Was I stupid or unlucky?

neobassman · #1 02-10-2010, 07:10 PM

Below is a picture of my cracked headstock. I purchased a Mighty Mite (fender-licensed) maple jazz neck. I installed Hipshot HB2 tuners on it, but the bushings did not fit very snug and would ride up when the strings had tension on them. So, I test-fit the original Squier bushings around the tuners, and they fit well on the tuner peg and seemed appropriately snug in the holes. I tapped them in using a deep socket that just fit around the peg, and then this is what happened. I really didn't seem to need to force them in.

Crack does not extend as far as the E tuner, but it does extend beyond the G in the other direction. It's strange that the Hipshot bushings were not tight at all (they almost slipped in) and the originals seem to be too big. As near as I can tell they are both supposed to fit this neck. Thoughts on what went wrong and the best strategy for repair?

Gord_oh · #2 02-10-2010, 07:15 PM

tapped them in too hard and cracked on the grain by the looks of it.
it may have been a dud neck too.
normally i take some sand paper around a wooden dowel and lightly take some wood of the tuning peg holes until the bushing fit.

is the neck unfinished?

neobassman · #3 02-10-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

is the neck unfinished?

I believe it has a light coat of satin poly - as sent from the vendor.

rdwoody1 · #4 02-10-2010, 07:24 PM

Crap! I assume this is the neck you were planning to put on the project you've got going in my revamping thread. That really sucks. I don't think you were stupid. It looks like you're just unlucky. I'm no luthier, but you may be able to fix and fill the crack with some kind of glue with wood dust. Does the crack go all the way through the headstock or is it just a surface split?

Zooberwerx · #5 02-10-2010, 07:25 PM

Run this by fellow TBer "walterw". I think its safe to assume he's seen this more than once. Looks like a clean break and you're not missing any pieces so that works to your favor.

Riis

neobassman · #6 02-10-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwoody1

Crap! I assume this is the neck you were planning to put on the project you've got going in my revamping thread. That really sucks. I don't think you were stupid. It looks like you're just unlucky. I'm no luthier, but you may be able to fix and fill the crack with some kind of glue with wood dust. Does the crack go all the way through the headstock or is it just a surface split?

Yep, it's the neck for the P-bass with jazz neck. The crack goes all the way through to the back, and I think it's just being held together by the tuner plate screws. I believe I need to pull the tuners off, maybe let the crack go all the way to the end, and then I can pull it apart enough to get a decent amount of glue in the crack (even if it splits the whole headstock, then clamp it. A good gluing should be stronger than the original wood. I just can't figure why the bushings and the neck aren't a good fit - at least if I can fix the crack I can slightly enlarge the holes with some gentle sanding and try again. Any better ideas?

GlennW · #7 02-10-2010, 08:39 PM

I'd get some insulin syringes and TiteBond and clamp it for a day (after removing the tuners).

Jim C · #8 02-10-2010, 08:50 PM

I'd call MM before I did anything, explain the problem and see if they will honor a waranty claim

rdwoody1 · #9 02-10-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

I'd call MM before I did anything, explain the problem and see if they will honor a waranty claim

I agree. I would talk to MM about it first. If they won't or can't do anything for you, then I would try to fix it. But, I don't know any good way to repair a crack other than some glue and clamps.

Oren Hudson · #10 02-10-2010, 09:35 PM

I experienced nearly the same situation many years ago. I removed the tuners etc., got some Titebond wood glue, clamped it and let it stand for a while. That was 10 years ago and it's not been a problem. You have to look hard to see the remains of the problem.

BigOldHarry · #11 02-10-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennW

I'd get some insulin syringes and TiteBond and clamp it for a day (after removing the tuners).

+1

I wouldn't waste much time trying to get MM to help you - those necks are pretty cheap so I wouldnt' expect much support (I actually have one and pretty satisfied with it).

neobassman · #12 02-11-2010, 05:56 AM

Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I'm going to attempt a repair since it's a pretty clean crack. Somehow I think it would be too easy for MM to blame me (and they might be right in this case) and I would rather not hassle with a claims process over this - I'll pick my battles...

neobassman · #13 02-12-2010, 10:51 PM

I pulled the head hardware off and, as I suspected, the headstock split to the end pretty easily. In trying to widen it enough to get glue in, the split all the way to the other end, too. I attempted to glue it, but the pieces did not mesh well. One end meshes well, but the other is off (perpendicular to the axis of the split by a bit. These short, thick piece are difficult to flex into position, and I think I found part of the problem - the original wood had some twist strain in it that got relieved by the crack and now won't go back together cleanly. I think I'll be ahead of the game with a different neck...