headstock repair

**AndyV** · Aug-03-2018, 12:03am

The head broke off of this tenor when it fell from six feet (the second time). The binding was all very tight until then, but somehow the impact caused a section of binding to shorten pulling it away from the waist, stretched taught.

Anyone explain the science (chemistry and/or physics) behind this?

**David Houchens** · Aug-03-2018, 6:52am

Not scientificly said, but If its celluloid binding it shrinks its whole life. Even attached to the instrument its trying to shrink. Once it turns loose it will assume its shorter length. I've had to re-attach the binding at the waist on quite a few martin guitars with this problem. You will likely have to carefully heat it and stretch it slightly to get the length you need to re-attach it.

**AndyV** · Aug-03-2018, 9:52am

Thanks David. I didn't know I could stretch it with heat, I thought I'd have to cut and replace.

**sunburst** · Aug-03-2018, 11:38am

Originally Posted by AndyV

...I didn't know I could stretch it with heat...

You can, but it is not as straightforward as it might sound. If you simply heat the binding and stretch it back in place it will still be too short. It will cool and still not fit back into place. I've devised ways to over-stretch guitar bindings so that they will lie in place, and gluing will hold them securely. Also, it is very easy to damage finish with heat, so I use shielding to help prevent that while heating the binding.

**AndyV** · Aug-03-2018, 11:57am

Thanks John. I thought this might be the case or that it may shrink more.

Stretching lengthwise doesn't thin the celluloid?

The guitar's far from pristine. It's more about the feel of it and not wanting it to catch on something. There's another 3/4" section missing, so I think I'll just replace on this one. I may try stretching the binding on my Regal.

**sunburst** · Aug-03-2018, 1:59pm

Originally Posted by AndyV

Stretching lengthwise doesn't thin the celluloid?

Sure it does, slightly, but what are the alternatives? -Leave the binding loose to catch on something and cause much worse damage, -Cut the binding and add a piece, -Put a bunch of some kind of glue and gunk in the gap (don't laugh, I've seen it and had to fix it more than once), -Other?

**mirwa** · Aug-04-2018, 12:28am

Originally Posted by sunburst

-Cut the binding and add a piece, -Put a bunch of some kind of glue and gunk in the gap (don't laugh, I've seen it and had to fix it more than once), -Other?

I personally like to graft a new piece in, its certainly not a job for the faint of heart.

Steve