EKO ACOUSTIC GUITAR - HEADSTOCK BREAK & OUR ROAD TO REPAIR

I'm currently working on an Eko acoustic guitar in my Southampton-based guitar repair workshop, and this one came in with a classic issue — a broken headstock.

Headstock breaks are unfortunately quite common, especially on older or vintage guitars like this Eko. They often occur when a guitar takes a fall or is knocked over while resting against a wall or stand. Thankfully, with the right approach and a steady hand, these breaks can be fully repaired and restored to strength without compromising tone or tuning stability.

The Damage – Clean Headstock Break

This particular Eko acoustic guitar suffered a clean break just below the headstock — one of the more common spots where the neck is at its most vulnerable. While it looked dramatic, the damage was repairable, as the wood grain had split cleanly and there was no major loss of material.

The good news? A well-executed repair will be just as strong (if not stronger) than the original neck.

The Headstock Repair Process

Here’s what I’m doing to restore this Eko’s playability and appearance:

Clean & Align the Break

The first step is to clean any loose fibers or old glue, then dry-fit the pieces to ensure a perfect alignment.

High-Strength Glue Application

I’m using professional-grade wood glue designed specifically for luthier work to ensure a durable and long-lasting bond.

Clamp & Cure

The headstock is clamped in a custom jig to hold everything in perfect position while the glue sets over 24+ hours.

Reinforcement (if needed)

In some cases, I’ll add internal dowels or splines for additional strength — especially on guitars that will see regular use.

Finish Touch-Up

Once cured, the area is sanded smooth and the finish carefully blended to make the repair as invisible as possible.

Final Setup

I’ll restring the guitar, check tuning stability, and ensure the neck and nut are all correctly aligned.