Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

[memphiskat]

Hello
I posted a little while ago about putting active EMGs in my DKMG, but a couple hours ago I spotted a crack in the head stock ^$%&&#!!!!!

The crack is completely through the clear maple finished portion of the head stock directly under the tuner for the high E string. The crack starts half way between the nut and the corner of the head stock and goes diagnal across, under the high E tuner exacactly through the screw secureing the tuner, ending on the other side between the high E tuner and the B tuner. The crack is all the way through the clear finished portion but not the binding or top of the headstock.

Can this posibly be fixed?
Does anyone know where I could get this fixed in the Philadephia or New York City area? I have no idea how this happened and it really sucks.

Thanks for any help
Karl

[mab8485]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

Sounds like a finish crack to me. If the crack isnt through the wood, you have absolutely nothing to worry about (unless the look really bothers you).

[Newc]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

Fairly typical crack that is actually into the wood, not just the finish. The crack most likely runs along the grain of the wood, and was caused by the tuner mounting screw.
Usually these aren't very deep, but I have seen pics of some that did go all the way, and the low E tuner hole was either missing or split in half.

Get some Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue (any hardware store/WalMart/etc) and smear some into the hole (tilt the neck forward so it drips into the crack, but don't manually expand the crack). Once it looks like it's filled with glue, wipe off any excess glue and then remove the tuner. Bind the corner of the headstock with a clamp or some thick/heavy rubber bands and let it sit for a couple of days.

Then put the tuner back on but don't use the mounting screw - the bushing on top of the tuner is enough to hold it in place.

[memphiskat]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

Hello

The crack is definately in the wood, it goes all the way from the back to the binding, but does not show in binding or top. I removed the tuner and the crack goes right through the peg whole, it's almost completely through the head stock. I thought I could get some wood glue in it and clamp it, but I don't see how I'd get it in the crack.

I called a pro luthier and got a ball park estimate of $250 with complete set up (including fret pollish....the whole works). That's a lot of money to spend on a $650 guitar. I have no idea what a repair like this should cost, he said he uses an epoxy and it will be stronger than before it broke. I also asked about replacing the pickups with 81/85 and he wants $125 if I supply the pickups.

If anyone knows anyone in or around the Philly/NYC area that does this type of work or had it done and has an idea of the cost please let me know.

Thanks again
karl

[Jacksonite]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

125 to install pickups? that harsh...

[mogar]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

That guy's definately taking you for a ride.

[memphiskat]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

OK, I asked around and found another luthier who will repair the crack, swap out the pickups - HZ's for an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck, replace the pickup selector switch (he recomemnded it), for $155. That seemed a little more resonable. I was going to swap the pups myself but its awfully tight in that cutout. I can solder, but with two volumes, a tone, and the battery its a tight squeeze in there. Anyway, he said it'll be done in a week.

Thanks
Karl

[shadowcat]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

I dunno how much such a repair should cost, but 125 $ (I assume US$) just for the REPLACING of the pickups!? [img]/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
That price would be (very) good if it included one of the pickups... but only the work, that's ridiculous.

When I had both pickups in my DKMGT replaced with Seymour Duncans, I paid 260€ for the whole job, including the pickups (105€ each in this shop back then, I could get them alot cheaper nowadays), new pots and a complete setup.
So, less than 50€ for the work.

Of course, you are talking about putting in active pickups, which includes new electronics, output jack etc., but still... I also got complete new pots (the turbocharger was removed) and a complete wiring.

[shadowcat]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

[ QUOTE ]
OK, I asked around and found another luthier who will repair the crack, swap out the pickups - HZ's for an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck, replace the pickup selector switch (he recomemnded it), for $155. That seemed a little more resonable. I was going to swap the pups myself but its awfully tight in that cutout. I can solder, but with two volumes, a tone, and the battery its a tight squeeze in there. Anyway, he said it'll be done in a week.

Thanks
Karl

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds reasonable I think. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

$250 to repair a crack by the tuner hole when you can get a brand new DK-2 neck from Ebay for that?
Hell, you can buy a whole new GUITAR for that (yeah it's an Indian JS30KV/WR/etc model, but damn [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img])

As for doing the repair yourself, that's easy: put the tuner-mounting screw back in the hole, which expands the crack. Drizzle some glue in the crack and remove the screw, then follow the steps in my previous post [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

Pickup swaps are easy too - didn't someone post a tutorial on swapping to EMGs in the Tech Q&A section? [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]
If not, I'll do one today since I've got a guitar that needs swappin' out [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[OnlineStageGear]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

I think a DK2 neck on a DKMG would look killer.
Matt

[Tekky]

Re: Cracked head stock on DKMG.....now what?

To have a headstock put back on my Kramer Pacer only cost me $75 and the luthier I use is top notch.