Headstock is cracked on Cordoba C3M need advice

james123 · #1 03-11-2021, 08:17 AM

Hello

i bought this guitar over two years ago and never took care of it.
i want to start playing again since i have the time now but noticed when going to re-string this guitar it had a huge crack on the headstock.

i wanted to know if anyone could give advice if this is repairable and if its possible for someone with no experience to do this themselves?

i was looking on the internet people mentioned wood glue but im not sure

any help or advice would be appreciated

thanks

mirwa · #2 03-11-2021, 08:28 AM

Remove machine heads, get some titebond original glue and work it into the break, clamp it up, I would use probably 4 clamps, wipe away the glue squeeze out, leave it for 24hrs.

Refit machine heads, some strings and play away

Steve

james123 · #3 03-11-2021, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirwa

Remove machine heads, get some titebond original glue and work it into the break, clamp it up, I would use probably 4 clamps, wipe away the glue squeeze out, leave it for 24hrs.

Refit machine heads, some strings and play away

Steve

should i tear the head stock off then re glue? or should i buy a brush of some kind?

BradHall · #4 03-11-2021, 10:32 AM

Don’t tear it off! You can use a syringe to force the glue into tight spots. Really tight spots will accept a somewhat diluted glue. Clamp it up dry to see where clamping will be most effective. Use cauls where you can. I recently repaired a 1800’s Martin slot head with similar but worse damage. I used hot hide glue and it worked well.

redir · #5 03-11-2021, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james123

should i tear the head stock off then re glue? or should i buy a brush of some kind?

NO!

It would make it much harder to do that. If you want it done right take it to a pro and expect to pay $75-100 bucks. It's not a difficult repair and anyone with reasonable hand eye coordination and who has worked with tools can probably pull it off but things can go wrong too.

james123 · #6 03-11-2021, 11:33 AM

thanks for everyone reply i am going to aptempt to do this myself since the guitar is like 250$ USD on amazon. i dont want to buy a new guitar since im still a beginner

phavriluk · #7 03-11-2021, 02:59 PM

I can understand OP's reluctance to spread cash around. I wonder if OP can find someone who knows their way around wood to help. Lutherie skills are not required, but patience and planning are. A second set of hands would help, too. Clamps, cauls, acid brushes, and some Titebond Extend (it sets slower) will go a long way to getting the job done. Can't overemphasize clamps and cauls.