At RG Guitar Repairs & Setups, I work on everything from everyday acoustic guitars and electrics to more unusual stringed instruments that many repair shops would turn away.
Recently, I was trusted with something very special — a traditional oud that had suffered a devastating headstock break.
For the owner, this instrument was far more than just wood and strings. A huge amount of time, dedication and passion had gone into learning the instrument, understanding maqams, microtonal music and traditional tuning systems. Instruments like this are not easy to source in the UK, and replacing it simply wasn’t an option emotionally or financially.
The Damage
When the oud arrived at my workshop in Nottingham, the headstock had completely separated. The break was severe and required careful alignment, patience and structural repair work to ensure the instrument could safely return to playing condition.
Unlike standard guitar repairs, oud repairs bring their own unique challenges due to:
- Delicate neck construction
- Traditional woodworking methods
- String tension distribution
- Unusual tuning layouts
- Historical and cultural importance of the instrument
The owner told me:
“A lot of blood and sweat went into learning it, so when I found out it broke, I was shocked. I didn’t want to get another one as I love the artwork on the front.”
That really stayed with me throughout the repair process.
The Repair Process
At RG Guitar Repairs & Setups, I approach every repair individually rather than using a “one size fits all” method.
This repair involved:
- Careful dry fitting of the broken surfaces
- Structural gluing and alignment
- Precision clamping
- Stabilising the break for long-term strength
- Cleaning and refining the damaged area
- Re-stringing and setup work
The goal wasn’t just to “stick it back together.” It was to preserve the instrument, retain its personality and make sure it remained structurally reliable.
Not Afraid of New Challenges
One thing I pride myself on is not being afraid to take on unusual or specialist repair work.
Whether it’s:
- Vintage guitars
- Headstock breaks
- Acoustic crack repairs
- Fretwork and setups
- Electrical repairs
- Bass guitars
- Or rare instruments like this oud
…I genuinely enjoy the challenge of understanding how the instrument works and finding the best way to bring it back to life.
Every repair teaches something new, and that passion is a huge part of why RG Guitar Repairs & Setups continues to grow.
Before and After
Seeing the transformation on this repair was incredibly rewarding. From a completely broken headstock to a restored playable instrument once again, this was one of those jobs that reminds me why I love doing this work.
The best part is knowing the owner can continue their musical journey on the same instrument they’ve invested so much time and emotion into.
Guitar & Instrument Repairs in Nottingham
If you’re looking for:
- Guitar repairs in Nottingham
- Acoustic guitar repair
- Headstock repairs
- Guitar setups
- Fretwork
- Instrument restoration
- Luthier services in Nottingham
…I’d be happy to help.
You can find more information and book repairs through the main website:
RG Guitar Repairs & Setups
Nottingham, UK
👉 https://rgguitartech.co.uk