Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It seems like, due to the angle of the headstock, that Gibsons are prone to this problem. Rics have a slightly angled headstock, but not as steep as a Gibson. Has anyone come across a snapped headstock on a Rickenbacker? It seems like this is a problem that does not affect Rickenbackers, but I was curious if maybe I was overlooking this. Thanks!

Interestingly enough, there's a Rick bass on Craigslist here in Denver that has a major repair just below the headstock. Other than the break, it's a fairly nice looking one at a good price. I'd be a bit concerned about that kind of an issue, though. I've heard that a fixed break ends up stronger than the wood alone but it seems counterintuitive to me (and I'm typically not anything that has to be spell checked).

My '66 335 has dowels that indicate a broken headstock and very expert repair. I too have heard they're stronger at that place after an effective repair.

haha......yeah, TONS.

Gibson neck breaks are often a combination of carelessness and the steep headstock angle. Ric headstocks are even more fragile, just by their own design, particularly if you're talking vintage Rics.

By their design and back angle Rickenbackers would be fairly strong if it wasn't for that dirty big routing for access to the truss rods. From the early 70s they started getting a sizable volute on the back of the headstock where it flows to the neck.
Just another reason why 70's ones are heaver and stronger and the surviving 60's ones are slimmer, lighter and a little more desirable.

emac.

Ps my avatar is an ugly reminder to the fate of many 60s headstocks....

Some guy named Townsend had quite a few breaks in his various RICs a few years back.

Manta

Chris Squire's RM1999 has had it's head repaired twice, the second time to correct the screwed up first repair. Many of the issues are more related to improperly adjusted truss rods, causing the neck to crack, something that can be repaired just fine.

manta wrote:Some guy named Townsend had quite a few breaks in his various RICs a few years back.

Manta

The Rickenbackers I have seen with breaks seem to be "neck breaks" rather than "headstock breaks", i.e., the break occurs a bit away from the headstock.

Kenny Howes has a couple that have been repaired; IIRC, he seems to favor those.

I know someone with a 330 with a repaired break at the headstock. Not mentioning names.

Plays great, too! I think it may have influenced a new member here to buy a 330!

chucksimms wrote:My '66 335 has dowels that indicate a broken headstock and very expert repair. I too have heard they're stronger at that place after an effective repair.

The glueline is (or can be...) stronger than the wood... but the other grains in the area around the break don't get stronger. The only difference is, that your guitar will break close to the first break next time you drop it unfortunately - not exactly the same place.

the headstock on my '64 rm 1999/4001s had completely broken off from a previous crack and splint repair that didn't hold up while i was playing a gig (lucky for my spare '75 burgundyglo 1" spacer) the break was ahead of the nut due to some unknown previous impact and fueled by the very thin wood at the trussrod adjust cavity. it was completely replaced down to the third fret via scarf joint expertly performed by monty egan formerly of toronto near steve's music store in the early '80's. still rock solid with no signs of movement.

weemac wrote:By their design and back angle Rickenbackers would be fairly strong if it wasn't for that dirty big routing for access to the truss rods. From the early 70s they started getting a sizable volute on the back of the headstock where it flows to the neck.
Just another reason why 70's ones are heaver and stronger and the surviving 60's ones are slimmer, lighter and a little more desirable.

emac.

Ps my avatar is an ugly reminder to the fate of many 60s headstocks....

my '68 has a sizable volute but probably the thinnest neck on the forum due to the thinner fretboard.

paologregorio wrote:Kenny Howes has a couple that have been repaired; IIRC, he seems to favor those.

They're more affordable.