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Fender JMJ side of neck flaking

kdn1

kdn1

Apr 1, 2014
57
351
Vancouver, BC
#1
Question regarding the relic job on the Fender JMJ Mustang - I appreciate the work that goes into replicating JMJ's original Mustang; however, I'm not sure if the flaking on the side of the fretboard is part of it or just a problem with the finish.

I just picked this up this weekend and the texture is noticeable to the touch - after playing for a while, that's all I notice..

Thoughts? Return or live with it? Sand it down?

Flaking side of fretboard closeup.jpg
 
#4
I would bring the instrument back if purchased in person, or share that image with the seller. That is poor adhesion of the finish, and should be plainly stated in those terms to the dealer/seller/mfg. Probably got some residue on that edge and the finish complied as it was sprayed but revealed the ugly truth in normal handling/playing. That is a classic display of poor adhesion.

As mentioned, easy enough to fix, but should not have happened if this is a new instrument. If it's a dealer with a repair tech, they should be able to have it quickly resolved at no cost to you. They should also be able bill their time back to the mfg with that image as evidence.
 
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#7
If you like the bass - sounds good, straight neck, centered nut, good frets, smooth truss rod, sets up well - I wouldn't return it. A new instrument is always a gamble.

Get you a set of micro mesh pads in 9 grits and sand that flaky stuff off. Maybe start with 600-800 grit wet sandpaper if the finish is really thick. Two passes with each pad are enough and by the time you're done with the 12,000 pad, the neck will be shiny.

I do this regularly with the strings on and I don't tape off anything. I'd just do the whole back of the neck that way. Get rid of that flaky mess.
I've knocked down and shined back up poly finishes up to 3 times on the same MIM neck, nitro would be even easier.
 
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#10
Thank you all for the quick replies - didn't mean to start a flame-war on the topic of "to relic or not", so I'm sorry if I triggered those who are detractors. It was bought "new", so return is an option. My main concern was the QC - was this intentional or not in the process (for those who may have owned this specific version of the Mustang). I think I have my answer...that it was not likely intentional, more likely an issue with the finish...and now I'll work with the store to see if they can clean it up...I'd prefer to live with it as I really dig the tones and weight of it.
 
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#13
Do whatever you think is best of course, but if people don't return instruments with unacceptable flaws like this, Fender will never improve their QC. Seriously, this wouldn't have been acceptable even on a $200 instrument. If Fender think they can get away with stuff like this, they will never do anything to improve their QC.
 
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#14
kdn1 said:
I just picked this up this weekend
Click to expand...

If you’ve just had the bass a day or two as you describe, you definitely want to return it and get another one or have it sent back to Fender for repair. It wouldn’t be hard to fix yourself, but then if you have some other problem and it has to go back to Fender, they might try to blame the second problem on your work.

It’s a manufacturer defect. Let the manufacturer fix it.
 
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#15
The paradox of this is blowing my mind. Do whatever makes you happy man. I wouldn’t sweat it in the least. It works with the vibe of the guitar. Just the same it’s your money. Do whatever makes you gives you piece of mind.
 
#16
I have the exact same situation with one of my basses. Not a Fender and I think there shouldn’t have been any finish on the edge of the fretboard as it’s made of rosewood and I apply oil on it twice a year anyway.

I just scraped it with my thumbnail roughly and left it there as it doesn’t impair me to play with it and that specific bass is my work horse now.

And when people ask about it, I just say my bass felt on the drum set in a live performance. More of a stage worn than a road worn instrument.
 
#17
Sand it - it's an easy "fix". (and good experience!)

It'll take a lot less time and hassle than anything else.

Amazon Sandpaper this has worked well for me.

If it were mine I'd start with 600 - masked off at the seem. (go down to 400 if it's not doing it)
Then work your way up in grits and remove the tape after 800.
I work my way up to 3000 & hit it with white 3m pad.
 
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#19
If it's new enough that you *can* return it, that might not bode well for the finish. It's possible that, being close to the edge of the fretboard where the finish tends to be thinner and more prone to flaking like that, that it'll honestly not flake off much more than that for years to come.

My 4 string made in '94 has the finish worn off the neck in places and I haven't worried about it at all, I've seen other guitars and basses with even more finish worn off the neck and they were all fine. So the question isn't necessarily, "is the neck going to be okay"so much as, "am I okay with this?"
 

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