You do realize that PRE CBS Fenders were also built by a mexican workforce. Go check a neck pocket if you don't believe me. You will see many hispanic names. Also Abigail Ybarra is Mexican and she is known as one the greatest Fender pickup winders of all time.

Which fender factory is this picture from?

It's the US Fender Plant in Corona
Remember Corona is in Southern California and who makes up the majority of the workforce there?

Yes, a Hispanic workforce with integrity and a sense of pride in their work, true "craftsman" and women (should one of the members call me a sexist). Look at all the American and multi-national corporations who fled to Mexico in the early 90's many have left moving production to where ? That's right SOUTHEAST ASIA ! ! !

It's different era and a different culture these days.

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

I'm just not convinced as to the scope of your complaints. To bad you don't have some pics to back up your claims. As several members are fond of saying "pics or it didn't happen". I find it very difficult to believe, almost laughable in fact, that so many sub standard guitars could actually be in one place.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

No matter what "politically correct" crap you try it will ALWAYS be the same some new Fender MIM owner registering here to gripe or inquire as to the inferior guitar he purchased. The MIM owners should NEVER incur ANY cost to repair a BRAND NEW guitar. They should have the opportunity to be satisfied with the product "out of the box" save for a "set-up". Until Fender assumes control in Mexico, making heads roll leaving them bobbing in the Grand River this same subject(thread) will continually rear it's ugly head.

At least I haven't abandoned the brand and gone to Gibson.

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

Gee why does this thread alway reappear ? Seems it's always a new member dis-satisfied with a major purchase I would think Fender would want return customers.

By your way of thinking since no one saw Oswald shoot JFK I guess that didn't happen either ?

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

As I recall the last couple of complaints were about American Strats, not Mexican Strats. And before that the complaints are few and far between.
And your Oswald quip is just ridiculous. There was plenty of physical evidence against him. Just as a photo of something would be evidence to back up your claims. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I find it difficult to believe that so many guitars in one place have all of those problems and a photo or two would go a long way towards substantiating your claims.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

This thread is almost the same as the one referring to the vandalized and damaged guitars coming out of the Guitar Center warehouse in Kansas. It routinely appears (threads) by new owners yet despite complaints, returns and losses no one has yet discovered just who is punching the rectangular shipping cartons & guitar boxes inside full of holes resembling a screwdriver shaft.

Yes, I too have had to return a Squier Tele Custom for this same act as well as thievery of the accessories included in the shipping carton. Yet neither UPS or GC have discoverd who the culprit is and there have been numerous similiar reports.

Having spoken with GC customer service in Dec of 08 I now find they are still plagued by this persistent problem. If they could only find the cause they would cut their losses as I'm quite sure they don't make an insurance claim on eacjh loss. All this costs US the consumer more at the register.

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

This thread is NOT resurrected from the dead it's another new one and it's always involving MIM models.

BTW I tried guitars in three (3) GC stores and two (2) Sam Ash where the problems were apparent. These were right out of the box. My local GC had the service department closed for close to two weeks last month what should a saleperson tell a potential customer when his choice of guitar,a MIM, the one that feels "right" but has defeciencies needs service ?

I believe it's the aforementioned reasons Sweetwater has taken to inspecting guitars prior to shipping.

This is in direct contrast to the guitars in my local shop Richie's Music in Rockaway, N.J. where every guitar is given a going over and in superb condition PRIOR to being displayed.

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

I never said anything about bumping old threads. I did state, and a search as well as other forum members will back me up, That the last couple of complaint threads were about American, not Mexican, Strats. And they were very heated discussions as well.
As I said before, I frequent a very busy GC and play many samples of guitars there and I have never seen anything like what you describe. And that is from stock out on the sales floor, not from the back.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

MIM's I've tried in the past had nice necks, and the frets were done well.

But recently every time I pick up a MIM, I'm in danger of slicing my hand open on the fret ends--which is a shame, because some of them are quite nice otherwise, and more affordable than an MIA--especially for someone who plays as a hobby.

It may be possible to fix the frets, but that would take me extra time, work and/or money--if not all three.

There are Squiers with the same problem, but not as many--so if they can be made with decent frets, why not the MIM?

Oh well, tonight I tried a Godin Progression--half the price of a MIA Strat and a nice neck, and no sharp frets. And they're made in Canada and the US. I think I'm having GAS for one. But it will be a little while before I get one.

So the MIM's have time to get their act together.

I still would like another Fender some day.
It would nicely complement my Mustang.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Ask for one right out of the box and make sure you see it come from between the cardboard flaps or some might not believe your observations true.

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

Why would that be any different than the models out for display? Other than not having a setup done it would be the same guitar I can grab off of the wall. And they were all in the back before they made it out front.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

Because all guitars are NOT equal. On another active thread right now a new owner is experiencing sharp screw heads AND stripped screws in the pickguard (gee, I wonder if it's a MIM). Guitars out in the showroom have likely been gone over. If you really want to see the quality check one right "out of the box".

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Isn't it great that occasionally a single engine plane plummets from the sky into the ground like a freaking dart for no apparent reason ?

Or it could be an overzealous tech stripping out screws and rounding off the heads during a "going over". We've all heard the horror stories about untrained and inexperianced people at the big box stores. You can't blame Fender for that.
The same thing happens with motorcycles. They are actually finish assembled and adjusted at the selling dealer, not the factory. Some places, not all, will put their newest employees in the back to work their way up doing just that.
And the same thing happens, fasteners not properly tightened, adjustments that are out of spec, etc... It's a good thing they have to be inspected by a certified tech before they're sold.
As far as guitars are concerned, if something sub standard is on the wall or just came out of the box, don't buy it. If there is a quality control issue that would be the best way to get it resolved. Poor sales don't go unnoticed. I understand that sometimes people are blind to things when they want something badly enough and have a certain expectation of what they are going to get but ultimately it's your responsibility to make an informed decision to buy that guitar whether you are a seasoned musician or someone just starting out.
You wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a drive first and you shouldn't buy a guitar without playing it and going over everything first.

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Don't worry, Be happy.