Fender Strikes Again

[JRA]

I’m just tired of dealing with it. This isn’t my #1 or even my #2. Just loved the color.

sounds like the only thing that prevents you from 'being made whole' is the color. good luck with the red one!

 

[Hounddog409]

Sounds like something is fishy, or there is a miscommunication with the shop in Muscle Shoals. Fender 20 fret bass necks are standard, as are the neck pockets. A replacement neck might require minor sanding of the neck pocket, but the original neck fit, so it's hard to envision a scenario where the replacement neck does not.

Yup and not fitting becaue pocket too big??
Something aint right

 

[MtManiac]

Is there a reason you couldn’t just return it for a refund?

 

[MtManiac]

Sorry to hear that. Fender has really had some bad rep the last 2-3 years. This doesn’t help. I hope it works out for you!

Fwiw, I’ve seen posts like this on Talkbass since 2007 when I joined.

 

[MtManiac]

Bummer! At least the Fiesta Red finish is much better in person than it looks in photos (red is not an easy color to photograph), so the audience won't mind it as a placeholder.

It's funny, I had to reverse-shim my Mustang PJ when I bought it new (in 2020) due to the neck pocket causing the strings to not bottom out, but TOP out. I ended up modding it a few ways, including a bridge with more tolerance, so it's a comfy player now.

However, the 50s Classic P I picked up new in I think 2015 has been the most maintenance-free instrument I've ever owned, and I've traded thru a few things. It needed literally just a couple of small setup adjustments out of the box and has absolutely ripped since. 2nd place goes to my bought-pre-owned '04 Lākland Skyline Deluxe, which only requires more maintenance because it has a battery heh.

Where Fender's concerned, I just can't predict it. And I don't understand how in a CNC machine process an instrument can come out with actual problems of manufacture. Like, are there no presets? Can one not plop a hunk of wood into the cutter and get a consistent set of cuts? Maybe I give too much credit to what I thought was a revolutionary technology.

That *is* the way CNC works, which is why these stories don’t make a lot of sense, but I guess we’re all willing to pile on the biggest brand in music and doubt their very standard mass-production machinery settings instead of the word of some tech somewhere, especially when there’s usually a far easier solution to the problem - returning it to the store for a refund.

 

[scubajosh77]

Can’t return a bass I’ve had for two years.

 

[FRoss6788]

Yep, Fender strikes again by honoring the warranty of an out of warranty bass, how crappy of them.

Nice thread title...

P.S. Find a new tech...

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Can’t return a bass I’ve had for two years.

That begs the question if , as you state “ left the factory this way “ why wait over 2 years to reach out for Fender’s help?

 

[scubajosh77]

That begs the question if , as you state “ left the factory this way “ why wait over 2 years to reach out for Fender’s help?

Because I have a life. Or I’m lazy. Or both. Regardless, the issue with the original neck is something that should have been identified by routine QA/QC processes before it left the factory.

 

[MtManiac]

Can’t return a bass I’ve had for two years.

So it’s not a Fender QC problem, it’s a pretty routine post warranty problem, and your tech seems to be out of their depth trying to fix it. Fender necks are pretty well known for being interchangeable, especially the same model, and the repair methods for this exact problem have been around since 1951. But the brand new replacement neck for the exact model not fitting the neck pocket? Uhh… scuse me? I strenuously doubt that.

 

[MtManiac]

Because I have a life. Or I’m lazy. Or both.

DARN YOU FENDER! DOUBLE GOSH DARN YOU!

Regardless, the issue with the original neck is something that should have been identified by routine QA/QC processes before it left the factory.

So you say. Now, two years later.

 

[FRoss6788]

Because I have a life. Or I’m lazy. Or both. Regardless, the issue with the original neck is something that should have been identified by routine QA/QC processes before it left the factory.

If you knew of the problem right away, that's on you to get it resolved. Every manufacturer has some issues, you waited until it was out of warranty to deal with it, and Fender still stepped up to try and make you whole and you start a thread to bash them.

Lame.

 

[MtManiac]

Can’t return a bass I’ve had for two years.

Yet you expect Fender to fix it. Seems like they went a lot further than the dealer has so far, why not a thread about the dealer not accepting your return two years later or stocking and selling instruments without giving them a once over to ensure they’re playable?

 

[BassJuju]

Well… I’m not surprised when this happens. I’m actually more surprised when it doesn’t happen. I do feel for you and the position in which you find yourself, because I have been there more than once. I hope it is resolved to your satisfaction in the end.

 

[FRoss6788]

I bought one of the first run Player Plus Precisions in Cosmic Jade. As soon as I saw the color, had to have it. Played it for awhile as it came from the factory but it had a little buzz, so before Thanksgiving I dropped it off at Corner Music up in Nashville for Jeff to work his magic. I live just outside of Huntsville, AL so it's almost two hours to Nashville, but Jeff's work is worth it. A couple weeks after I drop it off Jeff calls. Bad news. The neck has a significant rise at the heel that he's not certain he can fix. Maybe Fender can warranty the neck?

So I contact Fender customer service and although I'm two months past the two year warranty they agree to work with me. BUT, I've got to take it to an AUTHORIZED Fender repair shop for THEM to check it out. Nearest is in Muscle Shoals an hour and a half away. So, I get the bass from Nashville, drive it over to Muscle Shoals. They agree, the neck is jacked and they will contact Fender. A couple weeks pass and Fender agrees to send a replacement neck but it'll be 90-120 days before they can. Sheesh. Yesterday the shop in Muscle Shoals calls. Fender sent a neck and it doesn't fit. They contacted Fender again, yup it's the right neck so the body must be out of spec. Fender offers a replacement, but the Cosmic Jade is discontinued. I can get another color, or another bass of same value. Ugh.

I unenthusiastically asked for one in Fiesta Red. 99% certain I'm going to sell it as soon as I get it and try to find another in Cosmic Jade but am worried about the quality crap shoot. Frustrated.

Nothing remotely odd about what Fender asked you to do. In fact they bent over backwards for you, yet you still complain.

The only reason you're not getting the replacement bass in the color you want is because you waited two years to do anything about it.

 

[scubajosh77]

Y

Yet you expect Fender to fix it. Seems like they went a lot further than the dealer has so far, why not a thread about the dealer not accepting your return two years later or stocking and selling instruments without giving them a once over to ensure they’re playable?

You’re really emotional about this aren’t ya?

 

[FRoss6788]

Y

You’re really emotional about this aren’t ya?

I don't know, you started the thread....

 

[MtManiac]

Y

You’re really emotional about this aren’t ya?

Well, I didn’t create a thread on Talkbass about it, and at least there’s some critical thought applied to my opinion on the subject.

 

[MtManiac]

The only reason you're not getting the replacement bass in the color you want is because you waited two years to do anything about it.

Right??! Screw them for not continuing to make Mystic Jade two years later. Or Mystic Blue, or Mystic Red, or Candy Cola, or Texas Tea, etc etc

 

[FirewalZ]

Definitely sucks to have an issue like that, especially when you’re looking forward to a new bass. I’ve found that nearly any bass I’ve gotten benefits by having the neck and frets gone over by a luthier…a well known skilled one mind you, not the pimply faced “tech” hack at a guitar center