If you have a hairline crack in your guitar neck, don’t panic! This is a relatively easy repair that can be done at home with some simple tools and materials. Today, we’re going to take a look at everything you need to do to fix a cracked guitar neck.
Warning
If you have an expensive or collectible guitar, don’t try to repair the hairline crack in the guitar neck on your own. Guitars range significantly in value—an antique guitar should never be repaired at home. A professional can repair your guitar in a fashion that doesn’t dramatically reduce its value.
Required Supplies
First, you’ll need to gather the following supplies:
- A small piece of fine-grit sandpaper
- A wood glue that is recommended by your guitar manufacturer
- Clamping tools, such as a C-clamp or two or three flat wooden braces
- An iron and some wax paper (optional)
Steps to Fixing a Broken Guitar Neck
1) Clean and Prepare the Surface
Begin by cleaning the crack with a clean rag to make sure that it is free of any dirt or debris. Then, run the sandpaper along the crack to roughen up the surface and help the glue adhere.
2) Apply Wood Glue to the Crack
Next, apply a small amount of wood glue to the crack, using just enough to fill it in. You don’t want to use too much glue, as this can cause the repair to be bulky and difficult to sand down later. You also don’t want to use too little, as it will fail to adhere and may gunk up the crack internally.
3) Clamp the Repair
If you have a clamp, use it to hold the crack together while the glue sets. If you don’t have a clamp, you may want to consider using multiple flat wooden braces instead. Don’t just let the glue set. The sides of the crack will pull apart and you’ll be left with a slightly deformed guitar neck. Clamping the repair also helps the glue set faster by spreading it out into a thinner layer.
4) Let the Repair Set
Once your guitar is clamped or braced, leave it be for at least 24 hours so that the glue can dry completely.
5) Smooth Out the Surface (Optional)
If desired, when the glue has completely set, you may want to place a damp cloth over the guitar neck and iron it on low heat. The steam from the cloth will help melt the wax paper into the crack so that it’s less visible. Otherwise, you can sand it down with your fine-grit sandpaper, using progressively finer grits until it looks nice and polished.
Now you know how to fix a cracked neck on a guitar. Once your guitar is repaired, you can get back to playing! Keep it in a cool, dry area and avoid exposing it to extreme temperature changes or humidity, as this can cause the wood to crack. With proper care, your guitar should last for many years to come.