Gibson Star headstock break
 

Hello!

I was playing guitar yesterday evening, and didn't realize that my strap was twisted. She fell headstock first, and it was the absolute worst feeling I've ever had in my entire life.

I immediately looked for damage and saw the headstock had split. I looked all over for cracks/damage, and other than a little chip in lacquer on the soundboard (normally that'd be a huge deal for me, but in the scheme of things I couldn't care less)- nothing else seems to be damaged from what I can tell.


Here is a link to some pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/vMnVia7

I am going to try to get it to a luthier ASAP.

Do you all have any input or opinions? I take care of my guitars and love them (after the Army I want to be a luthier), and this is pretty devastating.

I hope you all have a great day.

Take the string tension off (not the strings) and take it to a good repair tech or luthier. Don't panic. By the looks of it that can be repaired and you'd never know it even happened.

oooh nasty!

However, that break looks pretty clean, so a clean reglue is highly possible.
do as Redir says and if possible find a way to keep the break from moving/getting worse.

This looks like pretty much like a standard "airport" fracture.

How did the strap come off? Where was it secured?
Worth investing in a proper leather strap and a Schaller straplock once your guitar is repaired.

Repairing Gibson headstocks is a tech/luthier's bread & butter. After the repair, the headstock will likely be stronger than it was before the break.

Took the strings off after I took the photo (was just in shock, and my first reaction was to take photos). Thank you for the input!

Luckily, there is a luthier here in Lexington who said he'd look at it. I am going to try to run by after Parade and take it to him.

The strap (a leather Levy one) was secured on both strap buttons, but the strap was twisted, and slipped off from the button near the neck. I wil definitely invest in a straplock!

I have four broken headstocks similiar to yours in my workshop at the momment, it is a very common thing to happen.

I would personally, as its painted and no wood showing ,do a graft in the repair, that is reglue the headstock first, then take a scoop of wood out across the break line and then lay a piece of clean smooth wood into its place, plenty of strength and less likely to crack again on the same break line

Steve