How Is Fender USA Quality Control Soooo Horrible?

[MARVIN MECKLER]

Over the last 40+ years I've owned dozens upon dozens of USA, Mexican, Chinese, Korean, and Indonesian Fenders and Squiers. Some amazing, some perfect, some ok, some kinda bad. Some of the Chinese Squiers, alarmingly, have been absolutely perfect. Every now and then, a USA Fender is as well.

However.

I have never seen such non-existent quality control and pisspoor attention to detail in 40+ years as this latest purchase, a new $1900 (before tax) American Professional II Jazz Bass in Miami Blue that no less than FIVE people signed off on.

$2097.60 with tax.

$2100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Smith357]

Maybe they just figure you’re going to be like all those TBers that will switch that pic guard for a tortoise one that fits.

 

[Gorn]

It's not terrible but it should be much closer to perfect for that much money. I think these things are wildly over priced even when everything fits right, but everything is these days.

 

[5StringBlues]

DON'T KNOW.

 

[slagheap]

It's not terrible but it should be much closer to perfect for that much money. I think these things are wildly over priced even when everything fits right, but everything is these days.

it IS terrible.

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

It's not terrible.

 

[thisSNsucks]

If it makes you feel better I’ve seen much worse on much more expensive basses lol

 

[Zooberwerx]

I’ll give ‘em half-credit for lining up on ONE side.

Riis

 

[Gervais Cote]

Unfortunately, these days WE have to do our own quality control with the bass in hand.

I saw Indo, Chinese, Mexican and American Fender basses that were amazing in every aspect : quality control, assembly, tuning and great sound.

But I also saw all of these that were almost garbage in every aspect as well.

Never saw any quality issues on a MIJ bass though……….

 

[blr2]

Pretty poor fit for $2k. I don't get it. With all the modern day CC machinery, how could this happen?
My advice, return it. Even if it sounds and plays great, just return it, so they learn to do better.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

If it plays and sounds good I bet you could still play lots of really good paying gigs with it and literally no one will give a [removed].

 

[Sharko]

It’s one of the worst defects I’ve ever seen on a bass honestly. If I received it I would def send it back or file a complaint with my credit card company or take them to court for the pain and suffering. That said, because I feel so bad for the way that Fender wronged you, I would buy this bass from you, to get it out of your sight, and even though it is in such terrible condition I would even give you half price for it.

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

It’s one of the worst defects I’ve ever seen on a bass honestly. If I received it I would def send it back or file a complaint with my credit card company or take them to court for the pain and suffering. That said, because I feel so bad for the way that Fender wronged you, I would buy this bass from you, to get it out of your sight, and even though it is in such terrible condition I would even give you half price for it.

 

[Dilver]

I’m curious: does anyone know of the pickguard and control plate holes are drilled by hand or a robot?

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

I’m curious: does anyone know of the pickguard and control plate holes are drilled by hand or a robot?

By this cat:

 

[blr2]

I’m curious: does anyone know of the pickguard and control plate holes are drilled by hand or a robot?

Whatever it is, a 2k instrument should not have left the factory in such condition. Just shows how bad Fender QC is nowadays.

 

[IPA]

not sure what we're looking at here. looks ok to me.

 

[lowdownbp5]

Imagine that

 

[juniorh]

With all the modern day CC machinery, how could this happen?

The pickguard might be cut in house via CNC, but I doubt the chromed steel control plate was. Both parts very likely came from different overseas factories. And if Fender doesn’t care about QC on those parts, the factories sure won’t!

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

not sure what we're looking at here. looks ok to me.

...and there's the reason Fender couldn't care less to improve its quality control.