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NBD - BUT Fender QC Issues

#21
If your not 100% happy with the quality of any new purchase than you have the right to return it. I've had issues with USA fender neck pockets in the past... I have come to think that it is just an idiosyncratic feature with them... part of the experience!
 
#23
My guess is that white specs are probably polishing compound. The neck is nowhere near the body when the body is painted.

That would not be an issue for me, but everyone has an idea of what is acceptable. After some playing, the polishing compound spots will certainly wear away. Neck pockets have been pretty tight on all the Fenders I have played in the past several years. With the advent of CNC machines, that really has not been an issue. If your particular bass is not great, I am sure the replacement will be.

I feel that ordering a bass as opposed to picking one your have actually played is always a hit or miss proposition, even with high end boutiques. You have have got to be able to find the one that has your name on it, one you like the feel of, not possible when someone else pulls a box from stock and ships it directly to you.

The great thing about MF is that returns are not an issue. BTW, the fret work looks impeccable on that bass
 
#24
I would've returned as well. you should be happy with your purchase and the neck pocket fit while not egregious is not the best I've seen. I ordered an American deluxe P from them last year that had gloss overspray on the rosewood fretboard and an upside down pickup cover. yeah I could've reinstalled the pickup cover but given the other issue I didn't want a bass that was probably built at 430pm on a Friday. I love fenders, I'm far from a troll basher.

I will say though that the QC lately has been suspect. a local shop has one of the new American vintage strats and the the strings are a good 1/8th of an inch misaligned to the treble side. the high e string was actually OFF the fretboard at the neck pocket end of the fretboard.
 
#26
the white spots look like buffing compound in the grain of the rosewood...and i had asked fender about neck pocket gap and they could have cared less...just said the mating surfaces are what mattered ....oh well...i just stopped worrying about it an played the crap out of it.
 
#27
waynobass said:
Once you've upgraded to Lakland, why even bother with Fender anymore?
Click to expand...

GAS. And I wanted this color. But yes, my Lakland USAs are in a league of their own. I grew up playing a Fender Am Std. Jazz, so it still has a place in my heart despite Fender's foibles. Plus, I do like the new satin finish on the 2012 necks and wanted to check it out with the CS pickups. If it was to my liking, I would sell my 2011 Am. Std. Jazz.

But GAS primarily. And the great price I got during MF's sale.
 
#30
egad,..

so many nit-picky ol' Grannies! if it plays perfectly, who cares about a few superficial issues.:confused: you know stressing over minute details always leads to health problems.

do you guys stand in the Produce Section while shopping looking for perfect fruit?:hiding: the bruised stuff taste better, IME!;)
 
#31
Well, my 2011 Fender Am Std has a perfect, tight pocket, so I'd have to disagree. I've also been around long enough to recognize that the white compound on the fretboard shouldn't be there and is unusual. While the photos may not be great, it was noticeable as soon as I opened the case.

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced the strange shipping history from MF. I really feel like this bass was heading back to MF from someone an they turned it around to send to me. I can't explain it any other way.

I ordered this the night of Sunday, October 7th via UPS Ground standard shipping. Look at the tracking history:

Chicago, IL, United States 10/09/2012 10:55 A.M. Delivered
10/09/2012 4:53 A.M. Out For Delivery
10/09/2012 1:56 A.M. Arrival Scan
Hodgkins, IL, United States 10/09/2012 1:22 A.M. Departure Scan
Hodgkins, IL, United States 10/08/2012 8:19 A.M. Origin Scan
United States 10/08/2012 7:43 P.M. Order Processed: Ready for UPS

What's especially bizarre are the first two entries near the bottom. On Monday night, it's first processed and ready for UPS, but then at 8:19 a.m. the same day an origin scan is done at the UPS facility in Hodgkins, IL? And it never shows it at MF's facility in Kansas City like all of my other purchases from them. Then it arrives a day later. It's as if it was at the UPS facility to begin with. ??

Also, I don't know if Fender is still putting protective plastic on the pickup covers of new basses, but the one I got did not have the plastic on either pickup.
 
#32
Dbassmon said:
My guess is that white specs are probably polishing compound. The neck is nowhere near the body when the body is painted.

That would not be an issue for me, but everyone has an idea of what is acceptable. After some playing, the polishing compound spots will certainly wear away. Neck pockets have been pretty tight on all the Fenders I have played in the past several years. With the advent of CNC machines, that really has not been an issue. If your particular bass is not great, I am sure the replacement will be.
Click to expand...

+1 to all of this.
 
#35
boristhespider9 said:
Well, my 2011 Fender Am Std has a perfect, tight pocket, so I'd have to disagree. I've also been around long enough to recognize that the white compound on the fretboard shouldn't be there and is unusual. While the photos may not be great, it was noticeable as soon as I opened the case.

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced the strange shipping history from MF. I really feel like this bass was heading back to MF from someone an they turned it around to send to me. I can't explain it any other way.

I ordered this the night of Sunday, October 7th via UPS Ground standard shipping. Look at the tracking history:

Chicago, IL, United States 10/09/2012 10:55 A.M. Delivered
10/09/2012 4:53 A.M. Out For Delivery
10/09/2012 1:56 A.M. Arrival Scan
Hodgkins, IL, United States 10/09/2012 1:22 A.M. Departure Scan
Hodgkins, IL, United States 10/08/2012 8:19 A.M. Origin Scan
United States 10/08/2012 7:43 P.M. Order Processed: Ready for UPS

What's especially bizarre are the first two entries near the bottom. On Monday night, it's first processed and ready for UPS, but then at 8:19 a.m. the same day an origin scan is done at the UPS facility in Hodgkins, IL? And it never shows it at MF's facility in Kansas City like all of my other purchases from them. Then it arrives a day later. It's as if it was at the UPS facility to begin with. ??

Also, I don't know if Fender is still putting protective plastic on the pickup covers of new basses, but the one I got did not have the plastic on either pickup.
Click to expand...


This got me thinking, and that ain't easy.

UPS and other major shippers are getting into the business of warehousing and order processing. I saw it on (I think) CNBC- a program about UPS and FedEx. If this is the case, expect more similar issues when warehoused items are accidentally commingled, in this case, possibly a return put back in stock rotation. Stuff happens.

It wouldn't surprise me if the big 3 (that are currently in the same warehouse) start using UPS hubs as staging for their products.
 
#36
That's interesting. I'm hoping the new one shows as being shipped from Kansas City. I should know later today. I had them ship me the new one before they received the one I'm returning so I'll get it quicker. But, if MF is now warehousing basses with UPS, that could explain it. I still have my suspicions though!
 
#38
JasonLamb said:
and i had asked fender about neck pocket gap and they could have cared less...just said the mating surfaces are what mattered ....oh well...i just stopped worrying about it an played the crap out of it.
Click to expand...

This is what I've always believed. Upon closer inspection of the pics, as gaps in the pocket go, that's one of the better Fender pockets I've seen, it's possible the white finish accentuates the shadowy appearance and gives the illusion of more gap than is actually there, but it looks like one of the better Fender pockets I've seen.

Oh well, it's a moot point now, the deed is done, and I hope OP ends up with something truly significantly better and not with its own (and less desirable) idiosyncracies. I've certainly seen a lot worse stuff.
 
#39
Well, I actually won't ship this one back until the other arrives, so if the new one has worse idiosyncrasies, I can send that one back.

I have to disagree that this neck pocket is acceptable though. I've got a number of bases to compare it to including another 2011 Am Std Jazz, and the difference is noticeable. Maybe I need better photos. Also, what's the deal with the red dot? I also have doubts that most people would like the white compound on a brand new fretboard, especially if I can't get it out of the grain.

How do I remove TB attachments to allow me to post more photos since I'm at my limit?
 
#40
I just recetly bought 2012 P bass also OLY White and maple board. There is little gap, however, the neck feels so good almsot like J feel to it. Tone monster, 8lbs. I called Fender and this is what they told me, little opening is needed for wood to expands & contract with climate.
 

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