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Post subject: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:57 am
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I’ve been lurking in the forums for over a year now, gathering as much info as possible, since I decided to order a one-off Teambuilt Strat. I’ve always been a Fender fanboy. All my biggest heroes played Fenders. When I studied jazz in college, my Strat had to be pried from my hands in order to get me to play an archtop. Even in my line of work, I’m as much in awe of the guitars I see as the talent (I even had the privilege of running a spotlight for Beck and Clapton at Crossroads Festival 2010). I originally requested a quote last December, but due to a miscommunication with the dealer, I never received a response. So I revised my specs and requested a quote in June. I received a response, placed my order, paid, and waited. My guitar arrived Dec. 16th.

’59 Strat NOS, lightweight alder body, Sonic Blue nitro, quartersawn maple neck, Nocaster neck profile, Dark rosewood fretboard, 9.5” radius, 6105 frets, bone nut, Fat 50’s pickups, 3-ply 8-hole mint guard, modern wiring

I was excited; the guitar was a couple months ahead of schedule. It was set-up PERFECTLY right out of the box.
Image
CSstrat1 by groovekris, on Flickr
Image
CSStrat3 by groovekris, on Flickr
Image
CSStrat5 by groovekris, on Flickr

After getting it home and removing the plastic from the pickguard, it still looked textured. Textured and scratched. I took it to a Custom Care center, then back to the dealer, and it was agreed that something was wrong with the material. I was told that the guards are sprayed with nitro, and that it had reacted with the plastic film. A new guard was ordered, and I was told that since the Custom Shop was closed for the holidays, I would receive it sometime in January. So the instrument sat in its case, unplayed, til it could be fixed.
Image
pg5 by groovekris, on Flickr
Image
pg1 by groovekris, on Flickr

A couple days ago, the dealer said the new guard was in, so I took in the guitar to have it installed. I mentioned that the guitar played perfectly; I just needed the guard replaced and everything else exactly where it was. I picked it up later that day, and the guard was fine (although I’m not sure if this one was sprayed with lacquer), but the set-up was, well, awful. String tension seems way stiffer, and I have no idea why. Neck relief had increased, and string height was raised. Pickup height had not been set at all. I took it to my regular shop, where they adjusted the neck and height, but it’s still not to where it was when it first arrived. It still feels REALLY stiff.

After an hour on the phone with Consumer Relations, I had ordered a new tremolo arm tip (all the parts were aged white, but a pure white arm tip was sent).
Image
whitetip by groovekris, on Flickr

I’m probably nitpicking, and this is a prime example of a first-world complaint, but I’m a little disappointed with the Custom Shop experience. I’ve read so many awesome stories on here where the owner turns into a child at Christmas when he/she receives their dream guitar (I know when I look at Alain’s guitars on his website, I feel like a child who got his hands on the Toys R Us Christmas catalog). I’ve had my dream guitar for almost a month now, and I’ve spent most of that waiting for parts and now I’m trying to fix a poor setup. The dealer has minimally helped me, beyond ordering the pickguard, and I’m treated as more of an annoyance whenever I ask a question. This is the second warranty issue I’ve had with a Fender from there. My Vintage Hot Rod ’62 Strat needed the neck replaced, and now my CS Strat needed a new pickguard the day it arrived. When I brought this “two guitars in a row with issues” point up to the owner, his response was simply, “yeah, that’s weird.”

So now my dream guitar sits in its case, having been played roughly 4 times since I’ve received it. If anyone here has had an issue like this with their beloved instruments, I’d appreciate any advice on how to rekindle my love for an instrument whose experience has left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. It’s getting harder and harder to be a fanboy. :(


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:05 am
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Welcome to the Forum

Should be a nice guitar: It was perfect when delivered so I can't see why its playability deteriorated by changing a pickguard...
It's a matter of set-up.
Have you filled the Custom Care Application ?

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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:14 am
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yes, sir, I've registered my instrument. When the new pick guard was installed, the electronics were removed from the old one, the guitar re-strung, etc. The dealer just didn't do a very good job of it (and ignored my request to leave the measurements the same). I don't know if the guitars are all set up the same from the factory, but when it arrived, it was... perfect. A dream to play. And now that the dealer has changed it, I'm finding it very difficult to get it back to the way it was. This is more a gripe with the dealer. I just wish I knew the Custom Shop specs. The more I try to get it back to where it was, the farther I seem to get. I appreciate help from such a knowledgable person here on the forums, sir. Thank you.


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:22 am
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You're welcome.
Here is the standard set up for a Strat:

http://www.fender.com/fr-FR/support/art ... etup-guide
Might be a good start.

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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:43 am
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well, this got me closer than what the dealer had. Still not there yet. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:46 am
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groovekris wrote:
The more I try to get it back to where it was, the farther I seem to get.


That's normal ... this process starts somewhere and you have to learn the different aspects of setting up a guitar. Then you decide to change the string gauge, or you check the intonation, or seasonal changes make your neck react ... and you start all over again.

You bought a very beautiful guitar, congrats!

Cheers

David

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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:25 am
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Quote:
I’d appreciate any advice on how to rekindle my love for an instrument whose experience has left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth. It’s getting harder and harder to be a fanboy.


It looks like a really nice guitar and you should have no problem finding the love once you get the issues squared away. Just be thankful that it's not like my smelly CS strat that literally leaves a bitter taste in my mouth!

Quote:
I was told that the guards are sprayed with nitro


Are the guards really spayed with nitro? What's up with that?

John


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:00 am
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groovekris wrote:
yes, sir, I've registered my instrument. When the new pick guard was installed, the electronics were removed from the old one, the guitar re-strung, etc. The dealer just didn't do a very good job of it (and ignored my request to leave the measurements the same). I don't know if the guitars are all set up the same from the factory, but when it arrived, it was... perfect. A dream to play. And now that the dealer has changed it, I'm finding it very difficult to get it back to the way it was. This is more a gripe with the dealer. I just wish I knew the Custom Shop specs. The more I try to get it back to where it was, the farther I seem to get. I appreciate help from such a knowledgable person here on the forums, sir. Thank you.


Who was the dealer? Sounds like a dealer issue more than anything. Replacing a pickguard shouldn't be a major issue. I guess the dealer's guitar tech is lousy. The guitar looks great in any case.


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:42 am
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I keep thinking I want to get a CS guitar. A Krab sig guitar if you will. I know what I want and with my current production guitar I'm really close, but it is stories like these that stop me. I want to be able to play a guitar before I buy. I have to bond with it. Have one speak to me. I really hope you get the set up issue taken care of.

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Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore, trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility.-Khalil Gibran


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:54 am
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This is a dealer issue and not a CS issue. I've changed plenty of pick guards on my CS guitars and it can be done without removing the strings let alone derailing the set-up. The OP did stated the guitar was "perfect" when it arrived except for the cosmetic of the pick guard. JMHO


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:50 pm
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Superfly44 wrote:
This is a dealer issue and not a CS issue. I've changed plenty of pick guards on my CS guitars and it can be done without removing the strings let alone derailing the set-up. The OP did stated the guitar was "perfect" when it arrived except for the cosmetic of the pick guard. JMHO

But for the price you pay and the time you wait it seems there should be no cosmetic issues.

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Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore, trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility.-Khalil Gibran


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:45 am
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Don't mean to offend you but as I read this I'm thinking buyers remorse.. didn't play the guitar for over a month because he was waiting for a new pick guard?? Original order wasn't processed? IMO the original pickguard looked great and even if it didn't that wouldn't keep me from playing the guitar.. Onto the problem at hand.. Sounds to me like the dealer put different guage/brand strings on the guitar, at least that's what I would look at. Hope I'm right, good luck..


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:25 am
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I've since resolved most issues. And my setup issue WAS with the dealer, not the CS. The pickguard issue was solved. It's just frustrating to have a defect out of the box with the CS's reputation for quality. But that's a risk when you buy a guitar that you can't see or play first. Just one more issue to resolve with the saddle height screws and I'm set. This is still the finest guitar I've ever owned; there's no buyer's remorse, and I'm sorry if it came off that way. I'm a bit jealous of those whose guitars were dead perfect out of the case, though.


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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:04 pm
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Sounds like you're getting there groovekris. Glad to hear it. I'm waiting for my first CS guitar and hope mine is great!

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Post subject: Re: My first Custom Shop experience
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:07 pm
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OK, I talked to Consumer Relations again, and my third shipment of correct parts should arrive soon. They will have replaced the defective pickguard, incorrect trem arm tip, and the incorrect saddle height screws. After these are installed, my guitar will finally be as it should have originally arrived in the first place. :?


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