Broken Gitane DG 255

jbrojunior

Hi guys. I have the chance to buy a DG 255 for £200! Only problem is that the slotted headstock has split off. It looks like a fairly clean break, I'm thinking that a good glue and clamp will hold it? Does any one have any experience with a break like this?

Thanks

Bones

Make sure all the pieces of wood are there. Even any little chips. Easier to glue the original pieces back in than to try to fit new ones. Should be fixable judging by the picture.

jonpowl

Personally, I would offer a whole lot less. I owned a DG-255, and while it was structurally sound, it had a real overtone problem. I like my Cigano Gj-10 a whole lot better.

Jim Kaznosky

<Edited>

I just wouldn't. I understand wanting to find something that fits this style. I personally do not feel like these are worth it.

jeffmatz

Oof...

That's a bad place for a break...gonna want a good pro repair done on that. Gonna cost as much as you're paying for the guitar. Suddenly not as good of a deal.

jbrojunior

@jeffmatz I have got two quotes so far. One for £200-250 and one for £35. Not quite sure how that works out. The more expensive guy is probably the one I trust more with this type of repair...

Bones

How much is a used DG-255 without any issues worth? Take that number, subtract off the 250 for the repairs, divide by like 2 or 3 (I guess) since even if it is repaired it is flawed, and that's probably a good price???

everett

I would put some wood glue, and some wood screws and call it a day. It doesn't need to look pretty...just stay in tune and not fall apart!

guitarmike

Wood glue, clamp, new strings, tuning, enjoy. In that particular order.

Lango-Django

Trouble is, a repair job for this kind of “head” injury may not last forever... as my busted banjo could testify if it ever came out of the closet!

jbro, if you are planning to keep this instrument forever, I would say NO, don’t buy it.

But if you are looking for a beginner guitar which you can resell in the next few years, then YES, go ahead, assuming that the price is really good...

crookedpinky

I would buy it and, if it's a clean break, glue and clamp it using cascamite glue and then two short dowels at the ends of the broken section. For 200 quid I think it's not bad.