LP Headstock Repair Recommendations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bxlxaxkxe
  • Start date Start date
B

Bxlxaxkxe

Amp ho
Looking for recommendations on a luthier to do this and do it well.

Anybody had one done in the recent past? Trying to get an idea of cost. Thinking about bringing this Murphy R8 back to life


964B18C6-62AD-4B52-81FB-90F573F8B74E.jpeg
 
Last edited:
If it were mine and I wasn't trying to do it myself, I would probably look into bringing it to a violin/cello/classical luthier before taking it to a guitar shop. Those people do a hundred repairs a month vs a hundred over their career and likely work with lacquer more often. There are of course exceptions and specialists and not all violin luthiers may neccessarily be comfortable/familiar with a truss rod. Ultimately, I would hope that it would be around an hour of labor charge and would probably laugh at someone asking much more than that.
 
I had an epi headstock repair that cost $100, with no re-fin work.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
If it were mine and I wasn't trying to do it myself, I would probably look into bringing it to a violin/cello/classical luthier before taking it to a guitar shop. Those people do a hundred repairs a month vs a hundred over their career and likely work with lacquer more often. There are of course exceptions and specialists and not all violin luthiers may neccessarily be comfortable/familiar with a truss rod. Ultimately, I would hope that it would be around an hour of labor charge and would probably laugh at someone asking much more than that.
Click to expand...
That is a really good point...I never would have thought of that.
 
If you want the best repair on that, Greg Platzer at BCR Guitar is the guy. Might not be the cheapest you’ll find or the fastest turnaround but will be probably the best quality work. Definitely worth it on a pretty valuable guitar like an R8.
 
$100 to $200 for a quality job.
If you do it yourself and it’s not a clean brake. Drop a little water in the crack and the glue will chase it all the way inside.
And let it sit at least a week.
 
marshallmel said:
If you want the best repair on that, Greg Platzer at BCR Guitar is the guy. Might not be the cheapest you’ll find or the fastest turnaround but will be probably the best quality work. Definitely worth it on a pretty valuable guitar like an R8.
Click to expand...
Yea I’m leaning towards sending to a well known guy and spending a little more, especially since it’s such a nice guitar. Just have no idea what kind of cost I’m looking at
 
Bxlxaxkxe said:
Yea I’m leaning towards sending to a well known guy and spending a little more, especially since it’s such a nice guitar. Just have no idea what kind of cost I’m looking at
Click to expand...
Greg did a refret for me on an old Gibson and used vintage Gibson fret wire. Was right around $200. I remember Steve K using him to repair a Gil Yaron burst I think. Greg has done work for a ton of big names on some killer vintage gear. As mentioned above the fix isn’t complicated but making the fix disappear is the real art form. Plus he’s a really cool dude.
 
not sure where you live but black cat guitar in Mass is incredible at things like this
 
Blake, if you would, flip that around and show the break on the neck and headstock....my curiosity has me wondering how clean the break is.
 
marshallmel said:
Greg did a refret for me on an old Gibson and used vintage Gibson fret wire. Was right around $200. I remember Steve K using him to repair a Gil Yaron burst I think. Greg has done work for a ton of big names on some killer vintage gear. As mentioned above the fix isn’t complicated but making the fix disappear is the real art form. Plus he’s a really cool dude.
Click to expand...
He’s unfortunately backed up 1.5 yrs
 
A break right there is going to require splines and a new headstock veneer. It won't ever look original on the back, but it will be better. It will cost a lot more than $100. I've done a number of headstock repairs and charging an "hour of labor" is irresponsible. Takes a lot longer than that, and rushing to get the job done breeds terrible habits. It's worth the wait to get the heavy hitters to work on it.
 
vultures said:
A break right there is going to require splines and a new headstock veneer. It won't ever look original on the back, but it will be better. It will cost a lot more than $100. I've done a number of headstock repairs and charging an "hour of labor" is irresponsible. Takes a lot longer than that, and rushing to get the job done breeds terrible habits. It's worth the wait to get the heavy hitters to work on it.
Click to expand...
I’m definitely prepared to spend some money to have it done right- it’s a nice ass guitar. I’ve hit up 2 well known guys so far - WILDLY different price estimates.


Anyone have any more recommendations? I don’t need it done immediately but 1.5 years is too long for me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top