Headstock Crack Repair (Part 1)

In this video we determine how to best approach this headstock crack which left the headstock still attached on an Epiphone Les Paul. Part 1 covers everything from evaluation to gluing and clamping.
Part 2: • Headstock Crack Repair...
Service performed at Gabriel's Guitars in Tucson, AZ.
www.gabrielsguitars.com
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[@TRoker5]

Thabks for filming this, made me realise that the crack i got in my les paul can and should be fixed instead of looking to replace the whole neck

[@promerops]

Speaking as one with as good as zero knowledge of your craft, Gabriel, I wouldn't have thought that neck was capable of being saved. I shall follow this job with interest. Thanks for the video!

[@komm11]

Thanks for your video!

[@HectorBadillaOfficial]

Hey I used to live in Tucson! Currently in Yuma. I’ll be checking out your stuff!!

[@pjo1964]

Bolt on necks for the win! 😎

[@stuart8663]

Ive found in similar repair situations that a syringe filled with glue gave me access to some far reaching areas.

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

I've also had great success using thing feeler gauges to push glue into cracks like this.

[@sdriza]

I'm about to try a similar repair by injecting wood glue into a hairline crack on a taylor neck.... fingers crossed

[@majorgunn]

you are a wonderful person... glad to see and join you. your vid followed my own on a similar need, cool to meet you.. I have some syringes if you want to try them.... michael wilson

[@GenericSpace]

A friend gave me a 5-string bass that has a crack from the 5th string tuning peg hole, 'out' to the bottom of the headstock. The crack goes with the grain and I believe that if I can wedge it open just slightly then it shouldn't be an issue getting glue in there. I'm more worried about clamping it properly so that I don't create one of those "lips" you were talking about it and that brings me to the glue. I've been viewing vids about this sort of a "fix" on a headstock and I've seen a lot of them suggest C.A. glue with a thin-tip applicator but I really don't like the idea of working on something so unforgiving whilst using a glue that is so unforgiving. This is why I like your vid; I didn't even think of just watering down wood glue and pushing it in there with another object. Two thumbs up man!! Side-note: Best part about my headstock fix is that I don't have to remove the nut lol

[@Halffastpaddler]

I've never seen clamps like those. What are they called and where are they sold? Do you have felt or leather on the insides of them to prevent marring finish?

[@lorcanrowley133]

Hi Gabriel. I've just purchased a B-Stock guitar for a great price and it was only after I made the purchase did I realize that it's got a vertical hairline crack on the neck around the 5th fret on the back of the neck to the right if center. It's barely visible but it's there. I've consulted some online community and I've got mixed responses. Some people advising me to back out, some to take it that think it will be fine, and some that say to take it but fill it with glue. Have you any advice for me?

[@GenericSpace]

That thing's firewood. It's likely that there are still more issues that you haven't found yet. You can easily wind up spending double, triple, or more to rehabilitate a piece-of-s*** than you would've spent just buying a proper instrument to begin with. That being said; I think it really comes down to if you enjoy that kind of work and *want* to do it. I've come here for something of that same reason.

[@dougstrong4797]

My Washburn acoustic guitar has the same damage

[@billh3-21]

I hated to see this,by chance was this an epiphone? Those cracks look similar to what's on my epiphone!

[@OutOfControl101]

My friend dropped my guitar and this exact crack has happened today literally looks the exact same but I'm not sure what to do about it. Shall I buy some wood glue and do it myself or send it off to a repair shop and if so, how much are we looking at?

[@Lumberjack1n]

$130-$230 for my shop. If you follow the steps in the video and clamp it properly you should be good. Make sure you use more glue than you think you need. Squeeze out is very manageable and worth it. This is all assuming you have a very similar break

[@OutOfControl101]

@@Lumberjack1n hi yes I have the exact same break quite literally exact. I have a new problem though. I took it to a well known guitar shop to get fixed and they said it would be 140 so I said that's great and dropped it off. It's now been at least a month and I've contacted the shop and they havnt got in touch with us at all now I'm freaking out. Have I been scammed and do you have any advice on what I should do because I'm worried and lost.

[@kolin572]

how’d you take the nut off?

[@GenericSpace]

Removing a nut is usually, (or at least should be), fairly easy. I've usually seen guys just take a chunk of 2x4, wrap a rag around it, push it flush up against the fret-side of the nut, then give it the lightest of taps with a small hammer until it releases. When a nut is installed, only a very, very small little "dot" of glue should be used to keep it in-place. The strings should apply plenty of pressure to secure it firmly in-place until the glue dries. The removal of the nut is why you don't want to over-do it with the glue and it's also how you can tell what kind of job the person before you did too. At the very least, you want both E-strings on there when you're replacing the nut so that you can make sure you're keeping it centered.

[@diggie9598]

An injection syringe with a fairly thin needle could help putting in that glue.

[@DougHinVA]

...so where is part 2?

[@waxxy8447]

Part 2 was posted 8 months ago. Try looking for it. Lol

[@DougHinVA]

@@waxxy8447 A smart-ass reply ignores that some viewers only spotted part 1 lately and a single line in the post could make a link to part 2. But the remark is from a smart-ass.

[@waxxy8447]

@@DougHinVA lol thanks my guy. I am kinda smart now that u mention it

[@DougHinVA]

@@waxxy8447 I didn't ... you did ... and proved my point.

[@WaltonV]

@@DougHinVA Did you notice that what you said could be applied to you? Search it first, then ask, it's more practical for everybody's life! Best Regards.

[@WarlordImperius]

The zombies trying to get into his home though

[@Freecellspieler]

💉🤔