How bad is this?

[unclejam79]

I've got a D'Angelico Excel Deluxe that I foolishly left out of its case in a stand over the winter. I never dropped it or bumped it, but I looked at it recently and found a crack right at the neck joint. I immediately slacked the strings and put it in its case. What I'm wondering is, how bad is this exactly? Is it just the lining separating from the body, and basically cosmetic, or is it a structural problem? Any diagnoses/advice appreciated!

[deacon Mark]

Maybe nothing at all. Was the action higher like neck moved up?

[unclejam79]

Nope, action seemed about the same.

[deacon Mark]

Then it appears as a crack in the heel no big deal. A bead of titebond glue and a Jorgensen clamp to get it back fine. The glue brush in between crack good. This is based on just the photo but more pictures would help me. It is not some rare expensive guitar to require huge thinking. No offense meant just being practical.

[unclejam79]

No offense taken whatsoever! I'm perfectly happy to have this as a playable guitar with a crack in it, just wanted to make sure it wasn't weakened in a way that could cause bigger problems. Many thanks for taking a look.

I wasn't sure which angles would shed more light, but here's a few more pictures.

[thelostboss]

Is that a factory fitted strap button or an afterthought? Could it be causing the back to separate from the heel block?

[unclejam79]

Good question—I bought it used, and the strap button was already there. But I've had it for a few years and the crack only showed up this year.

[deacon Mark]

Yes I see and easy. Glue and clamp it will be almost invisible I would take at syringe and push glue. 2 properly placed clamps and let dry 24 hours. In my shop $125 no finish worked needed.

[AllanAllen]

OP if you clamp it yourself be easy. You have to use enough pressure but not too much it’ll damage the guitar. Ask for help or watch some YouTube tutorials if you’re going to DIY.

Think gallon of milk, not pop bottle.

[deacon Mark]

Clamp but do not starve the surfaces of glue by overtightening clamps. Secure with squeeze out but does not squeeze all glue out.

[DawgBone]

Yes I see and easy. Glue and clamp it will be almost invisible I would take at syringe and push glue. 2 properly placed clamps and let dry 24 hours. In my shop $125 no finish worked needed.

You charge $125 for what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

[thelostboss]

You charge $125 for what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

Looking at the original photographs there is a crack the extends the full width and external depth of the heel. It also appears to extend an inch or more up both sides of the neck-body joint as well as extending along the back - side joint in the upper bout for what looks like slightly more than an inch.

Even if it is just a "glue and clamp" repair that is still more than a 10 - 15 minute job to properly diagnose and repair in a clean and permanent fashion.

[deacon Mark]

You charge $125 for what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

Without a doubt and more. The strings need to be removed and the whole guitar set back up to play. This requires much more time than 15 minutes. Obviously you have not repaired guitars. Call a plumber to come and install a new shutoff value. just to change the valve takes 10-15 minutes. However there is much more involves. That will cost at least $150.

[ruger9]

You charge $125 for what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

Invoice:

$25 materials and labor
$100 EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

[deacon Mark]

Looking at the original photographs there is a crack the extends the full width and external depth of the heel. It also appears to extend an inch or more up both sides of the neck-body joint as well as extending along the back - side joint in the upper bout for what looks like slightly more than an inch.

Even if it is just a "glue and clamp" repair that is still more than a 10 - 15 minute job to properly diagnose and repair in a clean and permanent fashion.

Guitarist some have no idea what it takes to do repairs. I did a refret on a Gibson L7 5 weeks ago. The time spent to pull the old frets was about 15 minutes. They came up easy and clean. The actual time to nail 20 frets in cut to size about 45 minutes. Sounds easy right and I should not be charging $400 to do it! Well I spent 2 hours filing the frets for shape and proper width on fingerboard. Oh, not to mention my Fret Tang Nipper is of the highest quality tool and cost me $115 about 6 years ago. Comes with 2 attachments for fret size............my guess is many guitar players just have these laying around. Have we priced Jorgensen Clamps recently? Would you like to see my boxes of specialty files..............yes these are costly overtime you accumulate them because way too much cost all at once.

[vinnyv1k]

Quality work deserves top dollar in my book. Great skill is worth the money. I never mind paying for excellent quality work.
Buy cheap get cheap. It is more of a challenge these days to find good craftsmen. Lots of hacks out there.

A quality fret job in my hood will run $700.00

[bohemian46]

Value, not price alone.

[jazzshrink]

...Oh, not to mention my Fret Tang Nipper is of the highest quality tool and cost me $115 about 6 years ago...

No way! Fret Tang Nipper was my nickname in college!

[Woody Sound]

What I don't get is, how does leaving the guitar out of its case cause this? All of my guitars are out on a rack all year round for easy access, but covered by a sheet, only for dust cover.

[DawgBone]

Without a doubt and more. The strings need to be removed and the whole guitar set back up to play. This requires much more time than 15 minutes. Obviously you have not repaired guitars. Call a plumber to come and install a new shutoff value. just to change the valve takes 10-15 minutes. However there is much more involves. That will cost at least $150.

You first said it was an easy fix in previous post now say to me there is much more involved and compared to it changing a shut off valve which is an accurate comparison because changing a shutoff valve is absolute moron level work that can be done by anyone with enough brain power to chew gum and breathe at the same time. A deacon should have his tone control rolled back at all times.

[garybaldy]

You charge $125 for what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

We are all free to choose

[deacon Mark]

You first said it was an easy fix in previous post now say to me there is much more involved and compared to it changing a shut off valve which is an accurate comparison because changing a shutoff valve is absolute moron level work that can be done by anyone with enough brain power to chew gum and breathe at the same time. A deacon should have his tone control rolled back at all times.

Dawgbone you stick it right there in your ass. You happen to be one.

[Woody Sound]

You first said it was an easy fix in previous post now say to me there is much more involved and compared to it changing a shut off valve which is an accurate comparison because changing a shutoff valve is absolute moron level work that can be done by anyone with enough brain power to chew gum and breathe at the same time. A deacon should have his tone control rolled back at all times.

He said EASY. It's still time consuming, detailed, delicate work.

[Woody Sound]

what amounts to about ten or fifteen minutes of work?

Ten or fifteen minutes of work??? In your dreams.

[Rickco]

Theres no such thing as unskilled work, just uninformed posers.