Guitar Broken Neck Repair Cost (Headstock Or Neck Damage)

Got a broken guitar neck?  Yikes!  Luckily, it is fixable but it does cost some money to do.

But how much?  Depends on what is wrong with the neck and how you repair it.

How much to fix a broken guitar neck?

The cost of fixing a broken guitar neck depends on the severity of the damage. It’s difficult to give a general answer because it varies depending on who you talk to. Some might charge $50, while others could cost $500.

Can A Broken Neck On A Guitar Be Fixed?

Yes.  A guitar neck can be repaired, but it depends on what happened and how much damage was done to the guitar. Generally speaking, if the break is clean and straight or “shattered”, then there is a chance that it can be fixed.

The guitar neck break can either be glued with white glue or doweled back together or a combination of both.

Can A Broken Acoustic Guitar Neck Be Fixed?

As long as it is a clean break, a broken acoustic guitar neck can be fixed by using some wood glue, some clamps to hold it in place so the glue can dry and a piece of hardwood to use as a block.  The wood glue and the clamps will help to strengthen the damaged area so that the guitar neck will not completely break. If you have a broken guitar neck, there is hope.

Common Ways Guitar Necks Get Broken

Broken Headstock

The headstock is the top of the neck where you attach your tuning keys. It’s pretty common for the headstock to be broken from accidentally dropping it on a hard surface.  this can happen to both acoustic and electric guitars.

Headstocks that are angled back are especially vulnerable to this issue because there is a great chance that dropping the guitar will impact the headstock.

The cost of a headstock repair is usually in the $400 range.  But it can vary depending on the type of repair is needed to reattach the headstock.

Neck Crack At Base Near Body

Sometimes a guitar neck break can crack near the base of the neck.  A crack in this area is pretty serious, but it doesn’t mean that your guitar is completely broken and need to be replaced.

It’s feasible to repair a neck with a small crack, but it will require some minor structural modifications. Though these modifications aren’t difficult, changing the shape of the neck will impact the playability of the guitar.

The cost of fixing a cracked guitar neck depends on the severity of the damage.

Replacing A Broken Guitar Neck

There may be instances where a repair is not feasible and you need to replace the neck instead.  In some cases, a repair may be possible, but the cost of doing so is more than the price of a new neck.

However, if you have a vintage or high-end guitar, it might be worth fixing instead. Guitar necks aren’t cheap and they can cost anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars to replace.

Acoustic Guitar Neck Replacement Cost

Acoustic guitar necks can be very expensive and most of the time, the cost of replacing a guitar neck is more than the price of a new acoustic guitar.

The average cost to replace an acoustic guitar neck can range from $200 to $400 for a brand new one. If you’re lucky, you could find a good used neck for around $100 or less.

The other expense is getting a professional to install it for you because it is not as easy as bolting a new one on like some electric guitars.

Electric Guitar Neck Replacement Cost

The cost to replace an electric guitar neck depends on what type of replacement neck you want. If you want the same brand as the one you had, then it’s going to cost more.

If you can find a good used neck for your guitar, then it will save you some cash. The price for those can range from $100 to $200. If it’s a brand new one, then expect to pay around $300 or more.

Important Guitar Neck Repair Points

Guitar neck repairs can be challenging and it’s important to take your time with the repairs.  Many repairs are completed without any major issues, but like with any repair, there is always a chance of something unforeseen happening during the repair.

Can A New Guitar Neck Be Placed On An Old Guitar?

Yes.  It’s possible to replace the whole neck of an old guitar with a new one.

Conclusion

As mention earlier, the cost of fixing a broken guitar neck depends on the severity of the damage. Don’t expect to spend $50 or less because chances are that it won’t be worth it. If you want to get an estimate on how much it will cost, look online for people who repair guitars in your area.