I'm done with Fender!

[Mastermold]

I bought a brand new Custom Shop '59 P-bass a while back, everything seemed perfect until I changed the strings and discovered the truss rod was maxed out. Had my luthier confirm that was the problem and he filed a warranty claim with Fender and sent the bass in for a new neck. Finally got the bass back today and learned Fender did NOTHING! Just sent it back!! ***?!

Moreover I learned today from my luthier they had called him a few weeks ago asking if he tried the washer trick to get more adjustment out of it! Really? On a Custom Shop bass? He didn't tell me about the call because he had confirmed with them it really was maxed and not salvagable, and thus was just as shocked as me that they sent it back without looking at it.

So as you can guess we're sending it back to Fender tomorrow demanding they abide by their warranty and replace the neck. But I have to say, as someone who has owned and played many Fenders over many years, this has pissed me off to the point I won't buy another. My next "Fender" will be a Lakland or Sadowsky.

**end rant**

 

[JB36]

That's a bad deal. They should have just changed the neck and have been done with it. They should at least cover the shipping to them as well.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't blame you. That sort of treatment for a Custom Shop bass is ridiculous

 

[cassius987]

I have yet to figure out the appeal of the Fender Custom Shop on any level.

 

[Mastermold]

I have yet to figure out the appeal of the Fender Custom Shop on any level.

Supposedly you're getting Fender's best instruments. That's cool so long as it's true. But when they screw up they should be jumping through hoops to make it right. I'm just shocked. Depressed too. It's very disheartening, not at all what I expected.

 

[rnilson]

That is unacceptable.....I cannot believe that any company let alone an established one like fender would respond in that way especially with their high end product.

 

[gazman_res]

Man they are inconsistent, you read stories about a snapped truss rod after 15+ years of touring on a custom shop bass where the neck is replaced for free.

Then you read this. Fender needs to get their act together.

This level of workmanship shouldnt have even left their shop, i hope they can sort this out for you man.

 

[Ebelow]

just get a Sadowsky

 

[sloasdaylight]

I was gonna post a "Cool Story Bro" picture, cause that's usually what most of these types of threads are, but that genuinely sucks.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

That is completely poor of Fender. Especially for a Custom Shop instrument. However, it is sad that it's the case that Custom Shop instruments should get better treatment. They should put the same care into every instrument and every buyer regardless of the money involved. Clearly that's not the case.

 

[mmbongo]

Man that sucks. I'd just sell it as is. Full disclosure, let the new owner get a new neck if he wants. Use the money to buy a G&L JB. Better bass and you can pocket $500 because somebody will jump on a Fender Custom Shop for $1500 even needing some neck work.

 

[Denial]

Sadowsky, Lakland, Mike Lull...would never let this happen.

 

[nachodaddy]

The best sounding Fender basses I ever heard had Lakland on the headstock, anyway.
Best sounding Strats I ever heard had Tokai on the headstock.

 

[totallyfrozen]

...So as you can guess we're sending it back to Fender tomorrow demanding they abide by their warranty and replace the neck...

Make sure you write down serial numbers or whatever other info you think you need to make sure that the neck gets changed this time around.

 

[billiam5billion]

Build your own. Warmoth has way better customer service and support anyways. In my experience, they answer emails the same day, ship on time, and GASP, even answer the phone when you call.

 

[Mastermold]

That is completely poor of Fender. Especially for a Custom Shop instrument. However, it is sad that it's the case that Custom Shop instruments should get better treatment. They should put the same care into every instrument and every buyer regardless of the money involved. Clearly that's not the case.

Yeah I just don't get it. The defect is so easily verifiable and it's such an easy thing for Fender to replace the neck. Screwing around with it is being penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[CoreyP]

They should put the same care into every instrument and every buyer regardless of the money involved.

+1

This is why I'm a Warmoth convert.

 

[bwoodman]

Now I see why Fenders made by others are so popular...Sadowsky, Nordy, Lull, Valenti, Alleva-Coppolo, the list is long. I've been done with Fender for years. My J and PJ basses are both Warmoth/Hipshot/Seymour Duncan equipped and are quite nice!

 

[sidez81]

screw that.... buy japanese models!

 

[Mastermold]

Make sure you write down serial numbers or whatever other info you think you need to make sure that the neck gets changed this time around.

My luthier did all that when he sent it in the first time. He's an authorized Fender warranty repairman and handled all the paperwork and phone calls. (And he's just as frustrated as I am btw.)