Fender quality control 2025

[wboyd68]

In 2018 I ordered an American Pro P bass online. It arrived in perfect condition without any issues. In 2024 I ordered an American Professional Jazz (new) online and it arrived in perfect condition without any issues. In early summer of this year I went to my local guitar center and bought an Ultra II P bass and it is perfect..

 

[FRoss6788]

In 2018 I ordered an American Pro P bass online. It arrived in perfect condition without any issues. In 2024 I ordered an American Professional Jazz (new) online and it arrived in perfect condition without any issues. In early summer of this year I went to my local guitar center and bought an Ultra II P bass and it is perfect..

...as the OVERWHELMING majority of there products are.

 

[JutMitch]

Wow, I actually read this whole thread. Lets face it, there is no excuse for any manufacturer who builds an FSO these days to not get it right. Properly dressed frets without sharp ends, tuner bushings tight to the wood, decently cut nut, Jazz control panel that lines up with the pickguard etc. That is the minimum requirement in today's world. Just pick up any Squier product in a music store, or Yamaha etc. I don't believe Q.C. is the problem at Fender, I really think they need a total rethink in terms of manufacturing practices, too harsh? A $99 Glarry bass can be built to the requirements that stated at the beginning. Fender can do it if they want to.

Some of these is just negligence. Letting a body go to paint with a dime sized indent. Haphazardly sanded neck where you can see too much material was sanded off and sanding scratches. Over torqued sharp partially stripped screws, buffing scratches is just shoddy workmanship and then to pass its inspections is another level of incompetence.

Now the bubbling of the hardware, that’s a production issue.

Although I would like to see it perfect, I can get passed the issues that are out of Fenders control and even smaller imperfections like the control plate always being slightly larger and not matching up with the pickguard.

Just put the damn thing together as clean as possible. The price warrants it. I know they are busy punching out thousands of these but for Christ sake, take some pride in your work.

 

[darev]

I seen the one thread on here complaining about how the control plate doesn’t line up with the pickguard. I mean that stuff is petty and is just a slight parts deviance and not even an issue

Petty also skews the curve as far as judging popular results

Lotta petty on TB about a good many topics

Edit: typo

 

[JutMitch]

Oh boy.....

Now a $99 Glarry is better than a US Fender.....

Good lord.

lol. I think that might be a little extreme. But in all my years of buying basses (32 or so) from quite a few makers. PRS,Gib,Fen, MM,G&L,Warmoth,USACG, Ibanez, Warwick and several lower end models. This is bar none the worst (cosmetic) qc bass I’ve ever seen. Roadworn Jazz in second with a massive crack in neck, Duff bass with a massive piece of poly lifted off the bottom horn and several over tightened/stripped screws.
In honesty ALL of my duds have been fender.
Honorable mentions several years ago I had an Ibanez acoustic that I left upstairs in an un humidified room. Frets literally lifting off the board by the end of winter. 100% my fault but Ibanez sent me a free replacement bass 6 years after the purchase.

My G&L lb-100 has a slight resistance when adjusting truss rod since brand new. Nothing major just a little stiffer than I’d prefer.

2007 Warwick that after 13 years had a brittle nut (common in second Gen adjust-a-nut). Replaced with brass.

Thats literally the extent of my non fender issues over maybe 60 or so basses.

 

[MtManiac]

Bought a new Player II Jazz this year, my first new Fender since 2008, and it was flawless.

All of the used ones I own were also flawless, but that’s to be expected, as who wouldn’t just return a defective bass to the retailer, in exchange for one that isn’t messed up?

But hey, if venting on Talkbass gives someone a sense of brand trauma bonding instead of just dealing with life’s little inconveniences, it’s the way of the world! Live it up.

 

[Geri O]

Oh boy.....

Now a $99 Glarry is better than a US Fender.....

Good lord.

Lke we didn't see it coming....

 

[MtManiac]

I would never buy a Fender without playing it (or without a hassle free return policy). Doesn’t matter the year.

I would never buy a bass, period, without playing it without fully expecting to need to return it.

 

[MtManiac]

Distressing to hear of all the problems with Fenders now.

I’ve been a member on Talkbass since 2007, and it is exactly the same now as it was then. Complaints about Fender’s “recent QC issues”. Meanwhile, the Fenders made since 2007 are objectively the best Fenders ever made.

Complaints are amplified on social media. The number of complaints on Talkbass is not at all close to significant given the massive volume in Fenders sold.

 

[T McClure]

I’ve been a member on Talkbass since 2007, and it is exactly the same now as it was then. Complaints about Fender’s “recent QC issues”. Meanwhile, the Fenders made since 2007 are objectively the best Fenders ever made.

Complaints are amplified on social media. The number of complaints on Talkbass is not at all close to significant given the massive volume in Fenders sold.

I think all you have to do is look at reviews on any big box seller. If the QC was as awful as people suggest, then these basses would be getting bad ratings, but they're not. Most all of them end up highly rated.

Now they may have more one star reviews in terms of raw numbers due to how many they sell, but the overall great majority seem to be happy with what they're getting.

 

[BGroovy]

I would never buy a bass, period, without playing it without fully expecting to need to return it.

There are a few I would. Every Stingray special I’ve played has had no issues, I’d buy a used one no problem. Same with Serek, Lull and Sadowsky (non express)

 

[UNICORN BASS]

If you thought i was comparing Glarry (or any other cheap bass) to a Fender, you missed the point.

 

[MtManiac]

I hate to harp on it, but Sire has better QC than Fender these days. Some clunkers still make it through, though.

Distressing to hear of all the problems with Fenders now.

It's so sad the QC is inconsistent at Fender.

it’s shouldn’t be the great majority, it should be all. That’s what final qc is for.

Actually, it *should* be the great majority and not all, those extra percentage points cost money, and guess who’s paying for it? Expecting 100% perfection out of every unit made by *any* manufacturer is laughably ridiculous, sorry.

Again - Fender’s output since 2007 are the absolute best the company has ever done, across all price points. People on Talkbass have been complaining about the decline in Fender QC all that time.

They make multiples more basses and guitars than any other company on the planet.

 

[MtManiac]

There are a few I would. Every Stingray special I’ve played has had no issues, I’d buy a used one no problem. Same with Serek, Lull and Sadowsky (non express)

I owned a Stingray Special with some serious fretboard issues - I bought it used, and assumed I could have it easily fixed. I’ve also seen a couple of complaints here about new ones with issues, and G&L, and even a Sandberg or two. In those threads, there typically aren’t people coming out of the woodwork to pile on - as in this thread, many of the people responding negatively to the “recent Fender QC issues” are people who haven’t owned Fenders made in recent years.

I don’t have anything personally invested in Fender, I just find the complete lack of self awareness or critical thinking around this issue offensive.

 

[JutMitch]

Bought a new Player II Jazz this year, my first new Fender since 2008, and it was flawless.

All of the used ones I own were also flawless, but that’s to be expected, as who wouldn’t just return a defective bass to the retailer, in exchange for one that isn’t messed up?

But hey, if venting on Talkbass gives someone a sense of brand trauma bonding instead of just dealing with life’s little inconveniences, it’s the way of the world! Live it up.

I’m pretty sure I just caught you venting!!

 

[Wicked G]

I've stated before how I must be incredibly lucky. In the last few years I have purchased 9 Fender or Squier basses and 8 of them have been flawless. The only one that had issues was a Squier Contemporary Active Jazz bass which had tuners with a ton of play, a neck that felt unfinished with small grooves cut right by the fretboard, sandy feeling finish on the paint and felt like a boat anchor. That one lasted a little while because it was beautiful and the tone was quite nice, but eventually I had to let it go. So 8 out of 9 isn't too bad but if we're talking Fender only, then they have all been perfect.

FENDER PLAYER PLUS ACTIVE P BASS SILVER SMOKE
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACTIVE P BASS HARVEST GREEN
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACITVE JAZZ BASS DUSK
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACTIVE JAZZ BASS ELECTRIC BLUE
FENDER PLAYER JAZZ PLUS TOP LIMITED EDITION GREEN BURST
FENDER PLAYER JAZZ PLUS TOP LIMITED EDITION BLUE BURST
SQUIER 40TH ANNIVERSARY GOLD EDITION OLY WHITE
SQUIER 40TH ANNIVERSARY GOLD EDITION RUBY RED

Too bad my luck doesn't seem to carry over to the Lottery .

 

[MtManiac]

I’m pretty sure I just caught you venting!!

I guess I failed at irony QC, oh no, is my brand worthless now

The fact is I read a lot more people slamming Fender’s “recent QC issues” than you’ll ever see me venting about it, and it’s still statistically insignificant.

 

[JutMitch]

Actually, it *should* be the great majority and not all, those extra percentage points cost money, and guess who’s paying for it? Expecting 100% perfection out of every unit made by *any* manufacturer is laughably ridiculous, sorry.

Again - Fender’s output since 2007 are the absolute best the company has ever done, across all price points. People on Talkbass have been complaining about the decline in Fender QC all that time.

They make multiples more basses and guitars than any other company on the planet.

Expecting a certain standard out of every American made instrument is not asking too much (within reason)

That being said I don’t expect neck pockets to be perfect, I don’t expect fret ends to be properly dressed, I expect some sprout, I expect maybe a finish crack in the neck pocket, I expect it not to be set up and I expect that some necks will develop warps overtime. That is just basic understanding on how wood works and how temperamental it can be.

What I do expect is a certain level of fit and finish in its given price point.

People complain or converse about the decline because…wait for it….there actually might be an issue or it just might be the standard ain’t as high anymore or it could be downright bad luck. I’m not here to poopie on the brand, but just share my experiences.

 

[JutMitch]

I've stated before how I must be incredibly lucky. In the last few years I have purchased 9 Fender or Squier basses and 8 of them have been flawless. The only one that had issues was a Squier Contemporary Active Jazz bass which had tuners with a ton of play, a neck that felt unfinished with small grooves cut right by the fretboard, sandy feeling finish on the paint and felt like a boat anchor. That one lasted a little while because it was beautiful and the tone was quite nice, but eventually I had to let it go. So 8 out of 9 isn't too bad but if we're talking Fender only, then they have all been perfect.

FENDER PLAYER PLUS ACTIVE P BASS SILVER SMOKE
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACTIVE P BASS HARVEST GREEN
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACITVE JAZZ BASS DUSK
FENDER PLAYER II MODIFIED ACTIVE JAZZ BASS ELECTRIC BLUE
FENDER PLAYER JAZZ PLUS TOP LIMITED EDITION GREEN BURST
FENDER PLAYER JAZZ PLUS TOP LIMITED EDITION BLUE BURST
SQUIER 40TH ANNIVERSARY GOLD EDITION OLY WHITE
SQUIER 40TH ANNIVERSARY GOLD EDITION RUBY RED

Too bad my luck doesn't seem to carry over to the Lottery .

That’s what I want to hear!! One of the cleanest front to back basses I’ve had was an AM standard and a 54 Sting bass. I think I just have had bad luck or maybe this is why they’ve been available with the deepest discounts. I’ve also never seen a bad Gibson and I’ve had a few of those. Fender has a special place in my heart and that’s why I keep coming back.

 

[MtManiac]

Expecting a certain standard out of every American made instrument is not asking too much (within reason)

That being said I don’t expect neck pockets to be perfect, I don’t expect fret ends to be properly dressed, I expect some sprout, I expect maybe a finish crack in the neck pocket, I expect it not to be set up and I expect that some necks will develop warps overtime. That is just basic understanding on how wood works and how temperamental it can be.

What I do expect is a certain level of fit and finish in its given price point.

People complain or converse about the decline because…wait for it….there actually might be an issue or it just might be the standard ain’t as high anymore or it could be downright bad luck. I’m not here to poopie on the brand, but just share my experiences.

That standard is being met - but of course not with every individual unit.

I’m not being argumentative because I believe you haven’t experienced what you say you’ve experienced, but because I and so many others have not experienced it that I have to conclude your experience is an outlier.

It’s far more likely that the small number of complaints we are exposed to on Talkbass are not at all representative of the vast majority of experiences.

Again - I’ve been reading if “Fender’s recent QC issues” for the 18 years I’ve been on Talkbass, and again, that same time spans the era of Fender’s highest quality output ever, including pre-CBS.

It is not reasonable to read about one person’s bad experience or even 100 people’s bad experiences given Fender’s volume and conclude that it’s representative in a statistically significant way. A thousand people’s bad experiences even.

You’re welcome to believe whatever you want, but this is *Talk*bass, so people are going to have experiences, or facts, that differ, and talk about it. Were you looking for only non-dissenting opinions?