My son received a Fender 62 Jazzmaster for Christmas. It played well for about 2 hours. Then, the strings would not play. They will hardly make a sound and the sound they make is not the right note. No matter what fret you play, it makes the same sound.

We had heard, before purchasing this guitar, that it had bridge issues. We did not, however, expect to pay $1400.00 for a guitar that would not play at all.

Can someone please advise.

Are you sure you don't have an amp problem? Is the cable connected all the way?

The sound is coming through the amp just fine, but it's like the strings are "dead". No matter which fret you play on, you get the same sound and it's not the correct note. It happens whether using the amp or not. It's definitely a guitar problem and not an amp issue.

Maybe it's a neck issue. See if it's straight or not, then give the truss rod quarter turns until it's playing well.

_________________
1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

It is NOT a neck problem, if you are not getting anything through the amp.

Does your pickup selector make any difference? If not, sounds like it is a problem with the input jack. Since it is new, TAKE IT BACK, and have them fix it immediatly. If you bought it through the mail, call them now and get them to issue a return or replace it or direct you to your local Authorized Fender Service Center.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

The sound is coming through the amp.

Renae...I misunderstood your post. I would take it back...it might be bridge they can rock forward and that can throw it out of tune. Bridge is designed to rock back and forth with tremolo use, but maybe it got stuck forward or back which will throw out the intonation and that will make notes sound way wrong!

I wouldn't think it would be the neck in just two hours of playing unless it was stored in a cold environment then brought into a warm house (then maybe).

HTH

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

I think Buxom is spot on. This sounds like a classic neck -issue , not a problem. This guitar just needs some adjustments. What we call a proper setup! The reason is obvious, IMO, the guitar has arrived to a new environment (your house) - where the temperature/humidity-conditions may differ from where it was stored earlier. Then the wood will start a process of adapting to the new climate (shrinking/growing /bending)
I'll provide you with a link for a setup-guide. If you find it difficult , you can go to a shop/luthier ,ask them to doit. Good luck , and Merry Christmas. I 'll say you've got a lucky son !
http://www.fender.com/en-NO/support/art ... etup-guide

_________________
A-man

It was stored in our house for weeks before he ever opened it. When it was delivered, I left it in the box it was shipped in so it should have been acclimated to the climate of our house long before he opened it.

Thanks for the link, but wow! I'm not sure they we are capable of making all of those adjustments ourselves.

I'm not sure it's a climate issue either, as the guitar was stored for weeks in our house in the box it was shipped in. It should have been nice and acclimated by the time it was opened.

I suppose I'll try and take it into the store that it was ordered from, which is about an hour from our house. I'm hoping they will do whatever it takes to make it play. It was a huge disappointment for our son, as he was super psyched about getting it and then it wouldn't play. Ugh!

If the guitar is under warranty bring it back to the dealer to sort.I have a rule of thumb that I've followed for years and it has served me well,and that is: The less you know about something-the less that you mess with it. If you go at truss rod adjustments when that isn't the issue or you're not familiar with making such adjustments you could end up doing major irreparable damage and consequently voiding the warranty.Does this guitar have a string mute such as the Jaguars had? If that's the case then the string mute may be engaged and hasn't been noticed.It really sounds like it's more bridge related than anything else,either way it's best handled by an expert,considering that's a new guitar under warranty.Cheers-Good Luck with it.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Let us know how it shakes out. Since it was in your house, I don't think it would be a climate issue with the neck. I would still lay money on the bridge or tremolo since you stated it played fine for two hours and then it wasn't. Even if the neck bowed a bit, it shouldn't bow so much that the intonation gets that far off, it would really have to bow up. Easy to check, looking down the neck from the headstock end to body, the neck should look almost straight down each side, if it isn't then it may be a neck problem. A quick easy way to check the bridge is to see if it sets perpendicular to the body...i.e. the base of the bridge should be setting above but even with the body view from the playing position looking at it from the edge or side looking across the body.

HTH

On a side note, try and find someone locally that can teach your son how to do a set up on his guitar. Every guitarist should know how to do this, can't take it to a luthier if you are out on a gig and something goes wrong.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Thanks for all the good advice guys. I'm taking it into the shop tomorrow. I'll let you know what they say.

Sorry if I am late with this,but.....
on the tremolo arm assembly is a button/swtich.
It is a mechanical way to lock down the tremolo.
Slightly depress the tremolo arm and move this botton.
Maybe this is all it is.
If not I would take it in for a setup.
Happy new year y'all.
"Bud"

Thank you, "Bud". We'll give it a try!