My Guitar Headstock Snapped. What now? | Ep. 6 | SUPER SEXY TOUR

[@TraneFrancks]

That Spinal Tap moment of being unable to find your way was priceless.

[@alphonsorichardson5635]

Yep! Ther's a few post-millenium, post- Spinal Tap moments that made me laugh (loving the Emo photoshoot!)

[@danwhitehurst6293]

I’ll always love a good spinal tap reference 😂

[@joermnyc]

"Hello Cleveland!"

[@christoh711]

Rock n Roll!

[@cantamusquerbeat]

f you're not on Mary's mailing list, I can absolutely recommend it. It is really full of interesting content. If you're a gigging musician, or a play at home type, it's worth the read. Keep up the good work, Mary, you are very much appreciated.

[@BBQ1953]

Mary - I like that you’re willing to take us along in your journey as you gig and adjust to obstacles and opportunities that you and your band mates experience. You seem to be level headed and unflappable, despite the potential set backs. Oh, and thanks for the music, too.

[@glenlapwing8468]

Welcome to the club! My 73 les Paul did a stage dive in 1986 ! A complete break & took it in for a repair & got it back a month later better than new & still no issues to this day

[@fedup3449]

I have a 1961 SG which snapped.... I got it repaired by John Birch (luthier to Brian May et al). Still plays like a dream. I've never had to touch the truss rod. I bought it in 1973 so what it was doing on the shelves from '61 to '73 I'll never know. We should form the SG snappers club.

[@AN-te4ij]

Mary, love your v-logs. And we on the other side of the pond appreciate showing us and help us understand the UK better. All the best.

[@custa73burner]

The strat works with the overall aesthetic, might be worth carrying one as a spare. I admire the fact that the break didn't seem to phase you. Nice one.

[@springertube]

This ^^. I was going to say, no need for a high-end backup either...pick up a MIM (Mex) "Classic" 50s (maple) or pre ~2016 or so 60s (rosewood vs Pao Ferro) or Road Worn, if you like the small radius, or an older (2000s-2010s) 50s/60s Player if preferring the 9+. For a few years they were making MIM 50s/60s with Nitro for only a $100/£ premium. Among the new, the Player II (maple or they've finally ditched the pao ferro, resurrecting the rosewood choice on all these) - seems to be the current sweetspot darling, or again one of the 50s/60s if liking the small/vintage radius. I've found the pickups and tuners fine as backup rig or even main. If making its way to primary duty, and you feel the need, you can always upgrade those pieces easily. On the older 50s/60s Players, supposedly done with Fender Custom Shop involvement/input, you may not feel the need for that. End of Fender-Ensenada ad :-) but I've always been a big proponent of these underrated gems..

[@michaelstern864]

If money is a concern (and when isn't it?), rather than keep on renting a replacement I'd look into buying a Squier. The value is amazing. But then my first thought was why not have friend run one of your other guitars up to you before your next gig? Regardless, I am thoroughly enjoying this vlog and have gobbled up your newsletter. Just great stuff Mary.

[@Haroun-El-Poussah]

Let me copy what I've posted, since Mary owns an Excalibur: "Why not having hybrid custom pickups made for your Vigier guitars? These things are the most reliable guitars I've ever found! I don't have the GV as the Gibson scale (24.75") is too small for my fingers, but I own two 1993 Excaliburs, two 1984 Arpège-I, one 1987 Arpège-II (carbon neck) and two 1991/1992 Passion III-90/10. My #1 Excalibur has at the same time a replica of the Fender Abigail Ybarra set (same as what Jimi Hendrix used to receive) AND the DiMarzio FS-1 in neck posn and the HalfTrack (double rail) in bridge posn (my PU maker places a magnetic barrage between the two PUs in the fake-humbuckers. DiMarzios are hand-rewound). I use a FreWay 10 ways selector that replaces the classic 5 ways one, a duplo pot to get the dual tone like on Strats, a push-pull on the volume pot if I need reverse phase for the mid-PU and a kill switch. I can even have the bridge "Fender" PU in series with the HalfTrack if I need serious high gain = triple coil! Thr other Excalibur has Gilmour's 1978-1979 set added with a Sugar Chakra on bridge and a Jeff Beck Jr. on neck. The Excalibur is just the best alder-Strat you will EVER have, period! I could have easily entered Fender or Ibanez [low level] endorsement at the time but... no, hell, no! I have better! "

[@Han________]

The clips of you playing live, show how far your playing has come over recent years, really impressive and inspiring. Go Mary, loving some of the riffs in the new album

[@bradsimpson7369]

We had a guitar tip over and snap the headstock as well. It was able to be re-glued and some support was added. It is still being used, many years later. All the best with the repair of your guitar ... it is such a wonderful guitar!

[@RoninCotter-fp8nu]

I know what it's like having to play on an emergency guitar. You performed most excellently! I am excited to see the rest of your tour. Love the Spinal Tap reference. Mary you are amazing. Well done indeed!

[@drumzone5]

You REALLY need to bring this show to the USA! I'd find tickets in a heartbeat!!!

[@Thorgnor]

Velvety vocals with the perfect blend of shimmer and sweet!

[@timothymallon]

Oooooh I love how that Strat sounds! Hell of a rental!

[@spaceysound]

I was like there's no way a Fender headstock would break like that that, sure it happens but rarely, mostly gibsons that snap in my years of repairs, so not surprised to find out it was a custom made fender'ish neck! good recovery though, keep on rolling.

[@david-j1r9m]

The Strat looks really good on you Mary and the tour is sounding excellent. Keep on rollin.

[@mckayuk]

Am loving feeling being taken along on your Tour of the U.K. and hope you will continue these Videos for Tours outside of the U.K. to see how they compare and what a great memory they will make. No need to worry about the broken head stock as (I now know from experience) that is an easy repair for a Luthier and will be as strong if not stronger than it was before.

[@howlinhobbit]

my friend and guitar guru, Keith Todd, had a lovely old Martin acoustic that suffered the same fate. I can’t remember the name of the luthier who fixed it, but you couldn’t tell the difference afterwards. except for the little silver plaque inside that announced, “This guitar has been to Helen Back” and the date of the repair. wish I could give you more details, but that was about 40 years ago and I had to smack my forehead several times before Keith’s last name finally popped out. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@robcreel4257]

Love these little snippets of your show. I'd love to see the whole show but this is still pretty cool.

[@Cody-Blues]

It's such a pleasure to have watched your journey from the beginning to present day.

[@josephburnham6031]

Such a cool show! Thanks for adding me in the video! I still love the t-shirt!! I was so looking forward to seeing the super sexy guitar, now I know why it wasn't there!!

[@larrylynch6089]

6:45 - That song sounds great live!

[@JoseTorres-sl2eq]

You look like a diva in that cloth combination and soft curly hair! Look very nice on you! By the way that white strat probes its class in your hands! Keep going... Good Luck!

[@jockez3581]

Love your singing and playing.

[@alexanderguestguitars1173]

If I were you I'd stick with the Strat. It suits your style of music perfectly. On the little bit I heard, you sure know how to get the classic tones out of it! Gorgeous.

[@22ndfret]

I very much enjoy your music. Really like the first elec song 😊

[@PhilKelley]

Glad to see that turned out well. The loaner guitar looked great and sounded fantastic.

[@jeremythornton433]

Mary, you have an astonishingly great voice!

[@tonepilot]

That song A Little Bit of Madness is the best song I've ever heard from you.

[@donaldsheppard2314]

You guys are killing it out there.

[@r.o.v.v.3613]

It's tough to beat the sound and look of that white strat on you. That aesthetic (and sound) really works for you IMHO.

[@nickmonks9563]

Confession...I hadn't listened to the record yet. But "A Little Bit of Madness"....ooof...very, very nice.

[@stevenkelly-reif2682]

Liked the watch bling reference to another one of your passions!

[@GoldmaniaBella]

After watching your vlogs, I have to say that you are REALLY good live! 👍👍

[@TheOriginalCoda]

I used to practice at Robannas in the 90s and early 2000s. Happy memories.

[@bmag1964]

Love the Mary Fender ...

[@Moodymongul]

Mary, don't 'fret' about that headstock. Its still a loverly looking guitar! Its actually a relatively easy repair (with, possibly, a few wooden dowels drilled through the headstock for extra strength). The guitar won't lose any tone or playability (just some market value loss). And, your baby would be back in you hands in no time :) Peace.

[@WadoRyuBenkyo]

Nice to see Robos still going, rehearsed there many times man aand boy, some big names used and recorded there. If you need someone to repair the tele I know an excellent luther/magician. Fixed many LPs which as everyone has said suffer from headstock breaks frighteningly often. I hope you found a backup for the tour.

[@brownsfan7753]

That strat sounded really good in your hands!!!

[@thetonetosser]

Ran over my Valley Arts Strat. Similar break to yours. Funny still in tune cause it had a Floyd and locking nut 😊. Sent the neck back to VA shop in LA to get a new neck made. All good in the end.

[@LapsangTe]

I've got an "arctic white" Fender Stratocaster that looks just like the one you borrowed. It looks great and sounds great.

[@Al3T0t]

Haha I can't believe you were at Robanna's!! That's where I rehearse with my band! I'd have loved to bump into you down there!

[@TheOriginalCoda]

I spent years rehearsing there in the 90s and 2000s. Is Rob still running the place?

[@PhotoTrekr]

Oh, no. I've heard of Les Paul headstocks breaking, but not Strats. The Spinal Tap reference is hilarious.

[@darineller6768]

Just Les Pauls?

[@PhotoTrekr]

@@darineller6768 Yes. But, obviously, others break too.

[@ericmills9839]

@@darineller6768 Most popular Gibson, but all Gibson headstocks are very easily cracked/broken due to the angle and thinness of the wood and the grain direction at that point. Many folks have had them fall forward off a stand and boom, that's it. I feel like she got unlucky with the wood grain on that headstock, maybe a risk with figured wood? I'm no expert, but I've hammered my tele headstock on things and it's not going to break easily. Way thicker at that point and virtually straight section. You can get good deals on Gibsons with headstock repairs, if done well it will be stronger than before.

[@paulhendershott667]

LOVE the Spinal-Tap footage!! Hilarious!!

[@bricksandcoffee1925]

This is so great to watch. Thank you!

[@ericfredenburgh4577]

Same thing happened to me Germany 1993, right off the plane on the van ride to the hotel, luckily I had 2 guitars .

[@warnold909]

Many years ago, the headstock on my '71 Strat broke while I was on the road. You handled it with much more aplomb than I did! Nicely done.

[@darineller6768]

No way! Only Gibsons break.

[@warnold909]

@darineller6768 Usually, yes, but a very motivated house sound guy was able to knock it off its rack in one swift move!

[@thomascroft5076]

I can fully sympathise with Mary. I once arranged for my electric guitar to be shipped from Australia to the UK, but totally forgot to ask a family member to de-tune the strings first, thus reducing the tension. During transit, presumably the cold temperature in storage had caused the strings to contract, and on opening the case I found that the headstock had completely sheared off. Luckily, not being a professional musician, I didn't have to worry about sourcing a replacement for a gig the same day!

[@grahamprice3230]

I played in a band supporting The Who in the sixties and Pete T.drove a brand new Strat through a Vox cab.and snapped the headstock clean off ,so yes it does happen .Keith Moon Played our drummers Ludwig’s and Derek aged 10 yrs.The Strat was sold a few years ago for I believe 50000£..Happy days.

[@kydwynn]

I will definitely have to try and catch one of your live shows Mary. Great mix, great sound and wonderful performance. Having tech'd for quite a few live shows and being a musician myself, I have learned the hard way when it comes to live gigs and the durability of guitars... " Two is one, and one... is none. "

[@tommygreer9921]

Hi Mary, Tommy from Florida thanks again for sharing your remarkable journey. Each time your videos are more inspiring too me, as a life time beginner in music theory and guitar I want to take it further. Your course is becoming more and more appealing. I know I will have to commit to this decision. Cheers

[@daviddawson4091]

Mary your narrative voice is fantastic and so digestible; gotta be another income stream there for you. Wishing you all measures of success. Enjoy!

[@murraypollard]

Ouch! The infamous head stock break! Gibsons are more notorious for this so I bought a Gator flight case for travel on planes, that was designed for Gibson Les Paul. It holds up well.

[@RobertSvilpaMusic]

hey Mary - find some white glue - like Elmer's or preferably Titebond and masking tape. Apply glue to both surfaces, align the two pieces of the break and then apply the masking tape tightly lengthwise from about 6" on the body side of the break, around the top of the headstock and down to about the 7th fret on the fretboard. Do a good 3-4 strips of tape and keep the break joint aligned using popsicle sticks or something rigid like a couple drumsticks on each side of the fretboard. Tape around the drumsticks tightly and then let the guitar sit without any pressure of weight on the headstock for at least 8-12 hours, preferably 24. Tomorrow you can restring the guitar and the break will be stronger than the original wood was. Take my word for it - I build guitars and had this same disaster happen to a 7 string I was building but it was right at the nut. I did what I instructed just now - the guitar has been solid and played vigorously now for over a year

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

The guitar's only two months old. I'd take it back to the builder and claim warranty. Yes, the guitar had a mishap, but with the Fender-style design (i.e., one piece of maple), it would have to be a _hell_ of a collision to do that much damage, unless the wood had flaws. Maybe roasted maple is prone to breaks. Does the roasting process weaken the wood? Or maybe the grain direction in the piece of wood chosen for the neck was less than ideal, leading to short-grain at a critical point. I don't know. Anyway, as soon as anyone tries an amateur repair, that's the warranty claim voided. If the headstock _is_ repaired, then it must be done with a glue that doesn't exhibit "creep", and preferably by someone who knows what they're doing.

[@Lalairu]

@@1man1guitarletsgo it surprised me too. This is a luthier built guitar right? They are supposed to have almost flawless QC, great quality components and great attention to detail. I am not sure about the roasted maple issue, but I never heard or read that roasting maple might weaken the wood, I thought it might cause actually the opposite... but you might have a point. Besides as you pointed out, Fender style design is supposed to be almost unbreakable. Totally agree, she should contact the builder and ask for a repair. What a pity, such a nice guitar broken in two months. (Sorry if I made mistakes, English isn't my mother language) PD, I saw your Dylan guitar cover some days ago, sounds sweet :)

[@RobertSvilpaMusic]

Often the flame maple hides a void and depending on where it is it doesn't take much to break it. The 7 string I was literally tapping frets into the fret slots when the headstock literally dropped to the floor. I simply glued the pieces back together and clamped. It has been together without any issues - I even over tensioned the strings two full steps (B up to D#) with the slinky strings and played/let it sit for over a week to stress test. No issues.

[@gregmiller7123]

I wondered if the knocked over guitar landed with the neck suspended on something (amp, case, etc.) and the person who tripped stepped directly on the neck. 🤔 That would break most any type of neck.

[@RobertSvilpaMusic]

the picture of the broken headstock looked like a nice clean break - which means the repair should not only be fairly easy but it will make the glue joint pretty strong. If it were splintered with lots of cracks on both sides that would require a lot of splineing and filling of the cracks before even trying to reattach the headstock. That's why I think it's pretty easy to fix, and when you get off the road Mary you can package up the guitar and the builder can do an inspection to spline up across the crack or simply replace the neck.

[@steveowens398]

Nice! Great recovery with that Strat. I'd like to hear a few songs, all the way through. What I've heard warrrants that.

[@stevecastiglione8901]

i thought that only happened to gibsons...sounding good Mary!

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

Excellent Mary. Continue lady, continue. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.

[@billyfields7722]

You poor thing that's hurt. Hopefully you can find a replacement guitar. Please have a great tour and be safe and healthy.

[@stevencharlton7693]

I was expecting a Gibson when I first read the title to this video. Hope you have a fun time when you're up here in Scotland!!! 😀

[@documentalist-NL]

awesome video Mary, cool to see Birmingham footage, having been there last summer myself. Love the sound of that hired strat, but a shame what happened to your poor heartbreaker's headstock. Hope it gets restored soon.

[@thomaslamour1]

Love your channel, you cover so much more than just music. But, when I play any gig I always have a backup guitar. I’m surprised you didn’t bring one.

[@leamanc]

Right? We know she owns many electric guitars. Why only bring one?

[@blwnova4155]

What better way to improve the provenance of one of the Mary signature guitars than to bring it to one of your shows and loan it to you for the night! Years down the line worth more than any other!

[@johnbriggs3916]

Better not -- they have dodgy headstocks 😉

[@danny_the_K]

Sorry about your guitar Mary... I hope they are able to repair it once you can send it back to the guys that built it... Hope the rest of the tour goes a bit less eventful. Dan from the USA.

[@DerpyM_2.0]

Quite the tour with a headstock break and a Spinal Tap moment. Cheers!

[@TenebrousFilms]

I do prefer the black and lace combo, but the slightly transparent grey definitely works. Could be the start of a cyberpunk look, if you ever find yourself going in that direction. It took a while to cross my mind, but now I have questions about Church Bell, and I intend to ask them the next time we're face to face!

[@wfoguy]

I've enjoyed the series. I have played music but would not call myself a musician. A lot of what you are doing reminds me of the late 60's and being part of what used to be referred to as dance bands. The difference is obvious. You are a creator and we were duplicators. :)

[@TreeFarmerMusic22]

That "emo photoshoot" moment is priceless hahahaha...NAIIIIIIILED it! lol Also, the wandering for the exit, is exactly the way I'm navigating my current situation with life. Bright side, I have music, and new music in the works. I'm also seeing that this is the time, for me to take music as my path to compensate some necessary finances, which in turn, I feel like it's that nudge over the edge, to a full dive into 100% dependence on a big step toward supporting myself with music. This is an unintentional vent, but whatever turns of leaving this here, I hope that anyone facing anything remotely similar (I REALLY hope that nobody is or has to), that they know there's always hope, as long as your heart and soul are fully in it. Mine are, I have faith and confidence in myself, that I can somehow make this happen, where I can spelunk my way out of this hole that I was forced into. At any rate, much like when you were wandering around, through the tough times, our focus and our sights aren't on whatever issue we're facing, they're on what it's going to take to find the solution. Damn, I didn't realize how much I needed to see you share this part of your journey with us. Thank you. Just talking about this, opened my eyes to certain things, that I need to practice what I preach on.

[@neilreynard]

Rock on Mary!!!

[@lloyddinkel9638]

That could really put a bind on a lot of things. Make you late for practice. Make you late for the show but Mary You can do it. Just get another Guitar and play it like it's your old one and you'll do just fine

[@jf3767]

I could be wrong but my impression is that guitar head broke along the grain meaning that the fibres are running at a wild angle. If so that's not a piece of wood that should have been used for a guitar neck because it would be far to easy to break.

[@zooropaforever]

U2's The Edge in the early 80's broke his Gibson Explorer's neck exactly like it happened to you. Somehow it made it repair and he still uses it today.

[@scottybrowndotca]

Loving the blog posts up until now .. But Spinal Tap took this into a whole new realm of awesome

[@tlatner]

You might want to consider recording/releasing a full band version of A Little Bit of Madness. That sounded great!

[@michaelmeehan9083]

So sad that your Marceau headstock broke!😢 I hope you can get it repaired good as new! Then you'll always have a guitar with a story.

[@mikeleminband]

Well done! Tour life happens : )

[@christian-marcchandelle3347]

Hi Mary. I really like Marceau guitars and I watched your video about its construction. And I think there is a design error between the neck and the headstock... (8:49). The low E string pull seems way too leaned to me and the neck is really thin...

[@dreamsinmusic]

This is a musical Ὀδύσσεια, epic, powerful. Ways, albums and tours to go Mary and the Band [heart]

[@johnbriggs3916]

Odyssey

[@rocketfueller]

Big love for the Black Sabbath mention. Whether they know it or not, Brum is the birthplace of metal.

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Take it to Daisy Tempest for a Collab! (I don't know if she FIXES guitars, but she makes AWESOME guitars)

[@egnbigdave]

Ah rehearsing at Robannas! Used it myself many times.

[@tesla-spectre]

Do not lose your head about it 😊

[@andrewrobinson-morris1852]

I was at this one and was wondering what happened to the “heartbreaker”. Mary did an awesome job with that Strat and it looked great on stage. Not make anyone jealous but was amazing live.

[@Kagekozo]

Trials and Tribulations as the saying goes; our life is full of pitfalls and disappointments and yet there are equally memorable experiences comes your way. And to have discovered this uniquely talented guitar nerd, who happens to have the most charming personality, is "Super Sexy Heartbreak(er)". Thank you for sharing your tour experiences, Ms. Spender. 🎸🎸🎸 😊

[@Music-AsLife]

I'm in the same boat, but it's my acoustic, and my favorite one.

[@timcobb1752]

When my Les Paul's headstock broke, I drove to my house to get my backup that I didn't carry that day.... a 45 minute drive for a practice session. But if I had a gig, I'd have made an hour and half trip for it both ways with an overnight's warning lol. After I had the headstock fixed, I always carried a backup after that point. But a strat style headstock.... that's a talented break :X

[@timcobb1752]

When I checked the distance from Birmingham to London it says 4,321miles. Which is because those two locations are so close it figures I meant Birmingham AL, which, oddly enough is pronounced completely differently from Birmingham UK.

[@timcobb1752]

(and yes this is an American laughing at you for thinking 100 miles is so far away :X)

[@jmcgregor316]

I love Church Bell.

[@Allan-mf1he]

Awesome stuff. Would love to see you preform live! Living in South-Africa does not make for the best, but consider doing Cape Town City. Its beautiful there and there are some real great venues around there.

[@rosecitywriter]

love this

[@ImYourOverlord]

Yay, a city I've been to...but that was 22 years ago 🤣

[@Tjhx1138]

I think you’d enjoy doing a tour in Atlantic Canada. I live in St. John’s Newfoundland, and I bet you’d like it here. Similar vibe to the uk.

[@Jason-cm6uh]

Looked like a good show Mary! When are coming to the US?

[@southsideronnie]

You pulled it off! Well done Mary!!

[@kbchef9205]

I signed up for the newsletter ❤

[@jimryan9982]

Sounds great and thanks for the bit of history 😊

[@scottdouglasmusic]

Oh girl! You must know This Is Spinal Tap sight reference jokes are the way to this Canadian man's ❤😊! 😁❤️🎶

[@mikeherrmann5360]

DANG!!! look at that Splatercaster .... Musta fell outta the airplane !!

[@brownhooque]

A Strat saves the day once again!

[@MrGuitarHack]

Yikes, don't usually see a broken headstock on Tele style guitars. I guess Les Pauls aren't the only guitars that snap off at the headstock. Nice pivot, the Strat sounded lovely.

[@johnbriggs3916]

It's almost impossible. There had to be a fault in the wood. Which doesn't say much for the manufacturer's wood selection.

[@rocklord01]

If you're back in Brum and need that guitar fixing, Andy Charles Guitars or JayDee Guitars will sort it out. Excellent luthiers both.

[@briantyhy4880]

Sorry about the guitar head and you took it well. all the best in your tour

[@talbenhur768]

Hi Mary! Tal from Israel Your voice really reminds me of a very special singer/writer from my country. Her name is “Marina Maximilian Blumin”! You should see her staff someday. P.s love your content and music!!! Keep on rockin’!! 🎸 🎉