Looking at the fret markers on the 3rd and 21st frets on my new CP50's Strat, the markers are not centered between the D and G strings. The marker at the 3rd fret is slightly off-center to the left and marker at the 21st fret is offset slightly to the right. Is this a problem? The guitar seems to play fine...

After noticing this on the CP50's, I looked at my '86 MIJ and '05 Am Deluxe. The fret markers on those two aren't exactly centered either. I read somewhere you can loosen the neck screws and adjust the neck so the markers are centered... Or, the problem could be how the nut is cut. I don't see a problem with the nut on any of these Strats but, hey, I'm no expert...

Oldguy I've always looked at position markers to check necks for twist. Its a quick way to spot a problem but doesnt neccessarily mean your necks in twist. A dot could be not set right. I'd get it into somewhere for em to check out.

Warranty issue anyway mate, shouldnt be a problem getting it sorted.

[EDIT] Particularly if its just one marker off line. When the neck goes into twist a few of them (e.g 7,9,12) will go to one side or the other. The middle one being the most noticable.

[EDIT2 ] If its the 3rd fret marker off it could be something as simple as the string spacing at the nut being off. Best get it to a repair shop to get it checked though mate.

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No no and no

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely have it looked at. The middle fret markers are centered. It just looks like the neck is maybe angled a bit since the top marker is slightly to the left and the bottom marker is slightly to the right... Either way, you're right -- if its a problem, its under warranty..

That's what I was going to suggest you check out.

Does either E string slip off of the fretboard while playing?

Have you measured the marker positions with a ruler or calipers?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

No problem with either E string slipping off the fretboard. And, I measured from string to string at the nut and the spacing is consistent, but the space from the low E slot to the end of the nut is 1 mm more than the space from the high E slot to the end of the nut...

Also, I put an 18 inch metal ruler along the edge of the neck on the high E side to check for straightness. It looks like about 1 mm, maybe a bit less gap at the top of the neck. Its just about enough to account for the fret markers not being perfectly centered between the D and G strings... I'm thinking the neck might not be perfectly straight ... I hope I'm wrong...