Gibson EB-0 with broken headstock

[David Engel]

Hi All,

I have a friend who's brother is selling his GB-0, S/N 852891. It's in fantastic shape (pictures) but admits the headstock has been broken clean off. He said these basses were known for weak head stocks and breakage. So it's obviously been glued back together. Would anyone touch this? I have not seen a replacement neck available (other than maybe a custom build). Thoughts?

Dave

 

[M.R. Ogle]

That does happen, yes.
The resale and/or collector value will have taken a huge hit, but the playability and worthiness of the instrument depends on the quality of that repair. An expert repair will be almost undetectable and as stable as new.

 

[godofthunder59]

If done well nothing wrong with a repaired headstock. Definitely affects value.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

Unfortunately, the EB headstock (like the SG guitar) is very prone to breaking. While a broken headstock will affect collector value, a well repaired headstock is typically stronger than new and should not affect playability.

 

[godofthunder59]

Pictures?

 

[Ericnordicbee]

Agree with every one else. It affects collector value, but it's still a viable bass. Personally would prefer if the repair is clean, but if the bass sounds and feels great then I'd own one even if the repair was ugly as sin.

 

[Plake]

^^This. A mid to late 60's EB with a break is probably more common than not.

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

Actually, I bought a '71 EB-3 with the Slotted head stock for my son for $350 (It was a while ago...) It got knocked of the stand, and the headstock broke. Off, into pieces, etc...

We Sold the "Carcass" for $385! But the guy that bought it had it repaired / rebuilt, and still plays it.

So, to answer the Question, Yes, it's "Do-Able". You'll need the following:

A) Get the bass at a Low Price.

B) find a Luthier or a good repair shop that can / will take the job.

C) Make sure you don't have more into the "Project" than you feel the bass is now worth.

D) When you're not playing the bass, put it in the case!

 

[arbiterusa]

It's all about the quality of the repair. Both basses and guitars from this era got broken...a lot. I have seen repairs where I could see barely a trace of a crack in some portions; I have seen repairs with an eighth inch of epoxy oozing out of the crack.

 

[AltGrendel]

...A mid to late 60's EB with a break is probably more common than not.

This