Biggest Fender Gripe

[majbass]

I always thought MIA Fenders were some of the most consistent production instruments out there, but since covid I've definitely seen more that have issues.

I recently had to return two Fender basses in a row, one for setup issues (action couldn't go low enough) and another for a misaligned pickguard and a crackly pot from the factory.

The third one I got was perfect and incredible, thankfully, but I never had to return an MIA Fender before 2020. I've only ever had to return MIMs, lots of which have finish issues in my experience.

Hopefully things return to normal one day, because the new normal of quality being way down across the board for all instrument manufacturers is just... lame.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I have a few but my biggest is customer service. More specifically, the apparent lack of training by 7ender in that department.

I have had a few interactions with them and only one has been positive. While that may be pretty good on the baseball field ...

 

[FRoss6788]

Only bass I've ever had with fret sprout was my 55-01. One time fix, done..., you, sir, are doing something wrong.

I've one J and three P's, among the best basses I've ever had, and I've had too damn many... from Ric's to Spectors, Stingrays, ect.,ect...

The Fenders are still here....

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Loosely translated…

“I don’t like folks that like something I don’t….”

Nah, I love Fender instruments.

 

[Grinderman]

Fret sprout is a function of climate and moisture content in wood. Fret sprout happens, but it isn't difficult to fix once and for all.

In 40 years I've never had fret sprout on any basses or guitars of mine, Fenders, or FSOs.

I prefer FSOs; the ones that I build for myself.

 

[REV]

My biggest gripe concerning Fender? Capitalism.

FMIC owns too many of their former competitors, and is solely concerned with churning out profits for its shareholders. The lack of innovation (or at least risk intolerance) stemming from these two issues is mind-numbingly boring.

It’s not surprising, but the results are disappointing.

FMIC is a privately owned company but I'm with you on their lack of innovation and buying up competitors.

 

[Thegreatzambini]

Loosely translated…

“I don’t like folks that like something I don’t….”

Don’t generalize his comment like that. Fandom can go far beyond just liking something, it’s this undying loyalty to a brand, regardless of whether the brand deserves it or not that’s vomit inducing.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Don’t generalize his comment like that. Fandom can go far beyond just liking something, it’s this undying loyalty to a brand, regardless of whether the brand deserves it or not that’s vomit inducing.

That's a much more accurate translation.

 

[Killing Floor]

Don’t generalize his comment like that. Fandom can go far beyond just liking something, it’s this undying loyalty to a brand, regardless of whether the brand deserves it or not that’s vomit inducing.

I love the brand. It’s the look and sound of rock’n’roll (and country and electric jazz and punk and disco and basically everything since WWII. I have other non-Fender instruments too. But I always come there first. It’s totally brand loyalty. I own that. If something is wrong I won’t buy it or I’ll get it fixed. I’ve never had a “failure” of their product. Just some random things that require amending before gigging it. It’s absolutely the brand I’m in love with because other basses and guitars can sound similar.

 

[Fernando Costa]

Almost none. I have 3 Fenders MIA: a Jazz AM PRO, a Jazz 75th and a Precision Performer. None of them have fret spout, nor any other problem. The climate here helps a lot. They are all very well built and with good QC. So I bought a P Player MIM to make a 58 clone and it has fret sprout. It doesn't look like the MIA at all, I may have been unlucky, but it's a very inferior instrument - hardware and neck -, the electronics and body are ok. I bought two MIM roasted maple necks, they are great necks, comfortable, very well finished and beautiful, much better than the P Player neck.

 

[Auspuff]

I have three classic Fenders. Telecaster, Precision and Jazz Bass. They're all excellent examples of their type.

And they all have fret sprout. I sand them down as needed but it seems to be a perennial task.

Both my Sadowsky and Spector NS-2 have slotted, or invisible frets. I don't understand why Fender Custom Shop doesn't offer the feature.

What's your biggest gripe with Fender?

Their line of fretless basses leaves a whole lot to be desired.

 

[retslock]

String spacing on their 5 string Precision. No options available.

 

[drumvsbass]

Not making excuses for Fender QC, but, I am going to guess that Fender makes and sells more bass guitars than any other guitar manufacturer (I don't know this for sure, Ibanez might give em a run). More basses, more mistakes. In 6 years of musical instrument retail, I have seen less than a half dozen basses that have come from Fender 'gig ready' and certainly more than a few dozen dogs and at least a few DOA's. Last year I bought a Charvel San Dimas... Twice the bass for half the price, If you don't care about resale value. Heck, the Squire 40th anniversary run offered more bang for the buck than anything that said Fender on the headstock. Ubiquity and nostalgia have kept Fender and Gibson in business, and innovation at a minimum. I have owned 7 Fenders. Only have 1 left now, and I have had her a while...

 

[PennyroyalWe]

FMIC is a privately owned company but I'm with you on their lack of innovation and buying up competitors.

Huh, the “corporation” part had me assuming it was publicly traded. I’m sure someone’s getting rich from all the corner-cutting all the same.

 

[JimmyM]

V Mods.

 

[FRoss6788]

String spacing on their 5 string Precision. No options available.

To be fair, not many manufacturers offer multiple spacings on their instruments, certainly not Ernie Ball...

 

[Chrisk-K]

What's your biggest gripe with Fender?

My biggest gripe with Fender is that many Fender owners and users seems to have gripes.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Exactly. I think they produce amazing instruments, but I don't see how a standard, mass produced P or J can cost more than $1000.

The wife and I tonight dropped $120 at King's Fish House (in Corona, no less!); One entree, one cobb salad, one glass of wine for her, one glass of iced tea for me. And tip.

If it can cost $120 to get a light meal that took less than 20 minutes prep time, in the same city these instruments are made in... Actually not hard to see 9x or 10x the price to deliver a bass that may last 50 years, than it does to cook a dinner that 'lasts' less than 50 minutes.

My biggest gripe; not enough lefty builds available, and near-zero color choice when they do.

 

[bobba66]

Bring back the TV logo!

 

[Geri O]

Don’t generalize his comment like that. Fandom can go far beyond just liking something, it’s this undying loyalty to a brand, regardless of whether the brand deserves it or not that’s vomit inducing.

Oh, gee, “fandom” isn’t a generalization?

Fair enough….