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I picked up a '30s Washburn 5241 (Similar to a Gib J-185). The headstock has an old roughly done repair. I can see that at one point it was in 3 pieces, and there are gaps that open a bit when in tune. The glue used is unknown and the date of the repair is unknown.

Options I have considered:
1. Leave it alone and play it, and fix it when it breaks.
2. See if it will steam apart and try again.
3. Spine it an refinish the neck a darker color.
4. Spine it and put veneer cap on the back, stain darker.
5. Replace the neck, it needs a reset, so it is coming off anyway. The trick here would be getting the black cap off of the old headstock and shaping the new headstock. I'll probably end up opening the box to address 80 years of chaos in there, if that makes a difference.

I am leaning towards #3 or #4. Any suggestions?
Thanks, GS

It looks to me like it's got a bunch of wood putty gooped into a big crack that may or may not actually have ever been repaired.

If it were mine - I might be inclined to try to get it apart and then clear out all the putty and goo that's in there. Then see where you are at. There's a lot of long grain for a good glue joint. It's going to be pretty strong once it's all back together.

Thanks

What kinda shape is the box in?

Not bad for 80 years old. Top cracks along the finger board extension, a crack where the pick guard shrunk, a couple of back cracks. All are stable and / or cleated. Treble side upper bout may have been cracked, the outside looks good, but the inside looks like glue was sprayed in there like a truck bed liner

If it is in good shape with finish OK, I'd saw off the peghead veneer, remove the F/B and make a new neck.

I am liking this idea. I have the stock to do it. I am going to take the neck off anyway.





Thanks,
GS