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Fender quality or lack thereof

mespendez

mespendez

Mar 10, 2009
18
0
#1
I have been a Fender Man for over 30 years and have owned around 8 fender basses (both P and J). Over the years I have witnessed their QA go flushed like human waste down a toilet bowl. This truly breaks my heart for I would like to remain loyal but I am reaching the end of my tether.

My last Fender purchase was an AVRI '62 Jazz bass. It was pretty much like a wax fruit, visually beautiful but ultimately useless. The neck had a hump which was impossible to repair and demanded a ridiculously High action if I did not want to hear fret buzz. I sent it back to the retailer for a replacement but I have
 
#7
mespendez said:
Mine must have been built on a Monday after a particularly long weekend while the builders were still hungover from excessive partying.
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Well, all kidding aside, things like this happen from time to time. The thing is, return it and get another. I sincerely doubt that you will run into like that again. ;)

If you do....I want to know where these guys are partying!! :D
 
#8
I am a loyal Soul, sometimes to the point of masochism as is my relationship with Star Wars. After the episode 1 fiasco I returned to watch episodes 2 & 3 much like some abuse victims go back to their abusers.

Finder will always have a special place in my heart.
 
#11
Its really amazing as just before reading this thread I had started a new thread about how great my 62 AVRI J Bass is. My neck is just fantastic, and I could set it up with strings at a very comfortable height. I feel it is every bit as good as my 66 P - though it does weigh more, but I am sure that is due to the wood not having 40 years to dry out a bit more. Sorry about your experience.
 
#12
What is funny is the notion that Fender EVER had a period where everything they made was exceptional. Fenders were designed to be produced in quantity. The have always been great ones, and there have always been lousy ones. Nothing has changed significantly in this regard. IMO.
 
#18
mespendez said:
@Buster Brown Indeed they wouldn't want me to pay them a visit and open a wagon full of whup ass!
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Funny - there was a time - in the early 80s - when I wouldn't touch a Fender for ANY reason. Yes, I was already endorsing someone else - but Fender had a reputation for LOUSY QC (whether or not is was deserved is another matter).

I found out later on (in the 80s) that their QC was actually not bad, but that it was an attempt by Fender's competitors to run them down. Competition is a mother*****!!!

Nowadays I play 2 builders - Fender and Rickenbacker. I will not touch anything else. It's got nothing to do with anything in particular, I just prefer the look and feel of both a good Fender P or J and a 4003.

I'm relatively certain that you got the one that "slipped" through. Doesn't excuse it in any way, shape or form but it DOES happen. I bought my Wife a car last year and we had to return it twice due to shoddy interior work. No big deal, but this crap does slip by from time to time.


Cheers!!
 
#19
landau roof said:
This is strange. The general view is that 70's to early-80's was their dark period, and that things have been improving since.
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There was a good quality up swing in 08 or so, their more consistsnt since then but still hit or miss. When you find a good one though its good. Best bet is to buy from a good store ( bass central comes to mind) they generally weed through the bad ones.
 
#20
I have a 2010 Squier VM Jazz that I picked up used 6 months ago. After a truss adjustment, lowered action, and new strings it plays like butter. I'm not crazy about the pick ups, but what did I expect for less than 200 bones?
 

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