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Post subject: Realistic Quality Expectations?
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:47 pm
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I recently purchased my 1st Fender guitar online, an American Deluxe Stratocaster. It played well but there were cosmetic issues that I was not expecting at this price point. I'm sending it back for replacement but I'd like to hear from the community as to whether my expectations are unrealistic. I got a sunburst, so there was a clearcoat on the body and I could see the grain. There were many cracks in the body of the guitar under the clear coat and the there were indented lines in the finish where it soaked down into the cracks. There was a small raised area on the fretboard that looks like it could be a blob of glue. It's the exact same color as the fretboard. The color of the rosewood fretboard is very uneven. It's really dark, about an inch wide, under the entire length of the high E string and there are other thin, long dark lines that seem to follow most of the other strings. I realize that wood can take stain unevenly but this seems beyond that and I think it's due to poor application of stain/oil finish. So, are they all like this? Do I need to go to a local shop and work my way though their inventory to find a good one?
Thanks. -Chase


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Post subject: Re: Realistic Quality Expectations?
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:17 pm
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It sounds pretty awful, far from Am Dlx quality, IMHO.

Was it new stock from a Fender authorized dealer?

Is that a Urethane finish that you're describing?

The best way to get an evaluation on here is to submit detailed pictures.

The best way to ensure you get the guitar you want is to play it. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Realistic Quality Expectations?
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:34 pm
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Quote:
Was it new stock from a Fender authorized dealer?

Is that a Urethane finish that you're describing?


Thanks for the reply.
Yes, brandy-new from probably the largest online Fender authorized dealer.
I don't know whether the thick, clear coating is Urethane. Whatever Fender uses.
This is not a dealer issue, it's a Fender issue. Unfortunately, it's all boxed up for return shipping so I can't take pictures.


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Post subject: Re: Realistic Quality Expectations?
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:58 pm
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Rosewood can have colour variations in the grain. There is nothing unseemly about that. In fact I rather like it, myself. Gives the guitar some visual character. The glob of glue is an issue worth doing something about as are cracks. You'll find Fender is pretty good about dealing with quality issues however not all online retailers are all that helpful. If you find the retailer is not willing to do right by you go over their head and take your issue straight to Fender but be sure to try the retailer first.

Fender contact info may be found by clicking "Home" in the upper left corner and then clicking "About" in the upper right.

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Post subject: Re: Realistic Quality Expectations?
Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 6:00 pm
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chase.edson wrote:
Do I need to go to a local shop and work my way though their inventory to find a good one?
Thanks.


Yes. Never buy anything sight-unseen.

Even if you purchase through an online dealer which displays pictures of the actual guitar (eg. Sweetwater), there is still no guarantee that you will like the way that particular guitar plays.


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