Gibson Broken Headstock De-Value

2643 Views 37 Replies 17 Participants Last post by laristotle, Dec 4, 2017

LastRide

Discussion Starter · Nov 24, 2017

4

I would like to post a 2013 Gibson SG Angus Young Thunderstruck guitar with original case and candy for sale here at guitars canada. The guitar has had a broken headstock repair. Otherwise the guitar is mint and still has the shrink wrap in the pick guard. I had sold it on ebay a few months ago, and it arrived with the headstock broken almost off. The ply on face of the headstock was holding it together. Nothing wrong on the front of the headstock. Customs opened the package. I don't know if they broke it handling it or it happened during transit.

I know they have cameras in the Customs. I was going to call them. I doubt they would go over it to see if they broke it. I never had insurance because my cousin works for FedEx and gets a 75% discount. The only catch is can't get it insured. I used him a number a times with no problems and item arrives in one to two days Canada - U.S. Gianni if I remember his name correctly at Little Demon Guitars fixed it for me. Very nice guy, the repair looks really good. You can see the repair a little. He said if I wanted it to look perfect wait a year and he will give it the finishing touches. It looks pretty darn good now.

Here is a picture of the headstock. What do you guys think that value would be at ?. They are selling for $2000-$2300 U.S.

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

G

· #2 · Nov 24, 2017

Your photos of the damage are too blurry.

StevieMac

· #3 · Nov 24, 2017 (Edited)

It definitely helps if there's nothing visible from the front. How the repair & refinish work looks at the neck will affect devaluation as well. That said, a full break (i.e. not just a crack) typically devalues an instrument from 30 to 50% or more.

G

· #4 · Nov 24, 2017

I would be interested in buying if I could see the damage though...

Tim Plains

· #5 · Nov 24, 2017

You're probably in the $600 - $1,000 range now. Just a guess.

A guy sold a mint Angus SG in Burlington last year for $1,200. I just missed it.

Steadfastly

· #6 · Nov 24, 2017

That is really too bad.

It is likely stronger now than it was before the break but most people don't see it that way.

Reactions: 1

vadsy

· #7 · Nov 24, 2017

Steadfastly said:
That is really too bad. It is likely stronger now than it was before the break but most people don't see it that way.

put in an offer, you should buy it

Reactions: 1

capnjim

· #8 · Nov 24, 2017

Two sold recently on eBay for 1800$ US. I have found lately with the way the market it, and the CITES crap, stuff is basically worth in Cdn, what it sells for in US.
It would be a 2000$ guitar, but with the break, I would think 1200$ would be fair.

Reactions: 1

JHall55

· #9 · Nov 24, 2017

There’s one for sale now in Peel, asking $2000. Not affiliated...

2013 Gibson SG Angus Young signature edition | Guitars | Mississauga / Peel Region | Kijiji

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

faracaster

· #10 · Nov 25, 2017

I'd say 50% of the value goes away because of the break.
That is not a hard and fast rule but, certainly if you prepare yourself for that, you won't do worse.

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capnjim

· #11 · Nov 25, 2017

Anyways, list it here for 1500$ and see what happens, say that you are open to offers.
Post good pics.

G

· #12 · Nov 25, 2017

I remember years ago being told a well repaired headstock break would cause a 20% loss in value.

Scotty

· #13 · Nov 25, 2017

Steadfastly said:
That is really too bad. It is likely stronger now than it was before the break but most people don't see it that way.

Depends on who fixed it and even then, I'm not sure I would ever call it stronger. Even still, I wouldn't touch it unless dirt, dirt cheap unless it was a guaranteed flip.

Steadfastly

· #14 · Nov 25, 2017

Scotty said:
Depends on who fixed it and even then, I'm not sure I would ever call it stronger. Even still, I wouldn't touch it unless dirt, dirt cheap unless it was a guaranteed flip.

The reason it is likely stronger is that a properly glued wood joint is usually stronger than the wood itself. Since it likely broke at its weakest point the headstock is likely stronger now than it was originally. I understand why a lot of people wouldn't touch it, as a player, it is likely a better guitar.

G

· #15 · Nov 25, 2017

2

Repaired headstocks don't bother me.
Deals can be had because of that if you're looking for a player.
I did one myself (holding for 8 yrs before I sold it) and also bought one with a 26 year old repair.

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marcos

· #16 · Nov 25, 2017

Sorry to hear this and hope financially it does not affect you too badly. I'm not put off by a cracked neck but i know from experience that you lose almost half the full value. Wishing you best of luck selling it. I believe it will find a good home.

Diablo

· #17 · Nov 25, 2017

Wow numbers are all over the map.
Guess all you can do is list at some number with a OBO.

Broken headstock would reduce value by at least 30% for me. Esp if it's a commonly available model. Or I might just pass on it and then you have to haggle with the next cheapest guy

THe other factor that effects what I would pay is, who did the repair.

alwaysflat

· #18 · Nov 26, 2017

Not a funny story, I bought a guitar with a crack in the neck. Same thing, ...custom's opened for inspection and when I finally got it the headstock was off. Many mail exchanges, and finally the best I got was an apology.
If the fibers are not too mucked with, it can be made to fit very well and will repair very nicely. I don't think so much who does the repair, but how they do it. I'm kind of glad in retrospect as I think a crack repair is more of a mystery wrt the strength of the result. All I see missing form this repair is a build up of finish to bring it up flush. That takes a little extra time if there's chips of paint or sealer missing at the joint.

LastRide

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 27, 2017 (Edited)

Sorry everyone, I have been busy and than forgot about making the thread. I just remembered about it yesterday. I will try and get some better pictures. I had pictures of the broken headstock and can't find them now. It was a clean break. The front face of the headstock was holding it together. I will try and get some pics in the next day or two.

They say if a guitar sounds like crap. Break the headstock and it will take the stress out of the wood and will sound better..lol. Gianni at little demon guitars did a solid job. Besides getting the guitar back with a broken neck. I had to pay the buyer back the shipping cost, I had to pay to have it shipped back. I had to pay for the repair. The decreased value on top of that. Lose a lot of money. The guitar plays and feels great. The repair is done so it isn't as noticeable. You could have it done so you would never know it was broken.

Here are some links to the last 4 that sold, and the first one is for sale now. Remember these are U.S. prices. There was a 4th one that sold for $1799. That is all that has been listed. They are starting to get harder to find, and prices can only go up. AC/DC is pretty much finished. I will be selling it. A friend of mine head to Scarborough every 2-4 weeks. Maybe help pay for that 65" OLED I recently bought..lol.

There is one on ebay right now for $2229 Gibson SG Angus Young Thunderstruck electric guitar - Collectors! | eBay

Here is one that sold for $2299 2013 Gibson SG Angus Young Signature Thunderstruck | eBay

This one for $1800 2013 GIBSON THUNDERSTRUCK SG ANGUS YOUNG AC/DC CLEAN & RARE!!! | eBay

This one sold for $1799 2013 Gibson SG Standard Angus Young Thunderstruck Cherry Red AC/DC Signature | eBay

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Budda

· #20 · Nov 27, 2017

If you've lost a few hundred already, just keep it IMO.

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