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Crack in the headstock of my Jazz Bass


Billystrat

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I noticed a crack that goes through the wood. It starts from the bottom inside tuner screw and follows all the way to the bottom of the headstock. I can't seem to photograph it. (The photo is something I got off google to give you an idea of where the damage it.

 

What can I do to fix this? It doesn't affect anything yet, but I'd like to get some glue on there or something to prevent further damage. The finish is just a real thin tung oil. Should I glue, then finish it in something more durable?

 

I built the bass about a year ago as a "gig" bass, so it could get beat up.

 

55U-3919_headstock-back.jpg

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You might be better off leaving it.

 

Unless you can either break off the cracked part, or open the crack enough to get glue all the way in, and then glue and clamp the parts, you'll be wasting your time. You're actually better off breaking it clean off, as any bending to open the crack spreads the crack and you wind up with another area that gets no glue. A hypodermic needle for glue is useful.

 

Titebond II is stronger than wood.

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Thanks. I'll have to go downtown see if I can't borrow a nice needle..or um whoops.


I think I can bend the separation enough to get some glue and clamp it in there.

 

 

 

Be sure to completely flood it with glue. You need 'squeezeout' all the way around. Don't be afraid to make a mess...it wipes off with a damp cloth. Don't use a wet cloth, which believe it or not will dilute the glue.

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Be sure to completely flood it with glue. You need 'squeezeout' all the way around. Don't be afraid to make a mess...it wipes off with a damp cloth. Don't use a wet cloth, which believe it or not will dilute the glue.

 

 

Much thanks for the step by step. I envisioned myself doing it all wrong!

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My old MIM jazz took a fall, and hit a table right on the tuners. Cracked from the G-string tuner hole to the edge of the headstock.

 

I repaired it by buying some wood doweling that was just a little too big to fit in the hole for the tuner. Sanded/tapered the tip of the doweling until it would fit in the hole, and gently pounded it in until I had the crack spread enough for glue to get in there. Clamped it for a few days, reinstalled the neck and strung it up, and the repair held for the rest of the time I had it.

 

You do have to be careful. Like said above, you can spread the crack, which I may or may not have done, but luckily the repair worked. In my case, I also had to fill and re-drill one of the mounting holes for the tuners as well.

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