Yes, that has happened (and was documented). The downturn lead to some cut jobs. I guess this is making units harder to come by.

I'm not in the market for new guitars ...

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Thanks for the sanity check people.

My reason for posting is that it would be nice to hear something from Fender because none of the hearsay can be trusted.

Interesting point about quality control - though you could also infer that the quality control is very good - hence there are not enough US made Fenders around.

The point about second hand is the most pertinent. I think I am in the market now for a second hand AM dlx SSS or HSS... but just to make it clear to any Fenderers listening in - I would much rather buy a new one!

Hi again mc_deli: where are you, approximately? I saw Am Dlx's in Regent Sounds in Denmark Street, London not so long ago. No shortage there that I noticed. And I can make suggestions in the South West if that's where you are, too. Those are my two stamping grounds.

In addition to what Nikininja has already offered, there's Britons from most parts of the country here: ask and I expect you'll receive.

Cheers - C

I do really appreciate your help so I called Regent Sounds. They had one 2nd hand Am Dlx that has gone but they are waiting on US standards and US dlxs - quoting maybe one or two next week, but other orders scheduled for September but with an acknowledgment that, having been delayed for many months already, it could be the end of the year...

But really they don't know do they? Only Fender really knows.

They also mentioned "the situation" with the US Fenders.

Is anyone out there in denial about the lack of US-made Fenders in the marketplace?

EDIT: I am based out outside of the UK but a regular London/Brighton visitor.

Hi again mc_deli: nope, no denial going on here, at any rate.

Anyhow. Now I'm on a mission. So:

Macaris in London have one Am Dlx in stock: rosewood 'board and what the gentleman described as a "natural alder" finish. I bet he means the Amber finish on the SSS Dlx. Macaris are excellent and helpful. Phone 'em on (+44)(0)20 7836 2856.

The sexiest guitar shop on the planet (in my so humble opinion) is Mansons in Exeter - www.mansons.co.uk . They have an Am Dlx in Sunburst with a rosewood fingerboard in stock. They will mail order to Europe or anywhere else. Call Ollie on (+44)(0)1392 496379. Go!

Want me to keep looking or is that a done job?

Cheers - C

"Macaris in London have one Am Dlx in stock: rosewood 'board and what the gentleman described as a "natural alder" finish. I bet he means the Amber finish on the SSS Dlx."

OMG you really are a rock star. Yes, shame it is not online, but from speaking to them it is last year's amber rosewood SSS am dlx. It is the amber rosewood I am after so that is the nail on the head.

And I had seen the Mansons one already - flame not for me .

Problem is now I won't be in London until next week... but hopefully the world will forget about it until then...

(You can of course keep 'em coming - am dlx amber rosewood SSS or HSS please - the more the merrier )

EDIT: PS latest rumour is that the paint supplier (McFaddens) collapsed and didn't leave behind the formulas - beats the floods or just lack-of-lacquer!

Won't they let you put a reserve on it over the phone? What's plastic for, after all?

I find Macari Senior and Macari Junior amongst the most helpful in the biz with that sort of thing. But then Mrs Macari Senior does my wife's leg waxing, so I'm no doubt biased in some way or other...


OK, well we want to be merry!

I called Rose Morris and they told me some stuff to add to your list of rumours and conspiracy theories. They said that they recently had a good stock of US Fenders - and that they were ALL recalled due to a fault with the lacquer that had developed after Fender had switched suppliers when McFadden went bust. Fact or fantasy? You choose.

Project Music in Exeter have a Cherryburst / maple fingerboard Deluxe - but that is with an ash body, which you didn't want, I believe? Shame, because the price is very good, £1049, and the gentleman described it as having a particularly interesting grain. (+44)(0)1392 425125 if you change your mind.

At almost as good a price, £1069, there is a Sunburst / rosewood Deluxe on the wall in Chappell of Bond Street (who confusingly moved to Wardour Street but kept the original name - www.chappellofbondstreet.co.uk ) in Soho, central London, a mere stone's throw from the other shops you already know. Their number is (+44)(0)20 432 4400.

Naturally, I'm enjoying this chase. But perhaps one or two of my compatriots would like to have a go...?

Cheers - C

OK I have now found a second am dlx amber rosewood SSS 2009 model.

Now the dilemma - it is a new 2010 HSS am dlx rosewood amber I had set my heart on.

But now the 2009 SSS am dlx rosewood amber could be in my grasp.

If I wait for the 2010 HSS, I could be waiting a long time, I pay more, but buy from a trusted local dealer, including a year of set ups. If I buy the 2009 SSS I get a good deal, but I probably buy sight unseen and get it delivered (I have tried the 2009 necks and like them a lot).

Oh what to do... when will the 2010 models be ready I wonder?


EDIT: Cross post there... no, not the ash body, the amber finish:) And PS I am keeping schtum about the other - unless there is an amber rosewood am dlx hss out there in (which I doubt) then we can stop hunting...

Howdy!

Just phoned GAK in Brighton and Mark tells me there all out of Am Dlx (old and new models) and Tele's too!!:(

He says they should have more in at the end of September

Andy

_________________
Pending Greatness

Good. Well at the beginning of this thread you couldn't find an Am Deluxe. Now you have too many.

I feel at this point I can leave you with that happy problem to solve.

Personally, I'd ring Macaris back and put a reserve on the 2009 Amber and come and take hold of it when you're in town next week. They've been in the biz as long as anyone: they're as safe and trusted as it gets. I'll be amazed if you have any setup issues with them - but if you do I'll be just round the corner next week and I'll sort it for you for the price of a beer. Nice of me, huh?

Meanwhile, at this moment I'm a 25 minute drive from that Cherryburst / maple Deluxe with the nice ash grain in Exeter so I shall be working hard to stop myself instantly rushing over there and scooping it up.

All in a day's work on the Fender Forum...

Cheers - C

Yes, Rose Morris were claiming mid-September too.

Sounds to me like there is a genuine supply problem going on which may be a mixture of a fault in the lacquer for reasons previously suggested, combined with an under-staffed factory unable to up production enough to fill the unexpected gap.

Be interesting to hear if shops in other parts of the world are giving out these explanations too?

Cheers - C

Hi, Just got off the phone with Fender and a rep dealing with marketing. Here is what he told me regarding the back orders on American DX and other USA guitars.

Fender's projections for 2010 was way below reality. They had a major slowdown in 2008-2009 and as you might know, and laid off around 30% of their work force. Some were top luthiers and craftsmen. So now they have been flooded with orders, ("glut" was his word), way more than they expected and so they are really back logged. He told me they are hiring but finding quality workers is not easy.

The flood story is a rumor........

The lacquer story is true. He said fender is having a hard time getting the materials for the composition of some of their lacquers. One of their main suppliers went out of business about a year ago due to the recession. PLUS they are working on patents on some of their colors. This too has slowed down production.

So, he would not give me delivery dates or production figures, but he said one thing at least is good news, and that is the economy must be doing better because they have way more orders than they ever expected! (Sure do not see any improvements here in our area!)

_________________
Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

OK - well ahem - I am not one to count chickens - but as we are almost in real time I should let you know...

I came looking for some kind of Fender confession about delivery times, and I have lots of sympathy for people around still waiting for their dream axe after many months.

It has also been quite funny how every retailer has told a different version of the shortage, usually quoting Fender US or UK or Scandinavia etc. - makes me wonder...

But thanks to your prompting I gave Google and Skype a serious bending, and I just ordered a returned "as new" 2009 am dlx sss amber rosewood for under 800 of your earth pounds.

I have taken a little risk but the money saved is a lot of set ups and a new wah pedal. Fingers crossed it is my dream guitar - I have only played two electric guitars in 22 years - so I have high hopes. Thanks for your help and good natured encouragement:)

EDIT: Another cross post there - the 2009 slowdown plus paint supply story is the same one I got from my local trusted dealer who quoted Fender US - sounds like it is most likely to be the truth. Strange how all the UK guys have spun different yarns - especially the Gibson flood/Fender flood confusion. Bizarre.

The one I liked best was somewhere else on this Forum where someone claimed Fender had "run out of lacquer" - which certainly does stretch the imagination. The flood theory just sounds like an innocent young shop assistant somewhere getting Fender mixed up with Gibson.

Apart from that though everything I've been told by shops today pretty much supports what Xhefri has just told us - albeit he has it from the horse's mouth. Paint problems and staff shortage.

mc_deli, hopefully you are going to show us this Amber Dlx when you get your hands on it? A couple of us here feel a certain emotional attachment to it now, after the day's exertions...

Good luck - C

As my Auzzie buddies would say "Good on ya, mate, good on ya." You did what I would do, find a good 2nd hand one for a lot less! And if your guitar is not set up like you like, take it to nikininja or Ceri and have them set it up as they are on your side of the pond! And both would do smashing work!

_________________
Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com