How do I repair a crack on the headstock on a 98 maple Fender Neck

[Iambatman]

I was recently putting new tuning keys on my 4 String Maple Neck that never had them installed. While lightly tapping in the nut to put the key through I cracked the bottom of my headstock. How can I repair this or am I SOL?

[mongo2]

As you've discovered, it's better to press the bushings in rather than tap them in.

A picture would help but it can probably be glued, it's not an uncommon repair.

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by mongo2

As you've discovered, it's better to press the bushings in rather than tap them in.

A picture would help but it can probably be glued, it's not an uncommon repair.

Took pic how do I post it? I am new to this.

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by Iambatman

Took pic how do I post it? I am new to this.

It is a hairline crack on the bottom of the headstock. Tell u the truth I am a GF of a Bass player who this happened to. Lets just say he is quite pissed. So I am hoping when he comes home I can give him good news. I am not sure what string it is to say exactly where the crack is.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by Iambatman

It is a hairline crack on the bottom of the headstock. Tell u the truth I am a GF of a Bass player who this happened to. Lets just say he is quite pissed. So I am hoping when he comes home I can give him good news. I am not sure what string it is to say exactly where the crack is.

Say the smallest string is 1, and the thickest string is 4. I've seen it most happen on 4.

[Foamy]

The good news is wood can be glued and will be at least as strong as it was before the glue (if glued properly). And in many cases, the glue joint is almost invisible.

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by Foamy

The good news is wood can be glued and will be at least as strong as it was before the glue (if glued properly). And in many cases, the glue joint is almost invisible.

Wow thanks for the replys an a lil more on Bass 101. I listen to my BF talk about rebuilding stuff. I actually know about pods,bridges,types. Of strings he uses, an few other stuff but unless he tells me I am not a 100% on all terms. I am sure u got that when i called the bushings a nut. Which i now know is the thing sometimes made of bone that the strings lay on at the top of the fret bord. I am learning . Lol

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by Iambatman

Wow thanks for the replys an a lil more on Bass 101. I listen to my BF talk about rebuilding stuff. I actually know about pods,bridges,types. Of strings he uses, an few other stuff but unless he tells me I am not a 100% on all terms. I am sure u got that when i called the bushings a nut. Which i now know is the thing sometimes made of bone that the strings lay on at the top of the fret bord. I am learning . Lol

Good luck to you both.
There are about a bazillion and one videos on YouTube showing how to fix cracked neck.
The key is to get the joint cleaned out.
If it is a clean crack, make sure you can clamp it back together DRY first, and there are no little splinters in the joint. If there are........pick them out.
Easy as that.
A little glue, a good and solid clamp, some clean-up, and good as new.
Watch the videos first and let us know how it turns out.

[Pilgrim]

Photos: take a photo, establish a free account on Photobucket.com, upload photo, then Photobucket will generate an [img] link for you.

Post here, insert the [img] link into your post and the photo will appear.

Make sure the photo is close-up and clear.

Cracks like this can be glued, but you MUST do it right the first time or the glue residue will become a problem in making another attempt.

Before trying to insert tuner bushings, if they are tight, remove a tiny bit of wood from the hole in the headstock, then test the fit. Repeat until you are in no danger of cracking the headstock. If force is required, STOP and remove wood carefully.

Tuner bushings exert quite a bit of force on wood if they're forced into place. This has happened to others and it can be repaired. Personally, I would not use anything but Titebond glue - possibly thinned and delivered into the crack with the tip of a syringe. You need to study the process for this and not rush into the repair.

[john grey]

+1
Without pic there is few "cover-all-bases" type advice that will help HOWEVER, doing it correctly the 1st time is a seriously significant bit of info.

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by john grey

+1
Without pic there is few "cover-all-bases" type advice that will help HOWEVER, doing it correctly the 1st time is a seriously significant bit of info.

Again thank you all for the advice. We have ordered a glue an now gonna get some clamps & a syringe. So wish him luck an will keep it up to date on the progress.

[Floyd Eye]

What did you learn? Never touch his bass. lol

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

What did you learn? Never touch his bass. lol

I did not touch the Bass. I already know NEVER EVER TOUCH THE BASS LOL. I am just a good GF trying to get advice & fix what my BF calls his Frankinbass.Which brings me to my next question. I have taken a pic of the crack. It is in my photobucket. How do I upload it here for u all to see?

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by Iambatman

I did not touch the Bass. I already know NEVER EVER TOUCH THE BASS LOL. I am just a good GF trying to get advice & fix what my BF calls his Frankinbass.Which brings me to my next question. I have taken a pic of the crack. It is in my photobucket. How do I upload it here for u all to see?

[Iambatman]

Originally Posted by Iambatman

She can be taught hope the pic helps

[Floyd Eye]

Easy fix. Structurally it will be stronger than it was before. Inject Titebond into the crack and clamp it. Voila. You're going to have to clamp it approximately where the guitar hanger is in that last photo to get the crack to close back up properly. You may have to fabricate a caul.




The finish is another matter. Me, I would leave it as it is after the repair. Mojo ya know.

[Pilgrim]

The post above is close, but missing something.

Right now, the bushing that caused the crack is also holding it open. That's GOOD for what you want to do...but you will need to remove the bushing after you get glue into the crack, or it won't close properly. (Getting the crack open is always a challenge with this kind of crack, but in this case the bushing is doing it for you.)

1) Get some Titebond and thin it slightly with water
2) Load the syringe and inject the glue into the crack, front and back, and be forceful about shooting it in there.
3) Do your best to get glue all through the crack.
4) REMOVE the bushing!!!!! This will allow the crack to close.
5) Clamp the neck for 24 hours. Do not put the pads of the clamp directly onto the headstock, as you will probably dent it and cause a new problem. Use a small piece of wood (even a Popsicle stick will work) on each side of the headstock as a pad to avoid damaging the headstock; apply the clamp to the pads.
6) Using a damp cloth, wipe off the glue which is forced out of the crack.

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

The post above is close, but missing something.

Right now, the bushing that caused the crack is also holding it open. That's GOOD for what you want to do...but you will need to remove the bushing after you get glue into the crack, or it won't close properly. (Getting the crack open is always a challenge with this kind of crack, but in this case the bushing is doing it for you.)

1) Get some Titebond and thin it slightly with water
2) Load the syringe and inject the glue into the crack, front and back, and be forceful about shooting it in there.
3) Do your best to get glue all through the crack.
4) REMOVE the bushing!!!!! This will allow the crack to close.
5) Clamp the neck for 24 hours. Do not put the pads of the clamp directly onto the headstock, as you will probably dent it and cause a new problem. Use a small piece of wood on each side of the headstock as a pad to avoid damaging the headstock.
6) Using a damp cloth, wipe off the glue which is forced out of the crack.

This.

[Philonius]

Won't they want to relieve the hole a bit before FORCING the ferrule back into the repaired headstock? I sure would.

Translation: "Relieve" - The crack happened because the metal thingie (ferrule) fits very tightly, so enlarging the hole it goes into will prevent it from wanting to split the wood again.

[Floyd Eye]

The crack happened because the ferrule was removed improperly. It is meant to fit very tightly.