How To Fix A Broken Acoustic Guitar Neck (Repair, Adjustment)


older acoustic guitar hanging the wall

The sound of a broken guitar neck is one of the most disheartening things a musician can experience. But don’t give up on your beloved instrument just yet! With some care and attention, a broken acoustic guitar neck can often be repaired. Whether your guitar has suffered a clean break or a hairline crack, this guide will walk you through the steps to restore your guitar to playing condition.

To fix a broken acoustic guitar neck, carefully remove the old glue, realign the pieces, and use clamps to hold the neck in place while the new glue sets. Finally, smooth any rough edges and refinish the neck if necessary. It’s best to consult a professional luthier if you’re unsure how to proceed.

While some repair jobs are best left to professionals, with the right tools and a bit of patience, you can tackle this task yourself and save yourself the cost of a new guitar. So let’s get started and learn how to fix a broken acoustic guitar neck for acoustic guitar neck adjustment.

How To Fix A Broken Acoustic Guitar Neck & Repair It

  1. Assess the Damage: Examining Your Broken Guitar Neck
  2. Gathering the Right Tools and Materials for the Repair Job
  3. Removing the Old Glue: How to Clean Up the Neck Before Repairing It
  4. Realigning the Pieces: How to Properly Position the Neck for Repair
  5. Clamping the Neck: Using Clamps to Hold the Neck in Place While Glue Sets
  6. Smooth Out the Rough Edges: Finishing Touches to Make Your Guitar Playable Again
  7. Refinishing the Neck: Restoring the Appearance of Your Guitar
  8. When to Call a Professional: Knowing Your Limits as a DIY Repairer

1. Assess the Damage: Examining Your Broken Guitar Neck

Before you can begin repairing your broken guitar neck by doing a guitar neck adjustment, you’ll need to assess the extent of the damage. Check for cracks or breaks, and determine if the break is clean or splintered.

Determine if the headstock or heel has broken off, or if the break is in the middle of the neck. This information will help you decide whether the neck can be repaired or needs to be replaced.

2. Gathering the Right Tools and Materials for the Repair Job

To fix your broken acoustic guitar neck, you’ll need a few specialized tools and materials. These may include:

  • Wood glue: Choose a high-quality wood glue that’s specifically designed for musical instruments.
  • Clamps: You’ll need clamps to hold the neck in place while the glue sets. Choose clamps that are appropriate for the size of your guitar neck.
  • Sandpaper: Sandpaper will be used to smooth the rough edges of the repaired neck.
  • Razor blade or chisel: A razor blade or chisel will help you remove old glue from the break.
  • Warm water and a cloth: Use warm water and a cloth to clean the break before applying new glue.
  • Safety glasses: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris during the repair process.

3. Removing the Old Glue: How to Clean Up the Neck Before Repairing It

Before you can repair your guitar neck, you’ll need to remove any old glue from the break.

To do this, use a razor blade or chisel to carefully scrape away any old glue residue. Be sure to wear safety glasses during this step to protect your eyes from flying debris.

After removing the old glue, clean the break with warm water and a cloth to prepare it for the new glue.

4. Realigning the Pieces: How to Properly Position the Neck for Repair

Next, you’ll need to realign the pieces of your broken guitar neck. Carefully fit the pieces together, ensuring that the break is flush and the pieces are properly aligned. You may need to gently tap the pieces with a mallet to ensure they’re properly positioned.

5. Clamping the Guitar Neck: Using Clamps to Hold the Neck in Place While Glue Sets

Once the pieces are properly aligned, apply a liberal amount of wood glue to the break. Carefully clamp the neck using your chosen clamps, ensuring that the pieces are held tightly together while the glue sets. Be sure to wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying on the neck.

6. Smooth Out the Rough Edges: Finishing Touches to Make Your Guitar Playable Again

After the glue has set, remove the clamps and use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Sand the repaired area carefully, taking care not to remove too much material or damage the finish on the neck. Sand the edges of the repair as well to ensure a smooth transition between the repaired and non-repaired areas.

7. Refinishing the Guitar Neck: Restoring the Appearance of Your Guitar

If necessary, you may need to refinish the neck after repairing it. Apply a coat of clear finish to the repaired area, taking care to match the finish to the existing finish on the neck. Allow the finish to dry completely before playing your guitar.

8. When to Call a Professional: Knowing Your Limits as a DIY Repairer

While fixing a broken acoustic guitar neck can be a satisfying DIY project, it’s important to know your limits. If the damage is extensive or you’re not confident in your repair skills, it’s best to take your guitar to a professional luthier. A skilled luthier can help you assess the

Best Glue For Guitar Neck Repair

The best glue to repair a broken guitar neck is typically a high-quality wood glue that’s specifically designed for musical instruments. Look for a glue that’s strong, durable, and able to withstand the stress of playing the guitar.

One popular type of wood glue for guitar repair is Titebond Original Wood Glue. This glue has been used by luthiers and instrument makers for decades and is known for its strong bond and excellent sandability.

It’s important to avoid using superglue or other types of adhesives that may not be appropriate for guitar repair. These types of adhesives can create a brittle bond that may not withstand the stress of playing the guitar. Always choose a high-quality wood glue that’s designed for use with musical instruments to ensure a successful repair.

Guitar Neck Broken At The Body

A guitar neck that has broken at the body is a more complex repair than a simple neck crack or break. However, with some patience and attention to detail, it is possible to repair a guitar neck that has broken at the body. Here’s what to do:

  1. Assess the damage: Examine the break and determine if it is repairable. If the break is too extensive or the wood is too damaged, it may not be possible to repair the neck. In this case, the neck will need to be replaced.
  2. Remove the neck: Carefully remove the neck from the body of the guitar. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to remove any screws or bolts holding the neck in place. If the neck is glued in place, use a heated knife or chisel to carefully remove the glue.
  3. Prepare the break: Clean the break area with warm water and a cloth, removing any old glue residue or debris. If necessary, use a razor blade or chisel to smooth the edges of the break.
  4. Realignment: Carefully realign the pieces of the broken neck. Use a straight edge to ensure that the neck is properly aligned with the body of the guitar.
  5. Glue the break: Apply a liberal amount of high-quality wood glue to the break area. Use clamps to hold the neck in place while the glue dries. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth.
  6. Reinforce the repair: Once the glue has dried, reinforce the repair with a wooden dowel or splint. Cut a piece of wood to size and glue it to the inside of the neck, covering the break. Clamp the splint in place and allow it to dry.
  7. Sand and finish: After the glue has fully cured, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Refinish the neck if necessary to match the existing finish on the guitar.
  8. Reattach the neck: Once the repair is complete, carefully reattach the neck to the body of the guitar. Use screws or bolts to secure the neck in place. If the neck was glued in place, use a heated knife or chisel to carefully reapply the glue.

Repairing a guitar neck that has broken at the body can be a challenging task, and it’s important to take your time and work carefully to ensure a successful repair. If you’re unsure about your ability to repair the neck yourself, it’s always best to seek the advice of a professional luthier.

How To Do An Acoustic Guitar Neck Adjustment

An acoustic guitar neck adjustment may be necessary if the guitar’s neck is bowed or curved, making it difficult to play or causing intonation issues. Here are the steps to fix an acoustic guitar neck adjustment:

  1. Assess the neck: Before making any adjustments, examine the guitar’s neck to determine the degree of curvature. You can do this by holding down the low E string at the first and last frets and looking at the gap between the string and the frets in the middle of the neck.
  2. Loosen the strings: To make adjustments to the neck, you will need to loosen the strings. Use a string winder to loosen each string and remove them from the guitar.
  3. Adjust the truss rod: The truss rod is a metal rod that runs through the center of the neck and can be used to adjust the curvature of the neck. Use an appropriate wrench or hex key to adjust the truss rod, turning it clockwise to straighten the neck and counter-clockwise to add curvature.
  4. Check the curvature: After making adjustments to the truss rod, check the curvature of the neck again by holding down the low E string at the first and last frets and examining the gap between the string and frets in the middle of the neck. Adjust the truss rod as needed until the curvature is correct.
  5. Re-string the guitar: Once the neck is properly adjusted, re-string the guitar and tune it to the desired pitch.
  6. Check intonation: After re-stringing the guitar, check the intonation to ensure that the guitar is playing in tune across all frets. Make any necessary adjustments to the bridge or saddle as needed.
  7. Get professional help if needed: If you are unsure about how to adjust the truss rod or are having difficulty getting the desired results, it’s best to seek the help of a professional guitar technician to avoid causing damage to the guitar.

By following these steps, you can adjust the neck of your acoustic guitar and improve its playability and sound.

How much does it cost to repair an acoustic guitar neck?

The cost to repair an acoustic guitar neck can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the location of the repair shop, and the experience of the luthier performing the repair. In general, minor repairs such as filling in cracks or repairing minor breaks can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. More extensive repairs such as resetting the neck or replacing the entire neck can cost several hundred dollars or more.

It’s important to note that the cost of the repair may also depend on the type of guitar you have. For example, repairing a high-end vintage guitar may require more specialized skills and materials, which can drive up the cost of the repair.

If you’re considering having your acoustic guitar neck repaired, it’s a good idea to get an estimate from a professional luthier. They can assess the extent of the damage and provide you with a cost estimate for the repair. Keep in mind that repairing a broken neck can be a delicate and time-consuming process, and it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced luthier to ensure the repair is done properly.

Guitar Broken Headstock Repair Cost

The cost to repair a broken headstock on a guitar can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the type of guitar, and the location of the repair shop. In general, repairing a broken headstock can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 or more.

Minor headstock repairs such as gluing a clean break or filling in small cracks can cost on the lower end of the spectrum. However, more extensive repairs such as a complete headstock replacement or repairing a splintered break can cost more due to the time and skill required to make the repair.

It’s important to note that repairing a broken headstock requires specialized skills and tools, and it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced luthier for the repair. The cost of the repair may also depend on the type of guitar you have. For example, repairing a high-end vintage guitar may require more specialized materials and expertise, which can increase the cost of the repair.

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David Sandy

Hey there! My name is David Sandy and I'm the founder of Sandy Music Lab. I've been playing guitar for several years now and created this site to be able to share and explore music with others.
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