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Would you buy a Gibson with a repaired headstock?

Tom Wittrock

Tom Wittrock

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mattnew33 said:
So this is good feedback... All good points, :) I guess I gotta get some references and move the wood shop outta the basement. :)
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G.I.Paul is kind of like Keith Richards. It will be around forever, I think. :ganz
 
Don

Don

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Years ago, I paid $200 for an early '90s Studio with a repaired headstock. It was a great guitar! I mainly sold it because it stunk of the previous owner's cigarettes and cologne, and so did my hands after playing it! :dang Otherwise, it was a great guitar.
 
cincyguitar

cincyguitar

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Heck no!...I almost bought an epiphone with a bad repair...well maybe if it had a repair that was barely visable...:dude:
 
MeHereNow

MeHereNow

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If it's repaired properly, yes


fender-les-paul-standard.thumbnail.jpg


:hee
 
Stephens

Stephens

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Yes- that is how I scored my 01 R9. Repair was done right and it sounds amazing. And, the seller knew how to price it based on the repair.

I also picked up a new Epiphone 1962 Sheraton reissue at GC that had a headstock break. Another screaming deal. Good deals to be had if the repair is solid and the price is right.
 
mattnew33

mattnew33

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Stephens said:
Yes- that is how I scored my 01 R9. Repair was done right and it sounds amazing. And, the seller knew how to price it based on the repair.

I also picked up a new Epiphone 1962 Sheraton reissue at GC that had a headstock break. Another screaming deal. Good deals to be had if the repair is solid and the price is right.
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Would you care to give some details? ( $$'s )... they can be approximate if you don't want to share. With the wide range of what I see R9 historics going for.. this seems difficult to me.


There was a 2018 True Historic R9 on ebay last week, sold for just over $2k ( unrepaired headstock break, but a bad one.. )....I was tempted but don't think you'd be able to get more than $2200-$2300 for it once repaired, and if I'd bid it most certainly would have gone higher than that.
 
Dave P

Dave P

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Yes, I have owned a few with headstock repairs. Just have to make sure it is a solid repair, and pay close attention how it was broken. If it was a long break with a lot of surface area for gluing behind the headstock and tuners, they hold up well. The breaks that are straight across down by the nut, those are bad breaks I usually avoid.
 
jrgtr42

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Sure I'd buy one...
If it's priced right -
if it's a good repair,
if I can see it and play it before pulling the trigger (this goes for almost any guitar - repair or not)
if the tech / luthier will stand behind his / her work.
 
Stephens

Stephens

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mattnew33 said:
Would you care to give some details? ( $$'s )... they can be approximate if you don't want to share. With the wide range of what I see R9 historics going for.. this seems difficult to me.


There was a 2018 True Historic R9 on ebay last week, sold for just over $2k ( unrepaired headstock break, but a bad one.. )....I was tempted but don't think you'd be able to get more than $2200-$2300 for it once repaired, and if I'd bid it most certainly would have gone higher than that.
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Yeah, no problem at all. I think I paid either $2,000 or $2,200. I know I had talked him down from $2,400.

Best of luck to you on your search!
 
El Gringo

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Never , as there are plenty of them out there without any defects .
 
El Gringo

El Gringo

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AA00475Bassman said:
I have owned six headstock repairs over the first twenty years of playing . I have not look at one or played one & have no interest in owning one in the past 20+ years of playing then & going forward .

Disclaimer : My wife broke the headstock on my Rich Robinson #494 the following day I walk out of the local Gibson dealer with a new ES 345 leaving the broke guitar behind .

Disclaimer #2 : Some on this Forum will serve up the KOOL- AID a REPAIRED headstock has better sound - tone this is FOOLS BS !!!!~!!!!
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Exactly , because once the headstock is broken it alters the playability of the instrument .
 
El Gringo

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Thundermtn said:
If I'm looking on the internet and it's listed with the more common than not "no return" policy, i wont even consider them.

The only way I'd consider it would be if the top was great, the price is correct, and I have to chance to send it back if it's not right.

It's a buyers market right now and with so many great lp's for sale for decent money why take a chance on a possible problem. The discount needs to be serious money for me to even look at it.
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A very smart and thoughtful reply that I agree with 100% , and it truly is a buyers market and a great time for more Les Paul's !
 
El Gringo

El Gringo

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When I am buying a vintage instrument I want a dead mint 100% original instrument , including untouched solder joints . To think of wasting money on a broken/repaired headstock for me would be throwing my Drachmas away and a terribile waste of money .
 
deytookerjaabs

deytookerjaabs

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It's like all I buy.


I've broken two on accident, so I know better than to lose all that money on my end.
 
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