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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:39 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 188
Location: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
One of the guys from work asked if I would be willing to have a go at repairing his old but loved Strat. It was knocked over and trodden on by some guy who had consumed one too many wines at a recent gig. Although I am becoming more confident with my building (working on # 4) I find repairs daunting to say the least. I would appreciate your opinions /ideas on how to tackle this type of damage. Is it fixable?
Thanks in advance

Craig.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:43 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:23 am
Posts: 1372
First name: Corky
Last Name: Long
City: Mount Kisco
State: NY
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Hmm - no responses.

Well, I'm not a repair guy, nor do I play one on TV, but here's my two cents anyway. I'ms ure you'll get some pros to respond (once they see what bad advice I'm giving you) laughing6-hehe

Couple of things - what's the value of the Strat? If it's very old, and therefore valuable, your friend might be better off spending the dough and having a real pro do the work.

If not - e.g. not terribly valuable, then gluing it is certainly an option. What I can't tell from the pic is whether it's a clean break. Doesn't look particularly clean from the back. If I decided to do it myself, I'd first figure out how I was going to clamp it so that the crack was extremely tight, without damaging the headstock further, get some good hot hide glue, and heat the headstock, carefully with a hairdryer or lamp. I'd work the HHG deep into the crack, clamp it, making 100% sure I'd clamped it in line, clean up any squeeze out and leave it overnight. I like HHG - reversible, very strong, etc. One could also use LMI white or Titebond, but I dont like the cleanup as much as HHG.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:38 pm 
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Koa
Koa
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Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:37 pm
Posts: 1744
Location: Virginia, USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
If the guitar is old and valuable, disregard this post(From the pics of the front of the peghead it doesn't appear to be very valuable. If I had to guess I'd say 1980's, but that's just a guess). If it's just old and well loved, but not a collector's item, or worth big dough in an all original state, I'd opt for a replacement neck. You can get one from several places. USA Custom Guitars, Allparts, or Warmoth, just to name a few. It'll cost between $175 and $300 depending where you get it and what options you choose. I would personally recommend Allparts. Hard to beat them for quality vs. price.
Any neck you buy will require a nut to be fitted, and would benefit from a level and crown of the frets, IMHO.
That's the way I'd go if it were mine(and not worth a king's ransom).

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:00 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 am
Posts: 6262
Location: Virginia
Japanese Strats are nice but to my knowledge not worth ridiculous sums. Looks to me like a pretty simple repair if he doesn't mind having the looks of a crack repair. Would be tricky to get it back to brand new, though black is the easiest color imo to match you would need decals and all that. I'd have to see it in person to know for sure what glue to use but it looks like a good candidate for a CA repair. Tightbond is a lot more forgiving though because it will give you the work time to set it up proper with clamps.

edit: actually I take that back the crack doesn't affect the decals.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:18 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:13 am
Posts: 902
Location: Caves Beach, Australia
The main part of this repair is to make some shaped cauls to the outline of each side of the headstock and parallel on the outside clamp face. Include the corners on the headstock so that they are positively registered.
Now do a dry run with clamping, If it closes up nicely you are good to go with HHG or titebond.


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:23 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 4:29 pm
Posts: 188
Location: Australia
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks for the replies. Mike you are correct. It is 1980's vintage and not worth a lot apart from sentimental value to the owner. It is difficult to see in the pics but there is one main break and a number of less severe (more just cracks) above and below this . The owner gave me the impression that he would be more than happy just to have it playable again. I don't think he expects it looking new again. Jeff I will proceed as you suggest and go from there. If unsuccessful I will suggest the replacement neck option.
Thanks again

Craig.


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