Fender have struggled with quality control for many years. At one point you had to buy a bundle of them and try to make one good guitar out of the better parts. Today they are going through another bad patch, great if you like uneven frets that cut your hand open! I gave up on Fender many years ago, i lost count of the number of samples that i tried just trying to find a USA Strat with a rosewood fret board in Candy Apple Red, it was dozens of them, all with many issues. Even Hank Marvin has rejected samples from the infamous Custom Shop, so what chance have we got?
Allan you make very good points and I agree with everything you said. I hope changes are coming soon for the better. Thank you for watching and for your comment
I just got my American Vintage 2 strat in. Was super underwhelmed and disappointed after a 4 month wait. Sharp fret ends, finish checking, warped pick guard, back plate and volume/tone knobs. Huge gap at the top of the neck joint. This was my first “professional” USA made guitar. My Mexicans came out of the box ready to go. Expected more than a fancy case and upgraded pickups. Never buy a guitar sight unseen, lesson learned.
I’ll be kind of stoked if my ‘61 AVII sunburst Strat comes with some lacquer checking but if the neck pocket is super wonky and the pick guard is buckled I’m using some airline vouchers and flying with it directly to Corona and making them exchange it. Watch me. Lol
Sorry to hear. I had similar issues with a new Clapton Signature Strat recently…BIG neck pocket gap, misaligned tuners, warped trem cover and loose screw, pick-up selector switch with sharp / rough plastic protrusion from it. On the plus side, the neck / frets were perfect but don’t know how the guitar got through Fender QC. I rejected the guitar and now have another one on order, so keeping my fingers crossed for that one!
I was excited to open my Fender Original 50’s tele on Christmas Day… only to see a massive neck pocket gap on one side and a chip on the paint on the other. Many frets looked like they were cut too deep with filler put in. On a guitar that retails for just under $4000 Australian dollars (got it on sale though). Also looked like the neck was put on while the nitro was still drying. TSo disappointing. It’s now being shipped back for an exchange. My last 2 guitars were Mayones, wasn’t expecting that kind of attention to detail but this was terrible.
I hate to hear that, and it just goes to show that QC is out the window these days. On a good note, I just purchased a Gretsch G6118T yesterday, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Not a flaw that I could find. I guess there is still hope and that some folks are paying attention to detail and quality. Thank you for watching my friend.
i live in the philippines, and i have visited like 5 guitar stores, and around 75% of the fenders there have fret sprout, including an american ultra strat and not a single mexican guitar or bass was playable
Is it really dry there? That sounds like humidity issues. I’m not sure but it almost sounds like steps have not been taken to keep the instruments humidified? Otherwise that would definitely be a poor testament to Fenders QC.
I’ve seen this with the new vintage ii guitars. Over cut gapy neck pockets. Fret dots mis lined on fretboards. Heavier then usual woods. Big shame when comparing to the older versions.
I am not sure what is going on Gtrad, but it doesn’t seem like it would be hard for them to set a higher standard. PRS SE models have an excellent fit and finish and the fret work is gorgeous. The same with D’Angelico. The mystery is why Fender allowing this junk to leave the factory like that? Increased demand maybe? Causing them to not be able to spend as much time on the guitars so they are just churning them out. Cheaper inferior wood… I’m not sure!
Hi Pat. This is why I prefer to assemble my own. I own several Squiers, and find the quality acceptable, but not exceptional. I’ve got a body on order to build a Strat/Tele hybrid. We need to get together and pick some more. Next time you see Rick Hines, tell him howdy for me.
Hi Pat, I live in Singapore. We've traditionally had poor Fenders here because the local retailer who has a monopoly on the brand neglects proper set-ups. So outside of the constant price hikes, I don't cast too much blame on FMIC. However, I've noticed significant issues with the recent MIM and MIA stuff in the past few years. The vintera road worn stuff in particular is always really rough with many of the issues that you described on your guitar. My guitar-playing friends and I have moved on to Japanese brands that are more available here or at least, better value than Fender even after shipping them over from Japan. Hope you get your strat in order soon!
Daniel thank you for the insight. I fortunately was able to get the Strat sorted out. Additionally I have also been a fan of the MIJ Fenders. I appreciate your comment and thank you for watching.
I recently had a Fender Telecaster 50s Vintera Modified that I could not get to sound right. I took it to have it looked at and set up by a reputable person in Nashville. I was told that Fender never soldered the pick up wires to the control pots. That’s something that Fender should have caught at the factory. @fender
I believe if fender would insist on higher quality control inside of their Mexican plants (frets), (electronics), (fit and finish) then everything would be ok. The prices on the Mexican made guitars are closely encroaching the price of USA models. It’s not unreasonable to expect that the guitars will be good to go except for a set up after purchase. They can and should do better.
@@PatStockdaleMusic The sad thing is the quality in the Mexican factory actually exceeded the stuff coming out of Corona for a while and that's why you saw so many people online recommending getting a MIM fender over a MIA one. That does not seem to be the case now, as both factories are putting out products with a whole host of issues. I wouldn't expect these kinds of issues on a $200 guitar. No way in heck it's acceptable on an instrument retailing for $1300.
@@SMAAAASHTV Totally agree. It appears they are slinging out guitars to keep up with production, without concern that a lot will be returned because of qc issues. I guess they are willing to take a loss and a bad mark on their reputation. Thanks for watching 🎶
Had similar issues with 2 Jag-Stangs and a Player Plus Tele I recently bought. They're having me take the 2 guitars to a "tech" to check the issues for warranty. They have to know that their quality is suffering. Everyone's talking about it and some of it is due to them laying off a bunch of workers, but I've seen quality control issues since at least 2017 with several fender guitars. Really sad to see the current ownership tank the brand.
If I were the CEO of Fender day one I would put a stop to all of the different versions of Teles and Strats and focus on the meat and potatoes like 50s 60s and 70s iconic models and get rid of the roadworns, Ventera, player series, and the like. We would focus on quality and as you said not tanking the brand.
That’s crazy! Luckily i have had no issues with my American jazzmaster i just got. I have a tele and strat mim that i was highly impressed with their quality. Great video!
Alan it’s a great company, and I can see a jazzmaster in my future. I think they get in a hurry to meet production demands which allow mishaps like this to happen. They are just going to have to step up their game on quality control. Thank you for watching 🎶🎶
Oh i wanted to add if it’s okay…since you mentioned Clarksville, if you’re ever in the area check out Mom and Dad’s music. Great people awesome vibe with great selection.
I'm so glad I got my used Strat in 96. A late 93 deluxe plus Strat. All the bells and whistles already on it. I put a Hipshot Tremsetter on, adjusted the bridge to whammy up and down and haven't touch a adjustment since. Guess this is when Fender had excellent quality control. My other guitar is a 97 L Paul studio ebony with gold trim ,ebony fretboard. This 1 bought used in 012 has been completely modded. Came w/ 496/500 pups. Since then changed to Kluson locking tuners, Tusc XL nut. Tonespro locking bridge, alum tailpiece, CTS 500k pots, Switchcraft switch and jack, Schaller straplocks, Garrett cloth wire in 50's style. I feel that the 90's era of musical equipment seems the best. Most my pedalboard is used 90's MXR,Boss or other same era pedals. My amps are a 94 pro tube Twin and a 85 Boogie S O B. Seems this older equipment does its job but I can see the future of these being antiques. And doing everything out of 1 of those Helix style boxes with just a monitor speaker. And I never got my row of Kiss Marshall stacks.
I've been looking to buy some player models in the strat and tele range and I've looked at now about 6 examples and can't find one without serious issues. Horrible fret work as you mentioned, body seam not sanded flat and can be seen through the gloss paint, 3 necks not bolted on straight, one loose in the pocket! Bulging scratch plate, strap sling drilled in at an angle.... I decided actually in the end not to support Fender. These guitars in Canada cost a little less than $1200 which 4x the cost of a squire affinity but the quality is NO better. I saw a PRS SE 245 Vintage sunburst hanging in the last store i was trying out the fenders and gave it a once over, twice over, three times over. FLAWLESS. PERFECTION. walked out with it and it was cheaper than the Fenders too. Fender has some major, major issues to work out.
I recently had a miserable experience with American made Fender Precision basses. My first shipped with a broken truss rod. The neck couldn't be adjusted. I returned that bass a received a replacement. The second Precision bass was delivered to me with the absolute worst fret sprout issues. How it left the factory in that state is a complete mystery to me. I returned the second P bass and have moved over to Music Man. I now play Stingray basses and have found them to be superior to Fender in every way. Fender's QC issues may very well ruin the company.
I did my first Refret last week & it sounds like you’re describing my guitar when I first thought I was done! (I went back in and cleaned up the leveling & fret ends)
It is sorted out now after a new fret level and dress. I replaced the pickups with Onamac Windery full blues set. Also put a new pick guard (mint green) on. Lol I had to rebuild a new guitar. Thank you for watching!
I am glad I have an old Strat. I do have a 2016 Ultra Tele that I absolutely love, but I need to take off the pick guard and line everything with coper tape because I get static popping horribly in the dry winter months. It pisses me off, but, I got a great deal on it, so I shouldn't complain.
It makes me so sad to see what has happened to the Mexican/Ensenada guitars over the last 3 or 4 years. They WERE...getting SO good, up until about 2017...and then, they just nosedived. Ive literally had dozens on my workbench that were just awful...bad fret jobs, bad paint jobs, neck gaps...etc etc Apparently Covid devastated the workforce, and they lost a lot of the older skilled workers who had been at the factory for a long time, and replaced them with unskilled young "kids".
I believe you nailed it! They have to get the instruments out the door and they will sacrifice quality control to do it. Unskilled laborers.. you got it!
@@PatStockdaleMusic Ive actually spoken to a guy who worked there recently and he told me that there is tremendous pressure to get the stuff out the door. 😣
Just sent my 2nd road worn 60’s back due to orange peel / trash in the paint, and busted/cratered trem cover screw holes as well, first one had damaged low e tuner, trash in paint again and 2 saddles were ran all the way back to the plate for proper intonation….. hopefully 3rd time is a charm or they can just keep em.
I got this Strat sorted out but not without a lot of fretwork, and will still have to change the pick guard. I’m with you pal, hope the latest one works for you. Thank you for watching.
I had similar issues with a MIA Elite Strat back in 2017. The ends were perfect but they were polished okay but high frets and had excess cuts of wire tucked in the pickguard cavity. I’d be interested to hear if you’ve played a MIJ guitar at all? I bought a MIJ “Late 60s” Strat reissue and everything was absolutely flawless even down to the setup. If it wasn’t for how well the Elite plays and sounds now after throwing some money at it I’d have sold it in a heartbeat. The Elite was roughly £1700 new so throwing more money at it was a real kick in the teeth. Great video though, I feel the same as you
I have played a few MIJ Fenders, and I do recall them being nicer. I am hearing that lots of folks are having to have work done after the fact, and to me that’s totally unacceptable. I decided to keep the guitar as it is sorted out now, but warning to anyone looking at a new MIM Fender… you will most likely have to spend some money on cleaning up the fret work, and watch out for the fit and finish. The build quality is terrible sadly.
@@PatStockdaleMusic It’s a lovely guitar in fairness but I stand with you. Especially on the MiM point. Every MiM guitar I’ve had from fender has had issues and led me to sold/return instantly. Twisted necks, poor frets, poor QC, stripped screw holes, cracked Pau Ferro fingerboards and damaged hardware. I’ve learned my lesson
@@locky828 I am hoping everything is good now. It took a great deal of fret work to get it to play and feel right, but for now it seems good. Thank you for your insight… greatly appreciated 🎶
I prefer the 9.5 deep c and love the strat. I have been trying to find a Fender that is playable. All of the guitar shops around here have gone bust so I am dependent on the online services...and what a sh*t show it has been. I have returned four American Performers and one Mexican Player to 3 separate online dealers. Where is the quality control at Fender?
I think now that demand is caught up, the QC is slightly improving. I think for a while just getting them out the door as quickly as possible. That’s not acceptable, but I think that’s what was happening
Just plan on spending another $100 at your guitar tech's shop, whether you buy a Fender or a Gibson. I understand that long relationship with Fender ... mine started around 1960.
I’m used to having all of my guitars set up, but 100? I wish. This guitar had to have serious fret work. The shock was that fender and others find this acceptable. I’ve owned many fenders, and the quality nowadays is not acceptable
I'm not the only guy tired of Fenders crappy fret work. I set up guitars...mostly fenders from Mexico. Very few good, MOST suck. Some over 10 hi frets.
@@McFly-guitars-n-stuff They are getting worse and more expensive. Marketplace is loaded with them and folks trying to get rid of them. It spells doom for the company.
I decided a long time ago - only japanese guitars and cars for me from here on - had so much trouble with American cars and guitars - overrated trash - i'm done with them all.
I agree, but also think Fender should take note of PRS who seemingly has put the effort in to reduce the amount of QC issues with mass production. Gibson still has big problems as well.
I always think "Fender and Gibson are great guitars, but you can't buy them blindly. You have to put your hands on it." Even when you do that, you have to hunt for a good one. I'm not a loyalist to companies that stopped caring about the quality of their instrument, and are heavily relying on their brand. So many guitar companies make better versions of the Strat or Les Paul. Unfortunately, some brands are so embedded into the psyche of society, that people will be loyal to them, even when they shouldn't. They are holding onto to memories and allowing their emotions to make them see passed the lack of quality. When Fender and Gibson get it right, they get it really right. But, to find that "right" is becoming more and more rare.
If I were the CEO of Fender, day one I would tell everyone that we were going back into business of making quality instruments. I would cut production and focus on QC and having a few models of strats and teles, instead of 20 different models of the same guitars. I would be surprised if Fender is still around in 10 years with the way they do things now.
so annoying that most people cant see past the brand name on the headstock, they are going around worshipping these corporations that dont respect your wallet but atleast i wont be the one dealing with the QC issues lol, goodluck to them
Fender quality is very inconsistent. Almost every player series I pick up at Guitar Center is absolute garbage. I recently dropped 1700 on an American Pro tele and the strings aren’t even centered on the fretboard. The nut was cut too high and the fretboard buzzes like crazy.
I am sorry to here that about your American Pro. Was the neck pocket tight? I sadly have heard nightmare stories about @fender as of late. I just don’t get it. Hopefully they will pull things together, as I still like the brand. I hope management addresses these QC issues immediately. I was able to get the Strat sorted out, but I had to pay additional money to get it playable.
Sals manager at a Guitar Center told & showed me that almost all the Fender & Gibson guitars coming to them are requiring tons of work that should’ve been done at the factory. Said factory can’t keep up with the demand & just ships them out regardless because people still buy them. Buy them & do what you did!
@@lpjbird I hope they can turn things around quickly. Money is too tight to have to deal with that. The good news is I bought a new unburst Les Paul the other day, and it was right🎶
For the money some of these US made Fender and Gibson guitars cost, im blown away by the QC. Sadly it seems people have just accepted this as being apart of buying a Gibson or Fender. This is not normal and shouldnt be happening. This is called LAZY-NESS on these big companies parts.They pay workers to inspect these guitars before they leave the factory... well some of those people obviously were not trained well enough, dont care etc. But some of these guitars should NOT be leaving the factory and some of these guitars are expensive ! You are not getting the quality guitar you once did from them. And this isnt something they can fix overnight. I use to love Fender guitars, I found G&L's cost less and are Leos solution to solving the issues on his original designs. Gibson i own some older ones, but i will never buy a new one again. We have so many options out there these days and i think we need to stop buying just the name that doesnt include the quality. Some folks its easy enough to fix these so called "little" problems, but to your average guitar player the guitars unplayable out of the case. Now ya gotta add on $75-150 to the cost of the brand new guitar because the inspection was so bad from teh factory. Where is you $ going that your paying these big brands? Its certainly not going into the care an quality of the guitars coming out of the factories. Its sad. But as i said there are so many options out there. Skip the big names, were in an era of innovation and these bigger companies cant even perfect their guitars they have been making for how long ?
You make an awesome point. A company that’s has been building guitars since the 40s has had an awful long time to learn how to build a guitar right. Apparently they just don’t want to. I will say PRS seems to care about quality control, or so it seems. Their fit and finishes are the best I’ve seen. That is for the well pointed comment, and thanks for watching.
@@PatStockdaleMusic I agree 100%. And PRS, even their SE guitars are ridiculous for what you get price wise. Too bad Gibson doesnt have Epi stop making Gibson models and Gibson start making import versions that say Gibson on the headstock of their models. Like PRS does with SE series, G&L with their tribute series, Fender with the MIM series etc.
@@ctcards2636 I wish Fender in particular would stop trying to manufacture 20 different teles and focus on 3 or 4 good ones. You would also be hard pressed to find a Les Paul with nitro issues or binding problems
Sorry to hear it this is why I decided to get Serious I purchased a Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Stratocaster I had MIM Stratocaster always trying to Modify them spending way too much money and Time Its just better to save up your money and get a Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters of your Choice Yes I heard the Augments of How much They cost Like my parents always said You get what you PAY FOR Wishing you all the best
DJ I agree with you on the custom shop. I personally cannot justify the expense for that given the amount of time I actually utilize a Strat. I do however agree that would be the way to go if you could afford it. As for me I’m just a poor working musician who enjoys eating😄 Thank you for watching, and I appreciate your insight.. thank you DJ🎶🎶
Yeah, I can see how rewarding Fender for selling crap QC affordable products by buying their 3 times more expensive model of the same exact item makes sense. Bravo!
I absolutely agree with that statement, and also believe that they shouldn’t have as many models of strats and teles. 3 or 4 really good models is all that is needed.
@@SrJurado I wish they would take a page from PRS and pay more attention to quality. I think they are just trying to get them out the door as quickly as possible. The market is slowing and that will backfire on them I’m afraid
@@PatStockdaleMusic I think is a lost batttle, too big company, too many investors, too much greed. But what do I know, I just think is sad, even close to scam.
They haven't made a good strat since the lace sensor/LSR roller nut years..the deluxe pluses worth the best ever made..FACT..Steve Winwood still plays his and Clapton will sometimes
I remember those well. Great guitars for sure. I had one that was kind of a metal flake blue. Can’t readily recall the name of the color. It had a very nice neck, and like a fool I sold it and blew the money on a woman lol
@@PatStockdaleMusic yeah..mine was shoreline gold/maple...they had some cool colors also..heavy..but man those were killer guitars .they even put abalone dots on all the pluses..and the necks were way better..I think that color your talking about was bowlingball
Should have returned it. Get a high end Epiphone. I’ve bought several and they do a bunch more than fender. Quality is up ⬆️. The lower end are not setup.
