How much will it cost to fix a broken headstock on a Gibson L-4 CES?

**krusty** · 12-17-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

I've seen a lot of his repairs over at MLP. He can do this up right. Good call, Jabs.

ETA: Or, if you're in Canada, look up Freddy G over there. Outstanding luthier and repairman, amongst other talents.

One of these days I should post a pic of my El Rey that Freddy completely refinished, rewired, and added an ebony pickup ring and pickguard to. Stunning work. Not cheap or fast, but well worth it.

**2bornot2bop** · 12-18-2016, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Max405

The bottom line is, if you get the repair done right, you will have an L4CES after its done. One of the best guitars ever.

Although now, it is devastating and every time you look at it, it makes you sick. I guarantee you, in a couple of months, your confidence in the repair will grow. Eventually, you wont even know its there.
One thing to remember, the glue will become stronger than the wood itself. That's a fact. I glued a simple butt joint at a right angle with titebond. I let it dry for 3 days. Then I tried to break the joint by slamming the piece up against the side of my cast iron table saw. I couldn't break the glue joint. The wood eventually broke in a different spot.

You will always be able to see the break. Unless your luthier puts a stinger on it, then you will see the seem. But the key is not rushing it. Once the wood is set, It will be sanded smooth. Then the luthier will apply the lacquer in coats. The lacquer will take a while to dry. Once it does, he will sand it and re-spray it. This may happen several times. The once there is enough of a good strong coating of lacquer on the area, he can level it off. If he does it right, you wont be able to feel it. It will be as strong and stable as the wood itself.

Remember, please don't go cheap on the repair. This is a Gibson L4CES. This guitar can be great again.

JD

Looks like a job for Ronaldo?

**Max405** · 12-18-2016, 08:56 PM

Ronaldo would look at that neck break and walk away and 3 minutes later he would bring back 3 other ones that look 10 times worse and say, "See Joe.. no wuddy aboutit.. itsa nothinga..."