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Post subject: Custom Shop disappointment, Help!
Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:02 am
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My first custom shop experience has not been up to expectation. I recently received my Gilmour strat, which after waiting months for I was pretty darn excited to get. When I picked it up it was the usual rose colored glasses experience but you can never really tell much in an active shop doing a first playing, especially on an amp you've never played thru before. But as I was closing the case ready to go home for some evening fun with my new guitar (did I mention this is not a cheap guitar) I noticed that the case was not manufactured well as it didn't close right. Disappointing but hey it is the guitar that matters right?!

But when I got home I found that there was so much buzz on the G string that I put the guitar down to play my 80's strat copy to finish off my guitar fix. The next day I looked at the guitar and noticed that indeed the G string buzzes most of the way up the neck especially at 3/4, 7, 9 frets. The intonation was off on a couple of strings. The guitar just did not play clean. I'm not talking close to the deck all strings buzz at the same point... I'm talking one string you just don't want to play because you can't make it sound good.

The guys down at the shop where I bought it at tried to be helpful but after spending nearly 4 grand on a custom guitar I have a guitar in a case that doesn't shut well and doesn't play as well as a $500 guitar.

How does one go about making this right? I want a guitar I love and want to play. Oh I've raised the action on the string so the saddle sticks up higher than the others (and it is better) and improved the intonation but it just doesn't seem right. Maybe it is the spring that holds the saddle forward as it was obviously cut and only has 3.5 coils on it but the open string does not buzz. Was I wrong to assume an expensive custom shop guitar leaves the shop as a fine instrument dialed in to be a dream come true to play? Any help on how I can turn my disappointment into joy and avoid a guitar dust collector will be greatly appreciated.


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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:35 am
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the one thing i did notice was your observation on the case .mine also fit very tight to begin with ,and i also did not care to much because it eventually loosened up{i never put guitars away with the tremelo attached}.one member of the forum was having the same buzzing problems you were but im not sure how it was resolved,all in all ,if your not happy with your purchase please send the guitar back to get these issues resolved,you will not be unhappy with this strat if it is in proper working order,a mistake can take place but it is how the mistake is resolved that really a company stakes its reputation on ,you may have to call fender yourself but i would give them the opportunity to save face


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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:19 am
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Thanks for the feedback. If nothing else it feels better to know I'm not alone and that resolution is possible. Are you referring to taking it back to place I bought it or to Fender themselves? How do I contact the Custom Shop to accomplish this?

Thanks!


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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:22 am
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gratz wrote:
the one thing i did notice was your observation on the case .mine also fit very tight to begin with ,and i also did not care to much because it eventually loosened up{i never put guitars away with the tremelo attached}.one member of the forum was having the same buzzing problems you were but im not sure how it was resolved,all in all ,if your not happy with your purchase please send the guitar back to get these issues resolved,you will not be unhappy with this strat if it is in proper working order,a mistake can take place but it is how the mistake is resolved that really a company stakes its reputation on ,you may have to call fender yourself but i would give them the opportunity to save face


Agreed: The tag on your guitar is signed by quality control people who attest to the fact that the guitar meets specs. If this is not so, go back to the dealer and tell them the guitar is not acceptable. If they balk, I would email the Forum Administrator directly and have him pass your comments on to Mike Eldred, the Custom Shop Manager at Fender, and 'squawk' not only about the quality of what you received, but also the intransigence of the vendor. This not your out of the ordinary, off the wall guitar. Name drop so the vendor knows exactly whose attention you're bringing this matter to. :evil:

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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:18 pm
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i recommend you fallow docs stratigies and keep us posted good luck ,i can imagine what a dissapointing time you are going through ,and hope you get a fast and satisfing result the guitar is worth the effort IMHO


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Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:18 pm
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The guitar must be returned to the shop where you bought it. Your dealings were with the shop not fender. The shop must then return it to fender.
I'd be spitting feathers mate. Which shop did you use? I'm considering a purchase and want to know where to avoid.

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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:23 am
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Thanks all for your comments. Sorry for the slow response. I had check to get an email when a response was posted... and I didn't get any so I haven't logged in. I'd better check my spam filter!

I did take it back to the shop where I bought it and they said they'd make it right. But after having it for 3 days I still had the problem. Hence my frustration and email. I probably need to take it back but it is a drive and finding time is easier said than done. I don't feel like I want to bad mouth the shop yet as arguably they have had full opportunity to resolve the issue.

I did read thru the owner's manual and have a better understanding of the process and expectations. I suspect it is a neck curvature issue which I may try and fix myself as it would take less time than driving an hour to the shop. Plus I would be able to dial it in to my touch.


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:51 am
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good luck keep us posted


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:09 am
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Strange, I've not had any issues with my Gilmour! Gratz, have you? I think I read where Doc had to make some minor adjustments to his! I'm lucky I guess or ignorant but mine is perfect!


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:55 pm
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no fhop not one, and ive let lots of really experienced players as well as 2 luthiers play the guitar.i think its one of the finest guitars i own IMHO.almost everyone has commented on the neck,i think i mentioned it before but theres mojo in this guitar. rock on fhop


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:07 pm
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gratz wrote:
no fhop not one, and ive let lots of really experienced players as well as 2 luthiers play the guitar.i think its one of the finest guitars i own IMHO.almost everyone has commented on the neck,i think i mentioned it before but theres mojo in this guitar. rock on fhop


I'm glad to hear that Gratz! I was beginning to believe that I was over looking something! Thanks my brother and keep on rocking yourself!! 8) I hear you are going back to F.U. you lucky dawg!!! :wink:


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:36 pm
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i just reregistered i belive others should have the first place in line over anyone wishing to return as an second session student .its more or less a long shot unless fender finds a roll for alumni students inthe university experience,all in all my gut tells me my chances are remote at best.but hey you and doc have something to look foreward to .myself will always be appreciative to Richard McDonald,John Dreyer ,and Jennifer Burton, for this fantastic guitar experience. i am a lucky dawg thats probably the best description anyones ever given of me, thanks dude seriously


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:46 pm
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gratz wrote:
i just reregistered i belive others should have the first place in line over anyone wishing to return as an second session student .its more or less a long shot unless fender finds a roll for alumni students inthe university experience,all in all my gut tells me my chances are remote at best.but hey you and doc have something to look foreward to .myself will always be appreciative to Richard McDonald,John Dreyer ,and Jennifer Burton, for this fantastic guitar experience. i am a lucky dawg thats probably the best description anyones ever given of me, thanks dude seriously


Maybe you could go back as a teachers assistant or assistant professor! That would be cool! 8)
I'm still waiting on my mag. to arrive so I can read about you dudes and take a look at the graduation picture. Also to read the Gilmour article!


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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:10 pm
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youll be happy with that mag it really will help feed that DG inspiration we're all feeling


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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:02 pm
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the fact the case dosn't close well is a problem and for a 4000 $ guitar i think the seller did not do a good job on it unless he did a better price.
it should have been checked by Fender as well.
but the intonation problem is different and even if i understand it's frustrating , i suppose the neck moves along the months it stays in teh shops , with different temperatures (and the shipments)
i have to setup my guitars as well from time to time.
the problem is if you have to pay to get it done (if you ca,'t do it yourself), it should be done in the shop you bought it.

another problem that i think is much more annoying is when you buy a custom shop guitar that you can't make it sound as good a it should in the end.
cause as every guitars, there are good ones and less good ones (and a few real bad ones !! ) and when you pay from 2000 $ to 6000 $ you really expect to have a great sounding guitar .
as when you buy one between 1500 and 2000 $ that is already much money some people don't even earn a month ! not to say some for months or even years but that 's another debate ! .
not to say guitars sold new under 1500 $ don't sound good , i suppose in the 1000 to 1500 $ range you have to find some good sounding guitars but not as good as the more expensive ones !

some have dead bodies, with no resonance or have not a balanced tone (dull or excessivly bright)
and sure it's better to play one before but except in USA (and UK maybe as well) i suppose there are few countries where they have many guitars of the same model (not to say in different colors) in that high range of prices (as they are even much more expensive in Europe than in USA , with taxes).
i live in Paris in France and that's how it is, it's nearly like buying on the net and don't know how it will sound in the end , except if you try it, you can still not buy it if it doesn't sound good !
but on the net you have more choice (and sometimes you see precisely what you get )


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