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Post subject: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 10:06 am
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Hi

I just purchased a brand new American Special FSR with a hand stained honey finish.

When I got home I noticed that all the fret wire looks corroded. I think it is the lacquer used on the neck peeling off the frets.

There is also visible file marks.

Is this normal? I understand the lacquer can peel off the frets but when its brand new?

Thanks in advance.

Rob


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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 12:26 pm
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Corroded? I'd like to see a photo.

As for lacquer wearing off the fret tops of maple board Strats, that is perfectly normal with play. File marks, yep normal too. Nothing but a bit of file judder at most.

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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:06 pm
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Here are some pics.

I have read tge lacquer can wear off with play but I bought it today brand new.


Thanks



Image



Image


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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:17 pm
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Anyone could have played it, they get played before they leave the factory. Then there are showrooms.

I really wouldn't worry about it if you like the guitar. Them frets will end up looking a lot worse than that. Happily, in the mean time, as you play it more, they'll go through a prolonged period of looking better.

Can't really see any signs of major file judder. It just looks like build up of lacquer on the sides of the frets.

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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:26 pm
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Here is an example of a neck I just re-fretted. I don't polish frets to the same degree as most. They look almost matte. However it's a decent enough example for you to compare with your neck. There are scratches on your frets but really, that is quite normal. The polish hasn't got them out. But they are not gouges in the tops of the frets. It's only the top of the fret that the strings touch and your fret tops look excellent

Image

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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 1:36 pm
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Hey

Thanks for the reply and the pic.

You obviously know what your talking about. It just worried me after spending quite a bit on an american strat when the cheaper chinese ones I've looked at didn't (or I didnt notice) have those marks.


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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 2:53 pm
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It's really no biggie. As the guitar gets played more, you'll notice more and more wear appear on the frets.

That too me looks like whoever fretted the guitar has been a bit inattentive at the latter stages of fretting. And the lacquer over the top is a little uneven because of it. I'll guarantee you that in a year you'll be hard pushed to spot it if you play the guitar regularly. I've had some real ropey guitars in to work on. Covered in gunk and God knows what. I can't remember ever seeing rusted frets in 15 odd years.

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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 3:13 pm
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Here is an example of years of not playing a guitar nor looking after it can do to frets..

Image

What I did was rub them with a cloth, dabbed ever so slightly with a chrome polish. Because of the rosewood condition, there was years and years of someone who had grubby mitts playing the guitar so I cleaned the dirt buildup & residue with an alcohol based solution, then using a linseed oil to finish. The below pic is the closest photo I have of the finished fretboard but you may see the difference
Image

For your case and if it really bugs you, a damp rag at best with a little elbow grease will do it.. Otherwise if you play the guitar it will come off anyway :)

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Post subject: Re: New Fender Strat Fret Issue
Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 3:26 pm
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Thanks for your replys, can start to enjoy playing it now.

Thats is a nice job :)


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