I agree. Not to everyones taste, sure, but way more interesting than the 3 or 4 most common shapes that are churned out.
I agree. Not to everyones taste, sure, but way more interesting than the 3 or 4 most common shapes that are churned out.
The two Gibsons are supposed to be very good guitars, whilst the Moog is really bad.
Too true. My LP Recording was panned when it was released because everyone wanted that Jimmy Page sound. It's now worth about $4000.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dedman
Seems Fender Australia are either deliberately mute or are sheerly gob-smacked into silence over my brand new mis-labeled vintage blonde Maple neck'd MIM Stratocaster Deluxe. It has been an entire week since they were advised of the 'manufacturing error' via quite a few emails, and I've heard nix in response.
I even sent emails (including photos) to the two addresses on their 'contacts' page of the official Fender Australia web site, however one was inexplicably bounced by the fender.com mail server.
It's not like I'm trying to actually claim for a new replacement guitar or anything, I'm not, I'm quite happy with the guitar overall... All I want is acknowledgement of their 'manufacturing error' and that it will not affect my warranty should there ever be the unlikely event that I need to make any sort of warranty claim. Just me taking the precautionary trail as there is the possibility that some would think that I 'modified' the guitar, and much as I'd take that as a compliment to my skills I really can't take credit for the absolutely great professional finish like is on this guitar.
Just for the record...
Guitar was made in the 49th week of 2017 in Mexico
I made the online purchase on 31/03/2018 via a Melbourne retailer. Due stock levels entire order of 4 items was back-ordered.
Guitar was delivered to me in rural Central Queensland on 20/04/2018....
And today's date is 27/04/2018, So there is little chance I 'modified' the headstock.... and why would I want to on a new guitar anyway?
As a side, I find it quite funny that so many need to have the error pointed out to them... it seems there are quite a few people out there (including those in the industry) that don't recognise mis-named equipment... maybe that's just a sign of the times...
But it also seems that they (Fender) are playing the 'big boys' games... for the moment... and plenty of others have warned me of various dangers and have made suggestions... then again, maybe the corporate wheels of Fender turn far slower than we all think they do ...
What are the rules in Australia? In the UK, you could send it back at their cost if you weren't happy with it as it's certainly not as described, though you must notify the seller within 30 days of delivery.
Wonder if you could claim collector value like a mis minted coin
I was thinking the same thing. You have something very rare: a truly unique Fender strat. Or a SUPER unique tele deluxe ;-) Either way there are two reasons I would not worry. First you have all your paperwork and can clearly document the history. Second, if they aren't responding now, what makes you think they'd be more responsive to a warranty issue. So why worry?Quote:
Originally Posted by dave.king1
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
After witnessing all the dirty under-handed shenanigans that the banking royal commission uncovered (which the current government was dragged kicking and screaming to) I guess they think Cowboy country is business as usual.Quote:
Originally Posted by fender3x
cheers, Mark.
Nah, just big corporates doing what they do best.....completely ignore customer issues or complaints.
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
I was just echoing William Tele's comment on TDPRI where I shared Marcel's story, I guess you saw it there too :)Quote:
Originally Posted by fender3x
Considering that it's a large Strat headstock with 22 frets, says Telecaster Deluxe, and has the serial number on the back of the headstock makes it super rare. When I type in the serial number into the Fender.com site it does tell me it should be what it is, being a Vintage Blonde Maple fretboard Stratocaster Deluxe. And as far as I'm aware there are nil Tele's ever made with 22 frets and has the large Strat headstock... ever...certainly none visible in the 2017/18 year range... but I cold be wrong..Quote:
Originally Posted by fender3x
As far as warranty is concerned, in Australia in the first instance the customer is to contact the retailer, and it is up to the retailer to address any issues in a manner (within Australian law) that their supplier or the manufacturer sees fit. These days, for most items under about AU$1k, this often means total replacement of the faulty item, or full refund if the item is not fit for purpose. Over AU$1k typically the item will be required to be shipped to an authorised service centre for corrective action. I say this based on my first hand experience working in a electronics workshop that deals directly with companies like LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Hervey Norman, The Good Guys, ChangHong, Retravision, Beta Electrical, Kogan, Teac, Sharp, .... etc...etc...etc... to name just a few... Each individual manufacturer/supplier has their own rules on repair/replacement, but it's always the customer deals with the retailer first.
So I'll spill the beans.. If I need to claim warranty on the Fender Strat then I'll be calling Mannys music in Melbourne first, and they already have been advised of this headstock issue. Just like I did with Scarlett Music in April 2017 when I made a claim under warranty of a faulty selector switch in my Gibson LP through who I bought that guitar. The guys at Scarlett had the issue fully resolved within a few weeks, which isn't bad considering I'm in central Queensland and they are in Melbourne.
If handled right then claiming warranty isn't a problem. Being demanding from the get go most often only gets everyone's back up. Being polite, co-operative, reasonable and helpful goes a long way to getting a quick and positive end result.
Thankfully, if this Strat is like any or all of the other Strats I've ever owned, I doubt I'll ever claim warranty. And since in my mind I think only a warped neck is the only real need for a claim, and in 40 years I've never on any of my guitars have a neck warp on me, I doubt that this Strat will suddenly fall apart within the next 2 years.... but ya never know....
Having worked in retail I can definitely vouch for this! You WANT to help friendly and polite customers, people who come in effing and blinding get a less committed response... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcel
Hey Simon, in Aus, it varies on the "I'm not really happy with it"... which is up to the seller to have a Policy, but, if your purchase is "not as described" then that is absolutely clear; the seller must pay for the return of the guitar and refund you in full or replace.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
Hey Marcel, it took me way too long to spot the error with your guitar (yes, I am appropriately embarrassed), but you know I'm a Tele guy and 'blocked out' the Strat body. Let me know if you don't get any joy with your claim... I may be able to assist.
Thanks heaps for the offer Adam... I think I'll give it a another week or so to give them a chance to respond. There is little way of telling if the wheels are actually turning so it might be best just to hang for a bit...
Either way I'll email you as soon as I have any results.
Apparently, the news is that Gibson has filed for bankruptcy.
Well, I think this and the number of faulty amps from Fender proves that Aus is their QC failure dumping ground.
I don't know Dedman... There was no way of easily telling from the box that there was a StratoTele inside. All the box labelling looks like the normal bar-code jargon with "Deluxe Strat VBL MN" and a correct serial number written underneath...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dedman
And as far as the tube amps go it is industry known for many years that tubes themselves all have a 5% failure rate when new.... Be they tiny 1W 12AX7's or a 15kW rated 4CX15000 or anything in between, you can expect (well most electronics techs know) that about 1 in 20 tubes to be in some way faulty out of the brand new box...
What you say may be true in other product arenas, but I'm doubtful in this instance on calling AUS a 'dumping ground' ...
Yea, probably my general distrust of US corporations after years of being left to honour their warranties out of my own pocket.
Anyway here's an insiders view of the the whole Gibson thing from the CEO of Eastwood.
https://eastwoodguitars.com/blogs/ne...tcy-protection
Thanks for that Link Deddy, i have actually reposted that on my Company collaboration platform for comment. There are a number of parallels within our industry, including the division i work for.
Update to my Strat headstock dilema...
Seems Fender want the errant axe back. Full exchange with an identical model replacement via my retailer at nil cost to me...
( Evil thoughts in the back of my head has me wondering how much is this guitar worth to them....lol )
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcel
I reckon keep it if it is going to be worth a lot of money.
I reckon Shane talking about it probably got em worried about the bad press.
Same was happening in the outdoors import business which is why I got out. Big money pushing all us little guys out.Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankenWashie
I found the parallels more in the fact that I work for an outfit that is of a similar vintage to G, is an iconic brand in our field and has been a pioneer of that field. We are the big money (thankfully much better managed) but it was more so the points about Quality and passion that got me. See if any of my colleagues take the hint. 🤔Quote:
Originally Posted by Dedman
If you are happy with it why in the world would you send it back? There's enough variation in these things that you may not like the new one as well as the one you have now. The anomaly makes yours cooler. They have nerve saying they'll "replace" it. I wouldn't do it even if they offered you that deal plus free beer.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
I agree with fender3x
The downside is that it's hard to prove if you decide to sell it on (which obviously will never happen) that it's not a neck that you've changed yourself, on a Strat body, and so lower the value, rather than increase it.
That's easily provable.... a check of the serial number on the Fender.com website gives an accurate description plus a generic photo of the model. The serial number is on the back of the headstock...Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
And I now have made a video... lol.... https://youtu.be/384N-UsfIb0
Plus that the headstock is strat shaped
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk
My current theory is that someone doing the QC checking at the Fender factory must have had a brain-fart, or it could have been the one applying the labeling, not sure why that wasn't picked up during the QC checking, it's glaringly-obvious enough.
The signed QC card that came with the guitar has four signatures. The 4 supervisors were 'Prep', 'Assembly', 'Tune/Test', and 'Inspector' so yeah you would be forgiven for thinking that one of them missed the error, but for all four to miss I think there must be other wicked games afoot... Either that or they are all oblivious to the odd tree due to the forest...Quote:
Originally Posted by DrNomis_44
No matter what... I'm very reluctant to give it back... I have a sweet tooth that craves for sweet sugar...
Tend to agree with your theory of same old, same old and nobody could spot the difference.
No matter what is on the headstock, if it feels good and also sounds good, definitely a keeper. If not you would obviously send it back for a replacement.