Seems like more and more Fenders coming from the Ensenada plant.

Would a pro setup not help this? Any guitar regardless what factory (gibson or fender 1K+) that I've bought within the last 3 years I've had to have a setup done. Am I wrong in thinking that this could correct this problem?

Suely they cant give you less money than you paid. The principle behind trade ins is that you agree a price for whatever you trade, seperate of the thing your buying. The shop pay you for that, although no cash actually changes hands. Fender certainly dont have any part in the trade, yet the fault is primarily theres. Could you imagine everyone rocking up at corona with a load of used junk and agroing a masterbuilder on what hed give em for it on tradein to a customshop. Common sense is that the shop must reimburse you the full price of the guitar or atleast what you paid in cash and what you traded.

Its a nonsense way to go though. Take the guitar back as a return. Tell the sales clerk the problem with the bridge/neck and that repair isnt a viable option. You want a exchange or the full amount in cash (including the monetary value they gave you for your trade in) and will settle for nothing less. Be adamant about it too. You may wait a few weeks for your replacement to come in but its better than being lumbered with a bad guitar.

Trust me for the money you may want a american standard. I tried a few roadworns and thought they were all a bit naff, despite me being a diehard mexican strat fan.

Surely theres some form of trading standards bureau in america where you can seek advice.

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No no and no

Not sure..... The closer I look at it.... I think the bridge is misaligned.... the strings pass over the saddles and pull to the right as they travel into the trem... starts on the G gets progressively worse....

Anybody seen that before?

Yep, I saw it on a friends Tele Thinline in the 70's. Actually I saw it a lot in the mid to late 70 on Strats too. It looks like Fender is reissuing the lousy QC they had in the 70's too.

We all need to complain about the lousy QC going on lately. If you don't complain to Fender directly, they won't know a problem exists.

is that for sure the bridge or could it still be the neck?

I vote to take it back where you purchased. If it is brand spankin new, then work with the shop until you are 100% satisfied.

Seriously. If the neck is off that far, then the pocket is probably sloppy. I'd demand another one. You shouldn't have to repair a brand new guitar. it should have never made it out of the factory.

Take it back and make them fix it. It may just need a pro setup. If that doen't solve it, then make them take it back, and complain LOUDLY! If it is a design flaw, Fender needs to know about this NOW.
As far as your saying "its just a guitar", I'm glad that my guitars are in their cases right now, 'cause if they saw that quote, they'd cry!

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2007 MIM Sunburst Standard Tele
2000 MIM Sunburst Standard Strat
1978 Fender SF Twin Reverb
1978 Ibanez PT-909 phaser
2011 Digitech DigiDelay
2011 Digitech Screamin' Blues OD

seems to me that guitar of yours shoudnt have left the factory, bring it back to the dealer and get the inspectors initials from your hang tag and let Fender know the guy aint doing his job.

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12 guitars 2 hands not fair!

post pics so we can accurately diagnose the problem

THe factory bridge on the MIM Reissue I have did the same thing. They are designed for a wider string spacing, although the neck and nut on vintage type necks are narrower. Its a bad design, but it is what it is. Mine always went to the side a bit, although it never affected tuning or intonation. BTW, I replaced it with a Callaham, and it is unbelievable. Totally awoke the tone and sustain of the guitar. If you spend the $125 on a Callaham, I guarantee you will replace every future strat with one. Plus they sell them with narrower string spaceing it you choose.

Your going to find it on all MIM reissues. Like I said, if it's setup, it wont affect performance, just drive you a little crazy when you look at it untill you get use to it.

i had no such trouble with mine