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Thread: Headstock repair on Casino

  1. #1
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    Headstock repair on Casino

    Hey all

    First time posting in this forum.

    A bandmate of mine fell off his bike and snapped the headstock on his Epiphany Casino. It seems to be hanging on by the paint. Unfortunately, he took it home and tried gluing it up himself.

    So, I wanna take it on as a project and I'm trying to devise a plan. I'm thinking fully remove the headstock and see how the break lines up and pick away what glue I can. Then, I'm thinking I make a small router sled and notch a couple 1/4" grooves so I can spline the break. I'm curious if it would be possible cut everything back so I can have a clean glue surface. I'm thinking it shouldn't be an issue since the break is above the nut. Any advice out there? Thanks for looking.


    IMG_2811.jpg

  2. #2
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    That is a very complex repair because of the stresses involved when the instrument is strung up and under tension. You cannot just glue it back together. IF...and I do mean IF...it's salvageable, it will likely require cutting in splines to reinforce the joint across the break. You'll have to strip the finish to evaluate and may need to cut in additional material to clean things up. If the neck is a bolt on, the work will be easier. If it's a set neck, you're in for a lot more challenge.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
    Youtube is your friend. Check out the Stew Mac channel.

  4. #4
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    Thanks guys. Vince, I will look around the Stew Mac channel.
    Jim, yes I was thinking splines are necessary. I’m wondering if a steep scarf joint would be beneficial or detrimental to the neck, although as you said, likely not salvageable in the first place. Seems like splines it is!

  5. #5
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    Actually, removing the headstock I'm realizing the truss rod will make a scarf more or less impossible. Good news is, he did such a bad job trying to glue it himself, he got almost no glue in the actually wood fibers. The nasty break in a way could provide a lot of glue surface. I am gonna try epoxy and clamping with screws unless someone has a better idea. After epoxy has cured I will route grooves for splines.

  6. #6
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    A scarf joint is a standard method of creating an angled headstock, using the fretboard as a reinforcing layer. But what you currently have is kind of backwards in relation to that.

    I like the idea of splines as well.

    I'd guess a 'pro' might use hide glue, but there's another headache.

  7. #7
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    There's a good chance it was a scarf joint originally. The whole neck would need to be disassembled to properly create a new scarf joint as the fretboard and truss rod system has to come out to be able to cut things properly. That would be not fun on a bolt-on neck and nearly impossible on a set neck instrument. Hence, the reason that luthiers will resort to a couple of splines to reconstruct the area. But that's a super bad break...very scary.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  8. #8
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    I think I see a gig bag zipper in the image? Gig bags offer no real protection for an instrument. That is the weakest spot on a stringed instrument. Sorry to see that break. Epoxy can work for a break like that. If it is a cheap guitar I sometimes use epoxy and freeze the truss rod adjusting nut into the repair along with a cut off Allen Wrench. It makes the guitar even cheaper. Scarfing on to the neck can be done, the fret board usually has to come off. Your idea of splines could work too. The fault is often with the way the truss rod adjusting nut was routed in, often sloppy with way too much wood removed.

    P.S. it is not a cheap guitar
    I snooped around the web a bit more. That may be a valuable guitar. Definitely proceed with caution.
    Last edited by Maurice Mcmurry; 07-24-2022 at 10:05 PM. Reason: Epiphone Cassino
    Best Regards, Maurice

  9. #9
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    Thanks for the responses guys. I can’t believe I missed the autocorrect in my OP. Obviously meant to say Epiphone Casino, haha. It is a pretty special guitar, not only because of its value on the marketplace, but its a friend’s thag I’ve been jamming with for 15+ years. Don’t get me wrong, the guitar is pretty beat up, well before the neck breakage, but that’s kinda the owners m.o., he’s a true rocker who loves the guitar for its inherent mojo. He traded a rosewood tele for it years ago.
    Anyhow, neck has be epoxied, I removed that nasty piece that looks loose in OP. Will try to run a spline there to address the missing material. I will agree, truss rod nut is taking up a lot of real estate. Will hopefully get around to building a router jig tomorrow. I’m just gonna do my best. I know I can get it playing again, just hope I can do the guitar justice. No local shops really wanted to mess with it. I’m kind considering making a jig for my domino 500. The wide setting just might be the perfect spline slot cutting tool, at least for the break considering how steep the crack is.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #10
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    The Spelling corrector did that epiphany on me too. I make carefully shaped clamping cauls and coat them with wax.

    +1 for Stewart Macdonald and Dan Erlewine I have followed Mr. Erlewine since VHS days.

    https://youtu.be/6DwA56TKWq8
    Last edited by Maurice Mcmurry; 07-25-2022 at 10:01 AM.
    Best Regards, Maurice

  11. #11
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    Chuck, you kinda need two splines cut in; one on either side of the truss rod pathway. They will balance each other and provide a lot of supportive glue area. You'll need to remove the tuners temporarily so you can do the slicing and dicing with whatever method you choose...personally, I'd create a template that is held securely to the back of the headstock and neck with slots that guide a small router in straight lines so you can carefully cut in the mortises for the splines.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    Chuck, you kinda need two splines cut in; one on either side of the truss rod pathway. They will balance each other and provide a lot of supportive glue area. You'll need to remove the tuners temporarily so you can do the slicing and dicing with whatever method you choose...personally, I'd create a template that is held securely to the back of the headstock and neck with slots that guide a small router in straight lines so you can carefully cut in the mortises for the splines.
    Thank Jim. Totally planned on 2 splines. Im drawing up a domino jig. I believe I can incorporate a padded radius into the bottom to hold the neck securely. The whole jig would then be clamped to the bench. The idea is that the domino would reference off a central fence so could therefor be used from either side giving two mortises on either side of the truss rod. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ we’ll see!
    Last edited by chuck van dyck; 07-25-2022 at 5:54 PM.

  13. #13
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    Pretty unsophisticated jig, but seems to have done the job. Wish I would've positioned a bit more on the neck side of things but I think we'll be only. There is 7/16ths of spline on the headstock side of things and a good 5/16ths or so in the neck. Will be glued in with epoxy. I'm not gonna be refinishing this guitar, so the splines will most likely stay visible. Now just gotta sharpen the spokeshave and find my rasps.

    neck3.jpgneck2.jpgIMG_3873.jpg

  14. #14
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    Well I done it! Looking forward to stringing up tomorrow to see how she fares.

    EF9A7C1B-A51E-4CB5-8756-17C840150160.jpg

  15. #15
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    Well done! That's about the only way to fix this kind of break and have adequate glue surface to deal with the kind of tension that the strings will exert on it once they are in place and tuned up.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

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