Gibson Les Paul Headstock Break

Posted: 19 January 2012 by Steve

This Les Paul was only a week old when it suffered this catastrophic break.

Unusually, the fall was so severe that it broke the fibre headstock face right across between the E tuners.

Although not an easy repair the break had plenty of surface area for glue.

The repaired headstock was relacquered and the repair is only visible under close inspection.

I did consider replacing the headstock facing but decided to fill the repair and paint it black to keep the costs down.

The pearl Gibson logo was scraped clean and a new “Les Paul model” transfer applied and lacquered over.

Once the lacquer had hardened, I flatted it, and buffed to a high gloss before reassembling the guitar and restringing.

Here’s the back of the neck, you can just make out the join line!

Category: Repair Tags: gibson, headstock, lacquer, nitrocellulose, repair

3 Comments on “Gibson Les Paul Headstock Break”

Han 17 October 2016, 17:07

Hello,
great work and great website. I am repairing a broken neck at the time but there is some veneer missing between the two e string tuners. What is the best way to fill the large gap, epoxy or is there a better way? Of course I will spray some black and some clear after that.

Hope to hear from you.

Thanks from the Netherlands

Han
Gian Piero 16 August 2013, 18:05

Hello Steve your repair work is beautiful,I don’t believe my eyes! Can I ask you a couple of questions?
I have the same guitar,mine is a goldtop,which has suffered nearly the same break.The neck has a natural finish so I believe that is impossible to hide the break completely so this don’t bother me,but I’m very afraid for possible tuning issues.How did the guitar stay in tune once repaired? I use 0.11 string,with heavy tension.The liuther is a good liuther but is a shame that I don’t live near you!,( I live in Italy). Is it an expensive work? Thanks in advance for the answer good work Steve. p.s. sorry for my bad english!
- steve 19 August 2013, 10:48
  
  Hi Gian, It really depends on how bad the break is. The repair to the natural finish neck here https://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/repairs/ can only just be seen.
  
  Once repaired there are no tuning problems as the repair will not move.
  
  The expensive part is generally the lacquer repair.