Crooked neck plate?

[Spectre Gunner]

This was my point, there is almost zero chance the plate is misshaped it just looks a bit funky cos of perspective. It's definitely not on straight for sure.

Here are some untouched iPhone pics at three different angles. As you can see, there is distortion but the neck plate and neck pocket edge are still parallel to each other. Also, the distortion becomes greater towards the edges of the photo and not so much at the center point. The hallway, Strat and poster are twisted. The wider the lens the more the effect.

The only way to reliably know for sure what is going on is to physically measure the plate and neck pocket edges/angles.

 

[Grinderman]

Here are some untouched iPhone pics at three different angles. As you can see, there is distortion but the neck plate and neck pocket edge are still parallel to each other. Also, the distortion becomes greater towards the edges of the photo and not so much at the center point. The hallway, Strat and poster are twisted. The wider the lens the more the effect.
View attachment 4367222 View attachment 4367223 View attachment 4367224
The only way to reliably know for sure what is going on is to physically measure the plate and neck pocket edges/angles.

Your phone make and model, including the built in camera lens, may not be the same as the OP's. Certainly the focal point distances are not all the same as either; your and theirs.

The neck plate is one of thousands blanked from an industrial punch and die. Those don't deviate from set tolerances nearly to the degree you may be thinking. Adding to how far fetched it would be for that neck plate to be so nonconforming is the fact that the plate, like the tens of thousands of others, went through a secondary milling step to add bevels to the four screw holes, tumbled to deburr, cleaned, plated and QC'd.

What's going on is botched neck screw holes through the body. What's amazing to me is someone in Fender's CS didn't even notice, then used a transfer punch down through those misplaced screw holes to index where to drill the pilot holes into the neck... then, then... then... QC didn't even notice either! (5 x facepalm emoji goes here)

 

[Rnr..........4]

The do not dispose of in the trash sticker is upside down. Come on Custom Shop.

I contacted Fender and they said it should have not went out like that. They forwarded my email to the CS. It's being returned at any rate. I would still buy another Fender.

 

[Mastermold]

I once played a 64 CS Jazz with a noticeable neck pocket gap and I wondered if that was done deliberately. But is a Monday Morning Special more authentic than one done properly?

CS shouldn’t have mistakes like that. Relics are finished that way but structural should be perfect.

 

[Ihaveshingles]

That neck plate is crooked without a doubt

 

[Rnr..........4]

That would be a LOT of clearance in the holes in the brand new neck to allow that much angle to the screws.

I’m not not curious of the outcome of a post-purchase realignment attempt, but if I were super attached to that specific neck and body would probably do full photographing with a digital caliper measuring two points on the treble side and two on the headstock then bring it to a dealer/licensed tech and let them bear responsibility for doing the screw & plate realignment attempt.

Were it me I’d just bring it to the dealer and tell em I want another bass (unless I bought it off of the rack for a Too Good To Be True price, not as a custom order)

~~~

I don’t think anyone addressed that last point yet: was this purchased for a surprisingly great price or specially ordered?

I won't say which dealer because I do like them. I bought it online and it was a 60s Jazz Time Machine model made this year. Was not special ordered. Got it for just under 4 grand.

I don't want to turn this thread into a flame thread aimed at Fender. I tried to take the picture straight on because I noticed it was crooked as I was inspecting the bass when it arrived. I am not skilled enough nor wish to attempt messing with a neck plate/joint/screws which would possibly void any chance of returning it. So I decided to just leave well enough alone and send it back. It's a shame at any rate. Everything else about it was great.

As for the sunburst finish. To me that is the classic Fender look so that's why I chose that color.

 

[Madcity Fats]

Yeah, no way you're just straightening out that neck plate. Let's get real, folks. If you pulled that off the wall of your local Big Box, you'd put it right back and you know it.

The argument "Fender used to make some shoddy basses in the CBS era, so this is just true-to-form" argument is hilarious. You go ahead and pay a premium for substandard work because it's "authentic." I'll take a hard pass.

 

[TrevorR]

Hard to believe that so many folks are saying stuff like “maybe it’s a deliberate design choice” or “they’re replicating the flaws you find on old basses” and seemingly being serious. That’s just shoddy building and QA. As others have remarked, I wouldn’t accept that on a $200 bass let alone a Custom Shop one that probably costs 10 times that figure!

The only way that doesn’t get sent back is if I’d specifically ordered a bass to match Rocky McRockstar’s famous Fender with its notoriously wonky neck plate! I know that Gibson is no stranger to QA woes itself but if I order a CS Les Paul I expect to have the pickups put on the right way round and wired up properly unless I’d actually ordered a Peter Green/Gary Moore model! Fender CS should be no difference.

 

[Mastermold]

lol.

I contacted Fender and they said it should have not went out like that. It's being returned at any rate. I would still buy another Fender.

Glad to hear, hope they take good care of you.

 

[FFEJY]

I don't mean to pile on your bad luck, but I think the finish might be faulty as well. It might be picture distortion, but it almost looks like the paint is flaking off in spots.

 

[Rnr..........4]

Your phone make and model, including the built in camera lens, may not be the same as the OP's. Certainly the focal point distances are not all the same as either; your and theirs.

Photo was taken with an iphone 12 mini using the standard 1x view. Whatever that means.

 

[Rnr..........4]

I don't mean to pile on your bad luck, but I think the finish might be faulty as well. It might be picture distortion, but it almost looks like the paint is flaking off in spots.

View attachment 4367331

That's what these Custom Shop Fenders are. Truly road worn and relic'ed. On a MIM road worn it's smooth and has no rough edges or peeled paint but on these CS Relic's it's meant to look like peeling or have a rough texture as the Fender Custom Shop is about giving you a 50s, 60s, or 70s vintage replica that has looked like it's been toured with and seen the miles.

I should have taken more pictures of the rest of the bass but it's already on it's way back.

Thanks for the responses regarding it. I know some of you would have adjusted yourself but I am just not taking that chance on such an expensive bass.

 

[WillyW]

blame the camera.... that's a new one on me....

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hey, so I finally got round to getting a new CS Fender but the neck plate is crooked. Very sad that such an expensive instrument would have something like this. Would this be a deal breaker for you all and return it or would you keep it? I bought online so was not able to inspect. Obviously investing in such an instrument you have to think of resale value down the road.

View attachment 4366354

Custom Shop gave you a custom drilled neck.

 

[707GK]

Regardless of the neck plate, I gotta say I love the quarter sawn pattern on the neck. Beautiful.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

blame the camera.... that's a new one on me....

If you're talking about me, then you're misinterpreting what I said. You can emphasize / de-emphasize things with angles and lens selection.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

This guy could fix that issue for you!!

 

[Vitrius Humor]

It sure has that authentic homey hand-made feel, don't it?

Yeah, but I'm wondering why they didn't just use some nice nails....

 

[Grinderman]

Photo was taken with an iphone 12 mini using the standard 1x view. Whatever that means.

You're way ahead of me. I'm still using an iPhone 8. I'm ready for iPhone Nein.

 

[Grinderman]

If you're talking about me, then you're misinterpreting what I said. You can emphasize / de-emphasize things with angles and lens selection.

At this point, I'm sure we misunderstood.