How to reach Fender Custom Shop?

[davidchampoux]

I've bought over 10 Custom Shop basses in the last 6-7 years, still own 4 today. One of them is a Masterbuild and needs new tuning pegs. Those are the Lollipop style pegs, and it seems that I can't find/have/buy them anywhere (with the correct Fender logo at the back, not the Hipshot after market ones).

I've been in contact with the people @ Fender support and they say those tuners are only available through the Custom Shop, and they can't help me. I asked them for a direct email to the CS, but they said there's no way to reach them! While I understand they don't want to deal direct with customers, I think I have given them enough $$$ to allow me to reach them and ask for those tuners...!

Is there anyone here who can help me?

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I have talked to Mike Elridge (cs guy) in person at the Scottsdale Az facility where he has a office, I would try to get a hold of him.

 

[Warpeg]

Go to a Fender dealer. A dealer will consult with their their territory Fender rep. The Fender rep. will consult with the CS department. Chain of command.

 

[bassbully]

New tuning pegs on a custom shop Fender? Weird....what's wrong with them?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

One time I had a problem with my US Lakland (minor nut issue). I called and the owner of Lakland answered. Just sayin'.

 

[davidchampoux]

One time I had a problem with my US Lakland (minor nut issue). I called and the owner of Lakland answered. Just sayin'.

Yes I know, Dan is quite a nice guy...! (Don't know if it was still Dan when you called, but anyway, he IS a nice guy )

 

[davidchampoux]

New tuning pegs on a custom shop Fender? Weird....what's wrong with them?

Those Lollipop tuners are built on plastic bushings. 2 of them have become loose with time so there's quite a bit of slack when turning in them (as they move vertically first), and I don't like that at all...

 

[davidchampoux]

I have talked to Mike Elridge (cs guy) in person at the Scottsdale Az facility where he has a office, I would try to get a hold of him.

I talked to Mike Eldred through the Fender forum once regarding pickup selection on a P Bass I was ordering at the time (P-Bass Pro 2012)... He hasn't been very responsive, and didn't give me his opinion... From what I remember, he said "Make your selection and use that"... Wow ... I honeslty thought he had no clue of what I was talking about!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Swap Fender Custom Shop for "home" and you'll get there..............

 

[davidchampoux]

LOLLLL

 

[leroy diamond]

One time I had a problem with my US Lakland (minor nut issue). I called and the owner of Lakland answered. Just sayin'.

I called Sadowsky guitars looking for a part and Roger himself picked up the phone. First class support.
I have played a few Fender custom shop basses and they were very nice, but why is it an issue getting replacement parts?

 

[BassHappy]

They have the "chain of command" set up for a reason. It's simple. They don't want to talk to the customer.

Period.

 

[davidchampoux]

I called Sadowsky guitars looking for a part and Roger himself picked up the phone. First class support.
I have played a few Fender custom shop basses and they were very nice, but why is it an issue getting replacement parts?

It looks like they don't sell Custom Shop parts. The Lollipop tuners aren't available on their regular US products and not available for sale anywhere.

The just released the 'Adam Clayton' Jazz Bass in their regular Fender line, and this model uses the Lollipop. I said that to the Fender support... He said: "Unfortunately those are the same machines used in Custom Shop production and are not sold aftermarket. The secondhand marketplace will probably be the best option to procure these machines."

I could buy a set from Hipshot, but I want the correct Fender logo, not Hipshot... I asked them about a set with Fender logo, will see what they'll answer.

 

[davidchampoux]

They have the "chain of command" set up for a reason. It's simple. They don't want to talk to the customer.

Period.

I wonder when Adam Clayton, Reggie Hamilton, Sea Hurley, or even Jamareo Artis want a bass if they have to go through their dealer? The funny part about it is that those guys probbaly don't pay a dime for their instruments, while I did pay a LOT for mine. I'm the guy who pay their paycheck!

 

[BassHappy]

It looks like they don't sell Custom Shop parts. The Lollipop tuners aren't available on their regular US products and not available for sale anywhere.

The just released the 'Adam Clayton' Jazz Bass in their regular Fender line, and this model uses the Lollipop. I said that to the Fender support... He said: "Unfortunately those are the same machines used in Custom Shop production and are not sold aftermarket. The secondhand marketplace will probably be the best option to procure these machines."

I could buy a set from Hipshot, but I want the correct Fender logo, not Hipshot... I asked them about a set with Fender logo, will see what they'll answer.

If you need new Fender Lollipops, looks to me like you can snag a set here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-NEW...ine-Keys-/171354542291?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

Actually, after looking more closely, I don't see any Fender logo and the fine print says they were manufactured to exact Fender Specs.

Sorry, could be wrong.

 

[SirMjac28]

They have the "chain of command" set up for a reason. It's simple. They don't want to talk to the customer.

Period.

I understand not wanting to waste time talking to a looky-loo like me but a paying customer especially one like the OP I think there should be some direct customer service set up? I hope you find your tuners maybe one of the builders might come across this thread.

 

[davidchampoux]

The one available on eBay would be more acceptable than the Hipshot labeled, but mine have 'Fender' on them, which I prefer... Anyway...

 

[BassHappy]

The one available on eBay would be more acceptable than the Hipshot labeled, but mine have 'Fender' on them, which I prefer... Anyway...

View attachment 507106

Sorry, yep the ones touted as "Genuine Fender" are actually fakes. So it goes on the bay. Good luck with the Fender Custom shop, hope they can manage something for you.

 

[Mr.Fingers]

If I recall correctly, those F-stamped tuners are made by Hipshot, and are technically identical to the HB2. You can try to contact hipshot and ask for replacements there, since the parts are identical. Swapping the parts out is something anybody who knows how to handle a screwdriver can do with ease.

Those lollipops on ebay are actually more vintage correct than the current ones made by Hipshot/Fender CS. They are modified GOTOH-tuners, and have the correct spacing, plate thickness and brackets like the Invalid Link Removed would have, only without the Fender-stamp. I had those tuners, and they're very sturdy and decent!

 

[BassHappy]

I understand not wanting to waste time talking to a looky-loo like me but a paying customer especially one like the OP I think there should be some direct customer service set up? I hope you find your tuners maybe one of the builders might come across this thread.

Hey SirM

Yeah, they want the option of calling you. If an issue emerges between the Custom Shop and the dealer, I am sure there are times they may call the customer directly to clarify some issues or options. They want to be in control of that. Can't say that I blame them - there are potentially a lot of time wasters - not that any of us here would do that...

By the way 94th MP Battalion here too....

Small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it!