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How Is Fender USA Quality Control Soooo Horrible?
- Thread starter MARVIN MECKLER
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I could only wish that everything in life was otherwise so perfect that silly, unimportant, irrelevant trifles like pickguard and control plate alignment were worthy of such a hyperbolic tantrum.
Jazz Bass pickguards never fit right in that area.
I guess if you order any bass on line you should demand pictures of the exact bass you are buying. Oh and while you’re at it get the weight.
Be a smart shopper. Was this misaligned plate/PG an aberration or is it the norm?
You are the buyer. Get pics and info before buying. They don’t want to provide what you require shop elsewhere. It seems evident basses aren’t made to perfection.
Due diligence.
Be a smart shopper. Was this misaligned plate/PG an aberration or is it the norm?
You are the buyer. Get pics and info before buying. They don’t want to provide what you require shop elsewhere. It seems evident basses aren’t made to perfection.
Due diligence.
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I didn't read the thread but let me guess how it went. 90% of the posts are people over 65 telling you that you are crazy for worrying about such a small detail, and then asking you "BUT how does it SOUND". Do I win a prize?
That would annoy me as well, but it wouldn't have happened to me in the first place since I only buy basses with pics and weight listed, like at Sweetwater.
That would annoy me as well, but it wouldn't have happened to me in the first place since I only buy basses with pics and weight listed, like at Sweetwater.
Lists are evidently being made.
Hahaha that reminds me of a funny story. When I was about 23 in 2003, I had this fake Louis Vuitton roller bag luggage. I thought I was so cool. I was taking a trip back to Philly, and just as I boarded the plane and was rolling past FIRST CLASS, the wheel of my fake bag fell off. HAHAHAHA.
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To anyone that say it doesn't matter, it's actually YOUR opinion that doesn't matter. After paying 2100 for this bass (a bass that was $1400 like 3 years ago) I would want it perfect too. Just return it and buy something else.
If nobody's opinion matters, why are we on a discussion forum?
Not to just throw a turd into the room and leave, but it hurts my heart that people spend almost $2 grand on a bass that someone screwed an ugly piece of plastic on the front of…
…and I love many of the offerings from EBMM (I own a US Sterling that’s a great bass) I just wish they’d stop drilling holes in the top of a $2000 instrument to screw a piece of 50 cent plastic to them. It’s like putting faux wood paneling on a sports car. It’s a terrible “tradition” that just won’t die.
…and I love many of the offerings from EBMM (I own a US Sterling that’s a great bass) I just wish they’d stop drilling holes in the top of a $2000 instrument to screw a piece of 50 cent plastic to them. It’s like putting faux wood paneling on a sports car. It’s a terrible “tradition” that just won’t die.
You are almost right.
I venture here are the same seniors who would complain and return an amp because it weighs 4.9lbs instead of 4.6lbs. (How do they carry stuff in from the grocery? Nevermind.)
The list IS telling, however. It is the same 5 or 6 apologists asking, "But how does it sound" and being incredulous that someone would think build quality matters for $2100.
Very informative.
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I can't believe I actually have a thought to contribute to this dumpster fire of a thread, but....
When I change preamps in a bass (My Mike Lull Jazz-style bass), I assemble the preamps onto a Jazz control plate.
The stock preamp from Lull matched the pick guard perfectly. I'm guessing that this is by design by Lull. I don't know who made the plate, but the pick guards are supplied by Pickguard Planet. I've ordered 3 pick guards for various basses and they all fit perfectly and matched any parts they came into contact with.
The next preamp I bought for the Lull was a Nordstrand NJ5 that I assembled onto a plate that came from Allparts. The fit wasn't quite exact, but it didn't wreck my day or cause me to seek psychiatric help.
My next preamp for the Lull was a John East J Retro preamp that came assembled onto a very nice plate. It matched up to the OEM pickguard perfectly.
(What is it with me a preamps?....
)
Yet again, I built a Trickfish IPA preamp onto another control plate, this time from Best Bass Gear. This is my current preamp and hopefully the last one for this bass. It actually fits 99% perfectly, one must look closely to notice that one corner edge of the plate is 1/16" further than the pickguard. No gaps.
All of the subsequent control plates used after the OEM plate are my responsibility. The point is, there's probably several aftermarket makers of the various components of basses. And no idea if Fender or anyone else makes their control plates in-house. Between the various makers of these parts, it's a crapshoot whether parts will match up or not. Makers are at their mercy.
This probably won't make anyone feel better. Not sure it was supposed to.
When I change preamps in a bass (My Mike Lull Jazz-style bass), I assemble the preamps onto a Jazz control plate.
The stock preamp from Lull matched the pick guard perfectly. I'm guessing that this is by design by Lull. I don't know who made the plate, but the pick guards are supplied by Pickguard Planet. I've ordered 3 pick guards for various basses and they all fit perfectly and matched any parts they came into contact with.
The next preamp I bought for the Lull was a Nordstrand NJ5 that I assembled onto a plate that came from Allparts. The fit wasn't quite exact, but it didn't wreck my day or cause me to seek psychiatric help.
My next preamp for the Lull was a John East J Retro preamp that came assembled onto a very nice plate. It matched up to the OEM pickguard perfectly.
(What is it with me a preamps?....
)Yet again, I built a Trickfish IPA preamp onto another control plate, this time from Best Bass Gear. This is my current preamp and hopefully the last one for this bass. It actually fits 99% perfectly, one must look closely to notice that one corner edge of the plate is 1/16" further than the pickguard. No gaps.
All of the subsequent control plates used after the OEM plate are my responsibility. The point is, there's probably several aftermarket makers of the various components of basses. And no idea if Fender or anyone else makes their control plates in-house. Between the various makers of these parts, it's a crapshoot whether parts will match up or not. Makers are at their mercy.
This probably won't make anyone feel better. Not sure it was supposed to.
Sorry to break this to you. That’s not a defect, it’s simply something you didn’t like.
Now, to understand why things like this happen : everything has a tolerance (+ or - measurements on the holes , the control plate , and the pickguard). This tolerance is there to compensate for tool wear , mating part, temperature , you name it etc , but also to make sure that parts will fit.
The control plate, pickguard and screw holes will always fit (because of these tolerances), however , they will always fit a bit different. Sometimes the gap will be more visually appealing to people like you , sometimes it wont. As long as it meets fender’s specification (no overlap/ no visible routing under gap / whatever they decide), then it’s not a defect. It never will be unless they change their own specifications to make that part fit different. Which wouldn’t really make sense.
Okay, you guys want to go there with the age thing.
As if I could care even less if you resolve your issues with that bass.
Agree, ageism is an unacceptable poster defect at any price.
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