So, here we go again...
Just opened a 2012 Am. Std. Jazz in Olympic White. I got it new from Music 123 (which is in the MF/GC family) for $999. Good price due to the sale and them making a mistake with a different order.
I'm always expecting to find a Fender QC issue, but hopeful that I don't. I have 2 Lakland USAs, a number of Music Man basses, a 2010 Am. Std. Jazz, and a few others. I know good QC when I see it. My Laklands and MM basses are flawless.
My bass looks nice. Great fretwork. Typical small gap in the neck pocket that all Fender MIAs seem to have and which Fender seems to actually design that way. Neck pocket doesn't bother me on this one. At least it's even on both sides.
I have two minor complaints and one major one. Minor complaints: (1) Wood grain knotting in the headstock has some dark spots as to make them look like blemishes or cigarette burns. Normal wood variation and knotting doesn't bother me, but the ones by the "Jazz Bass" text kind of look like blemishes. (2) The control plate doesn't sit completely flush with the pickguard. I see this on most Fender basses these days and kind of accept it, but it's not necessary. My Lakland's control plate is completely flush with the PG.
Major complaint: Well, there's a yellow spot on the Olympic White finish on the front of the bass on the lower bout. I've placed a nickel next to it to show the size. How does Fender QC not notice this? I mean it's not the end of the world, but it is a new bass.
I've gone through this before with Fender MIA basses. Kind of sick of the exchange process. The biggest issue here is the paint blemish and I think I can live with it if Music 123 will knock off some more off the price. None of this affects the playability of course -- all cosmetic. So, I can just rock it and forget about it. Or I can exchange and see what blemishes I can find in the next one...
Just opened a 2012 Am. Std. Jazz in Olympic White. I got it new from Music 123 (which is in the MF/GC family) for $999. Good price due to the sale and them making a mistake with a different order.
I'm always expecting to find a Fender QC issue, but hopeful that I don't. I have 2 Lakland USAs, a number of Music Man basses, a 2010 Am. Std. Jazz, and a few others. I know good QC when I see it. My Laklands and MM basses are flawless.
My bass looks nice. Great fretwork. Typical small gap in the neck pocket that all Fender MIAs seem to have and which Fender seems to actually design that way. Neck pocket doesn't bother me on this one. At least it's even on both sides.
I have two minor complaints and one major one. Minor complaints: (1) Wood grain knotting in the headstock has some dark spots as to make them look like blemishes or cigarette burns. Normal wood variation and knotting doesn't bother me, but the ones by the "Jazz Bass" text kind of look like blemishes. (2) The control plate doesn't sit completely flush with the pickguard. I see this on most Fender basses these days and kind of accept it, but it's not necessary. My Lakland's control plate is completely flush with the PG.
Major complaint: Well, there's a yellow spot on the Olympic White finish on the front of the bass on the lower bout. I've placed a nickel next to it to show the size. How does Fender QC not notice this? I mean it's not the end of the world, but it is a new bass.
I've gone through this before with Fender MIA basses. Kind of sick of the exchange process. The biggest issue here is the paint blemish and I think I can live with it if Music 123 will knock off some more off the price. None of this affects the playability of course -- all cosmetic. So, I can just rock it and forget about it. Or I can exchange and see what blemishes I can find in the next one...
