Acoustic guitar repair

bonelessbread

I have an acoustic guitar here that i would like to repair the headstock is broken of off it I need some help in how to go about fixing it it has been glued once not by me and the break doesn't sit flush with each other anymore could anybody hlp me with this i will upload pictures if that would be any extra help also i dont want to bring it to a guitar repair shop because i have heard it cost a bit of money to do it

martinedwards

pics would help.

I've done several of these, but if is a re-break it could get messy.

if its a fairly clean break then standard evostick wood glue (the green bottle with the red cap) and a couple of decent clamps is what you want.

the messiest break I fixed I supported the join with a carbon fibre rod (ok, chopped off arrow from decathalon) epoxied into a slot I cut on the back of the headstock.

it looks a bit rough, but several years down the line the girl I gave it to is still playing it......

heres a thread on another forum

http://www.jsguitarforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105015

bonelessbread

Hopefully these will help

martinedwards

oich.

that's nasty.

the crossgrain break is pretty serious.

to my eye, that'll definitely need support along with glue.

the arrows I used for the Charvel repair cost about £3 each, a packet of own brand epoxy £4 and sandpaper to tidy up.

a tenner should fix it......

or at least 50 to a tech

bonelessbread

What way would be the best for putting the support in because i have seen the way you have done it with the arrow and i dont have a tool to cut a trench out like that any other idea of putting it in what about drilling a hole down the neck and up the headstock and then slotting it in to both holes?

martinedwards

yup, that would work, and would look better afterwards than my attempt!!

you'd just be doing a dowel joint. drill SLIGHTLY larger than the dowel diameter then the epoxy will take up the slack

bonelessbread

how long should the dowel be and could i use two nails that are about 2.5 inches long (not hammered in) or should i just use a wooden dowel or go for the arrow approach

martinedwards

nails will rust over time. not good. hardwood dowels would be OK I guess, but given the amount of space you have to work with the carbon fibre arrow would be best.

if you aren't near a decathalon then you can get them online (ebay etc)

bonelessbread

I'm just about to fix the guitar going to use a 9mm hardwood dowel and a bit carved of just to give it a little more room to work with i was also wondering how long should the dowel be going to go for it today hopefully

martinedwards

as log as possible!

bonelessbread

still haven't gotten around to doing this hopefully have it done by the end of the week the only thing is when drilling the hole for the dowel is that the headstock has a slight bend on it and i'm not to sure how it will fit properly i'll only be able to drill up a slight bit before the dowel will hit the bend

nimrod86

Have you made the repair yet OP? I ask because I got a free acoustic over the weekend with a broken headstock too! It's a much cleaner break though, and just wanted to know how you got on before I try anything on mine.

Also martinedwards, are you a luthier? or just handy with tools? I don't suppose you'd know of any repair places that would do the job for a reasonable price?

thanks, nim

martinedwards

nimrod86 wrote: »

Also martinedwards, are you a luthier?

does making 90 guitars, basses bouzoukis & mandolins count?:p

I don't suppose you'd know of any repair places that would do the job for a reasonable price?

Sorry, I don't know the Dublin guitar scene at all.....

nimrod86

martinedwards wrote: »

does making 90 guitars, basses bouzoukis & mandolins count?:p

Sorry, I don't know the Dublin guitar scene at all.....

Wow! Fair play, I'd love to get into making instruments! and that's grand, I've glued and clamped the neck, and hopefully it will be okay, if not I'll be trying the carbon fibre arrow trick!

Thanks for the help!

bonelessbread

It turned out pretty good I ended up putting to metal rods to support it along with the glue and I put new strings onto it after it dried and tuned it and it sounds pretty good didn't turn out to bad for a first time try

nimrod86

How did you go about putting in the metal rods? Can you post some pictures please? also what glue?

I tried no more nails and it didn't hold at all...

martinedwards

bonelessbread wrote: »

It turned out pretty good I ended up putting to metal rods to support it along with the glue and I put new strings onto it after it dried and tuned it and it sounds pretty good didn't turn out to bad for a first time try

martinedwards

nimrod86 wrote: »

How did you go about putting in the metal rods? Can you post some pictures please? also what glue?

I tried no more nails and it didn't hold at all...

didn't you read the thread?

use real wood glue, not that crap

nimrod86

I'm sorry, I realize now, got it all off though, also asked my local music shop and they said they'd take a look at it, so I'll see what they can do for me!

nimrod86

Right, follow up;

Didn't go to the music shop, got some proper clamps off a friend, proper wood glue, and a load of cloths!
put on the glue, spread it in with a fine paintbrush, clamped tightly and will now leave it a few days!

Hopefully this will do it! Thanks for the advice OP and martin!

nim