Don’t lose your head

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This Jackson Dinky came into the workshop in a rough state. Not only was it in pieces, but the headstock had snapped clean through, leaving the guitar completely unplayable. On top of that, the tremolo wasn’t returning to pitch, the strings were old and uneven, and the guitar needed a full setup once the structural work was complete. This was the kind of job that shows the difference between just fixing a guitar and bringing one back to life. ⸻ The Damage The break was located at the headstock-to-neck transition, one of the most stressed areas on any guitar neck. These breaks are common on angled headstocks, especially when the guitar takes a fall. The damage included: • A full-depth crack, visible front and back • Splintering along the grain • Misalignment where the tuner-side face had shifted slightly This type of break looks dramatic, but when repaired correctly and reinforced internally, it can be as strong (or stronger) than before. ⸻ Headstock Repair Process 1. Joint Preparation Before gluing anything, the broken surfaces were cleaned and test-fitted to ensure the pieces seated naturally. This ensures the wood grain lines up without forcing the joint. 2. Adhesive Bonding I used high-strength woodworking adhesive, clamped evenly across the break to maintain alignment without crushing the wood fibers. Pressure and positioning are key here. 3. Internal Reinforcement Once dry, I added internal reinforcement to prevent future stress failure. This increases long-term stability and makes sure the break doesn’t reopen. 4. Finish Smoothing The repaired area was sanded and blended to remove sharp edges and reduce visual trace of the break. This was a functional repair, kept clean and stable without refinishing the whole neck. ⸻ Neck Refit & Setup With the headstock restored, I refitted the neck to the body. Neck alignment was carefully adjusted to ensure proper string tracking up the fretboard. The truss rod was then set for smooth, low relief suited to fast playing. ⸻ Floyd Rose Tremolo Rebuild The Floyd system needed a complete reset: • Tremolo plate leveled • Spring tension matched to string pull • Locking nut serviced and refitted • Fine tuners set to mid-range • New strings fitted and properly stretched before locking down Once balanced correctly, the trem returned to pitch perfectly and responded smoothly to divebombs and vibrato. ⸻ Final Setup • Action dialled in for a fast, modern metal feel • Intonation corrected across the board • Fretboard cleaned and conditioned • Electronics cleaned and checked ⸻ The Result The guitar went from: ❌ Broken ❌ Unplayable ❌ Completely dismantled to: ✅ Structurally repaired ✅ Fast, smooth and stable ✅ Floyd Rose working exactly as it should ✅ 100% stage-ready again This Jackson didn’t just get repaired. It got its life back. ⸻ Need a Headstock Repair or Floyd Rose Setup? If your guitar has suffered a break or your trem isn’t behaving, don’t panic. These repairs are absolutely fixable when done correctly. Book your repair or setup here: https://rgguitartech.co.uk Rob Greco Guitar Tech — Repairs & Setups (Nottingham) RG Guitar Tech — Professional Guitar Repairs & Setups (Nottingham)

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