in the case / onto a stand in a minute...") where a little kiddo comes along and....whoopsie

This seems to check at least one box for me, as being kind of one of the more common kinds of breaks that this particular T-100 might have had... based on the above repair pics the seller sent to me. Doesn't look like the headstock was broken clear off, just a separation crack from an unfortunate incident. But who knows....

One thing for sure, it seems to me that it's a titebond / clamp style of repair --- so probably no splines were used (second attached pic example). I think that at least merits the understanding that, if I bought it, 50/50 chance buyer would need to get it fixed again whether it plays well or not...

 

[Default]

Ugly guitars need lovin'. Sometimes, they are better at it too!

 

[gilded]

That is significant damage, friend. Forgive me for being blunt, but doesn't look like the repair was done as well as it could have been. It looks like it could re-open without much of a collision taking place.

I'm also seeing non-original Gotoh tuners. What does the rest of the guitar look like? Are the parts all original?
What kind of case? Original? Add up the price of the original parts and see how close you get to $900.

 

[JDubTX]

That is significant damage, friend. Forgive me for being blunt, but doesn't look like the repair was done as well as it could have been. It looks like it could re-open without much of a collision taking place.

I'm also seeing non-original Gotoh tuners. What does the rest of the guitar look like? Are the parts all original?
What kind of case? Original? Add up the price of the original parts and see how close you get to $900.

Thanks, blunt is definitely welcome! I noticed the tunes as well, and I feel like it's a "known repair / restore" if purchased. This Slim Jim has been around for sure & probably was gigged. Rest of the guitar shows all parts are original, seller doesn't think it's the original hardshell case though. With the price just under $900 I figured I had to give it a gander, but barring any further discount I have elected to not jump. Here's a pic showing the rest of it.

She's still a beaut, but I really think buying would mean an instant FedEx to my favorite luthier and a good $400-600 to fix it right = about the same as another one I've got my eye on.

 

[Shakeylee]

personally,i don't think that's a good deal. that is definitely a candidate for a whole spindle style repair.
that's gonna put you up in the price range that a T-100 that is in better condition would cost.

i would hold out for a T-100 or SF I,II,or III in better condition ,OR offer the guy 500.

even for 500,the repair will bring you over a grand,and there are plenty of great guitars for a grand or so.

yes,we see T-100's listed for over two,but,that doesn't mean they move.

i just saw a pristine 66 es-125tdc sell for 1300

 

[ebjay aldwinbay]

So I'm looking at an online, can't touch, T-100D Slim Jim that has a headstock repair. The person selling has zero-idea of the type of crack, who repaired it, or any history beyond "it plays great and sounds great" --- yeah, they always say that. Anyway....

The price of this sled is so very low, that I'm fine with the risk of grabbing it unseen, because a corrected repair itself (as extra-involved & expensive as that would be) + what they're asking = still a deal.

I'm not here for values-statements about "the risk of a bad headstock repair" - I'm well-acquainted with them in other guitars, both good & bad experiences. My opinion is = a good repair done right can make an axe even stronger.

I just want to know if anyone else has ever experienced a T-100D or Starfire from that era, vintage, where they had to repair the headstock. And are there any "common ways" the headstock breaks?

I'm new to Guild but not guitars or repairs, but anybody who has experience with fixed headstocks and Guilds --you're who I'm looking for to weigh-in.

Thanks all, have a great day!

i had a t 100 d from 1961 that had a headstock break...i crudely fixed it and it never gave me a lick of trouble...just glue and a c-clamp.....lasted 30+ years.....the mistake i made was not putting a cloth under the c clamp and it had a round blemish....no hypo needle to get deep i just warmed up the glue and it gravities deep down....its not a big deal...but a good way to get lower price.....good luck

 

[SFIV1967]

Rest of the guitar shows all parts are original...

The bridge is not original.
Ralf

 

[JDubTX]

The bridge is not original.
Ralf

Thanks I was wondering about that, it didn't look right and after taking a look at one again in person I spotted it.

The search goes on!

 

[JDubTX]

personally,i don't think that's a good deal. that is definitely a candidate for a whole spindle style repair.
that's gonna put you up in the price range that a T-100 that is in better condition would cost.

i would hold out for a T-100 or SF I,II,or III in better condition ,OR offer the guy 500.

even for 500,the repair will bring you over a grand,and there are plenty of great guitars for a grand or so.

yes,we see T-100's listed for over two,but,that doesn't mean they move.

i just saw a pristine 66 es-125tdc sell for 1300

Thanks, yeah that's mainly why I decided to pass - a proper repair would put me in the same range as just getting a better condition T-100. I did offer 550 and he didn't bite so I wished him luck.