Repairing A Broken Headstock: Episode 1

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Lucas you probably did this before gluing, it's a good idea to mention for anyone trying a first time: >Test fit before gluing, watch for stray wood grains or splinters that will mess up a tight fit. Also test fit the clamps ahead of time to ensure no slippage. >Know that wet glue acts like grease, when you clamp, things can unexpectedly go where no headstock has gone before. (Well maybe a few). >Keep a very close watch for any movement before it dries in some goofed up position that's ten times as hard to fix. >Check out this guy Mike he's brilliant at lutherie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5imaKmoeN2Aebc

[@LucasFowler]

Those are great tips! Things I do instinctively now and don't even think to mention :P I'll pin this one!

[@Riverdeepnwide]

👍🏻 Cheers Lucas you know your stuff! Thanks for all the great vids.

[@alabamahebrew]

Great info!! Yes, always check the fitting before doing the gluing!

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Here's a very detailed step by step on a horrendous break: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pajFdoeejbh0eac

[@davidallen346]

I remember that Chinese made Les Paul copy guitar 🎸 I almost bought one

[@jayvoorhees2931]

I had an SG headstock break at a gig 16 years ago. Put it back in the case and never looked at it again. I came across your vid and decided to tackle fixing it. I did and it plays like the day I bought it 23 years ago. Thanks my man!

[@jamesf2918]

nothing beats a good, solid joint.

[@gary2826]

Thank you so much, I broke my guitar a couple of days ago and we're in the middle of the Covid19 lockdown, playing was helping my sanity. So happy I found this as no places open to repair it and I thought that it was a goner.. Stay safe and rock on!

[@markcummings2344]

Nice repair demo and information - this will help people not be freaked out bu what seems like a catastrophic event. Thanks!

[@pizrux6592]

Finally someone who explained the supplies before hand. All the other videos I watched just said “glue the wood then put clamps on”

[@Riverdeepnwide]

That thing is looking more authentic every minute!

[@everybodytogether5532]

This kid gave me his bc rich electric years ago cause it had a broken headstock. You have givin me the information needed to fix her up and give it back as a suprise. Thanks man!

[@shilohstore6086]

The intro did not go unnoticed or unappreciated!

[@LucasFowler]

Thanks :)

[@DragonofLimerick]

having been a carpenter for 40+ years I can honestly say "Ya dun good"

[@ozgunkara1930]

Why not superglue exactly?

[@bobach6083]

Nice towel bro. War Never Changes.

[@DonThorvund]

The intro was the best! Great video, Lucas!

[@BassinwBlitzn]

Smashed like just because the intro

[@travistoole]

Just broke the headstock off my Razorback last night, and now I am here. Thank you

[@guitarprepnplus1]

Sugical tubing works great in place of clamps. Pull tightly and wrap tight.

[@Bob_at_OZDiggzguitars]

Now you are tip-toeing in my neighborhood, Lucas :) My specialty is broken headstocks. I see a lot of "Authentic" things!

[@nickkettler9383]

Super helpful and to the point. Thanks dude

[@alihater]

Holy crap! The guitar I am fixing the headstock on you have on your wall. It’s a Gibson b-25 acoustic.

[@blackbirdpie217]

The last one I did I used original, 3600 psi JB weld with steel. That sure won't ever come apart, and there were no complications I just made sure no glue was protruding.. wiped it off while still fluid.

[@DAaronSmith]

What can be done in the case that the first glue job didn’t “take”, due to various problems. The headstock didn’t completely come off. I tried to insert glue with a syringe but after drying it’s creaking quite a bit. Do I need to find a way to get the old glue out of those right crevices? Thanks!

[@guymandude999]

Just a tip for viewers like myself - I have 2 bar clamps with sheet cork (double sided taped) on the clamping surface. Just a safety measure in case I over-tighten. Thanks Lucas

[@hi-vy7ey]

hey so I have a broken head stock but it’s on a ukulele and it isn’t very clean. Do you have any tips?

[@carterhart5435]

Be sure to put extra tape over the logo! Lol! Very nice repair, rock on!

[@patrickmayer9566]

Dude,,,that's about as clean of a break EVER.......😐.....good luck ,,it can be done....cool,play on,rock on!!!😈

[@alanhembra2565]

What do you do is it’s a 90 degree break almost exactly perpendicular? How would you clamp that?

[@morganchavis1835]

I was given a guitar with a broken headstock and found this video to figure out how to fix it. But I recognized your accent and band name, then realized I know the drummer!

[@palitrokencerebro1327]

What about titebond 3? Do u think it will work propperly?

[@arbillbagaipo6851]

Is it natural to change the sound of the guitar when the headstock cracks?

[@poodlenme]

Sorry it got damaged but it looks like a great repair.

[@yosemitesam4549]

Nice. This was a good break if there is such a thing. I’ve seen some where a new piece of wood had to be added.

[@LucasFowler]

I was very fortunate, I've worked on a couple where I had to graft in pieces of wood or add dowels for stability.

[@SianaTonga]

Does this work with acoustic guitars?

[@JerryDugger]

Perfect !!

[@markcummings2344]

One thing I have seen Phillip McKnight do for guitar repairs is take an empty plastic pickup container (airtight) and put some wood glue in the bottom for quick access and use.

[@WalmartTom]

You just fix it with some flex tape👍🏻😂

[@poodlenme]

Wood glue repair not tape. Watch the video.

[@WalmartTom]

@@poodlenme It's a meme, you can search for Flex Tape on youtube

[@brunogrill3774]

To show you the power of felxtape IbROkE this headstock of anf repaired it using only flextape *multiple rolls used

[@LucasFowler]

I'm even going to replace all the finish with Flex Tape!

[@Newnodrogbob]

SJ SMITH r/whoosh

[@joepasco1420]

Glue painted on that thin then clamped aint moving after 5 or ten mins? After 2 mins if you need to readjust the joint you could be screwed.

[@toneydavis9802]

Lucas..you still rockin the summit classic SG p90? Loved the tones on that guitar. Please put it back in some video.

[@LucasFowler]

I sure am! You can see it get used in the video I did a week or so ago about the pedalboard I built :)

[@gregcapuano2350]

Would you trust it for a gig though? Always have a back up anyway.

[@LucasFowler]

Absolutely. These repairs are 100% sturdy when done correctly. Always take a backup no matter what though! :P

[@Newnodrogbob]

Greg Capuano the glue is stronger than the original wood. If it’s done right, the headstock might break again, but not where it was glued...

[@adamp2]

Love the background music lol

[@thedanksavatron7782]

Ñisssssssssce 🎸

[@patrickpalmer3374]

Tightbond came out with a grade above the blue bottle.

[@javabeanz8549]

When talking about the tape, I think you meant a millimeter below the break, a centimeter would be more like the width of your finger.

[@LucasFowler]

A little less than a centimeter, but not quite as small as a millimeter.

[@charvilleseanjalandoni]

My headstock pf my guitar has a crack connected to the neck, when i tune the guitar, it elevates. Is there a possibility of fixing my guitar? It's expensive tho. P.s sorry for bad english

[@darthjarjarbinks8953]

I would get it repaired. It’d be better for you to have a crack repaired than a full headstock break.

[@charvilleseanjalandoni]

@@darthjarjarbinks8953 yeah, btw my guitar is already fixed.

[@Newnodrogbob]

OMG the paintbrushes seem like such an obvious thing, but it never occurred to me. That’ll save a whole bunch of paper towels and hassle wiping off the excess after clamps...

[@tonniegitar]

At about 3:57 you one centimeter (applying the tape from the break). I think you mean one millimeter. Tonnie

[@gearmeister]

What? No copyright strike from Gibson? 😁 😁 😁 Good job, just tape over the logo just to be safe

[@LucasFowler]

All in due time! :P

[@noworries12]

damn,it's Tom Hanks...

[@kylemoran4343]

What ? You never heard of shade-tree Luthiers.... Bwahaaaaaaaaaa

[@LucasFowler]

Kyle Moran I’m guessing some people also don’t change the oil in their car either. 😂

[@kylemoran4343]

@@LucasFowler,could I call on you to put air in my tires ? hehehe :-O

[@georgelackey622]

That poor abused guitar looks like shit! Why would anyone do that? It really should be refinished, especially the neck with all that chipped finish and scars in the wood.

[@bluesboy667]

PLAY AUTHENTIC

[@soundtrue6560]

can t believe it! you are saying broken headstock not hard to repare? not the same as a gibson headstok repare? what you think about this huge contradiction? it s just because it was a cheaper guitar? i am talking about the repare not the fact that is broken! so if it s easy to repare same for gibson guitar?no?

[@LucasFowler]

Yes, headstock repairs are not difficult, assuming they break as cleanly as this one did. I have done many, many headstock repairs, including Gibson guitars.

[@soundtrue6560]

@@LucasFowler thank for answer but did you get the point? so gibson break headstok not a so big isuu no?

[@LucasFowler]

@@soundtrue6560 A Gibson headstock break is not any worse or better than another company's headstock break. It's more about the specifics of the break. The worse the damage, the harder the repair. In this case, if this same kind of break had happened to a Gibson Les Paul, the repair would be identical. People tend to think that because Gibson's have a very steep headstock angle, that they are more prone to breaking, but that comes down to care of the instrument and having the correct kind of case for transport. I have owned Gibson guitars for 15 years and never had a headstock break.

[@soundtrue6560]

@@LucasFowler ok i made a mistake! i was thinking that you was critical specialy about gibson headstock braking but that wasn t you! i ve seen to much gibson video baching i think! you right it s more a correct transport issue! thanks for you answer!

[@soundtrue6560]

but you forget this question : why jimmy page choose a les paul gibson? actually you v e said it in you r video THE BEST TOOL FOR HIS JOB WAS A LES PAUL because gibson made a guitare that sound great! jimmy page choose gibson not the oposite! you have to separate quality issue and law bisness issue! intelect property is the same as art property in music! you don t allow to copie music why design? AND BECAUSE A SONG BAD YOU CAN COPI IT AND IGNORE COPIRIGHT? as a musician that want to live with his music sell wired!! ok for our music copiright that give us money but don t care about intelect property design of someone else because we can by flying v guitare cheaper? so design copiright don t matter? weard conseption of justice! what you think?

[@dmhguitars1225]

Fyi aim the camera down to what your doing not your face the whole time! Lol

[@soundtrue6560]

hy! about gibson dean video i was thinking the same as you but.... gibson own the official patent for there all shape!! so finaly i disagre! if gibson built shit guitar don t buy they but, it don t give the right to other company to produce the same shape , built, and design style to let you understand that it sond like a gibson! look at your eastman video! you always refer to a les paul 59 look and sound! same pickup,same volume tone control, same switch position same inlays same back,mean that the electronic is xired from behind that allow to not put a pickguard...... what do you think, i own an O.L.P wich is a official licence product of ernie ball!!! epiphone is a official authorized license les paul copy and sg brand!! maybe the problem is that gibson was too cool all those years (40!!) to let people do copy! wich is a big mistake that less us think that a gibson is a "normal " shape guitaree! but no that the reason that you don t buy an ibanez! it s not sound and look like a gibson, why factory doesn t do a gibson les âul style with an iceman shape? because that will not buy by people that want a gibson! and i know for strat and tele shape! but different story they don t patent the shape! they wanted to trade it to late! and law and law is sometime unfortunatly not the same think! if you don t patent it but you ve create it it s free patent!!! think like in music : if a band go to studio , do the same song that your favorite band and sell the song you will say: it s a steel! this band don t have originality! you will say get learn music and create new music! stop copie my band!! so do the same for music! protect music composer and maker! they both have the right to be protect by copiright! the only problem is that maybe they will loose because the 40 years attempt!! and like i say before law and moral is different! jope i was not rude no my intention! i just put myself at a maker place and begin to think about thit place. and then i arrived to this conclusion! have a good day!!

[@toneconsultant]

I do like his post, but you cannot use Gorila glue for anything on a guitar. ANYTHING!!! If you do, you will have to pay a lot of $$$ for a repair tech or luthier to remove the mess you just created and then.fix it. Trust me, it will be expensive is you make this mistake

[@LucasFowler]

at 00:50 I literally say "Wood glue." I'm using Gorilla "wood glue" not regular Gorilla Glue. They are not the same thing.

[@EMZDALENA]

Man I cant see what youre doing coz you have worst camera angle. It just focuses on your face man we need to see how to fix the guitar not your face 🙄

[@snickelman]

Erm... I din't think you know how long a centimeter is.

[@LucasFowler]

I should have said millimeter, but I'm American so I'm bad at metrics naturally. :P

[@randydavis941]

If it were me (judging from the looks) I would throw it in a bin. I hate people who can't take care of their guitars! I say F#ck the looks of RELICS. To me it is disrespectful if you can take care of your gear...Please

[@jordonbarry6569]

Why do you care about how other people treat their guitars?

[@Newnodrogbob]

Randy Davis I’m not a fan of relics. To whom is it disrespectful, though?

[@alejandrovarelagandara7874]

It couldn.t see what you're doing... Bad video!

[@Patbwoy]

Strange times. Back in the days there were guitarists and there were luthiers. The former took their guitars to the latter in case of damage. Today, especially in times of youtube (and so called youtubers desperately looking for topics to talk about), everybody seems to be a luthier teaching the world how to build or fix guitars...

[@LucasFowler]

In these times, did the luthiers not play guitar as well? They only fixed them? Good lord, people can find anything to complain about. Strange times.

[@Patbwoy]

@@LucasFowler Well, if everybody now feels entitled to teach about luthiery (as it seems, because guitar repairing videos are cropping up like mad these days), even though they are merely amateurs, real luthiery as an artfrom gets diluted. Highly skilled luthiers are struggling, because all of a sudden luthiery is made to look like something simple, every hobbyist can do in his kitchen. Thanks to youtubers who feel entitled to teach about everything you can think of. There was a time where teachers were those, who mastered a skill, everybody else was still learning and not teaching. I don't know what your background is, but it just occurred to me that more and more people feel entitled to teach even though they are beginners or at best intermediate themselves! That's a youtube trend I don't appreciate. Well, I suppose that's the problem with being a youtuber having to feed the crowd to keep them interested. You mustn't run out of topics to talk about...

[@moonchild4806]

@@Patbwoy Not everyone can afford to take their guitar to a professional. If it's a vintage instrument or one that has a lot of sentimental value, I'd say bring it to them. But if it's a 200 dollar Epiphone a teenager bought and they snapped the headstock off flailing it around their band practice they might not be able to afford a bringing it to a professional luthier to get it fixed. Either that or it might cost more than the guitar is worth to get it fixed so they can attempt to fix it before just giving up and smashing it and buying a new one. All of the luthiers I've talked to agree that some things aren't worth bringing to them and they even get tired of wiring in pickups even though it's an easy paycheck.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@Patbwoy The people who fix their own instruments (diluted as an art form) as you stated most likely don't have the money to afford a proper Luthier or (as already stated) the instruments are not worth the cost of the repair from a "real" Luthier. Don't get me wrong, Luthiers are important for many reasons and are sill required these days for the more expensive or Historical instruments. That said, guitars these days are less expensive and made using CNC machines. That sort of puts many Luthiers in a similar predicament as "The buggy whip makers". It's not "KZbinrs" or Younger people, it's how the world has changed to a somewhat disposable consumerism. Myself, I'm 57 and decided a couple years back to learn how to repair and set-up guitars. It's not because I want to put Luthiers out of business, it's because of the joy and satisfaction working on guitars gives me. So maybe just lighten up a little bit and try to share in others enjoyment of learning and doing for one's self.

[@alabamahebrew]

Nothing wrong with teaching people how to be self reliant is there? Not everyone can afford to take a guitar issue like this and pay $500 for a guy to dab on some wood glue and talk technical and pretend he did something grand. I watch videos of professional Luthier's and they do EXACTLY what Lucas just did, only charge $100 per hour or more. Someone somewhere has an old guitar that they love and want to play but cannot afford to take it in the to the shop. So one day they are browsing the You Tube world and see this Lucas character's video of doing what needs to be done to their old guitar. The once scared to touch his guitar young (or old) watches this SIMPLE,EASY and LONG LASTING repair and how easy it is and he does it. What is that guy doing tomorrow? PLAYING THAT ONCE BROKEN GUITAR and has a big smile doing it! Lucas got lucky with this break, it is a very easy to repair break and as he shows, it's one that only takes a little bit of stuff you can buy at Walmart and about 10 minutes of your time and tahdah.. it's repaired! Now, if the painted wood is all messed up on the outside of the break, that will take a little more finesse to fix up, but the actual break is stronger now than it was before it broke!