I purchased one of the upgraded MIM 02-01-2009 and I'm pretty converned, I took off the tremolo cover to take a look at the springs and there are 3 large chips in the finish, a few cracks that may or may not go through the wood and a screw point sticking out 3 or 4 mm.

is this normal ? I'm still in my 30 days so i should be able to exchange it for another one without the defects without any trouble or am i going to run into this with any fender ?


the screw sticking out is near the wire

Yeah ive come across that mistake before when people upgrade a trem but dont use the original trem screws. They were/are too long and have penetrated the body wood. Not a massive ordeal it can be fixed by partialy doweling the hole and re-finishing the affected area.

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No no and no

actually this was done at the fender factory in Mexico, I haven't upgraded or changed the tremolo...it came this way purchased new and unplayed.

did i say you had done it. I simply stated instances where i have come across it.

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No no and no

sorry not trying to sound defensive, just kinda freaked out. I know next to nothing about the construction but the screw and crack in the wood dont look good even to an untrained eye

If what you are saying is that you bought this new in this condition and it is still under warranty, unless you have become emotionally attached, I would return it and check the next one before you leave the store.

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“All music is folk music, I ain't never heard no horse sing a song.” Louis Armstrong

Bygones are bygones mate, dont worry about it.

Yep your right its not ideal on a new guitar and as Strato said take it back. Tomorrow i will sift through guitar paraphenalia to see if fender mexico give the same limited lifetime warranty that fender usa do. If the guitar is under 3months old (12 months if you live in the uk) just take it back and put your foot down.

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No no and no

only had it 20 days ~sigh~ ah well as long as i can get the white finish i'm not that attached.

20 days you'll deffo get a exchange. Even online dealers are offering 30 days no questions asked. Take a screwdriver with you too, to check under the tremplate for the same mistake happening twice.

All the best with it.

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No no and no

Hello Jack47804,

Yes Jack take it back,
if you don't then the quality assurance team
will continue to let crap continue to pass.
Any reasonable manager will clearly
comprehend the magnitude of the defect.

Let us know how you make out on it.

Cheers.

I've seen many US made Strats with the same problem and that was with OEM everything.

Here's the bottom line: Although not pretty, they do not affect form, fit or function. In other words, except for cosmetics, they are irrelevant.

Seeing that the guitar is less than 3 weeks old (to you), I'd bring it right back though.

Otherwise, I'd say, enjoy the guitar, keep the back plate on so you don't have to constantly look at them and don't give them a second thought.

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You dig?

I wouldn't sweat it. Like Martian said, it's not uncommon.

Is the guitar okay otherwise?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

the bridge has an odd feel and there's some fret buzz so..not fantastic considering the body damage

Personally I would take it back and get it replaced.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Jack,

I'd take it back. It is still under warranty and that kind of thing should not have passed quality control. Especially if you feel like the bridge has an odd feeling.

As far as the fret buzzing, did you have the shop do a basic set-up prior to leaving? When I buy a new guitar, I always have them do a set-up, check the intonation, and do a string change as part of the buying process. I know when I get a new guitar home, all I want to just plug it in and play for a few hours and not worry about set-up and maintence for a little while. RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head