# FUUUUCK!!!! - Site: Analog Industries - Author: Chris Randall - Date: 2008-03-10 - URL: https://analogindustries.com/2008/03/fuuuuck/ I cracked the god-damn neck on my J-Bass. That sucks. Well, not the neck so much; really the headstock. Right from where the nut is on the low side to the center of the hole for the E tuner. This doesn't really affect much, but it makes the low E buzz. We hates the buzz, Precious. The question is thus: is this actually fixable? I mean, I know damn well I could slap a replacement neck in there from Warmoth or Stew-Mac or whatever, but that really isn't the same thing, is it? And this one plays so well largely because it's been played for 30-odd years. A new one would be teh sux0r. ## Comments (10) **bongo_x** (2008-03-10): I'm no expert, but I know people who have broken the entire headstock off vintage guitars and had them fixed. **asmara** (2008-03-10): Just curious how that happened. There must be a good story here.. **chaircrusher** (2008-03-10): I'm not sure what you're asking; are you asking 'is it worth taking it in for repair?' the answer is probably yes. If you're asking 'can I go out in the garage and make it better?' I'd say maybe. If the headstock hasn't come apart then it still has some structural integrity, and that's good. If the crack is wide enough to buzz, then you can work some liquid epoxy down in into the crack. I'd figure out some sort of clamping arrangement that can apply some solid pressure perpendicular to the shear line. Repairing wood cracks is a lot like soldering -- if the join doesn't have some structural strength it doesn't matter how much glue/solder you glom on. Then I'd be more careful about banging it on stuff. If it opens again, you could try regluing, but add a screw down a drilled hole across the crack. Looking around I notice you can get replacement necks for about $150; if you aren't in love with this particular neck, it's easy enough to bolt on a new one... **Tomer** (2008-03-10): You say its a 30+ year old guitar, Maybe try and look for a "vintage" neck if such a thing exists. **Maurice** (2008-03-10): Maybe post a photo of the break? Chaircrusher's right about it being a relatively straightforward glue-and-clamp if there's still structural integrity. (There must be, if you're still playing it.) Even in the worst-case scenario of a complete break, though, I've seen repairs done, sometimes with new holes drilled for dowels to add strength to the repair. Good luck with this! **kRYPToPS** (2008-03-10): Yes, there are many great wood epoxies available now. Used to be fairly difficult to find specialty product. You can even tint some epoxies to match. Like others have said, it depends on the nature of the crack. Some epoxies have have a very short time of being workable and very harsh, if you actually care how it looks. Titebond woodworkers glue is very forgiving and water soluble. I would just make sure you give it plenty of time to cure. Also, be careful to not overtighten the clamps! Good Luck. **JG** (2008-03-10): 1-up on what bongo_x says...my impression, from what I've known of other folks' guitar-repair issues, is that it's rarely a matter of "if", but rather whether you're willing to shell out what it'll cost to have it repaired. I would imagine that, over time, the intonation is going to get fucked up, though. **Chris Randall** (2008-03-10): I didn't bang it on anything. It just happened. I surmise that it is because it spent most of its life in Chicago, where it is very humid, and then came out here, where it is not, and the wood just cracked. It happened while I was playing, best I can tell, but I'm not Daryl Jones or anything. One minute it was perfect, and the next it was buzzing. It actually took me a while to find, as it is a hairline crack. It doesn't go through the entire headstock; it's just a hairline crack on the back. I suppose I'll just find a luthier in Portland and have it fixed. Needs a fret job anyways. There's nfw I could work epoxy in to it. -CR **Otter** (2008-03-10): Long time listener, first time caller. I'm no luthier, but I do build guitars occasionally (not from parts, but from scratch); I've also fixed guitars for friends, including one with a similar problem. So...grain of salt, etc. Definitely have it looked at by a pro (obvious?). It seems odd that such a crack would cause a buzz, esp. since it's "north" of the nut. I'm guessing you've scoured the neck for other cracks--it seems likely that there's something else amiss. The fix would likely entail prying the crack open a tad and then applying a thin glue w/a syringe/pipette/similar. Doweling is probably a slam dunk, but as it's an old J-Bass, ya gotta think resale value here. Also...the "different climate/humidity" theory is sound, but would apply more to finish cracks/checks than to a solid maple neck--perhaps it got dropped by another owner, creating a fracture, and THAT'S what's allowing moisture into the crack to make it worse over time? BTW, if you ever need to tint epoxy, esp. for inlays, just sand a scrap piece of the surrounding wood (ebony, for ex.) to make a small pile of wood dust. Mix a bit of the dust with clear epoxy, and voila--tinted glue. You don't need much, and it looks great. Good luck; wish I owned a J-Bass! **inasilentway** (2008-03-10): Pictures? Old basses are oh so nice.