Fender Custom Shop | Advice

[AlexanderB]

I'd be surprised a top level bass had a wait time of less than 1 yr.
Even if the build time is around 10 weeks, they'll have orders in front so combined, that gives the delivery time.
So, I agree, where did 5 to 8 months come from and if it was a guess by the dealer, then he gets the blame.

Fender? Top level?

 

[Deleted member 271037]

That's not even remotely acceptable. I would have cancelled the order months ago. A Fender Custom shop instrument is a top quality instrument biut it's not like you can't find something equally good or better elsewhere (and for less money too). Plus the "Custom" part is really just about tweaking the specs a little bit unless you're willing to pay a fortune for a Masterbuilt "whatever you want" kinda bass and I would rather use an independent luthier for that.

I totally understand your dilemma if a Fender Custom Shop is your dream bass and ultimately it's your decision but you ask for advice and I would NEVER accept something like that. Especially with the prices they charge. Let's face it, you're paying a lot of extra money for the Fender Custom Shop logo plus the "experience" of ordering a FCS and that "experience" has turned out to be poor. At those prices I would expect direct communication with the builder and regular updates in addition to a SUPERB instrument. So far you've got nothing and the response you got from FCS is totally unacceptable. If they had at least contacted you and explained about the delays but THIS??? No way!

 

[DeepHz]

I waited a long time for a Fodera build, and it was worth it. I waited a long time for a CS Fender and was told "in another month" many times. I am still wondering if it was worth it?

 

[Pantofolaio79]

I also ordered a jazz from the custom shop and I really hope not to wait all these months..I ordered in February 2022 and my dealer guaranteed me delivery within the year..you have to insist with your dealer ..

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Squier would never let this happen

How is Squier different from Fender in this respect?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Is there any way of determining whether the dealer just said ‘5-8 months’ when they knew it would be longer? Did you see that number in some portal at the CS site with your order attached to it?

Sorry, I get that times are strange but 17 months is totally unacceptable from Fender. If their turnaround is 17 months they have to tell every dealer to make that clear to buyers. But the others are right - what are you going to do about it now? If you really want it, wait for it.

Is cancelling the order even an option?

5-8 months may have been reasonable when the order was place. But with the way to poopie has hit the fan on this planet, I can see supply issues pushing that way back.
I suppose you could cancel the order, start the clock over with someone else, and pay increased prices do to the other poopie in the fan (inflation). Or just stick it out and keep bugging them every so often.
Yeah! It all sucks. But nothing you can do to speed it up.

I wish your joining Talkbass was under better circumstances. But welcome just the same.

 

[jimmydean]

I would go to the Fender CS and give them a stern talking to and give them the " Evil Eye "......worked for me .

 

[pepj]

Fender? Top level?

CS, yep, apparently.
I own one and its the worst Custom I have, but the point is more that their order book is probably pretty healthy and therefore total build time is long

 

[wysiwyg248]

Ordered a custom shop bass in March of 2021. Timing estimate was 5 - 8 months. It has been 17 months. Every inquiry through my dealer is met with “the portal says it’s another month out.” I called the CS customer support line and they just routed me back to my dealer, who then makes an inquiry and the ship date moves out another month. I have been doing this dance since December. Last status I was given was late July, early August — no word yet. I don’t expect anyone on this thread can make my bass arrive sooner, but rather looking for any advice on whether there is a way to just find out what’s happening. I have waited this long, I am not going anywhere, but hopeful I can get a realistic estimate somehow. Months ago my dealer received CS guitars ordered around the same time as my bass. Anyone have any tips / tricks? Anyone know someone at the CS?

I have several CS basses; but never done a special order. Not sure if you can cancel your order -probably not-?
However, if you have documented the missed promised dates somehow -emails, notes, etc.- perhaps you can write to your State / California Attorney General copying Fender. May sound trivial, but you are probably paying a lot of money for your bass. With the recent news about Fender laying off 300 employees, the situation is not going to get better. I used to have a masterbuilder contact info -perhaps, to help you-, but he is no longer a Fender employee.

 

[groooooove]

man, it really bugs me when people pay a premium price and get budget level service.

keep following up, but insist on escalating your case within the CS as others have said. the bouncing you back and forth is just not fair.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'm sorry, but I can't imagine it taking 17 months to build any kind of Fender. Yeah, that's gotta' be frustrating. If it's what you wanted to the T though, I'd just grit teeth and wait.

 

[Spidey2112]

John, did you ever ask for pics of where your build was currently? I know some luthiers provide this, with longer build times... at least allowing the carrot to be nibbled on and enjoyed... if you're into carrots, that is.

 

[g-dude]

Every time you call they add a month? Stop calling.

I bet someone is calling up and pretending to be him to make it worse.

 

[Bass Viking]

I'm sorry, but I can't imagine it taking 17 months to build any kind of Fender.

I think it’s the wait in the queue for Fender CS to get around to building the instrument, not the actual build time.

 

[Bass Viking]

I'm guessing that you spec'd out everything to the smallest detail on your custom order. Be patient. It will arrive in due time and you will be super stoked when it does.

Actually, ordering a Custom instrument is always a bit of a gamble. It may not turn out like you hoped and the aggravation doesn’t help with the stoke factor.

 

[swink]

I suppose you could cancel the order, start the clock over with someone else, and pay increased prices

+1 my thoughts exactly....
and maybe those of the CS as well. they have plenty of work:"surely we'd better finish the ones we earn something from, and hope the others get cancelled".

 

[sleddogn]

Not custom shop, but i've had a american pro II on order from AMS since december of last year, it keeps getting pushed back 6+ weeks every couple months...and thats just a production model...

 

[pepj]

Just for context, 2 recent equiries to custom builders, the build time was 10 weeks, but the start of build time was another 5 months...and that was from time of confirming the order on my part.
So ' total build time' was around 7 months.

 

[fishdreams]

If that is the bass I want, i'd just wait for it.

 

[Chicken Wing]

My take:
I’m guessing FCS doubled or tripled its orders during the pandemic. Add in supply chain problems, Covid closures, employee issues and it’s easy to see why these delays exist.

Buy used or thru existing stock. Life is short