Who's Who Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hi all I'm a very proud owner of a Gibson Thunderbird Bass, but it's one of the nice shiny newer models. I always keep my eye on the vintage models of this baby, but more often than not they're usually with a neck break that's been repaired. I know the Thunderbird has a notoriously weak neck, and I must admit the majority of the ones that I've seen repaired look to be fantastic jobs. But it got me thinking, has anyone ever experienced a guitar that's had a neck repair, or been unlucky enough to have the experience of getting their own guitar repaired. I just wondered, other than the obvious cosmetic appearance, are they ever the quite the same again. Do they come back playing and feeling as good as before, or is it always that obvious you're playing a repaired neck. I'm not really looking for advice on buying a vintage guitar, but just wondered what peoples experiences are really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Given that wood glues are generally tougher than the original wood and that some models are so prone to headstock breaks that I do sometimes wonder why the manufacturer doesn't break them before they leave the factory and glue them in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who's Who Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1324327175' post='1473122'] Given that wood glues are generally tougher than the original wood and that some models are so prone to headstock breaks that I do sometimes wonder why the manufacturer doesn't break them before they leave the factory and glue them in the first place. [/quote] That's an interesting point there. I only use the Thunderbird as an example as I know they're prone to neck breaks, and I'm always terrified one day mine might break. But then looking at it from a different angle, that necks made up from 9 pieces of wood, so there's already plenty of glue in there. Surely a little more can't hurt!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='Who's Who' timestamp='1324327829' post='1473139'] That's an interesting point there. I only use the Thunderbird as an example as I know they're prone to neck breaks, and I'm always terrified one day mine might break. But then looking at it from a different angle, that necks made up from 9 pieces of wood, so there's already plenty of glue in there. Surely a little more can't hurt!!! [/quote] Before the break the glue is all going in one direction. After the break the glue goes the other way too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1324327175' post='1473122'] Given that wood glues are generally tougher than the original wood and that some models are so prone to headstock breaks that I do sometimes wonder why [s]the manufacturer[/s] Gibson doesn't break them before they leave the factory and glue them in the first place. [/quote] Corrected it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 IIRC the new Thunderbirds have more pieces of wood in the neck than the original models from the 60s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who's Who Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1324328267' post='1473146'] Before the break the glue is all going in one direction. After the break the glue goes the other way too. [/quote] I take it that's a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='Who's Who' timestamp='1324327829' post='1473139'] But then looking at it from a different angle, that necks made up from 9 pieces of wood, so there's already plenty of glue in there. Surely a little more can't hurt!!! [/quote] I have to admit that I'm really not a fan of the Gibson headstock design. The sheer number of head snaps experienced by end users is pretty indicative of a poor piece of design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1324328395' post='1473148'] Corrected it for you. [/quote] I was trying to be subtle and understated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1324328736' post='1473156'] I was trying to be subtle and understated... [/quote] Sorry, I couldn't resist. I've heard they are definitely better after the repair though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 All it would take is for them to add a volute behind the nut but they insist on not doing it. It's not just Thunderbirds, I don't know how many repaired Les Pauls and SGs I've seen over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who's Who Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1324329043' post='1473161'] All it would take is for them to add a volute behind the nut but they insist on not doing it. It's not just Thunderbirds, I don't know how many repaired Les Pauls and SGs I've seen over the years. [/quote] But would you say they're as stable following repair? Is there any structural or tonal indifferences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 [quote name='Who's Who' timestamp='1324329298' post='1473162'] But would you say they're as stable following repair? Is there any structural or tonal indifferences? [/quote] Very unlikely I'd have said. The break is generally quite clean and a minimal amount of wood glue is needed. As long as the neck is clamped tight to squeeze the excess glue out of the join then you'd probably need scientific measurement (as opposed to 'sounds the same to me' type measurement) to tell the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I know some lads who've been playing the repaired instruments for over twenty years, so if done right, the repair should last. Any headstock attached using a spline joint has a layer of glue between the two pieces of wood so it's not something which means the instrument is a tonal lobster. It's really down to the quality of the repair, I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 Not quite the same, but I have a Les Paul that's had a headstock break (before I got it) and it's one of the best LPs I've ever played. Had that guitar 3 years now, and it seems stable enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1324328649' post='1473154'] I have to admit that I'm really not a fan of the Gibson headstock design. The sheer number of head snaps experienced by end users is pretty indicative of [s]a poor piece of design[/s] user error. [/quote] Fixed that for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 A previous guitarist had the head break off his flying V and I glued it back on for him. Never broke again, sounded and played just as before the break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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