Topic: Head Stock Separation

When my wife and I came home today from grocery shopping, I found my Rogue bell brass resonator guitar lying face down on the floor.  My two cats were lounging on the back of the sofa acting like nothing was wrong.  Unfortunately, this very heavy brass guitar which was firmly seated on its stand was now lying face down on the carpet.  I didn't think anything would be wrong with it because over the years, I've had many guitars end up in such a fashion for a hundred different reasons.  Except for some slight scratches, I've never had any problems.   This time, however, when I bent down to pick it up, I got this sickening feeling in my stomach. I realized that all the strings were slack and the head stock was flopping around like a fresh caught fish.   This is my first time dealing with such an issue.  I spent the night reading internet forums for head stock re-attachment.  Fortunately, the break is fairly clean.  I think that I can glue this back together myself.  I was wondering if anyone here had any familiarity with this sort of disaster?

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Re: Head Stock Separation

tandm3 - hate to hear hear this. That's gotta hurt. You may get some responses here, but I recommend you post your question with pictures on the Acoustic Guitar Forum. That forum has a bunch of luthiers that regularly offer advice and are extremely helpful.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

And here's another link you may find helpful. Good Luck!

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier … crack.html

Rule No. 1 - If it sounds good - it is good!

Re: Head Stock Separation

Sorry to hear it man! I can imagine that sickening feeling when you saw it... I've repaired 2 guitar headstocks and one banjo with a snapped neck. All turned out well and hardly descernable. The banjo is almost done, just needs one more coat of sealer, a final sand and then refinish. If I can be of any help let me know. You got some pics you can post? -Pix

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: Head Stock Separation

topdown wrote:

tandm3 - hate to hear hear this. That's gotta hurt. You may get some responses here, but I recommend you post your question with pictures on the Acoustic Guitar Forum. That forum has a bunch of luthiers that regularly offer advice and are extremely helpful.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php

And here's another link you may find helpful. Good Luck!

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier … crack.html

+1 Very helpful and knowledgeable people there.

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: Head Stock Separation

sorry about your luck..

had the same problem [only with kids not cats] '67 les paul gold top

by the time you buy the glue and clamps sandpaper ect. prob would be better off

just taking it to a luthier  and be sure [did that 15 yrs. ago] $ 50 well spent

YeTi20

Re: Head Stock Separation

Wow! Only $50!?!?!

um....where is this Holy Grail Luthier located!?
lol....

dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Re: Head Stock Separation

Thanks so much for all the tips.  I will post photos of this repair in progress.  I've taken your advice and the advice of many websites and reattached the headstock with titebond II glue.  I used two clamps and wax paper to keep the glue from sticking to the clamps.  The headstock looks good.  The veneer is trashed though.  I ordered two pieces of veneer from stewmac.com.   One piece is ebony and the other is rosewood.  I plan on either sanding the old veneer off or steaming it off.  The original is so thin that either would probably be ok.  Installing the new veneer will also be easy but finishing it is a different subject.   Oddly, I'm replacing the original decal with a brass plate from my grandfathers old Mossberg target rifle.  It just feels right for some reason.  Again, Thanks for your help.

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Re: Head Stock Separation

I had the same thing happen only it wasn't cats,about two years ago I had a few to many and tripped and landed on my acoustic and the neck snapped but I didn't realize it till the next morning and not only a broken guitar but a bad hangover to boot,my friend who plays also came over and we sanded all the old glue off and reattached the neck with Elmer's glue and two c clamps and let it sit for 3 days and put the strings back on the neck needed some adjustment so we used a Allen wrench to turn the truss rod and it plays great and the intonation is right on I dont drink anymore except at a Christmas party once a year and at a get together in the summer and everything is put away before I leave smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

9 (edited by tandm3 2010-08-26 17:51:56)

Re: Head Stock Separation

Here's some photos (I hope) of what I've been up to with this guitar since Disaster Day.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3658948748_168399a09d.jpg

Anyway,  Once I got the head glued back on, I knew that I would have to replace the veneer.  I found a piece of rosewood at stewmac.com that was quite a bit thicker than the original.  The original was paper thin.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3658945204_a7af4fbb38.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3658953216_65c53264c1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3658165191_9956d21c90.jpg
The new one was 3/32".  I wanted to use it because i knew that it would not only look nice but also add strength to the repair.  I used a Japanese saw at the back edge of the nut and cut a slot 3/32" deep and used a set of dividers to scribe a line around the headstock.  After that I used a Dual Action Orbital sander to remove the excess material down to the scribe line.  Then I glued and clamped the new rosewood veneer.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3658173131_8fefac4bf5.jpg  I also decided to reprofile the neck to make it fit my hands better. I figured, what the hell, I'm in it this deep already, I may as well make some modifications... I sort of mimicked the soft V shape of my Ovation using the same sander.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3658170919_628d8e29d0.jpg So far its got a good feel but I won't really know until the strings go on.  And just to set the record straight.  I would never have done any of this myself if I had spent a lot of money on this guitar.  This thing only cost me $250.00 US so I figured I could give it a go.  I would never even consider doing this to my J-200.   

Thank you all for your tips, hints, links and support.  I appreciate it.  It motivated me to try this myself.  Which is a good thing.
I still have the whole refinishing thing to deal with but that somehow doesn't seem as daunting.

Thanks again.

Matt

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Re: Head Stock Separation

Hey Matt, Sounds great! Would love to see the pics but the link says it's a private page.... You probably just need to change the settings for the pics to "public". Glad all has went well and kudos for having the confidence to fix the problem yourself! -Pix

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: Head Stock Separation

Yeah, I selected the "anyone can view my pics" option, but from reading the FAQ's on Flickr, apparently someone has to review the content and approve it before it can be viewed by "anyone".  Don't know how long that takes.. Sorry about that.

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Re: Head Stock Separation

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11413196@N … 510182538/

Hey,  I think this link works now.  I'm such a rookie at this internet posting stuff.  Let me know if you have any trouble.

Thanks,

Matt

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Re: Head Stock Separation

Looks good to me Matt, I guess you'll find out when you get her strung up and start pounding away.

Later, Wayne P

14 (edited by tandm3 2010-08-26 17:49:09)

Re: Head Stock Separation

Its not the best guitar finish job I've ever seen, but its the best one I've ever done (also the first! Haha). 
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3704717603_0f8ebefc83.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3704723413_b2c8bc3f04.jpg

Yeah, it was kind of a rush job but I needed it for a gig that suddenly came up.  Strings are on.  Glue is holding and its also holding pitch very well.  I'm calling it a success for now.  Thanks again for the tips and advice.

Matt

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15 (edited by tandm3 2010-08-26 18:06:29)

Re: Head Stock Separation

Mekidsmom taught me how to post pictures today! (thank you!) So here they are finally...(attached to original postings)

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Re: Head Stock Separation

Hi Matt,

An excellent repair and a more difficult one that the one I have just done. Kudos.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Re: Head Stock Separation

Roger,
When I saw what you had to do, I was worried about all that string tension on such a small shear -loaded surface. Congrats on fixing that! It didn't look very easy at all.

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Re: Head Stock Separation

Looks good in the pics Matt. Hope it holds up.

Cats go bye bye now!!!!

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Head Stock Separation

Hmmm... this was from last year?  No wonder I never saw this thread before!  LOL!  Looks great though... how's she holding up a year later???  Glad I could be of help with the pics smile

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

Re: Head Stock Separation

Ouch bad kitties!!!!