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Post subject: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 11:39 am
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I have been a Fender user since 1973 when I bought my first Strat, new for $440. A lot of money for a 15 year old back then. I've had lots of amps, guitars and effects since, and have always liked pre-CBS Fender amps, and also have owned and used many of the post-80's amps. I took the plunge and bought a new 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb a few months ago from a online seller. The amp made a VERY loud pop when powered down into standby. Loud enough to startle and alarm anyone in the room. So I sent it back and had them send me another one, which they sent 2 day air.
Factory sealed, Fender box with Manufacture date about a month and a half back. It did the exact same thing as the first one. Took it down to authorized Fender electronics service shop with a stellar reputation and was told that I was looking at as long as 6 weeks shop time to allow for Fender to send out the parts. So I sent it back as well and am now going to wait about a year and maybe Fender will get their manufacturing line issues resolved.
Sad, because I really like all the design ideas of this amp and really wanted one. Working on the amp myself (which is within my skill set) wasn't an option due to warranty restrictions. I don't think you should have to work on a brand new amp anyway.
Also, I have found that I have to really hunt and pick through the new Fender Guitars to find a fairly good one, as I think you always have had to, but it seems much harder to find a fresh Strat or Tele that's decent, the last 10 years or so.
Maybe these are the "new CBS days" at Fender?


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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 12:56 pm
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Did anyone bother to check the tubes?

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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 5:44 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
Did anyone bother to check the tubes?


I agree, this may have remedied the problem all together.


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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 6:15 pm
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Your experience with a new Fender product is just in line with everything else regarding their QC. Very sad .. :(


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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 2:26 pm
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Quote:
I have to really hunt and pick through the new Fender Guitars to find a fairly good one

As an alternative point of view, the first Telecaster I tried was perfect and I bought it. And I'm quite a fussy purchaser. I don't think I have above-average luck or any sixth-sense in selecting guitars, so (in my experience) they do make good stuff to a good standard.

I'm puzzled that you'd rather "wait a year" than six weeks? Maybe you did get a dud amp, but if it went back to Fender I suspect it would be returned to you in first-class condition. Obviously we all have different requirements, nothing wrong with your decision, just offering a different view...


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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 3:34 pm
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scott-uk wrote:
Maybe you did get a dud amp, but if it went back to Fender I suspect it would be returned to you in first-class condition.


Few products are ever actually sent "back to Fender" -- more often than not they're farmed out to local service-providers of unknown competency.

Do you think Chevrolet sends an Aveo all the way back to China to replace a faulty ignition switch?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Quality Control Issues at Fender Getting Worse Lately?
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 4:12 pm
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More than that, few consumer electronic devices are repaired anymore. Fender is more likely to replace a guitar or an amp than actually repair it. Then destroy the flawed item to ensure that no-one repairs it or strip it of parts to make a profit.


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