Replacement Les Paul Neck - Anybody Know where and how much?

kneeelix

Hey Guys,
Recently been quoted for a repair on a damaged headstock for a les paul faded series. The break seems pretty straight forward to fix (the break didnt splinter or anything) and after having a good nose about the internet the price i was quoted seems a tad excessive. I could put a down payment on another one for what i was quoted so my dilema is whether or not to pay for the repair and have the value of the guitar be substantially reduced in the long term (although in perfect working order) or alternatively buy a new neck and keep the resale value.
So does anybody know where to locate a genuine les paul neck so i can make a price comparison and an informed decision?

Ravelleman

A Gibson, like any guitar, with a replaced neck will have a significantly reduced resale value regardless. Any kind of modification like that will affect its value.

The problem with set neck guitars like yours is that a neck replacement is a fairly complicated process, certainly in comparison to that of a bolt-on neck guitar, and as a result will be quite expensive. To make matters worse, actually locating a Gibson neck will be extremely difficult and, given that the serial number will also be different, it really isn't worth it.

Ultimately it depends on how much a neck repair on the existing neck matters to you. Some people couldn't live with it. Others will insist that the joint is strong as a result of a professional repair. I can't say.

Or you could just put it down to bad luck, replace the guitar and be more careful with the next one...

wild turkey

How much was the quote?

NeMiSiS

Ring Eugene in the Guitar Workshop (Dublin).

I snapped the neck on one of my Les Pauls and he did a bang up job fixing it. I used to get him to do most anything I needed done for my guitars.

You are better off bringing it in and getting a proper quote it may be more or less expenise than what you previously thought but at least you will have a proper idea of what it would cost after a visual inpection from a professional.

Cheers,

TK

kneeelix

The quote was for 475 euros. Would this be considered high?

Maybe i should rephrase. I would like to retain as much of the resale value should i choose to sell the guitar at a later date. Ive heard a damaged neck effectively halves the value.true or false?

I reckon it would be very difficult to track down a replacement neck (I havent found any yet) and the serial number was something that hadnt crossed my mind. very good point.

NeMiSiS Did your repair cost you an arm and a leg?How bad was it?

punchdrunk

http://www.archtop.ie/


this guys seems very reasonable

NeMiSiS

Hi,

I have no idea if that would be considered high or not, but replacing a Les Paul's neck is not going to be an easy job, it's a lot of work.

Les Paul's are pretty notorious for broken necks so it is quite common to find them second hand with some sort of head stock or neck repair. http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm . I

The crack in mine was pretty bad yeh, but you wouldn't be able to tell anything happened it after the job. I can't remember the cost - it was a long time ago.

I'd say just bring it into Eugene and get a quote, or the other guy that was mentioned.

Personally I would just have it repaired, I wouldn't bother replacing the neck.

Cheers.

Dord

kneeelix wrote: »

The quote was for 475 euros. Would this be considered high?

Maybe i should rephrase. I would like to retain as much of the resale value should i choose to sell the guitar at a later date. Ive heard a damaged neck effectively halves the value.true or false?

I reckon it would be very difficult to track down a replacement neck (I havent found any yet) and the serial number was something that hadnt crossed my mind. very good point.

NeMiSiS Did your repair cost you an arm and a leg?How bad was it?

Replacing the neck is ridiculous unless it's completely obliterated all the way down. It shouldn't be too hard to repair but yes it will result in a BIG drop in value. Try that archtop.ie guy that punchdrunk mentioned. I've heard he's good.

darrenw5094

Best option is to fix the break, not replace the whole neck. Shop around for prices, that quote seemed way overboard.

kneeelix

Ok so the replacement neck is a no go. and there is hardly any point pumping cash into it if it will not have that much of an impact on the resale value. Maybe a basic fix and some lip bighting is in order to minimise the over all loss?

Thanks for the links. that guy in archtop looks good and hes fair close to where I live too. May give him a call and see what he says.

the other link was fairly useful too. and guess what? the break in mine is in the typical position and pretty much exactly the same as those pictured (coincidence?? judge for yourself..:P).

I can upload pictures if that would help?
The quote does have a message attached explaining that a simple glue fix would not be sufficient and that support dowels would be needed and significant touch ups to disguise the break.

The break is at the back so nobody would see it anyway when playing so maybe the cosmetics arent that important?

out of curiosity has anybody ever fixed one themselves?good, bad or ugly?

darrenw5094

kneeelix wrote: »

Ok so the replacement neck is a no go. and there is hardly any point pumping cash into it if it will not have that much of an impact on the resale value. Maybe a basic fix and some lip bighting is in order to minimise the over all loss?

Thanks for the links. that guy in archtop looks good and hes fair close to where I live too. May give him a call and see what he says.

the other link was fairly useful too. and guess what? the break in mine is in the typical position and pretty much exactly the same as those pictured (coincidence?? judge for yourself..:P).

I can upload pictures if that would help?
The quote does have a message attached explaining that a simple glue fix would not be sufficient and that support dowels would be needed and significant touch ups to disguise the break.

The break is at the back so nobody would see it anyway when playing so maybe the cosmetics arent that important?

out of curiosity has anybody ever fixed one themselves?good, bad or ugly?

It could be fixed to be 100%. The cosmetic thing won't affect playability. The cosmetic problem could also be fixed professionally.

You could get it fixed and keep it for yourself. Your own guitar for life.:)