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Post subject: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 1:18 pm
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Hello all - I'm just about ready to purchase my first electric guitar - a brand new Fender select Tele Koa top at a very good price (1850 shipped) - it's brand new in the box and unplayed. The guy at the shop told me that the finish appears to be "shrinking", and that you can slightly feel the wood grain through the finish. He also said that seems to be the norm with these because of the thin lacquer finish.

Does this sound right? Of course I can always return the guitar at my own expense, but wanted to get some opinions first.

Thanks!

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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 1:31 pm
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When in doubt, keep it out ... of your collection.

My two cents...

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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: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 1:46 pm
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I ended up pulling the trigger. Before I did, I spoke directly with Fender. They explained the situation was fairly normal for the nitro cellulose finishes, and how they accelerate this shrinking process for the custom shop guitars. Especially considering the guitar is coming from Vegas, they didn't seem to think it was anything out of the ordinary.

I just wanted to be sure it wasn't considered "defective".

I always have the option of returning in the event I find out something to the contrary.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:23 pm
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Keep it out of sunlight, and wax it regularly, and it should last a great while.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:25 pm
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Will do.

I was also told by the Fender rep that in some cases the shrinking can actually be reversed with humidity in some cases.

I'll decide if I love it or hate it when I see it. Something tells me that if I was never told about it, I would have thought it was "supposed" to be that way.

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Twin Reverb reissue


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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:21 pm
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Finally received the Koa, and it's flawless! What he referred to as a "shrinking finish" looks like a plus to me. In fact I would have just assumed it was supposed to be that way. The finish looks super thin.

The problem I'm having now is I'm afraid to play the damn thing because it's so beautiful! And the no pick guard thing kinda scares me... I love the idea of a guitar that becomes more beautiful the more you play it. Oh well, lets see how it goes.

Thanks again for the all the advice.

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1966 Precision Bass
2013 Martin HD35
74 Rhodes 88
Twin Reverb reissue


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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:53 pm
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Spumoni wrote:
Finally received the Koa, and it's flawless! What he referred to as a "shrinking finish" looks like a plus to me. In fact I would have just assumed it was supposed to be that way. The finish looks super thin.

The problem I'm having now is I'm afraid to play the damn thing because it's so beautiful! And the no pick guard thing kinda scares me... I love the idea of a guitar that becomes more beautiful the more you play it. Oh well, lets see how it goes.

Thanks again for the all the advice.


What, don't we get a picture?

I have a Select Tele myself - the chambered HH version - and it's by far the most playable Fender I've ever laid my hands on. The looks are just a bonus, in my opinion. Yes, play it. Often and well :D


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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 12:29 pm
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I'd LOVE to post a picture, but this forum doesn't make it easy for the internet challenged. I can't attach a file?

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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:28 pm
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Spumoni wrote:
I'd LOVE to post a picture, but this forum doesn't make it easy for the internet challenged. I can't attach a file?

Unfortunately, the forum admin here doesn't provide space for the users to do uploads.
You have to upload the picture elsewhere to a public site, then paste the URL to the picture (not the page that holds the picture) in between [img]...[/img] tags.

Like this (if you hit QUOTE you can see the source):

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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 11:15 pm
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I love that blackwood, and I like the way the back is contoured. Are you concerned about playing such a beautiful guitar without a pickgaurd?

I'm trying to pretend it doesn't bother me....

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1966 Precision Bass
2013 Martin HD35
74 Rhodes 88
Twin Reverb reissue


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Post subject: Re: Fender Koa finish is "shrinking"?
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:04 am
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Spumoni wrote:
I love that blackwood, and I like the way the back is contoured. Are you concerned about playing such a beautiful guitar without a pickgaurd?

Not at all. I use a pick only rarely, and never for striking full chords. The back of my nails do that much better, and fingers curve away from the guitar body, unlike a pick.

My main worry is someone else picking it up and messing it up through ignorance or carelessness, which is why it stays in a case when not using it.

I also wax my guitars regularly, because it doesn't just make them look pretty, it adds a layer of protection.


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