Replace or repair?

nOOb

This weekend I did something stupid. Really stupid.
I leaned my guitar against a wall near an open window. The curtain billowed and pushed my guitar over, breaking the headstock.

[img]http://C:\Users\KH4466\Desktop\1798111_10203080628797531_1660072568_n.jpg[/img]

Can this be repaired or will I be better off getting the entire neck replaced?

Who will be able to do the neccesary repairs, to ensure the new neck matches the existing neck shape and dimensions?

Has anybody tried Ronny's Allbang and Strummit?

IceCreamMan

pics wont open for me so I cannot see make of guitar.

ultimately it depends on the value of the guitar, if a "cheapie" I would not bother to be honest. the cost of repair will prolly not be worth it. let the value of the guitar be your guide here.

I like Ronnie's shop, not ever sent a guitar to be repaired there but I like the vibe and I like the gents that work there.

peterleroux

Welcome n00b, sorry to hear about this.
In general, headstocks can be re-attached AS LONG AS YOU DONT TRY AND FIX IT YOURSELF. I had some similar damage to a bass which was repaired with a very thin epoxy adhesive and it went on to play flawlessly until I sold it ten years later. If it's a bolt-on, replacements are available for anywhere from R600 to R6000 (and upwards, I suppose) but you might not be able to match the exact profile if that's important to you.

Pete Buckle did my repair, but he's out here in Benoni, a bit of a long drive fr you, and I'm sure there is a luthier closer who can help you - check the list.

AlanRatcliffe

Happens more often than you think - it one of the bread and butter jobs a tech does. Take heart - it's almost always not as bad (or expensive) as it looks and a repair is always stronger than before. Usually a pretty straightforward repair.

Anything can be fixed - it's just not always worth the time/effort/expense in the case of a cheap guitar with a badly splintered break. Yes, it depends on what the guitar is and how difficult the repair will be. Only the luthier can tell what's involved, so take it in for a repair estimate.

If you haven't already, loosen the strings a bit and gather up any loose pieces. Wrap the headstock with some Clingfilm or put a bag around it to prevent any loss of loose pieces.

Bob-Dubery

I can't see the images (I tried two different machines on two different connections).

Some shops, indeed some "technicians" are just front ends for Music Connection or Andy McGibbon. They will hand your guitar over to somebody else for repair and add a markup. So my advice is to go to Andy, to Music Connection or to Costafonix on this forum and get an opinion.

Get an estimate. ICM's advice is sound - it may not be worth it. This depends on the guitar and what it's worth to you.

It almost certainly can be fixed (or the neck replaced) but you need to understand the cost.

Some guys will give you options: A repair that is functional - structurally intact but with obvious signs of fixing - or cosmetically perfect. Obviously the prices will not be the same.

nOOb

It's basically a cheapie. Bought a case at a pawn shop for R500 a few years back and the guitar came with it.

Its a '76 Jamboree W100 by Ibanez. Not worth a whole lot, but still a great guitar with amazing sound.
The previous owner had sanded down the neck for some reason.

I removed the strings immediately after it happened.

Try this link for to see the damage:

I will take the guitar to Ronnies tomorrow for a quote.

Thanks guys.

AlanRatcliffe

That's not as bad as it looks - a fairly clean break with minimal splintering, by the look of it.

nOOb

Try this link:

Sorry, its a W90

Squonk

My Yamaha 1970's nylon had a break like that, and Someone at Matt's Music (Now Marshall) fixed it for a couple of hundred bucks and it's hard to see that it was cracked.

warrenpridgeon

I was quoted from R400 - R2000 to repair my Epiphone that had a similar break... the big cost came in because it was blue and not natural wood colour...

Stoffeltoo

I've seen a couple of these breaks. Once from spongy guitar case dropped with the guitar in it. The owner was heartbroken. The guitar was fixed by a bloke in Vereeniging and a pretty neat job at that. We needed a magnifying glass to see the crack. So yes it can be done and if the guit has sentimental or price value, go for it. What can you loose, it's bust anyway :'(

nOOb

Popped into a pawn shop yesterday on the way home and saw a Ibanez PF1512 for R695.

Taking my guitar in for a quote today, depending on the cost of the repair I might just try my hand at a 12 string.
Hopefully I'll get both.

lapdawg

Repair. Definitely.