Commercial Quality Control

[colin2121]

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 ...

Best looking telecaster I have ever seen. ☺

[fender3x]

Oh right. Still learning all the abbreviations.....

I think of it as the Fender Musical Industrial Complex

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[Andyxlh]

I have bought two instruments new, a 1989 Korean strat which was hand picked from a huge stack of new ones still in boxes by a very accomplished guitarist friend, and my 1994 musician stingray. They are both made wonderfully, so I have no complaints. Having spent an hour or two in a couple of excellent local guitar shops recently, for the first time in years, I do, however, agree with the comments that the quality of instrument you can construct here from Pitbull will give many of these brand name instruments a run for their money.

[dave.king1]

I do, however, agree with the comments that the quality of instrument you can construct here from Pitbull will give many of these brand name instruments a run for their money.

You only have to look at the standards in the GOTM threads to see just how good they can be, some would give the top shelf stuff a nasty fright

[Andyxlh]

Just spent the afternoon in the local guitar shop, it might be worth checking out the latest offerings from ibanez, the finishes on the top of the line instruments, around then$1000-3000 mark, are amazing. The translucent finishes over knotted timber bodies and transparent clearcoat 'binding' are great.
Lots of fantastic ideas to appropriate!

[Simon Barden]

As I said in my post, Ibanez have been guilty of a lot of terrible QC issues recently, so don't assume that because it looks pretty, all is right with the guitar. Check for over-rolled frets, badly skewed necks and big neck pocket gaps. My mate also mentioned issues with some of the trem set-ups (I think one was quite skewed). Not saying they are all going to be like this, but really try thoroughly before you buy and put on your 100% objective glasses.

[wazkelly]

Treat them like a blind person would.....how does it feel and sound.....then you can open your eyes and check the finer details. Unfortunately headstock logo or brand name should be the last consideration these days.

[Marcel]

I did have a warranty encounter with Gibson over my 2016 '50's tribute LP. The 3 way toggle switch had become intermittent after only 6 months of use. There was some discussion via email and rather than send the guitar to Melbourne (a 2000km each way trip) for service they agreed to send me a replacement switch that I would install myself. In doing so I agreed that further warranty on that part of the electronics would no longer be upheld but they agreed that all other warranties would remain intact.

A few days latter a Gibson packaged Switchcraft pickup toggle switch arrived in the mail, which I subsequently installed without drama. Been fine ever since... I think Gibson got out of that one pretty cheap...

[phrozin]

now you guys are scaring me i just ordered a Steve Vai Signature Jem ibanez 2 days ago i have given up on a fender and gibson (and i love strats)there guitars are not what they use to be dropping that much money on 1 of there guitars and getting a dog is all to easy these days and i cant afford to waste my cash, but doesnt stop at guitars marshall and fender and line 6 new range of modeling amps are rubbish i can get a better tone by plugging my lead in my cats bum squeezing his guts

I have gone with blackstar and ibanez lately whos id range are very impressive amps and my blackstar ht5 valve mini stack which i love with the way of the world of buying online and not physically able to try 1st is easy to get a bit of high prices rubbish, most of the music stores in adelaide don't have wheelchair access so i don't have a choice so i buy from pbg and build my own that way i get just what i want

[Simon Barden]

I'd have thought the Jem was rather heavy for you Phroz? My mate Max with the bad back had to give up his beloved Jem and switch to S-series models because they are nearly half the weight. I must say that my RG is a very heavy guitar.