I hate this has to be my first post, but I need some observations here.

I have a new HSS Strat that developed a problem a couple of weeks ago. Took it into my only warranty service store here in AK. After a lot of jerking around and getting conflicting stories from the tech, he decided I needed a new n3 pup in the neck. Apparently only half the pup is sending signal or some such situation. Previously, last week on Saturday, t tech informs me that a Fender tech tells him to just replace the whole switch at one point, and as he explains to me, Fender was sending the item to AK. Does anyone have an observation about how long it should take Fender to get this switch sent out. It's a week later and the switch hasn't showed up.

Wouldn't they overnight or two-day a warranty replacement part that weighs less than a pound ?

Thanks,
Curve

there is no telling bro. you would think they could over night it but
they might be looking at cost to do so. you might offer to pay the shipping if they
are willing to do so.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

I'm pretty surprised that your tech didn't already have a switch in stock. I've gone into my local mom and pop music store who doesn't even do repairs and they have switches. On the shiping, pice out that at an overnight rate. I would be surprised if they could do it for under $20.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

I think things are pretty sketchy at this shop. I've been getting conflicting signals about their competency and business process for several months.

The tech there told me they asked Fender to send them extra switches for warranty work but that Fender said they wouldn't do it; that all the warranty work required one-on-one contact for each incident and that Fender was distrutful that the shop wouldn't just drop that switch in a non-fender guitar. What ??? Sounds a little outrageous and paranoid to me. If they did that how could the shop get compensated for warranty work on a non-serialized guitar ?

It's pretty disturbing to get two weks into the mess to discopver the shop tech all of a sudden says, oh man it's not your switch after all, it's aa pup. It played just right when substituted an alternative pup... Well. what the he?? Why didn't they eliminate the pup problem at the beginning ? Now have they jacked around with my original switch to make it less stable or weaken the biuild ?

To me the shipping at $20 should be a non-issue for Fender. To dick around on something so trivial on an expensive guitar wouldn't promote customer trust/ satisfaction very much.

I'm concerned and just want my Strat back. I know sh__ happens, but I was blown away that this part crapped out on a brand new high-end USA built item. I hope this doesn't portend things to come. This shop says they've never seen such a thing before on a Strat/ new Strat. Of course like I said, I think the shop situation is pretty sketchy. I don't think they've been paying attention or devoting the time to be smart about the diagnostics. You'd think the company Fender tech early on would have suggested thee process to isolate the problem to the pup or the switch right ? I'm just a dumb new player, but heck, if I can think of that....

Thanks for listening.

Curve

Well, so what is the problem? Is it the switch or the pickup? Does your tech really know or is he just shotgunning it? What were the symptons?

Your first post should have been to here with a detailed description of the problem and its symptoms. Many times the people here can help you diagnose the problem before you set foot in a repair shop.

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Bill

I tell you. I have to force myself to not call these folks everyday and ask about what they know now. The first week was torture, they never called at all. When I did talk to them they were stumped at the wiring and "couldn't find" the right diagram for the switch in my Strat.

I tried for three months to buy this guitar from them. But Fender wouldn't send them one (their story). One of the young shop guys finally said man, you should just try and get it from GC, they show them in stock. So I did. I got my deposit back and the new Strat was delivered within a week from GC.

I called the little Wasilla shop one day, a week into my problem, from a business travel location to inquire after the situation. They had no news. Within 5 minutes, my cell rang and the shop owner, started giving me sh__ about calling them and saying I was getting impatient with the lack of diagnosis. He then made the outrageous accusation that GC had sold me a "built" non-original Fender, because he couldn't get any damn guitars so nobody else should have them. I was completely stunned at that allegation and said well, didn't my serial number check out ? Of course it did, and he looked stupider than is imaginable.

So this is what I'm dealing with. They've got my darling. Should I piss them off while they holding a soldering iron at her guts ? I took a couple of years to decide whether to get back to playing and mucked around months with these folks to finally get my hearts desire, finally purchasing elsewhere online. I have only had the privilege of having this beautiful thing in my arms for a couple of weeks. Now I've got this deal...

-636, I'm now operating on the story that the problem is with the neck pup, proven when they substituted an instore alternative. They are suposed to be talking to Fender again today to "straighten" things out and get the part sent. (What the he__ have they done to my switch at this point ??? They screwed around with it for a couple of weeks.)

In hind sight maybe posting here early might have produced some useful quick info I could have used to do some diagnosis myself, but then again maybe not. How could I know I would have this kind of lack-of-technical acumen from a "Certified Fender Shop and Technician". I have never pried apart an expensive electronic guitar with no knowledge of what I was doing or what to look for, or how easily things might get screwed up. You shuoud have heard the story about how delicate the switches are and easily they can be mis-installed or damaged at install, or other industrial horror possibilities. A pretty sketchy picture of Fender process and quality was painted for me.

What do YOU think I should do ?


Wild-Eyed in Wasilla,
Curve

curve

relax bro. the guitar is there getting its repairs. yeah its taken longer than expected.
you said the first week didnt count cause they didnt order anything.
besides, whos to say how many guitars they had ahead of yours?
fender or anybody else doesnt want to pay more for shipping than the part costs.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Well, you still haven't provided us with any clue as to what the symptoms were that you were experiencing so we could try and figure out the problem (Trust me, there are people here on this forum that know more about Fender guitars than your above average guitar tech knows), so I guess you just need to let the shop sort things out. way cool jr is right.

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Bill

OMG, im gonna show Ms way cool this.
ive been telling her this for 3.5 yrs now.
of course this wont matter much because it was writen by a man.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

I've been saying it to my wife for 35 years and it has made no difference.

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Bill

well i wont waste my time with it then.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

OP...I'm curious as to why after hearing less than positive reviews about that shop, you still decided to purchase from them.

IMHO...after the first run around, ( which to me sounds like that shops staff are rather ill equipped ) I would have demanded my guitar and walked out.
Ignorance is not bliss, it can be downright destructive to a guitar....

I deal mostly with a small shop about an hour away from my home, I have never had a fluff answer to a question to which they did not have an immediate answer. In that case they have always said.. " we'll get back to you " which always happens within a day or two.
As far as your issue, have you tried calling Fender Customer Service..
I have called FCS over various questions and have always received a courteous and timely solution.

A shop that gives you multiple excuses is a shop to....Don't Walk... Run Away from as fast as possible.

As far as the issue of Fender supposedly not wanting to send them a batch of parts....Hmmm
I think that has more to do with that shop's reputation than anything else.
If it is warranty, then I can understand why it has to be a specific documentation for replacement parts and detailed explanation of the problem.
Fender would not want to have to replace the entire guitar for a switch or a pup that did not need to be replaced because the diagnosis was incorrect.

I say call Customer relations at Fender or post a help please to Mike Eldred on this forum.
Beware, he is very busy but you should at least get an answer back as to how to proceed.
It may take a couple of days for an answer.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Crap ! The site just blew away my lengthy post explaining more details about my predicament.

Sorry I don't have time to re-enter. Gotta' cue up for Mom's Day activities.

One thing though.

I've heard that Fender is experiencing a raft of production and delivery problems on some American guitars. Paint and other qc issues. Also that Fender is telling shops to only take orders for the 2012 year, seeming to suggest that there aren't any more 2011 stock available. Inventory on hand at shops would be all that was available. Anyone confirm this ?

ive heard all kinds of stories.

yet they treat us like mushrooms.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Hi there,
Curveman, I'm sending this thread on to our Tech support folks and see if I can get the story as we know it-- and see if we can get this thing moving.

53magnatone- Customer Relations(Consumer Relations) Yes!! good advice!- Mike Eldred is great advice for a Custom Shop product, and he is deeply entrenched in it...therefore other products....not so much can help.

And yes...shipping to AK would cost (far) more, than the part costs....but hey....if its warranty then its warranty, yuh?

I say yuh.
Best,
rob

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rob Schwarz
Director,Fender Customer Service
Proudly serving Fender Customers
for over 30 years