Headstock cracking at nut - cause for concern?

[jaywa]

I have a 1978 Fender Precision I have owned since new. It is my main player. About a year ago I noticed a small crack in the headstock, right at the top of the nut on the E-string side (i.e., if you're playing and you look down at the nut, you can clearly see it).

The nut itself is fine, it is just at the joint of the nut and the headstock where the crack is. The crack does not appear to be very deep, in fact you can barely feel it when you run a fingernail over it. Also, it does not appear to be getting any longer and/or deeper. Playability has not been affected as far as I can tell.

Is this something that should concern me, or just standard "mojo" for the age of the instrument?

FWIW it is the standard P "skunk stripe" maple neck with maple fretboard, and the original nut.

Thanks in advance.

[JustDavid]

Is this a crack in the wood, in the nut, or a gap where they join?

[202dy]

Images would be a great help toward diagnosing the problem.

This is an odd place for a crack, though. Fender headstocks are pretty strong. That was an important part of Leo's design. It is not completely unusual to see a finish crack in this location.

Post some images and someone will help you.

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Images would be a great help toward diagnosing the problem.

This is an odd place for a crack, though. Fender headstocks are pretty strong. That was an important part of Leo's design. It is not completely unusual to see a finish crack in this location.

Post some images and someone will help you.

Agreed on the images... it is hard to describe in words. I am pretty much gigging all of this weekend, but will try to get a shot or two posted in the next day or two.