Truss rod rescue

I’d think a repair such as what could be accomplished with this kit would not be in the interest of maintaining a valuable LP. Fretboard removal and truss rod replacement is the right way to repair. For the truss rod to break, I’d assume that there was a warp in the neck that the truss rod was fighting against and this problem could be addressed in the process.

I disagree, the repairs I've seen done well in this fashion aren't all that bad. Adjusting the neck is a bit more cumbersome, but it isn't awful. How far down on the rod did it break? If it is super deep it could be a different story.

I'm not sure I know what a $500 price quote would be for. It is too expensive for using the Stew Mac tool (a trick that pre-dates the tool), and it is too cheap for FB removal, IMO. A proper FB removal would take some time, need at least some finish touch up, and probably should have a refret afterward. If a job like that came to me, I can't imagine bidding it under $700-$800. Maybe if I was convinced it could be done with just dressing the frets afterward I could come in on that budget. No way it wouldn't need any fret work, though.

Another option is to think real hard if you bought this new and if you can find an original receipt anywhere.

The warranty is lifetime. Gibson warranty is kinda wonky and slow, but on major stuff they do tend to come through. If your wife can be the one to sign warranty forms and request the repairs, then she can be the original owner for the warranty process. The retailer where she bought it should be able to reproduce a receipt.

I'm not sure if Gibson registers instruments with their first owners, but that is the only way I could see the COA having value in this regard. If you think about it, if you sold the instrument on craigslist, you'd probably sell the COA along with it, so it doesn't prove original ownership on its own. If the retailer you got it from is now defunct then it might come in handy if they can at least trace it back to shipping to that particular dealer, but I honestly haven't run into this with Gibson. I've always been able to see stuff go back with a xerox of the original receipt. Music stores keep that stuff on file, even after they swap computer systems, so it should be available upon request.

I’d be delighted to hear this covered under warranty.