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Post subject: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Original?
Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:41 am
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Hi all,

Recently I purchased a Fender American Original Telecaster, and I'm surprised by the wood matching. I played one at a local shop but could not buy it then and there because the store reserved it for another customer. I liked everything about the guitar, and the wood matching was beautiful. I looked for one at other local shops, but they didn't have them in stock, so I bought one online.

When I got it in the mail, I was surprised at how poorly matched the wooden panels are, especially the top one. I have seen better wood matching on Squire guitars, MiM, and MiJ guitars.

Here are some pictures:

Image

Image

Image

Please let me know if this is acceptable wood matching for an American made $1800+ guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 3:36 pm
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Not acceptable, I would not buy this guitar


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:00 pm
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I have had 50% luck with ordering a guitar online.
My best mate has had 100% bad luck.

I bought a Gibson Les Paul online and it seemed Okay at first but I slowly came to realize it was not the best.
It was a Gary Moore signature BFG guitar.
It played Okay for a Les Paul.
They are what they are and you either like that or you don't.
It had the unusual features that were the reason I wanted it.
After a time the B part of BFG became unacceptable to me and I had to sell it.
I felt they should have made it an NQBAFG (not quite but almost)
They could have at least rough sanded the guitar before assembling it.
It was giving me tiny little slivers and it took me a long time to realize where they were coming from.
I was more angry than you can imagine.
I practically gave that guitar away, my price was so low.

I also bought a Rickenbacker online and the quality was (is) superb.
It was exactly as described and it feels and looks wonderful.

That's my 50/50 experience.

My buddy bought one of those cheap Chinese guitars from one of those websites.
You know the ones.
Kind of like Alibaba but a different name.
A Dave Gilmour signature Custom Shop Fender black Strat for a ridiculously low price.
Obviously he is not stupid enough to think he was getting a real Custom Shop guitar.
He did hope he'd get a usable guitar though.
Unfortunately, the guitar is unplayable.
The pickups are the worst you've ever encountered in your entire life.
The pots and switch are garbage.
The cavities and non-standard.
The parts are non-standard.
The pickguard is non-standard.
He purchased some pickups and a harness and a pickguard but he has to use the stock guard because no aftermarket parts will fit on the guitar.
Nothing is even remotely standard.
The neck is so twisted that he has to set the guitar up with ultra high action and will use it for slide.
That's the only way he can salvage the guitar.
Otherwise it is a complete waste of money.

That's his 100% failure rate.

I've tried it twice and only have a 50% success rate.
My buddy tried it once and has a 0% success rate.
At this point I am ready to give a standard, flat out "No!!" if somebody asks me if it's Okay to order a guitar online.

I realize other people have different stories and they may advise differently.
I relay my (our) stories mostly as an example of what might happen, not what always happens.
So for the forum I simply advise caution when ordering online.
As for my personal friends? I say flat out no. I discourage the practice completely.
Another downside is the fact you are not supporting a local business.
That's becoming increasingly important to me.

As for the OP and the wood mismatch I have one piece of advise but it is only useful in the future.
When I bought the Les Paul, I did not think to ask for emailed copies of pics of the actual guitar I was buying.
After my experience I insisted upon it when I bought the Rickenbacker.
I would suggest that in the future you speak to a person on the telephone rather than clicking your cart online.
Ask questions.
Ask for pics emailed to you or texted to you.

Better yet, got to a music store and handle the guitar yourself.
If there are no stores near you with the stock you want, make a trip of it.
Do everything you can to ensure you're getting a quality product.
If making a trip is not an option, find a way to make it an option.

My opinion.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2019 2:02 am
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It is a shame they didn't machine it the other way up as I think the back looks rather good. But they didn't so it is what it is.

If it annoys you now it will continue to annoy you for as long as you keep the guitar. Once you have told yourself something is wrong you wont shake it. I have guitars that I have decided are too heavy and every time I pick them up they seem to get heavier.

I'm thinking it has to go back.

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After all this time I should be better.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:55 am
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Hi all, thanks for the replies! I kind of lost track of this post because it took a while to get published here.

Here's an update:

I contacted the online store from which I bought the guitar, included the pictures, and they won't take it back because, to them, 'nothing is wrong with it.' Here is their statement:

Quote:
"In this case the described issue does not affect the functionality or sound of the instrument in any way. It is not considered a fault.
You may try to contact Fender customer care directly if you wish. I believe their reply will be very similar.

This is not a manufacturing defect. We can only accept it for a warranty repair - this concerns issues that affect the playability or technical shape of the instrument. The aesthetical side is strictly subjective."


I also contacted Fender Customer Support, and they had something similar to say:

Quote:
"Hi,
To me, this one is on the edge. I can understand why you are not happy with how it looks. We do have a set of specifications to follow and this does indeed pass the specifications for a vintage Telecaster. Many of the vintage Telecasters that I have seen on my bench had very noticeably different boards with grain running out into plain pieces. You and I may not find it aesthetically pleasing, but some people do. Did you purchase this on our website? If so, you have a 30-day return period so you could send it back and get a different one. That is trouble with buying online, you can't see the wood until the guitar arrives, but this is why we allow a return period."


As of this moment both the store, where I bought the guitar from and Fender won't help me get a refund or replace the guitar. What I don't understand is that there are versions of the guitar with one(?!), two, three-piece bodies and with excellent grain/wood matching. All these variations go for the same price, so this comes down to purchasing a $1800+ lottery ticket.

If anyone has idea's or tips, please let me know. I bought this guitar online because where I'm from (EU/NL), there aren't many(any) local shops that carry this particular model, so I was forced to 'gamble' on it.

Cheers!


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:05 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
I'm sorry for you.

For the store and Fender, a guitar do not need to have good looking.... :shock:

That is why I'll never buy a guitar on line if no photos are available


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:48 am
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Alex Vaughn wrote:
.....so this comes down to purchasing a $1800+ lottery ticket.

Not true. If you buy a Lottery ticket, and it's a loser, you throw it away. The guitar is still useful. If you're just going to throw it away; I can send you my address and pay shipping....and I'll play it.
That said; I agree they (Fender) could have, and should have tried a little harder (or even tried at all) to match the grains better. But they didn't. And you've got your answer from both the seller, and the manufacturer---answers that I don't much care for either; so your choices include 1). Get used to it or 2). Sell it

If I could sell it without eating more than a couple hundred bucks, I'd probably do it.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 11:46 pm
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On the plus side, the grain variation is perhaps more authentic for a reproduction of a 50's instrument.

Asuming you are now beyond any no quibble return period, or statutory allowance, play it and love it. It is your guitar and it is unique as no other body will be exactly the same.

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John

After all this time I should be better.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 8:08 am
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You might think about painting it. Only down side is it's more $$ invested in a guitar you don't care for. Me, I love painted guitars as long as it's a factory color.


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Post subject: Re: Is this acceptable wood matching for an American Origina
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 5:47 pm
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I don't know why you would want such an ugly guitar. You should donate it to me. :mrgreen:


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