Commercial Quality Control

[Sonic Mountain]

While waiting for the better half to finish some shopping I went to fog up the windows of one of the local guitar places.

They recently got a large shipment of Fenders in. This is a ~$2900 MIA Telecaster in the window. Either the neck or the bridge is crooked. The high 'e' string is barely over the fret board past the 14th fret. Hard to get a good pic through the window, but the strings are clearly off centre.

Not that cool on such an expensive guitar.



I've seen a few other things on Reddit recently, anyone else got some horror stories?

[Marcel]

Yep, One I've mentioned before.

I bought this MIM Stratocaster Deluxe through a reputable Aussie retailer via their website. As it was not in stock they back ordered it, and when it came in they did as most retailers do and immediately shipped it out to me without checking the contents. Fender Australia did offer to correct the problem under warranty however as it was a gift from my wife I politely declined.

Even though it took me nearly 30 minutes to notice the problem opening factory sealed boxes since has never been so exciting ...

[cork sniffer]

I ordered a new artist series Jeff Beck Strat, took 6 weeks to arrive. Fender Australia generally inspect incoming guitar before forwarding to their dealers. Mine was damaged and returned to the States, ANOTHER 6 weeks for a second :-)
A year later I ordered a 65 Reissue Jazzmaster, guess what, yep, arrived damaged, this time they didn't return. They had a new body with mismatched numbers sent over and rebuilt it and told me it was a different guitar. When I figured out the neck and body didn't match they for some time refused to supply a letter to authenticate it as a factory supplied guitar. Eventually after enough NOISE they did produce a letter.
From Fender Australia I ordered a Gretsch D6131T-62 with a $1,000 deposit. When it arrived they refused to hand it over until it did the rounds of a trade show. I refused to accept a demonstration guitar and imported one from the States $500 cheaper to my door and 2 weeks quicker than they were going to give it to my dealer :-(
Fender Australia sux!

[king casey]

I ordered a new artist series Jeff Beck Strat, took 6 weeks to arrive. Fender Australia generally inspect incoming guitar before forwarding to their dealers. Mine was damaged and returned to the States, ANOTHER 6 weeks for a second :-)
A year later I ordered a 65 Reissue Jazzmaster, guess what, yep, arrived damaged, this time they didn't return. They had a new body with mismatched numbers sent over and rebuilt it and told me it was a different guitar. When I figured out the neck and body didn't match they for some time refused to supply a letter to authenticate it as a factory supplied guitar. Eventually after enough NOISE they did produce a letter.
From Fender Australia I ordered a Gretsch D6131T-62 with a $1,000 deposit. When it arrived they refused to hand it over until it did the rounds of a trade show. I refused to accept a demonstration guitar and imported one from the States $500 cheaper to my door and 2 weeks quicker than they were going to give it to my dealer :-(
Fender Australia sux!

I think you deserve a special 'Glutton-for-punishment' award.

cheers, Mark.

[wazkelly]

Insane prices for such poor quality and complete disregard for basic customer service. Explains why I have mostly purchased 2nd hand brand name instruments as they come warts & all which is to be expected after several years use and abuse. The only moderately expensive ones I have bought new through a store that were OK is Yamaha. No matter where in the world they make them their QC seems to be the same high standard and they run rings around most Fenders I have held in my hands. Soundwise is where the real deal may have a slight edge but nothing a set of upgrade PUP's can't fix.

[dave.king1]

The last new guitar I bought was a Shergold in 1976, everyone who has played it wants first refusal if I ever decide to sell.

As one guy said, some guitars say play me, others say just try to play me.

The Shergold was built by hand by craftsmen and it plays like butter

[wazkelly]

Well said Dave.

Guitars are a bit like cars where the older established brands are relying too much on their past reputation, just like Toyota, where newer brands from other parts of the world are producing much better products.

[dave.king1]

Having looked at the GOTM builds recently ( since I've been on the forum ) and I suspect that the quality of the vast majority of our builds exceed those of the big brands

[cork sniffer]

I think you deserve a special 'Glutton-for-punishment' award.

cheers, Mark.

In accepting the award I'd like to thank Fender Australia for ongoing disregard towards those who pay the bills. I also thank the US Postal System who in conjunction with Aust Post now deliver directly to my door.

[corsair]

Sadly, this sort of thing is almost accepted as "usual practice' by people these days; piss poor performance followed by endless hassles getting the wrongs righted - it just ain't right! :-(

My last new guitar was a Matsumoku built Vantage VA900 bought in 1980 - never regretted it, and have now amassed a small collection of used Matsumoku guitars! You know, even the absolutely munted ones I bought to restore were still solid enough to pretty much just nail back together again!!