PAWN SHOP SERIES DEFECTIVE -- NO GROUND; STATIC ELECTRICTY

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:14 pm

Send an e-mail with photos to consumerrelations@fender.com

somebizarredude · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:15 pm

if it was any kind of quality tech he would use a felt mat and at least dust it off first. personally I would be upset. before i did all my own work i had a pot replaced and the guy had solder and rosin splatter on the top. this left permanent craters and divots.
a tech would know you always remove the guard or cover the surface for that kind of work. He paid for it when all was said and done.

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:36 pm

Violin Parent wrote:

P.S. In case anyone else has this guitar or is interested, the tech claimed he was unable to recreate the problem I described, but I am not crazy and it certainly does it as bad as ever in my home. It's static electricity that Fender blames on the plastic pickguard and the fact that it's based on a "vintage" design. Whatever. Strats and teles have plastic pickguards and I’ve never had one suffer from this problem. In my opinion it’s a design defect if I have to install copper shielding, but I will do that. I’ve ordered copper shielding and I’ve read that it will solve the problem. The guitar does give a good array of nice tones, IMO, when there is no static electricity. The static problem is that after about 10 seconds of playing, it gets really bad clicking and then if you just rub the pickguard under the strings back and forth, you can literally make a different kind of music (think rappers “scratching”, if you know what I mean). It absolutely makes the guitar unplayable even for home use, IMO. Like if I’m playing as background music while my family sits around the house on a weekend, using clean tones, I would not pick this guitar because the static is noticeable and terrible. I know it’s static electricity as others have mentioned it on this forum and if I wet the pickguard or use a dryer sheet, it goes away, but comes back after literally 10 seconds (not even 30) of strumming.

Yes, most people are successful in solving static electricity problems by rubbing the pickguard periodically with something like a Clingfree sheet or other drier fabric softener/anti-static sheet. Might want to check the humidity level in your home too. If the guitar is properly grounded, shielding will not help prevent static. Static discharge is caused by the interaction of the plastic with the humidity in the air and your clothing rubbing against the guitar. That's why I play naked, underwater. :lol:

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:38 pm

Violin Parent wrote:

Rain Man wrote:

Are you taking any prescription medication?

no but i totally admit I might need some :lol:

Ignore Rain Man. He is a troll who has been banned twice from this forum but keeps coming back under a new name. He has already caused one perfectly good thread to be deleted because of his actions. He has been reported to Brad.

44james · **Joined:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:31 am **Posts:** 176

Violin Parent wrote:

somebizarredude wrote:

if it was any kind of quality tech he would use a felt mat and at least dust it off first. personally I would be upset. before i did all my own work i had a pot replaced and the guy had solder and rosin splatter on the top. this left permanent craters and divots.
a tech would know you always remove the guard or cover the surface for that kind of work. He paid for it when all was said and done.

yeah fender has a problem there. the tech was some kid and not the name of the guy Fender thinks is the tech in that location. and I mentioned that and fender ignored that part of my email. thanks for letting me know at least one other person would also be upset. and the thing is, back to fender's response, i KNOW the sam ash will laugh at me and the manager might even attack me and they can't do anything for me.

I would actually agree that there is no remedy for the problem. it's not bad enough to warrant a brand new guitar, I would kind of admit, and they will never agree to that unless I sue them, but at the same time there is no lesser compensation (what? like 10 free packs of strings or some crap like that??) that will give me back my perfect guitar. I don't want free strings or a pedal or any crap like that. I can buy my own strings. I just wanted my guitar to be given back to me in the condition that I gave it. so yeah this kind of sucks.

I have also determined to become my own tech and do my own work. this was a learning experience.

and yeah it's common sense to have a padded clean work area. when I change strings I use a clean towel. Not that hard to do.

the guitar and case came back to me FILTHY, by the way, which is why I suspect the dirt. they did not even have the sense to dust it off before giving it to me.

this is another reason I am really down on the types of loser kids who work in GC type places.

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm almost certain this is not a Fender issue....your beef is with the dealer.

The_Nutter · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:01 pm

(1) should I care? and/or (2) is this to be expected?

(1) No (2) no pics no fix.

Next!

BoomChickaBoom · **Joined:** Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:03 am **Posts:** 47

I've got some ocd issues myself so I understand where you're coming from.

But...

If something this small gets you this worked up you're gonna have to learn how to do work on your guitars yourself. Simply put, NO one else is gonna care about your guitars as much as you do. When handling a guitar there's always the chance something can happen.

"Actually, not scratches but little tiny dings the size of a grain of sand."

The size of a grain of sand?

No tech is gonna take off his belt or not wear jeans when they're working on your guitar. They're simply not going to worry about it the same way you do.

Again I understand ocd. And I do feel bad it's got you this upset. But you also have to except the role the ocd is playing in this case. Dings the size of grains of sand are not something anyone without ocd is gonna notice or care about. You really don't have a case here.

The static issue even less so. It's a plastic guard. They can pick up static.

scarleg · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:14 pm

Violin Parent,
Sorry to hear about the issues with your guitar.My jazzmaster does the exact same thing.I can rub the pickguard with my finger and get the gnarly as you describe (rapper thing).I just deal with it and I wipe it it with a little dryer sheet and it goes away.I just do that every so often.Should I have to do that with my new guitar - NO...but do I - YES.It's really weird cause none of my other Fender guitars do it.I never encountered this till I bought a newer guitar.It seems like all of my older ones are fine...really weird.I believe a little sheilding would take care of it but I'm too lazy to even do that. So I just wipe it with the dryer sheet and enjoy it.I too am a little anal about people not giving a $@!& about other peoples belongings.I try and keep my instruments and amps looking and working the best they can.This is why I didn't send mine back.Everytime I have in the past ....whatever I send out NEVER comes back like I sent it out.All I can say is next time take pics before sending it out.That way there is absolutely no concerns.
I feel your pain

BoomChickaBoom · **Joined:** Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:03 am **Posts:** 47

Violin Parent wrote:

It's arguably only $50.00 in damages (reduced resale value of guitar), not full replacement value.

It's not even that.

I doubt anyone else would even notice.

Most new guitars at Sam Ash or Guitar Center have more shop wear from just being handled then what you're talking about.

Just learn to do the work yourself and you'll never have to worry about it again. That is until you drop a screwdriver and ding the finish yourself.

somebizarredude · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:22 pm

bluesky636 wrote:

Violin Parent wrote:

P.S. In case anyone else has this guitar or is interested, the tech claimed he was unable to recreate the problem I described, but I am not crazy and it certainly does it as bad as ever in my home. It's static electricity that Fender blames on the plastic pickguard and the fact that it's based on a "vintage" design. Whatever. Strats and teles have plastic pickguards and I’ve never had one suffer from this problem. In my opinion it’s a design defect if I have to install copper shielding, but I will do that. I’ve ordered copper shielding and I’ve read that it will solve the problem. The guitar does give a good array of nice tones, IMO, when there is no static electricity. The static problem is that after about 10 seconds of playing, it gets really bad clicking and then if you just rub the pickguard under the strings back and forth, you can literally make a different kind of music (think rappers “scratching”, if you know what I mean). It absolutely makes the guitar unplayable even for home use, IMO. Like if I’m playing as background music while my family sits around the house on a weekend, using clean tones, I would not pick this guitar because the static is noticeable and terrible. I know it’s static electricity as others have mentioned it on this forum and if I wet the pickguard or use a dryer sheet, it goes away, but comes back after literally 10 seconds (not even 30) of strumming.

Yes, most people are successful in solving static electricity problems by rubbing the pickguard periodically with something like a Clingfree sheet or other drier fabric softener/anti-static sheet. Might want to check the humidity level in your home too. If the guitar is properly grounded, shielding will not help prevent static. Static discharge is caused by the interaction of the plastic with the humidity in the air and your clothing rubbing against the guitar. That's why I play naked, underwater. :lol:

thats why my recent build has a carbon fiber pick guard :wink:

zero static

bluesky636 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:24 pm

Violin Parent wrote:

bluesky636 wrote:

Violin Parent wrote:

P.S. In case anyone else has this guitar or is interested, the tech claimed he was unable to recreate the problem I described, but I am not crazy and it certainly does it as bad as ever in my home. It's static electricity that Fender blames on the plastic pickguard and the fact that it's based on a "vintage" design. Whatever. Strats and teles have plastic pickguards and I’ve never had one suffer from this problem. In my opinion it’s a design defect if I have to install copper shielding, but I will do that. I’ve ordered copper shielding and I’ve read that it will solve the problem. The guitar does give a good array of nice tones, IMO, when there is no static electricity. The static problem is that after about 10 seconds of playing, it gets really bad clicking and then if you just rub the pickguard under the strings back and forth, you can literally make a different kind of music (think rappers “scratching”, if you know what I mean). It absolutely makes the guitar unplayable even for home use, IMO. Like if I’m playing as background music while my family sits around the house on a weekend, using clean tones, I would not pick this guitar because the static is noticeable and terrible. I know it’s static electricity as others have mentioned it on this forum and if I wet the pickguard or use a dryer sheet, it goes away, but comes back after literally 10 seconds (not even 30) of strumming.

Yes, most people are successful in solving static electricity problems by rubbing the pickguard periodically with something like a Clingfree sheet or other drier fabric softener/anti-static sheet. Might want to check the humidity level in your home too. If the guitar is properly grounded, shielding will not help prevent static. Static discharge is caused by the interaction of the plastic with the humidity in the air and your clothing rubbing against the guitar. That's why I play naked, underwater. :lol:

Wait, but LOW humidity (dry environment) would cause more static problem, right? If anything my home--unfortunately--is way too HUMID, another thing that bothers me, actually. That's another discussion, but where I live is not a nice environment for guitars and their wooden necks. It's so humid I'm probably part fish by now. The thingometer in my daugher's violin case always says humidity is 65%, which it says is "normal." Also, of course, I play all of my other guitars (strats and 65 mustang) in the exact same home and don't have the problem with them. And finally, if I find out it’s not grounded properly, I’m really going to be pissed because the tech does claim he opened it up and found no problems with the goings on in the guts.

Then I have no other solution for you other than to suggest you check the ground. Sorry. None of my guitars have any static issues.

somebizarredude · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:37 pm

maybe its your nerves generating all the static :lol:

44james · **Joined:** Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:31 am **Posts:** 176

Violin Parent wrote:

[quote="44james"

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm almost certain this is not a Fender issue....your beef is with the dealer.[/quote][/quote]

Both are liable jointly and severally. Fender forced me to use this tech. He's the one and only authorized tech for Fender warranty work in my 4 million person metro area. Well, the Sam Ash is on the hook; they are using some kid and not the person Fender thinks is the tech at that location. Legally, the tech was an agent of Fender in this situation. I can sue both. Whether I would ultimately prevail is another matter, but I absolutely have a colorable (it passes the sniff test) claim that Fender is responsible. I can sue Fender right here in my little local small claims court. I'm not going to, but I could. The bigger problem is substantively whether I could prove my case (I have no good "before" photos--it's just my word) (and the tiny little scratches might cause the judge to laugh at me just like the lip-ringed manager of Sam Ash would laugh at me). It's arguably only $50.00 in damages (reduced resale value of guitar), not full replacement value. The problem is it is more a "my standards" kind of thing. I was not looking for a slick way to get a replacement guitar. All I wanted was a guitar that is properly grounded and doesn’t have a static problem and doesn’t have scratches on it, since I didn’t put any scratches on it. Since the guitar is tiny, short scale, weighs about 2 pounds, I don’t really like playing it anyway and my intentions were to keep it for 10 years in mint condition and give it to my daughter when she’s older. Perfect starter guitar for a teenage girl, lowest action one could imagine (yet no buzz--these japanese mustangs are solid, fit and finish speaking), super cool guitar much better than a squier. I mean that’s one thing the reviews on youtube and description and photos don’t reveal. If you have never held this guitar, it is TINY and literally weighs about 25% as much as a strat.[/quote]

Nope. I don't believe Fender is in any way responsible for the actions of an authorized Tech.

The authorization certification ensures the Tech has been trained to the level of technical expertise required by Fender. The Tech, or his employer, is then responsible for his actions....not Fender. Only if Fender had failed at their end....certified the Tech without confirming his level of expertise (i.e. just sent him a certificate in the mail without training or testing him) could Fender be held responsible.

If you got into a physical altercation with this Tech and were injured, would Fender be responsible for that?

You seem convinced that the manager at Sam Ash would laugh at your complaint, but if you are unsatisfied with the condition of the guitar as it was returned to you, you should discuss it with him. This may be a common complaint regarding this Tech and the manager may be prepared to compensate you in some way, and perhaps replace the Tech.

Always worth a try.

Minnesotastrats · **Posted:** Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:45 pm

Get over it. now the next ding won't be so tramatic (trust me there WILL be a next one). It's a ding in a guitar , not the loss of a child or something terrible like that. Time to cowboy up Felix. :roll:

Klowenst · **Joined:** Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:44 am **Posts:** 864

I can totally relate on the OCD issues bro. :lol:

I have been babying my strat since I got it. I always keep it in the case when I'm not playing and I really try to keep it mint. The action is a bit high but I have so far avoided bringing it to anyone since I don't know anyone I would trust with it and I'm worried about trying to adjust it myself.

I tend to pick pretty high, sometimes even over the fretboard but usually around the neck pickup area. You can imagine my horror when I noticed that I had picked the 3 clear off the N3 logo on the neck pickup. :oops:

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