Do Not Buy A Guitar From Fender's Mod Shop!

In the first installment of OCD Guitar Reviews, I describe my experience with Fender's Mod Shop. Let's just say my dream guitar is a quality control disaster. And by the way, Fender's customer service is nonexistent. Moral of the story: buy an ESP instead.

[mars]

The power of social media. Your video was very respectful. That guitar should have never left the factory. Make it right, Fender !

[SasquatchLovesMe]

Yesterday I took the liberty of reaching out to Fender on your behalf. I told them I recently bought a strat from the Mod shop and provided a link to this vid. I told them this was unacceptable if they want to keep customers. They responded to me tonight to let me know a person has reached out you. If true, glad it happened.

[hairlab]

I'm convinced that at least some Mod shop guitars are thrown together from parts that didn't pass QC. Just after the Covid pause I paid full MSRP to make a AM Pro/Nocaster mashup to choose the body color and avoid the hassle of sourcing and swapping PUPs. The fretboard markers were comically misaligned and before returning it, I took it apart: the neck had clearly been on a blue guitar (I ordered copper) which leads me to believe that a blue AM Pro, perhaps headed to a dealer at wholesale price, failed QC and someone at Fender thought "let's just use it on a guitar we're selling direct for full retail." Amazing.

[skpepi]

I find it amazing that you kept it so calm, this whole experience sounds infuriating. I really hope you can get some good customer service!

[amp.]

I hope you keep this video up, even if fender ends up fixing the issues you pointed out. People should understand that it’s not acceptable for instruments of this price point to have this level of quality. But they should also understand that despite the name on the headstock, issues like this can still happen

[boresteve]

I’ve noticed Fender’s American lines have been suffering quite a few quality issues in the past few years. Lately, I’ve purchased a couple of Player Strats, made in Mexico, for the purpose of creating my own modded guitars. These came from that factory absolutely flawless! If they can get it right in one factory, then they need to apply the same employee mindset at the other.

[-wd]

I've spec'd out numerous Mod Shop Strats and drooled over them...I will never order from them after hearing and seeing you experience. Thank you for posting and saving me money. I have the exact same OCD and wouldn't even begin entertaining keeping that guitar.

[ShaneStoneOfficial]

How do you hate fret buzz? I understand if it’s bad but every guitar should have a small amount of fret buzz

[swagmanners]

Just read that Fender hit you up and is trying to make this right. Their customer support is usually amazing, so it seemed odd that they just told you to refer to the two year warranty.

[SixString_J]

About 4 years ago I bought a Fender "pro series" strat online and when it arrived I was crushed. the only thing it had going for it were the pickups sounded great. Immediately I noticed that at least 7 frets were flat with file marks from leveling in QC but they never crowned and polished them and the Pickguard didn't sit flush. I loved the way it sounded and I know how to level, crown, and polish so I convinced myself to give it a try. I played it a couple days and then I went to rectify the issues. I took the strings off and went to level the frets and step one is staightening the neck with the truss the truss rod was frozen and wouldn't move. Probaby wood glue seeped into it and it can likely be broken free, but It's straight not returnable if you strip the truss rod allen nut.
I got on the phone and put in for return and sweetwater immediately gave me a shipping label and subsequently my money back.

NEVER again am I buying an American Fender.

[ernieb]

Great video OCD. He did a great job without renting. Stating the points giving good pictures. I’m glad to hear that. They reached out to you. They should be giving you something a little extra but I’m glad it’s getting ironed out. Please keep us posted and informed on the new guitar. God bless.

[bluessyndicatetube]

I was so thankful to have run across your original post and follow on post a few weeks ago. No kidding I was about to drop an order with the MOD Shop that night and upon seeing your video changed my mind and went in another direction. I know that it was resolved for you eventually, which is great, but I'm so thankful I saw your video and was able to vote with my dollars. Best wishes.

[jeffanderson]

Love my Fender MOD shop Strat - perfect out of the box. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.
Same experience with the lack of communication when placing the order and receiving the final guitar. I do think Fender could certainly step up their game with the MOD shop orders.

[joematiacio]

Thanks for the review, that just made my decision to look elsewhere. What eventually happened with this guitar?

[James-uzne]

I'm surprised they didn't tell you. You just have a road worn edition. Thanks for this review. Well I'm never getting a modded fender now. I went and got a guitar from (all in one guitars) instead. It's beautiful, inexpensive, and plays great! Looking forward to seeing a follow up on this if any.

[Tuhqa]

Ive owned 2 guitars from the Mod Shop, a strat and a tele. My strat also came with many things/blemishes I found unusual especially for how much I had spent. My strats fretboard has an ungodly amount of divots and dents, and also came with a strange gunk or something on top in several spots. I cannot remove the weird haze or gunk or whatever it is and its frustrating. My tele was a pretty flawless guitar but my strat not so much. Its an absolute shame to see what happened to you with your experience.

[mikekellyjcmo]

Sorry you feel this way. I ordered a P bass from the Mod Shop. It arrived in less than 45 days from the date of order (late COVID era). It had my order list in the case when it got here along with 3 different views of the order. The guitar was in pristine condition. I'm looking to buy a jazz bass from them soon. Absolutely no complaints.

[arturobarrios]

I faced a similar situation two years ago... I bought a MIM Fender Powercaster. I fell in love with the looks of the guitar and I wanted that pickup combination. I tested it quickly at the store with no gain (my mistake) and I bought it. Later, while playing at home, I found out that the bridge was not wired to the ground as it should be. It was really noisy. I opened it and found the ground wire attached to nothing. Also, the pickup selector would sometimes produce no sound at the bridge pickup. I sent an email to Fender, but they told me that I had to solve that with my dealer (I don't live in the USA). In the end, my dealer sent me to another store where the wiring got fixed. I cleaned the pickup selector and now its doing good. I still have the feeling that it is too noisy and that something's wrong with the wiring. I mean, the guitar is good, but after all of that I don't really like it anymore and I know that's kind of dumb. I think that both of these guitars should have never left the factory in these conditions. I've seen some other comments on YouTube about the Powercaster having issues with the wiring... :/

[richarde]

This is why I buy guitars in person now. When I'm in the store I go OCD on the guitar before I buy it! Thanks for the great post, bro!

[noquarterdesign]

Oof. Sorry to hear of your struggles. I just ordered an esp snapper that's on back order and am so happy to receive it!