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Headstock Crack

H

Herbie Chesnutt

Guest
Mar 19, 2010
947
603
Wake Forest, NC
#1
Ok, I've read a few threads on this and I hope this isn't too redundant. I know that headstock cracks can be repaired by injecting some glue and clamping it. But I need some advice on this specific neck I have with this nasty crack in the headstock.

Please see the pics I posted here:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ok, so this is a 2008 or 2009 MiM I bought new last spring. This is my bedroom noodler. I take my cheapo Douglas Pisces out so this thing rarely gets played and never leaves the house. I don't gig. I just hit it with some friends and take lessons.

Anyway, so I found a nice Schecter 004 here on TB and offered this MiM Jazz up for trade. When I went to gloss her up to take pics I found this freaking crack on the headstock. I've never had this before so not sure how severe/fixable this is.

The crack runs along the screw holes of the EAD tuners. For the record, I never took the tuners off or even fiddled with the screws until I found the crack so any over-tightening must have happened in the factory or between the factory and my pop.

So all you knowledgable cats I've enjoyed reading here on the boards please take a look and tell me your thoughts. I don't have a local guy I've gone too, but have heard great things about Colorado Guitar Company in Littleton. Heck, these guys may even be on the board here.

So, what I'm looking for is:
how fixable is this?
What is a reasonable price to expect to get it fixed?
And if I decide I don't want to mess with this at all, in the current state, how much is a reasonable price in which to sell it here?

Thanks for your help!!!!
 
#3
That's exactly what happened to my MIM jazz bass neck when I hammered all four machine head bushings into the the smaller diameter machine head holes!!! I bet that is what caused the splitting of the head!!! I injected wood glue and drilled the holes out so when the bushings went in there was minimal pressure so it won't crack and the 16 screws of the 4 machine head keeps is together now! Looks great!
 
#4
It doesn’t look like it goes all the way through to the face of the headstock, is that correct?
I would probably go with injecting some Titebond, clamping it and then to completely hide it I would drop fill the finish with CA. after cleaning the crack.
I would say around $75 dollars is fair to have this done properly.
Just make sure you have the luthier/repair tech in question give you the proper run down on how it will happen.
I’ve seen some bad jobs made of simple crack repairs like this so you want to be sure you get it done right.
Here’s a link to my ’72 p I’m slowly restoring.
It too had a crack so if you want you can see how I go about this sort of repair.
Real vintage modified project. - TalkBass Forums
Also I’m in Denver if you want me to take a look at it for you, drop me a pm.
 
#7
buchananbass said:
Good point, if he bought it new I believe they will replace it.
Click to expand...
Good point. I've tried communication with Fender one time before and it was like trying to have a heart to heart with the borg. But I'll dig up the receipt and go in again.

buchananbass said:
It doesn’t look like it goes all the way through to the face of the headstock, is that correct?
Correct.

I would say around $75 dollars is fair to have this done properly
Yeah, kind of what i was thinking. but good to get some feedback.
Click to expand...

Dadagoboi said:
IMO crack was caused by drilling screw holes too small. Easy fix with titebond, a caul that's the negative of the bottom of the headstock and a few clamps. Give it a shot!
Click to expand...
Dadagoboi, you were in that build off last year and made that sweet Lace pup baby. I was there too with my first ever buildof that Rev/Tbird hybrid. I was humbled. That is why I'm kinda thinking someone with skills should do this.;)

=====================

I'm not going to hold on to this bass much longer. If I fix it and try to sell it I'll be down money. If I fix it I'll keep the neck for another body. It may be worth it. Just don't want to get hosed.

Definitely going to see if Fender will replace. I'll post as things progress.
 

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