Fret Sprout & Fender Warranty

selowitch · #1 02-20-2009, 06:02 PM

I have a brand-new MIM Fender Jazz Bass with a maple fingerboard that I got two weeks ago via special order at Guitar Center. It has some minor fret sprout, enough to be annoying. I'm not sure whether this has cropped up post-purchase because my house is dry (we do have a whole-house humidifier built into the heating system, but that's no guarantee) or whether it was like that coming from the factory in Ensenada, Mexico. Anyhoo, I'm wondering about a few things:

Is fixing fret sprout considered a warranty repair?
Should GC fix it or will I have to send it back to Fender?
Will I have to have a tech fix it, knowing that he'll charge me?
I know I theoretically could fix it myself with tape, a file or 0000 steel wool, but I really don't feel comfortable doing that

202dy · #2 02-20-2009, 06:23 PM

Fender made it correctly in their factory. Fingerboard shrinking, aka "fret sprout" is due to environmental conditions. If the frets were even with the fingerboard when you purchased the guitar then the shrinkage is a result of the environment in which the guitar was placed after purchase. Fender has no control over storage after it leaves their hands and as such they are under no obligation to fix it. Makes sense when you think about it. There is no way they can manufacture a guitar in their factory to suit individual, to say nothing of dynamic climates in the U.S. About fifteen years ago the major American guitar makers sent letters out to their dealer/franchisees stating that the dealer is responsible for the care and feeding of the instruments after they leave the manufacturer's dock. Again, this is as it should be.

If the frets were sticking out of the fingerboard when you purchased the guitar it would be the responsibility of the retailer to take care of it. If not, it is your responsibility. Will the retailer do the work for free? Depends on whether they value you as a customer, whether or not they have someone on staff that can handle this minor but risky repair, and how nice you are about the situation. It doesn't hurt to ask. If they say no then you will have to pay to have it done.

Or you can do it yourself. There is plenty of information and instruction on TB. However, if you are not handy, if you think a file is a place for Word or Excel documents, or if you equate pumping gas with working on you car, take it to a pro.

selowitch · #3 02-20-2009, 06:34 PM

Good post. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

However, if you are not handy, if you think a file is a place for Word or Excel documents, or if you equate pumping gas with working on you car, take it to a pro.

This made me laugh, because that's precisely how I approach car maintenance. I would be too scared to mess with my new bass, even if I thought I would do a good job. So I guess I'll head down to GC and talk to them. Any chance the fretboard will expand when the humidity goes up, thereby eliminating the fret sprout? Also, is the reason some basses have bound fingerboards (e.g., 70s Jazz Basses) is in response to this problem?

One area of leverage I do have is that I could always send it back per GC's return policy and get another one. Then they'd be stuck with an instrument needing work. Wouldn't they rather just fix this one?

ModuMan · #4 02-20-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Any chance the fretboard will expand when the humidity goes up, thereby eliminating the fret sprout?

I would certainly think so. I live the NE and winter always brings about fretboard shrinkage on my wood-necked instruments. I pretty much expect to do set-up work every fall and spring as well.

Now, if you still have rough fret ends in the summer you should probably think about getting them dressed.

202dy · #5 02-21-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Good post. Thank you.This made me laugh, because that's precisely how I approach car maintenance. I would be too scared to mess with my new bass, even if I thought I would do a good job. So I guess I'll head down to GC and talk to them. Any chance the fretboard will expand when the humidity goes up, thereby eliminating the fret sprout? Also, is the reason some basses have bound fingerboards (e.g., 70s Jazz Basses) is in response to this problem?

One area of leverage I do have is that I could always send it back per GC's return policy and get another one. Then they'd be stuck with an instrument needing work. Wouldn't they rather just fix this one?

Ah, wouldst that it would. But wood doesn't work that way. And neither does business. It is cheaper for them to exchange the instrument and sell the one that you now have at a discount to someone who doesn't care or can do the work quickly and cheaply on their own. If the instrument qualifies under their return policy and you are not willing or able to do the work then return/exchange is your best bet.

62bass · #6 02-21-2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Good post. Thank you.This made me laugh, because that's precisely how I approach car maintenance. I would be too scared to mess with my new bass, even if I thought I would do a good job. So I guess I'll head down to GC and talk to them. Any chance the fretboard will expand when the humidity goes up, thereby eliminating the fret sprout? Also, is the reason some basses have bound fingerboards (e.g., 70s Jazz Basses) is in response to this problem?

One area of leverage I do have is that I could always send it back per GC's return policy and get another one. Then they'd be stuck with an instrument needing work. Wouldn't they rather just fix this one?

I got a new bass recently. It's developed fret sprout because of the low humidity at home. I'm going to file down the fret ends while they still stick out. Then I won't have that problem next winter. The other basses I have which I filed down haven't been bothered with it again.

Binding on the edges of he fingerboard does eliminate the problem.

I wouldn't take the bass back and get it replaced unless I didn't like the bass. I also wouldn't expect the store to give me a new one. When you live in such a varying climate as here it's all part of routine maintenance.

Of course, there are some basses with poorly seasoned wood that are worse than others. A bass like that I would take back. The neck will probably warp over time too.

Febs · #7 02-21-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I wouldn't take the bass back and get it replaced unless I didn't like the bass. I also wouldn't expect the store to give me a new one. When you live in such a varying climate as here it's all part of routine maintenance.

Yes, it's routine maintenance, but one should not have to perform routine maintenance on an instrument purchased new. When I buy a car, I know that I'll need to change the oil and replace the brake pads at some point, but I do not expect to have to do it two weeks after I buy it.

That said, when I bought my MIM Jazz from Guitar Center, it had some high frets. I thought about either returning it or trying to get GC to take care of it, but I ultimately decided that I like the bass and that getting it replaced wasn't worth the hassle, so I just did the work myself (with the help of a friend who has all of the necessary tools). That bass is now my main gigging bass.

selowitch · #8 02-21-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I got a new bass recently. It's developed fret sprout because of the low humidity at home. I'm going to file down the fret ends while they still stick out. Then I won't have that problem next winter. The other basses I have which I filed down haven't been bothered with it again.

I'm a little afraid of screwing up. Maybe I'll just pay to have it done.

Quote:

I wouldn't take the bass back and get it replaced unless I didn't like the bass. I also wouldn't expect the store to give me a new one. When you live in such a varying climate as here it's all part of routine maintenance.

I'm pretty sure GC's policy is 30-day return for any reason, although there may be an exception for special orders, which mine is.

Quote:

Of course, there are some basses with poorly seasoned wood that are worse than others. A bass like that I would take back. The neck will probably warp over time too.

How do I tell if its wood is poorly seasoned?

JTE · #9 02-21-2009, 03:58 PM

Sorry, but fret sprout should NOT be a routine issue. If the wood was aged and dried correctly, then there won't be fret sprout. And there's a period where fret sprout didn't happen on Fenders (after 1981 we saw no fret sprout on new Fenders through when I left retail in 1988). I've not seen any fret sprout on US Laklands, Pedullas, Smiths, or most US Peaveys.

I know it happens and if you have severe low humidity, but 35% RH shouldn't cause fret-sprout in a quality instrument.

jte

selowitch · #10 02-21-2009, 04:55 PM

Well, I got back from Guitar Center and the dude who rents space there as a tech/luthier filed down the frets for me at no charge. I think I'm happy with that outcome. Neck feels pretty much perfect now. Hopefully that's the end of that story!

Thanks, gang, for your responses. Feel free to keep the thread open in case others run into this issue.