Broken headstock repair - Scotland

Dan_Halen

I've just had a bit of an accident with my Maybach and broken the headstock. Currently feeling just utterly sickened as I absolutely adore this guitar - it's like a Les Paul was made specifically for me and was just perfection.

I know it's not going to be cheap, I've killed it's value and, worst of all, might never be the same guitar again. However, hoping to find someone within a reasonable driving distance of Edinburgh who might be able to salvage it.

I know I could ship to somewhere down south but, given the state it's already in, don't want to compound both the problems and the stress dealing with a courier.

Does anyone know anybody up this way who might be the right kind of guy to repair such a break?

rpr

Strung Out Guitars in Glasgow worth a call ..?.
https://strungoutguitars.com/ ;

Dan_Halen

rpr said:

Strung Out Guitars in Glasgow worth a call ..?.
https://strungoutguitars.com/ ;

Yeah, I'd seen they look like they could do such a job and it's where @ICBM used to work so was thinking about giving them a call. Hoping to see if someone round these parts has had any experience with them or anyone else in the area so I'd feel like it's in good hands.

JodyJames

The Guitar Workshop - I’ve used most places in Glasgow over the years and those guys are fantastic. I’ve had mixed results with most others other than Hunter Guitar Repair who i’d also recommend.

euan

Yeah definitely recommend the Guitar Workshop in Glasgow 

ICBM

Strung Out have a very long wait time at the moment I think.

Chris McIntyre might also be worth a call.

https://www.mcintyreguitars.com

NB, if you haven't done already, take the remaining string tension off it completely - the key to a good repair with a break like this is if the broken wood fibres go back together as perfectly as possible, and you don't want the headstock getting pulled around by the strings.

Does it also appear to have a flaw in the wood, right where the break started? Even if you bashed it as well, that might explain why it broke.

OilCityPickups

rpr said:

Strung Out Guitars in Glasgow worth a call ..?.
https://strungoutguitars.com/ ;

I do their pickup rewinds and they are lovely people :-)

Dan_Halen

ICBM said:

Strung Out have a very long wait time at the moment I think.

Chris McIntyre might also be worth a call.

https://www.mcintyreguitars.com

NB, if you haven't done already, take the remaining string tension off it completely - the key to a good repair with a break like this is if the broken wood fibres go back together as perfectly as possible, and you don't want the headstock getting pulled around by the strings.

Does it also appear to have a flaw in the wood, right where the break started? Even if you bashed it as well, that might explain why it broke.

I've removed the strings so not under tension any more. I'm not quite sure if I can see an obvious flaw in the wood - it basically slipped out of my hand and toppled face first onto the wooden floor so took a reasonable whack but pretty astonished it was enough to make it buckle.

I'd thought about Chris as he's local and I'd used him before so might also give him a shout (although I recall he always used to be very busy as well).

At least it's a relic I guess....

ICBM

Dan_Halen said:

I'm not quite sure if I can see an obvious flaw in the wood

Dan_Halen said:

What's the dark spot in the wood, next to the edge of the break and directly above the end of the nut as seen in this pic?

M1ck

Not sure if he does repairs but it’s only a phone call to find out - Mark Bailey https://www.baileyguitars.co.uk/ is just outside Glasgow and is ex Eggle. 

Dan_Halen

ICBM said:

Dan_Halen said:

I'm not quite sure if I can see an obvious flaw in the wood

Dan_Halen said:

What's the dark spot in the wood, next to the edge of the break and directly above the end of the nut as seen in this pic?

I think it’s a bit of lacquer/paint that’s detached from the other side. Bit odd how that one piece seemed to stay attached. Can see a bit better from this angle where it’s come from -

Offset

Oh crikey @Dan_Halen - that's heartbreaking.  Hopefully you can get it properly sorted.

May I ask how on earth that happened?

Humboldt

I've recently used Ayrshire Guitar Repairs. Workmanship is top quality but there's usually a waiting list.

https://www.facebook.com/ayrshireguitarrepair/

Dan_Halen

Offset said:

Oh crikey @Dan_Halen - that's heartbreaking.  Hopefully you can get it properly sorted.

May I ask how on earth that happened?

Cheers. I’m absolutely gutted!

Just a lack of due care on my part unfortunately. I was holding it upright with one hand whilst fiddling around with the Kemper on the floor under the desk with the other and just somehow let go of it. The sort of thing I’ve done hundreds or thousands of times before but this time had a brain fart.

BillDL

As soon as you can get somebody to assess it and quote for the work, find out if it is going to need a headstock face overlay or complete refinishing of the headstock.  If so you will need to see whether Maybach can supply a new logo.  You might have to order it through their only official distributer up here, namely Forth Music in Kirkcaldy.

ICBM

Dan_Halen said:

I think it’s a bit of lacquer/paint that’s detached from the other side. Bit odd how that one piece seemed to stay attached. Can see a bit better from this angle where it’s come from -

That is very odd!

I've also seen a Les Paul break in the same way - it fell forward onto the floor (carpet, not hard) from a stand, and the inertia of the headstock pulled it far enough forward to snap at the back. It's just a risk with this type of neck.

KevS

So sorry this happened to you,,I would be devastated..Chris is great although obviously busy..He really is an attention to detail guy..He won't cut any corners..He may be a bit more pricey than others,but I've never received a rushed half done job from him..
He's always been a safe bet with me..You Love the guitar,,you are trying to save a love not an object..If he will take it on,,even if the wait will be a long time..His refrets are by far the best I have ever had..I would go this route..Even if he said could you call me in a few weeks..There are other repair folk in Edinburgh,,but I have found Chris the best..I don't want to mention the ones I have had bad experiences with in Edinburgh,,that I think are still doing work..Or charging to feck your guitar...If you can't get Chris and you find an alternative..PM me..If it's one I know of I will share my experiences..

Dan_Halen

Cheers gents. Got some avenues to pursue so will see how I get on and update here in due course.

StuartMac290

Another shout for Iain and Isaac at The Guitar Workshop in Glasgow. They've done outstanding work for me consistently.

WezV

That will go back together well and shouldnt need any additional splnts or backstraps.. just a glue and touch up.   Shouldn't be too noticeable with that finish either since it's nice and dark

I doubt the guitar will be much different after.   Some claim they get better after a break.  This a bit far, but there is no reason to expect it to be worse if repaired professionally 

Boromedic

Gutted for you mate, it's the one thing we all fear with Gibson style necks. I hope you get it sorted and have no issues after. 

I'd be shipping it to Feline without fail though personally, in a hard case, well packed in a box with the gaps in the case packed so the guitar can't move and the headstock cradled it should be right as rain.