[Bluesyzep]

Hey guys. I just took my Washburn D10SSB out of the case and found the neck broken. I hadn't played in a couple of weeks. This was my first guitar and part of a limited run so am really upset about it. I'd grown to love it and figured I would be playing it 20 years from now. I pride myself on taking care of my equipment. You can imagine how I feel.

A D10S isn't hard to find but this one is in a sunburst pattern so am not optimistic to replace it The sentimental value I'll never replace. It a clean perpendicular break starting from the bottom two tuners and stops under the neck about an inch above the nut. Is there any hope of a repair?

[skinnybloke]

Thats really bad news, sorry to hear that it happened.
There is hope, have a look here.
Skinny

I know how you feel, I broke mine in the same place about 25 years ago. The repair is still sound.

[allthumbs]

Can you take a pic or two to show us? What a bummer. There must have been a flaw hidden under the finish from the get go.
The break an inch above the nut doesn't give you a lot to work with. There is a thread I posted some time ago about a friend of mine who repaired a broken neck. You might want to do a search for it. It shows pics of how he repaired it. Routing out slots in the neck and headstock for glued wooden inserts might work. You may have to keep it tuned down to Eb to minimize the stress on the neck though.

[Bluesyzep]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Can you take a pic or two to show us? What a bummer. There must have been a flaw hidden under the finish from the get go.
The break an inch above the nut doesn't give you a lot to work with. There is a thread I posted some time ago about a friend of mine who repaired a broken neck. You might want to do a search for it. It shows pics of how he repaired it. Routing out slots in the neck and headstock for glued wooden inserts might work. You may have to keep it tuned down to Eb to minimize the stress on the neck though.

If a repair inhibits the performance I'd likely get another. It's a $230 guitar that I got on clearance for $130. Not a lot of money. Just a lot of sentiment.

While I kept it in the case I would lean it against the wall or truck while loading it. It fell down flat a couple of times. I'm thinking that's what did it. The side impact under string tension did it in. I had no idea they could be that fragile.

I'll charge up the camera and get some pics. soon.

[allthumbs]

They usually aren't. In 35 years, I have had my Norman guitar knocked over more time than I can count and it doesn't seem to have effected it at all.

[Bluesyzep]

Originally Posted by skinnybloke

Thats really bad news, sorry to hear that it happened.
There is hope, have a look here.
Skinny

I know how you feel, I broke mine in the same place about 25 years ago. The repair is still sound.

I was going to say "at least it wasn't a Martin".

[Bluesyzep]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

They usually aren't. In 35 years, I have had my Norman guitar knocked over more time than I can count and it doesn't seem to have effected it at all.

Hmmm...now I have to wonder.

[wcostley]

Originally Posted by skinnybloke

Thats really bad news, sorry to hear that it happened.
There is hope, have a look here.
Skinny

I know how you feel, I broke mine in the same place about 25 years ago. The repair is still sound.

That was a great post skinny.
Skip

[Bluesyzep]

Was over at the Washburn forum. Looks like I may have a warranty claim. Will know soon enough.

[Rockerbob]

Most likely it can be glued back and be structurally sound. Back in the days when I repaired guitars for a living I glued many headstocks. And yes, the inertia from falling over in the case can snap off a headstock.

[daf]

Sorry dude!

you should get a tech(guitar technisian)I really can't spell as you can see. If you haven't already got one the shoul fix it .

daf

Peace out X

[jimmyzowens]

sorry for the bad news let me know how it goes

[frewgosh]

I have a Martin that had a very similar break. It broke my heart as I was convinced that such a catastrophic break could not be fixed. I took it to a local guitar doctor and he fixed it no problem. You can not see where the break was which is just astonishing. The guitar still plays like a dream. So do not despair, take it to a reputable guitar doc and your nightmare should be over Good Luck

[Bluesyzep]

To keep a long story short I opted to fix it myself. I've been at it off and on for 2 weeks now. The glue repair was excellent, the filling and re-staining came out pretty good, but the finish is kicking my ass. I've been getting orange peel and and am on my fourth attempt at sanding it out.

I've made several mistakes in the process. Nothing critical but am getting frustrated. Spraying too thick (runs) and sanding too much (bare wood) are a couple. I bought a book on guitar repair which is shedding some light but sounds like I have to spend even more time and money. I thought I was going to string it up a couple of days ago but now I'm looking at another week or more.

Before I go any further I want to take a break and get some advice from some of the more experienced members on re-finishing.

[X4StringDrive]

Finishing is probably the hardest part to conquer, what type of finish are you applying? and on what type of wood? Also remember that the enviorment can affect the outcome as much as you can.