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Cost Of A Les Paul Historic R0 Neck Replacement?

PRS

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Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
I brought my 2012 R0 to my luthier for a fret level and setup last week . One of the "small" issues was that the truss cover wouldn't screw down tightly. Upon inspection he found that the truss rod was buried too deep into the neck and causing it the crack. Basically, with the amount of adjustment the neck needs and how far down the truss is, there is no more room for adjustment. If it were tightened anymore it will continue to split the neck. So he gave me the bad news that a neck replacement is needed. His quote to build me a new neck was $1800 for the whole job. I called Gibson repair and restoration and left a message. But I haven't heard back yet. Although I prefer phone calls to email, I will send a message next.

My question is do any of you have any idea how much Gibson charges for a custom shop neck replacement? Resale value is not a issue as I never intend to sell the guitar. So I am inclined to have my guy do the replacement. That way I can have it carved to what I want. But, being the honest shop they are, he would rather see me go through Gibson.
 

DutchRay

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Mar 15, 2015
Messages
872
Either send it to Gibson under lifetime warranty or find another repair shop, preferably a Gibson authorised shop, remember wood can easily be glued. Most likely the neck anchor is compressing the mahogany on the body side. Gibson is never going to send your repair shop a blank neck and replacing the neck with a self made neck is not an option in my book.
 

axeman565758

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Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
1,204
as DutchRay mentioned, I would absolutely send it back to Gibson for a warranty neck replacement. I have to say it though, does sound very odd that a random TR channel was cut too deep. Considering those necks (both the back profile and the TR channel) are cut with/on a CNC machine. Typically there are multiple necks being cut. I don't know but I would certainly get another opinion. I mean for the neck to crack, they would have had to cut the channel too deep and sand the daylights out of the back of the neck, making it paper thin.
Either way contact Gibson. I hope it works out for you
 

PRS

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Mar 20, 2016
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44
I am not the original owner. So no warranty as far as I know.
 

Señor Verde

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Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
No warranty. I bought a used R7 in about 2010 and it had a twisted neck. Gibson said it would not be covered under warranty and wanted $2250 to replace the neck.
 

PRS

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Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
No warranty. I bought a used R7 in about 2010 and it had a twisted neck. Gibson said it would not be covered under warranty and wanted $2250 to replace the neck.
I suspect the price has gone up since then. I'll find out if they respond to my email
 

PRS

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Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
@PRS first thing I would do is get a second opinion; not that your guy is wrong but just to confirm, or to potentially offer a different opinion.
That's my 2 cents.
YMMV .......
There aren't a lot of shops as reputable as them and they used to be a authorized Gibson service center. I've also had them do a lot of work for me in the past and have been more than satisfied with their work and customer service. For those wondering, the shop is Noll Guitar in Cranston, RI.
 

PRS

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Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
Before you do anything that can not be reversed speak to Gibson Repair & Restoration . This is a major issue which should only be dealt with at Gibson . Best Wishes.
Still waiting for them to return my call or email.
 

Any Name You Wish

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Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
When I had a headstock break on my 'R9 Gibson gave me a minimum of $2500 for a re-neck, and that it would probably end up more than that. I had a headstock repair done instead.

Even thought you have a lot of trust and track record with your local shop, I would get a second opinion. Maybe there is a way to put a sleeve on the end of the truss rod and move the nut back out a little. Who knows what another shop might have in terms of different things to try.
 

Any Name You Wish

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Apr 15, 2021
Messages
493
Perhaps a luthier could remove the fretboard and fix the problem without having to do a total re-neck (and also fix the crack with glue).
 

PRS

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Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
With a bit of time and luck you can find a nice used R0 for that kind of money.
Or, for $1800 I can have my guy hand carve, set and finish a new neck to exactly the size and shape that I want with a Gibson waterslide and my serial number on it. I have no intentions of ever selling it. So resale value means nothing to me. Considering the cost of shipping a guitar and the base price from Gibson, that is the way I am leaning at the moment.
 

DutchRay

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Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
872
At least have him re-use the holly if you go that route. I'd go for the fretboard lift first, and see what you see. To replace the neck he needs to do that anyway. If the anchor is loose it should be a much easier and cheaper fix.
 

PRS

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Messages
44
At least have him re-use the holly if you go that route. I'd go for the fretboard lift first, and see what you see. To replace the neck he needs to do that anyway. If the anchor is loose it should be a much easier and cheaper fix.
We talked about the board. Since it is a 2012, I told him that if it is a laminate board, I want to replace it. If it is a single piece, I want to reuse it as it is very pretty. I'll probably move on the project sometime around the end of Winter. For now, I'll have to stick to my 1988 BB Custom.
 
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