So forked out the other day and bought myself a Deluxe Strat after playing for a couple of weeks I noticed hair line cracks in the neck joint. I took it back to the place I bought it, they said it is perfectly normal for new fender guitars finish to crack once been played for awhile due to vibrations etc.... don't know if I buy that story or not....I reckon some dumb $@! dropped in the shop????

[img]file:///C:/Users/Rhys/26112009075.jpg[/img][/img][/img]

Out of the 15 guitars that I own, only ONE has ever had a crack in the neck pocket, and that was a Korean-made Fat Strat I used to experiment on... composite body and a half-inch thick paint job. lol

Take it back, make them exchange it.

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Some Guitars played through an amp...

Rhys

If I were you mate I'd take this up with Fender AU or Fender USA if you want to converse via email. Also make a polite complaint about the store assistant's ineptitude. Dont go on about it simple state your dissatisfaction at the way you were treated and their couldnt care less attitude.

Theres no way a less than 1year old guitars neck pocket should crack. Be they hairline cracks or worse its indicative of a deeper structural problem. The Deluxes are finished in polyurethane which doesnt suffer lacquer checking the same way cellulose does.

Being as though its a structural problem the lifetime warranty covers it, if you bought the guitar new.

Heres the contact details for Fender AU

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No no and no

Hi rhys@hanham-philp.co.nz, welcome to the Forum.

I have Strats and Teles with all the different finish types from all the factories except the Mexican one. None of my Fenders has any cracks whatsoever around the neck pocket, some after 20 years of use.

As the others have said, it ain't right - take it back.

Cheers - C

For what its worth, I have two Strats (an '89 USA and an '05 MIM) that both have a hairline crack. It has had zero effect on either guitar. I'm assuming it's a fairly common thing and shouldn't cause any problems (other than cosmetically). But that being said, if you tried to exchange it, they should have complied. Especially if you just bought it.

I also own 3 Fenders with this crack. Doesnt affect anything.
But if it bothers you, they should exchange it.

Could be from several different things. Maybe the finish was to thick in the area and when the neck was pulled tight it cracked . I have seen several with hairline cracks in that area of the neck before one on each side most times.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Not a Strat but I've had one on my 72 Tele Cstm RI for years now and it's never affected anything plus I've seen it on others and their guitars are still good to go.

A good question to ask would be if anyone here has had a hairline crack that has ever led to the guitar being unusable for whatever reason.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

I've seen it on a many Strats over the years, usually on guitars played by friends who like to either torque on the guitar and make "rock god faces" while they play or leap around while playing putting a lot of pressure on the finish around the neck pocket.

Don't sweat it, they are just finish cracks. I"ve seen more on the solid color finishes than on the bursts so maybe it's a paint thing.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

This is the number one deal breaker on any guitar I buy. I can live with just about anythinhg but I would never buy a guitar with stress cracks in the neck joint or dents and dings on the neck as to me the neck is the most vital thing on a guitar. I have never owned a Fender made guitar that ever had this happen to it, and I am very hard on my necks.

The only other model guitar I play or own are Peavey Wolfgangs and EBMM EVHs in which this is a very common occurrence on both models. In fact EBMM guitars for all there brilliance and excellent craftsmanship are noted for this happening frequently on there line of guitars. If you go on there forum or on ebay listings you will see a lot of them with this problem and the seller making it sound like no big deal and will usual state they are known for this and it does not effect playability in the least way.

Well I am not going to wait and see what eventually does happen.lol One thing I do notice is the wood tapers much more thinner than a Fenders does. The bottom line is you spent good money for a quality guitar and have the right to get a new one or a refund. Go back to the store and just ask for the manager and in a nice way say to him would you accept this and you dont want to cause anyone a problem with there job but you thought the staff were more professional then what you have been seeing lately. I think you will have a new guitar in your hand and an apology rather quickly.

Like I said, has it ever worsened for anyone that the guitar becomes unusable?

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

Im my experience the cracks that appear at the neck pocket are only in the finish and don't affect the function of the guitar at all.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Yeah but you couldnt guarantee that for every instance could you?

CC I had a ovation elite that finish cracked around the neck before the entire neck joint gave out. I know its a little different construction with acoustic guitars.

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No no and no

Of course nothing comes with a 100% guarantee, but in 30 years of playing I've never seen those finish cracks in a Fender guitar turn into anything more than finish cracks.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

The vast majority of cracks I've seen in neck joints are purely cosmetic unless the guitars have been outright abused. Notwithstanding, I wouldn't call it, "perfectly normal" as there is or was some undue stress laden upon it at some point, otherwise this wouldn't have happened, especially with today's modern finishes. If you can live with it, fine. If it were me, I'd get a replacement on general principle alone. Let them try reselling it and telling a prospective customer the cracks are, "perfectly normal"; see how much they'll get for it and how quickly they'll be able to unload it.

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