Hi,

I bought a American Deluxe Stratocaster little over year ago as my first USA made Fender guitar. I like the guitar really much, BUT I am a little bit disappointed in the quality control of Fender Corona factory.

The second fret is visibly raised and it causes little buzz. It doesnt really bother playing but it is irritating because I thought that this should be a top of the line US Stratocaster. There was also two visible dents on the upper horn of the guitar.

Are these kind of flaws common?

I know I´ve been lazy because I didn´t contact the seller after the purchase because I ordered the guitar via post sales from different country (Musikhaus Thomann) and returning is such a hassle because these flaws don´t prevent playing and I was otherwise happy with it. But especially the raised fret and buzzing it causes is bothering me now because the guitar is otherwise so good. I think guitar this expensive shouldn´t have these kinds of flaws, makes me wonder a bit how these flaws have passed the quality check.

Is there possibly any kind of extended guarantees for these kinds of clear factory defects?

No. this is not a common thing for a MIA Deluxe Strat. If you bought it yourself from a authorized dealer they should have it repaired for you at no cost except maybe shipping. If not then it's up to you as to whether you can live with it or have a qualified tech. repair it. I would get it fixed myself. You may want to contact Fender customer service. There is a link to them on this page or site. Good Luck!!

Granted, this shouldn't happen but the reality is, it did and it has to be remedied. The way I see it, there's no constructive point in standing on principle. There's an old saying: "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face". With the length of time you will spend and the aggravation you will incur trying to obtain some kind of warranty coverage, compounded by the amount of time the guitar will be away from you and don't forget the costs related to the shipping and insurance of the guitar which is your obligation, you are infinitely better off going to a qualified tech and letting him or her correct your problem. It will be faster, cheaper, hassle free and it will be done right.

Of course, your predicament is exasperating. Yet, there is another old saying which also reinforces my point: "Maximum efficiency with minimum effort."

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You dig?

Rexx whilst thomann are a vast online instrument resource they are a very impersonal company. The guitars go from the fender europe warehouse straight to the thomann warehouse and never get inspected by anyone. Its not acceptable that the guitar left corona in such a state but things slip through. Its usually noticed in store by employees. I suspect thomann is more of a warehouse with people just pulling boxes off shelves and shipping them out. So the instore examination doesnt happen. That said Thomann have a excellent returns policy, you shouldnt get any trouble from them.

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No no and no

Yeah, I believe this is the case, the guitar probably doesn´t get inspected at Thomann at all, I got it in a "sealed" factory box.

Anyways, I contacted Thomann now and I´m waiting for their answer.

Hopefully I will get the guitar fixed soon, because beside these flaws I really love this guitar. And I hope Fender Corona will get little bit sharper at the final quality check ...

Thanks for your answers guys!

Update on this: I got my guitar replaced. Now it plays good and the are no problems!

But ironically there was something special on this one also:




Maybe somebody who was installing knobs at Fender factory was drunk ... ?!?!?!?

Maybe you got two volume controls

Sorry i cant resist a giggle at that one. Its like 1976 is happening all over again. Perhaps they thought it was a deluxe tele.

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No no and no

Two volume pots is Deluxe! Who needs two tone knobs anyway.

Maybe this guitar will be a rare treasure some day...

Congrats! Looks like you got the same guitar I did about two years ago:
Is this baiscally your axe?
http://www.fender.com/products//search. ... 0101500723

Yeah! It´s the same model, but with maple fretboard ... and two volume knobs