Neck pocket gaps

Casabg

Yes, I did spec extra roll on the fingerboard edges, but as has been mentioned, the frets ends are very filed…..

fretfinder

Definitely send it back, that gap is totally unacceptable even in a mid-range guitar. And the paint dribble shown in this pic is shockingly bad too. Are you sure it isn’t an Ian Elson ‘masterbuilt’?

Casabg said:. Actually, this is a rebuild because the last guitar had a massive Lacquer run.

Unless that’s the lacquer run you’re referring to above, although I’m not really sure what ‘rebuild’ and ‘last guitar’ mean in your comment there.

skunkwerx

I mean its not what I'd accept on any bolt on. 

Here is my run of the mill Fender American Professional from 2019. Zero movement in the pocket and its pretty much bang on, especially as the saddles arent slotted. 

elstoof

We live in an age where you can reasonably expect a replacement body from one company to fit perfectly well with a neck from a different manufacturer, Fender Custom Shop should never let something like that leave the building 

Casabg

Casabg said:

BillDL said:

Even on most of the ready sprayed bodies I've bought in the past for less than £300 to build Partscasters with standard Fender and Squier necks, the pockets have been a very accurate "squeaky" fit, and so tight that I've chipped finish around the pocket as mentioned by @guitars4you;. I wouldn't accept a guitar with a gap like that at the neck pocket.  It's been badly routed and I'm wondering what the pin holes are close to the edge of the pocket.

Thank you, it’s A relic, so I would anticipate that they are deliberate dings. Actually, this is a rebuild because the last guitar had a massive Lacquer run.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s8r033xqcby7ilquxlkav/IMG_9421.JPG?rlkey=6mw6bs011elafljelac7zpt9z&dl=0

Okay, thanks all, let me be clear, the Guitar in the first post is a rebuild of the Guitar with a lacquer run which I rejected - a photo of which is lower down in the . So looks like this is the second master built from the same builder that I'm rejecting. I'm really lucky in having an excellent dealer close to me. 

Musical_Mystery_Tour

What a piece of shit; send it back.

fretfinder

Casabg said: Okay, thanks all, let me be clear, the Guitar in the first post is a rebuild of the Guitar with a lacquer run which I rejected - a photo of which is lower down in the . So looks like this is the second master built from the same builder that I'm rejecting. I'm really lucky in having an excellent dealer close to me. 

That’s a bit clearer, although I’m still intrigued to know what you mean by ‘rebuild’. I’ve not heard of the Custom Shop doing that.

GoldenEraGuitars

Ach now sure…. Nowt a wee bit of gaffer tape won’t sort out fellas.  

ICBM

I have to say this is the first CS Fender I've seen with issues like this - although it's also true to say that I've always been much less impressed with the 'masterbuilts' I've played than the 'team builts' - admittedly only a sample size of about half a dozen though, vs maybe a couple of dozen 'team' ones.

It looks like Fender are copying some of Gibson's high-end manufacturing methods...

Teyeplayer

If that’s a custom shop I’ll build you a custom guitar. It’ll have gaps all over the place! 

bluecat

Did you not notice the quality of the build before you purchased it? Or did you buy online unseen? I have a HB T Style with a far superior neck pocket than that and better finish all round.
Yes I would definitely take it back for a refund.

Casabg

I soecced  it out about four years ago, ordered it through my excellent local retailer, it arrived in December 2022, I noticed a massive lacquer run as per the picture above, so I rejected it and it was sent back to the Fender Custom Shop for a rebuild, they rebuilt the body And attach the old neck and here it is with a neck pocket gap that I don't think is appropriate, that's the whole story for so, ordered to my spec, delivered, but had a lacquer run, it was rebuilt, arrived this week 14 months later and the new Guitar has problems 

GoldenEraGuitars

That’s quite excessive for a run, for them to take it back and replace the body (which is likely a clear coat run). A fresh Stanley blade, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 wet and dry followed by some G6 paste would have fixed that in 15 mins.

Offset

^^ Wow.  That really is piss-poor.  And a truly crap run of luck for you.  Hope it's sorted to your satisfaction.

Casabg

Offset said:

^^ Wow.  That really is piss-poor.  And a truly crap run of luck for you.  Hope it's sorted to your satisfaction.

Appreciate the sentiment, many thanks. You're not wrong

Casabg

Thank you all for your insight, guitar rejected, the dealers were outstanding as always…. That’s it with the fender custom shop for me.

ICBM

Casabg said:

That’s it with the fender custom shop for me.

Disappointing that they couldn’t get it right given my (limited) experience with them, but I don’t blame you.

Strat54

Who was the 'masterbuilder'? Do you not have his direct contact? 

Casabg

Todd Krause, very surprising

Strat54

Pretty dismal all round...those fret ends are shocking, would expect better on a Fender MIM. His assistant builders need sacking. Have you emailed him?