PRS Headstock Splice / G-Glue Nightmare! An alternate method of headstock splicing.

[@SlavaEgorov-xe4mt]

The Best Luthier work ,I ever watched.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@johnnyennis9864]

Unreal!!! Great work!!! PRS should check this out!!!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Hope so!

[@TheAlexFromGalax]

Those videos of yours show an extremely high level of craftsmanship and knowledge. It's like watching Bob Ross.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Happy little trees.......turned into guitars! LOL!

[@JordonBeal]

Well done! It’s so rare to see a PRS with a headstock/neck break, so it was cool to watch this one get repaired.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@Joshualbatross]

Seeing that cracked up gluey mess at the outset was actually stress-inducing. But you managed to make it into a thing of beauty! Great work Doug!! God bless!!!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Yes it was! I can totally relate to the stress part! Lol!

[@GuitarQuackery]

This is some awesome work.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@stevencochrane115]

An absolute disaster walked into the workshop, made worse by an amateur glue job. This is one of the worst kinds of headstock breaks, with the crack at 90 degrees to the grain. What came out was a beautiful repair masterfully done, and difficult to spot. Well done my friend!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@vincenzoerriquenz2356]

Very precise work, so accurate that the repair Is almost invisibile!

[@Sammywhat]

Doug is a consummate master luthier. Truly. I watch guys like Ted Woodford and Scotty over at Harpeth Guitars, and Doug takes it to level that is beyond my comprehension!! A class repairman and a heck of a nice guy!! 🤩 Great work!!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you for the kind words! I enjoy watching Ted as well!

[@markfisher2282]

Interesting repair design Doug. Excellent job.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you liked it. There much more to come!

[@justinlareau2227]

That was very impressive watching you turn that ugly mess of a fix into a real fix! I kind of knew how a broken off headstock was repaired but never fully knew all the different steps and I suppose each one is different depending how it broke and different variables that occurred. Still, what an amazing job and clever to use the top and bottom of the original headstock as veneers to make it look like it was still the original. I'm by no means a wood worker or carpenter. I have a lot of tools for woodworking and I dabble into it a little bit. I enjoy fixing things myself that most people would throw away or take to someone to get fixed. Fortunately, as a guitar player I have never had a headstock break off. Great work and thank you so much for sharing your techniques!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you. Your very welcome. Keep up the dabbling!

[@grahamstuart9164]

You ought to send that video to PRS. I have a sneaky suspicion Paul would be fascinated with it. Incredible repair

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you. It doesn't belong to me however. It's back in the owners hands being played!

[@grahamstuart9164]

@@dougmaccormack9485 I totally understand that, I mean the video itself. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the customer had just sent the guitar to Paul Reed Smith. There's a video out there and after I'm done making this comment I will see if I can find it and I will attach the link to this conversation. Some guy bought A PRS second hand And the owner had not taken very good care of it. He sent the guitar to the factory in Maryland And ask them if they could fix the issues. He shot a video When he opened up the case and realized what the factory had done. It's not just the level of craftmanship in quality control that they have over there. Apparently the second hand customer care is top notch too. I really think Paul would be impressed with your solutions.

[@bengordon2330]

As somebody with limited practical skills, it brings me pleasure and puts me in awe to see your thoughtful solutions. Thank you for documenting your process ( es ).

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks Ben!

[@CorvusCoroneCanisLupusSawel]

that jig is ingenious. great work all round. there's no better alternative to age and experience when it comes to workmanship like this👍🏼

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jaime.27.CBR.]

For far the most impressive repair that I ever seen. 😮

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you Jaime!

[@brettbunke9096]

Doug is such a smart creative craftsman he is also a really good guy . Watching him work in person is something I am lucky enough to see on a regular basis 😊

[@matthewmargetts8516]

I absolutely love the approach and the style of this repair. Only just found out about Doug. Subscribed right away.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the sub!

[@stealingtomorrowband]

After this popping up again and i started watching it . Reminds me of my friends guitar he tried to repair. Which was an extremely terrible job... I was blown away

[@dougmaccormack9485]

It's unfortunate to see but there's always hope!

[@pigjubby1]

This is the exact repair I need to do to my first build. I made the neck too thin and caused the truss rod to break out of the back of the neck. Thank you for sharing it.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

That would work! Add a little extra meat around the truss rod nut. Good luck!

[@scottishgentlemen6038]

Stunning repair work! Your customer must have been crying tears of joy. I know I would be if I dropped off the disaster you started with and picked up the finished product. Top notch, precision woodworking. First video of yours I've seen and I couldn't hit the subscribe button quick enough!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Wow! Thank you so much! From one Scottish gentleman to another!

[@thegeekdude67]

You’re an artist and miracle worker. That was just an amazing and enjoyable video to watch! 🎸 😎

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you so much 😀

[@zeca5150]

From a luthier to another: oh, my God! Congrats on that work!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Muito obrigado! Por favor, aproveite alguns dos meus outros vídeos aqui! @dougmaccormack9485

[@philiphurdwell3443]

Mind boggling brilliance, I tip my hat to you. I watch twoford a lot, he is a master of the spline, was kind of expecting the same thing, really didn't see this peice of brilliance coming

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Yes, I enjoy his work as well. That technique is perfect for headstocks broken off with little or no gluing surface. In my case with this prs, it had been contaminated beyond getting the pieces to fit back together at all.

[@scottdahlberg4890]

Great work; sometimes you have to do the thing you don't want to do (like saw off the head stock). But sometimes you do what you have to do to salvage a guitar from certain death.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks for the sub! Yes, you gotta do what you gotta do!

[@jellybingus416]

An interesting video, never seen anything quite like this repair before. I hope you continue to make repair videos, I'll be here for them!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Wonderful! Thank you! I working on more as we speak!

[@e.scottdaugherty8291]

Oh my, I might have thrown up a bit (in my mouth) when you turned it over. That is SO bad, my compliments on the repair.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I'm glad you held your gut. It all turned out well in the end! Thanks!

[@spikeafrican8797]

It truly doesn't get any better. Masterful work.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you so much!

[@teri-rossicyda2874]

Very Impressed with your skill

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you so much! Check out some of my other videos!

[@stuartdrakley2106]

Well done, a very difficult repair much simplified by you. I love your practical and inventive way to resolve problems. the end results are extremely good. Your relaxed manner bis a lesson to other would be youtubers. Stu from U.K.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much Stuart! Cheers!

[@ytsertd333]

You are a master of your craft sir!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I try

[@ernestschultz5065]

It's always a pleasure watching a pro at work.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you enjoyed It.

[@flydeluxe]

One of the most mazing and unusual guitar repairs I’ve seen yet! My heart sank when I saw the type of break and that horrible crusty glue residue. Yikes!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@boogierandy7547]

fantastic job Doug.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you kindly

[@bert0fett]

Great work! Looking forward to more videos!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

More to come!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Years down the road when this in in the hands of a different owner, they will scratch their head and wonder how on earth this PRS got a reverse SL joint. NICE work, mate!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Well said!

[@mossieurpropre]

What an incredible work ! Love it !

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jacobpittman1996]

Wow! Thank you for chronicling your skill for us.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

My pleasure!

[@moontheloon1969]

A joy too watch a true craftsman

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks Moon!

[@davidthorton1068]

I use think twoodfrd was good but you are craftsman you do beautiful work and I can tell you enjoy it,

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@nickjanczak9665]

Great work and you've made that neck joint stronger than ever before!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@stealingtomorrowband]

Great job on saving the logo and serial number... Hope your channel shows us bassists some love and you post more bass repair material Cheers drom the USA

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Cheers back atcha from the Granite state! Thank you! I actually do have something for bass player in the works. It's a headless scratch build with led/ fiber optic fret markers!

[@stealingtomorrowband]

@@dougmaccormack9485 looking forward to checking that out

[@roffrock-iz7tn]

Amazing job. Thank you from Germany. ❤

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you too!

[@RickJames-n4d]

Absolutely beautiful work Sir. Been doing guitar repairs for some time. This is great technique to save a fine old instrument. Sure client was very pleased. Hats off to you!!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

He was on the verge of tears actually. Made all the effort worth it! Thanks you!

[@ast3663]

wow, that details, awesome work

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you like it!

[@GeorgeSharp-rv6ez]

I just saw this video.Great way to repair a headstock break. Seems to me that it would be a stronger repair than using splines (especially if there isn't much material left).

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I think it makes it much stronger!

[@thebubster0312]

Lovely repair and very very difficult. Totally respect your skill. Sometimes with guitars, and this drives me nuts, in my humble opinion guitars are temporary creatians on this earth. A guitar built by computer in a humidity controlled environment will fair in my opinion into the future. I would never ever spend money on a vintage guitar. Money down the drain in my opinion

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Well said! I like old guitars....they put food on the table for me!

[@thebubster0312]

@@dougmaccormack9485 Hi, I have a 79 hardtail strat in wine red. Looks great but play's like shit, slight neck twist. Bought it in the late 80s so didn't pay much for it so no loss financially, used to use it as a backup for my Charvel model 4 when I was in a giging band 80s and 90s. Still have them both but the Charvel is still the most stable and versatile electric guitar I have followed by my Tokia Breezysound with Seymour Duncan's from 86 manufacture, paid £100.00 for it used and put another £110.00 in pickups. Still my best guitar for the money.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

There's lots of great replacement necks out there. Maybe rejuvenate that strat that way? I also had a candy apple red Tokia from that period. Wish I still had it!

[@thebubster0312]

@@dougmaccormack9485 Hi Doug,yeah but now in my mid sixties with arthritis in most joints after 40 plus years in the construction industry I don't play too much now . I'm going to build a small workshop in my backyard and offer free guitar setups to kids who can't afford it and parents who buy guitars that don't play right. I've learned a lot from books and people like you and have spent a few quid on Stewmac tools plus bits from my work tools. I also sadly inherited alot of power tools and hand tools from a dear cousin who passed away last year. My workshop will be handsomely equipped.

[@robinleebraun7739]

Leo Fender knew this. He never meant for his guitars to last for 70 years. For example, the bolt-on neck was made to be REPLACED. Same with all the electric components. I am sure that he thought only the basic wood body would still be around with everything else replaced with new parts. In my opinion, a “vintage” electric guitar is a paperweight or a decoration, not a musical instrument.

[@ms1726-t2z]

Simply amazing 👍

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brucema12]

Absolutely stunning. God Bless!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

God bless you as well Bruce! Thank you!

[@EssEnn-p3c]

Awesome work! Thanks for sharing

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mikeoliver7363]

Master wood working. Amazing

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much

[@danieldean8953]

Really nice work!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks a lot!

[@bevinmodrak4997]

Nicely done!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@TimSTimS]

That is an exceptional repair! Thank you for making these.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you like them!

[@franklinslamo]

I think I would have taken the fingerboard off and gotten the truss rod out of the way but still, an amazing repair and another great guitar saved. Good job!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Ooooh! That's a LOT more time and work! (and much more expensive for the customer!)

[@leelossi1257]

incredibly difficult! BEAUTIFUL JOB!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ashleymerritt9461]

Wow… I cannot believe you managed to salvage that thing! What a mess

[@dougmaccormack9485]

There's always a way!

[@michaeladamcairajr6366]

Excellent work,and I love the lengthy videos

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you like them!

[@stuart8663]

Doug, this is one of the most unusual "non-Les Paul" headstock repairs I have ever watched. Hello from Australia.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

G'day mate! Thanks for watching!

[@JM-bg2ts]

I definetly would have gone the Fill / glue with epoxy then splines. But this is a very thoughtful repair.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Saving the front and back did make it a bit more challenging. It was such and ugly break, I had to go for the full Magilla ;)

[@theroadhomefromwrestling1788]

This repair is incredible. Looking forward to seeing what you do next.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

More to come! Thanks!

[@bass-hiroshimanick2534]

Once again that was amazing work! The guitar looks beautiful.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you like it!

[@anderaparicio9748]

Great solution!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks Andera!

[@dinohuss9054]

excellent job, learned a lot of things

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Fab98]

The same thing happened to an epiphone that I bought, someone had tried to glue it and messed it up, but in my case it messed up the truss rod too. Now I’m trying to decide whether to do something like your video or just making a new neck

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Splicing would be more fun :) Ever try to chisel out a set neck? Or is it a bolt on?....

[@chadwickhurlburt6529]

That's some tasty lemonade you made from that sour lemon. I love watching a luthier make magic happen. Well done!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@НиколайМельников-е4ц]

Мастер Золотые руки,большущий респект!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much!

[@edgeofeternity101]

A fine example of old school and new technology and practicality and common sense not to mention ingenuity. Oh, I forgot artistry. Some say that necessity is the mother of invention, but experience goes a long way. I think it's time to unload my camel.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks Edge!

[@daveowenmusic1749]

Very good, but I would like to have seen the rest of the total resoration, putting it back together, looking the entire thing over, and perhaps playing a few chords or notes on it. Thanks!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks, I agree, that would have been nice to see. The client was in a super rush to get it back so I was unable to film every step.

[@jaketheripper7385]

Yep, that's about my worst nightmare going into an intensive repair of this nature lol. You're right though, Gorilla Glue has absolutely no business being anywhere near a guitar... I don't even keep it in my shop for that matter. The only supply I have is kept stashed away in my basement somewhere, but I'll be damned before I ever allow that stuff in my workshop proper.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

They do make other product that are good for other purposes like boat building for example. They make other regular glues but I haven'y tried them.

[@marcusm.8374]

amazing craftsmanship. Thank you.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you too!

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Doug, great work! Watching your technique as at 21:30 for example, does the advance/retract on the sawblade give you improved squareness and/or straightness of the cut? Something I'd love to hear as you work if you might voice-over some detail on the why's and how-to's of what you're thinking. Thank you so much for taking the extra time to make these amazing videos sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you, your quite welcome. I enjoy sharing what I've learned over the years. At 21:30 I think I was just a little nervous and paranoid that the blade would drift and proceeding with caution. Also I have a bad habit of saying "ummm" and "ahhh" when I tried doing the voice over so I pretty much scripted it to help break me of that.

[@markdalton6662]

I'm kinda impressed , you did a pretty good job .

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@pakiw2]

Experience shows that polyurethane glues serve well for wooden instruments. The only thing that surfaces should be pressed very tightly, so glue won't have place to expand. I wouldn't use that for rough headstock breakage seams. But it has it's use, it's stronger, but non removable. Application has to be with certain intent in mind.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

That may be, but this old fashioned conservatively trained guy will be "sticking" to more traditional, easier to clean up water based adhesives. 😁 Thanks for adding to the conversation!

[@harpethguitar]

Whoa 🤯 Thanks For Sharing! Amazing work!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you liked it!

[@MarsG0Dofw4r_]

Wow, had no idea you could do this, i always thought a head stock break was a death sentence! Great work....by the way, you sound almost identical to Joe Pera!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

OH my! I'll try to pick it up a bit!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Most headstock breaks are absolutely repairable! And many aren't this severe!

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

Real craftsmanship

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks you so much!

[@garyrouleau4676]

You ain’t trying if you don’t end up with a bandaid on your finger!!!!!😂😂😂😂 You sir prove almost any headstock break can be repaired!😊

[@dougmaccormack9485]

🤣

[@patrickniedermeyer2112]

Before tapping the nut to remove it, clamp a wooden block to the face of the headstock opposite the side you tap on, and snugged right up to the nut. This will minimize any flaking of the finish, and the nut will still come free.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Yes. Very good advice. Sometimes I will also score the finish in the corner and mask the face when I heat up with a heat gun to soften the bond. In this case the nut had already been replaced with a graphite one so it was easy. On a new instrument I would take all these precautions but on this one it would be pretty much a moot point as replaced the whole section with new wood.

[@richardcautorina5190]

Outstanding

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! This one was made in Mittenwald 150 years ago! Check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aarLmIV7oZqqidU , kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vUe3yGpphohbs

[@rothkoVEV0]

15:47 Pure genius

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I find copiers come in handy for other repair tasks as well. Check out this repair: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aarLmIV7oZqqidU

[@JHPRS]

Hey Doug, it's Rich M. This was the first time one of your videos showed up in my suggested videos. Keep 'em coming buddy. :)

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Yo! We have to stop meeting like this! LOL! Out of popular demand I decided to start this channel only 3 weeks ago. It's gaining momentum fast! See you at the supermarket!

[@johnlowry7768]

You do good work thanks

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Much appreciated

[@Sammywhat]

That neck jig was virtually perfect! Would have loved to have seen what you considered was a "pro" bit of equipment otherwise!! 😅

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Next time!

[@Goomer]

You are brave. Nice Job.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I try

[@markf5229]

That thing had been played. Incredible repair. I was wondering if you cleaned up the fretboard too?

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I did a fret level and polish on it as well.

[@picksalot1]

Very nice repair. 👍Considering all of Paul's attention to detail regarding guitar design, it's odd that he uses truss rod access at the Nut where removed wood makes a headstock break much more likely. That said, PRS headstock breaks seem to be rare, at least on YT. This is the first repair video of yours that I've seen, and I plan to watch more. I liked your clever use of glass on your sanding block to create a very flat/level sanding surface. What kind of glue did you use for that?

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks! I used Regular Tight bond for the splice, fish glue for the veneers.

[@robinleebraun7739]

Too many people have no understanding of how glue works and exactly what is required to make it work properly. They don’t consider leverage and glue surface. And most of all they fall for ads that promise miracles with certain brands of glue like Gorilla Glue (polyurethane glue) and Crazy Glue (cianoacrylate or CA glue). Neither works as well as common wood glue if surfaces can be joined and clamped properly with enough glue surface. The foaming property of polyurethane glue will actually push surfaces apart if they can’t be firmly clamped. And it will push out if they can’t be moved. I no longer use it. And the best use of CA glue is to temporarily hold things together while you work on them in conjunction with masking tape. And double stick tape actually works better for that.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

In fairness, Gorilla makes a yellow carpenters glue similar to tightbond. I used super glue quite a bit but it's not "Crazy Glue". I use a "gourmet" level of super glue called Glue Boost that comes in different viscosities and applications. I use it for filling small dings in poly finishes, gluing plastic nuts, making quick jigs, plugging small screw holes, water proofing end grain when wet sanding and penetrating small cracks that would otherwise be impossible to penetrate otherwise. It's great for stabilizing soft wood.

[@grahamstuart9164]

I can still count on one hand the amount of times I've seen a broken prs head stock.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Same here!

[@shawncozad8565]

Broke 64 firebird once. Left it in the trash. Had no idea as a young man that it was repairable. 😢

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Ouch! that's sad! It would be worth quite a bit these days!

[@Delmarevans]

Nice job man !

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you very much :)

[@patrickrouse7357]

Just for morbid curiosity, how much did that repair cost?

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Customer confidentiality but approaching 2k

[@grahamstuart9164]

On a 4 digit serial number PRS........ You don't ask questions. You pay whatever the man charges. I'm surprised they didn't take it directly to the factory in Maryland but I'm glad this guy got his hands-on it because he did one fantastic job.

[@ngiles1000]

Brilliant work ?

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@geralddoyle5131]

Awesome!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

I had to think inside the box on this one!

[@austin5608]

Amazing work!

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@stuartrose5938]

Amazing

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@grandudetonesnob7107]

Wow! I cant believe someone did that to a 4 digit serial# PRS.. I'm guessing Timmy wasn't allowed to borrow dad's guitar again after that debacle! I'm dumbfounded by the quality of repair, and your color matching of 35 year old red finish.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

The home repair was done by dad!

[@tommythiel9268]

Great video 🤟

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks!

[@mikedavis3841]

It's beautiful.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Glad you think so!

[@dannythemedic]

nice scarf joit

[@davidethridge5748]

I live close to the PRS factory in Annapolis

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Cool! Here in New Hampshire, the guy who machines all the hardware for PRS is a good customer and friend. He's a good friend of Paul.

[@davidethridge5748]

@@dougmaccormack9485 wow that's pretty cool, I'll have to take a tour one day

[@SheridanFolger]

Outstanding.

[@dougmaccormack9485]

Thanks Sheridan, Great to see some of the FB gang here! Thanks for joining! More to come!