Here is what Id like to see a Fender Dealer do when they sell us a Tele

[Mark Davis]

Ive always looked for a dealer that would do something really intensive for those of us that are specs and details freaks.

Lets say you want to buy a new Tele online and you select this dealer.

It gets a complete pro setup.

Then when you get it it comes with a real detailed check out sheet that showed the thickness of the neck @ the nut and @ the 12th fret the action and how high it was at the 17th fret the neck relief the pickup heights from the strings.

The weight would be listed and the ohms of the neck and bridge pickup would be listed.

There could also be a small demo made as many people do on youtube with a simple digital camera.

This would take service after the sale to a whole new level. I wonder if there was a dealer that would take the time to do all of this for the most demanding customers?

[Ivan]

Gibson has something similar for their (more expensive) guitars leaving the factory - A set up check list that's meant to have unique details about your guitar.
Although I've rarely seen one filled in probably.


As for a a Fender dealer doing this and a video... I could only see a see small dealership taking the care to do any of this. Once the sales start increasing it becomes a logistic nightmare.

[strapping-teles]

The closest thing to this is what Sweetwater.com does, they have photos of the actual instrument you're buying (photos of the actual instrument itself, by serial number, not stock photos), in most cases, and they also do a basic setup and include a checklist themselves for all guitars. No videos or details like nut height, but if you called them, they'd probably go and measure it for you.

http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery/

[BAW4742]

I agree with strapping-teles. As I was reading Mark's post Sweetwater came to mind. They may not hit on all points but they come closer than anyone else I can think of.

Maybe your suggestions will land with some of the Sweetwater guys. I would not be surprised to find that some of them are members here.

[neocaster]

Wildwood Guitars does this for their thin skin AV series. Not full detail, but images images of the guitar being sold and weight. I bet they would forward you plenty more on request though.

[Ricky D.]

Mark, I totally agree about the dealer doing a full set-up and fret level before releasing the guitar. You know there have to be thousands of expensive guitars out there that just don't play as well as they should and never will.

But as far as the measurements go, why? If the DC ohms tell you how the pickups sound, plug it in and guess the ohms. Don't weigh it, strap it on and see how it feels. And as for the action and neck measurements, play a few tunes and see how that neck feels. My point is that when you have the guitar in hand, it will tell you everything you need to know about the set-up, neck profile, weight, sound, etc. The measurements don't matter anymore.

[Gary in Boston]

Ah but what's that worth? A massed produced guitar is meant to be............ massed produced. That means in theory they are all the same. That maens a "normal" set up should cover you pretty darn well. Now I know this isn't so and that the variables make guitars unique etc. However an entire industry has been set up around this notion so to turn that boat around would have to cost more. Perhaps there would be a section on line where you check a box and they go cherry pick say a SB RW for you. Wiegh it, measure the PUs, set up, tighten the screws etc etc etc. I think you have to ask yourself what's that worth. An hour at least, right? That's gotta be $60 ? So on top of $ 1,000 for the guitar add $ 60 or so. Can we live with that ? Maybe.........

Gary

[Parma_TeleMon]

Shucks, I'd be happy if they'd do the setup before they hang 'em on the wall. I hate trying to test drive a guitar that isn't or won't stay in tune.

And one of these days I'm going to translate neocaster's sig - just for geeky fun.

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by Parma_TeleMon

Shucks, I'd be happy if they'd do the setup before they hang 'em on the wall. I hate trying to test drive a guitar that isn't or won't stay in tune.

And one of these days I'm going to translate neocaster's sig - just for geeky fun.

I couldn't agree more. Every guitar that is out on Display, should be ready to play on a high level.

[stephent2]

That's funny. Just a month after Fender's price increase and how many threads here about that fact, we're looking for ways to increase the dealer's cost to sell a Tele.

[Octave Doctor]

At the first couple stores I did repairs for, each guitar that came in was gone over before it went out on the floor. If it needed further adjustment, no problem. But the only way you're going to know if you like a guitar is to pick it up and PLAY it.

[Ming]

I, recently bought a new '52 RI from a small Fender dealer in Myrtle Beach, SC. Great service and it was a quiet store unlike the big box battle of the bands store one encounters sometimes.

We talked about the setup and I told him it's ok but with those old strings, not likely would anyone think otherwise. It was set up by the factory to be sellable to anyone. Neck dated to April 06 so the strings were , indeed, a little gamey.

Others, who are better or more knowledgeable players will fine tune the guit for themselves regardless of what the factory does. Thats my case anyway.

Best of all, the owner brough out a chair for the wife to sit on while I labored away deciding between the two Tele's he had.

He put together a string set (new) for me as I like a beefy .052 on the 6th.

To top it all off, he sent me some two weeks ago, a nice "Thankyou" card and hoped that all is well with me and the guitar.

That was reeeeeeal nice touch. You know , I'll be back there next time I travel North.

Ray W.

[mellecaster]

I've Pretty much done most of what you describe on the Guitars I Sell...just seems like a Valid selling tool to me.

[Old Cane]

Yeah, I think all dealers should do a complete setup by a qualified technician, new strings, fret level and polish and everything else mentioned. Nothing makes a $275 guitar more appealing to players. Oh, and they all need to make sure they change strings on all guitars at least once a week. Unless they cater to guys that don't like new sounding strings. Maybe should just hang them with no strings, let the "lookers" tell them how they want it set up, set it up while the guy waits and then take the strings off again when he says "thanks. I'm just looking."

Yeah.

[Mike Eskimo]

But as far as the measurements go, why? If the DC ohms tell you how the pickups sound, plug it in and guess the ohms. Don't weigh it, strap it on and see how it feels. And as for the action and neck measurements, play a few tunes and see how that neck feels. My point is that when you have the guitar in hand, it will tell you everything you need to know about the set-up, neck profile, weight, sound, etc. The measurements don't matter anymore.

Life's too short to go returning guitars by mail.

If I can get as many clues as possible I don't have to waste time later doing a return and then trying to find another guitar.

I like a 7 lb or under Tele.

I know this.

If a really sweet, well-priced guitar is listed as 8 lbs even - I'm not even going to bother with it.

I prefer pretty much the biggest necks out there (.90"-1.0" deep, a 1 11/16th nut width) so if a really cool guitar that I'm interested says 1 5/8" nut, modern C-shape neck" I know not to waste my time.

Mark's original post was about online sales so my thoughts apply to that.

[bosstone]

Find yourself a really good guitar shop. Getting a guitar sight unseen is too impersonal for me. I might be turned off by the grain, color, feel of the finish, and a lot of other variables. In a good ship I might discover something I like ever better that what I thought I was looking for. I am also into helping my local economy.

[Old Cane]

Every "economy" is local to somebody.

[bosstone]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

Every "economy" is local to somebody.

Not local to my local though.

[jeepnstein]

My local shop does setups on anything and everything that goes out their door. I played a $69 Kentucky Wildcat Blue plywood acoustic that they had set up and it was a really neat guitar, despite it's obvious faults. The setup transforms marginal junk into an instrument. They more than hold their own on sales because their stuff is right from the beginning and everyone knows it.

I bought a Seagull acoustic through the internet a couple of years back. It had a checklist from the factory that included a basic setup. It's one of the few guitars I've ever seen that was good to go straight out of the box. Would I take a chance like that on a Martin? No way, too much money involved.

When I buy through mail order or the internet I assume a certain level of risk and lack of customer service. Good, cheap, fast; pick two.

[Ming]

Scoot over Bosstone, make room for me.

I was on a Jazzmaster search when I found the Tele.

Ray W.

[bosstone]

Originally Posted by Ming

Scoot over Bosstone, make room for me.

I was on a Jazzmaster search when I found the Tele.

Ray W.

There is plenty of room left Ming. Just jump in any time you want.

[Ming]

"Hey tanks main"

[Southern Ill Electrics]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I've Pretty much done most of what you describe on the Guitars I Sell...just seems like a Valid selling tool to me.

I do the same.....from the get go.....if buyer changes his mind.....its noted and a confirmation email is exchanged.....before color coat I send pics. and if there are any changes they are agreed on.....on final setup day we go over the list.....final weight is giving and pics. sent..the final 40% + payment for case of choice and shippinig is paid......I can't touch what you pay for a MIM....but I'll say the extra you do pay for the final product is worth it.....and more times than not you'll save money.....considering most will upgrade pickups and hardware.....then figure in the savings if you go with a different neck.......Each his own.

[surfoverb]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I've Pretty much done most of what you describe on the Guitars I Sell...just seems like a Valid selling tool to me.

I want this guitar...How fat is the neck? (compared to a Nocaster)

[Mark Davis]

My dealer does most of this himself I was just wondering if any other dealers did extra work after the sale.

My dealer does a complete setup lets me choose my action and string choice levels the frets if needed recuts the nut crown dress and polish the frets records the weight.

Fender themself could record the weight and the thickness of the necks and pass that info along on the QC tag but my guess is if they did that all the dealers would want the lightest ones LOL.

[Ricky D.]

[quote=Mark Davis;1797814] ...
Then when you get it it comes with a real detailed check out sheet that showed the thickness of the neck @ the nut and @ the 12th fret the action and how high it was at the 17th fret the neck relief the pickup heights from the strings.

The weight would be listed and the ohms of the neck and bridge pickup would be listed. ...
This would take service after the sale to a whole new level. ... /QUOTE]

So, Mike Eskimo, "Mark's original post was about online sales so my thoughts apply to that. "

I was looking literally at the OP, I guess. Mike, you would like all that info out there before the sale, and I guess I could see that. After the sale, who cares? Just play it and see what you think.

[stephent2]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

I've Pretty much done most of what you describe on the Guitars I Sell...just seems like a Valid selling tool to me.

Nice ad.

[Slow Reflexes]

Originally Posted by Parma_TeleMon

...one of these days I'm going to translate neocaster's sig - just for geeky fun.

è?>Á€ÑË€Ñ>€ÈÇÁ€Ë?Í%ACK

At least it wasn't, "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!"

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

My dealer does most of this himself I was just wondering if any other dealers did extra work after the sale.

My dealer does a complete setup lets me choose my action and string choice levels the frets if needed recuts the nut crown dress and polish the frets records the weight.

You buy a lot of guitars, Mark. Would your dealer do that for someone that came in there on their vacation, found one they couldn't live without, and probably never buy another one from him?

Not trying to be critical here, but you definitely rate special treatment.

I can understand custom builders going the extra mile, but Fender is building guitars for everyone. They need to send 'em out the door with a setup that will be acceptable to the average player. All of that work would add considerably to the price of a guitar.

[danajohnhill]

My local Fender dealer is a smallish place, though it seems like they try to keep a variety of instruments at different price-points. They have the cheaper Squiers, the Mexican-made Standards, the new Roadworn series, the American Standards and so on. I have played some of their guitars, but mostly because I was shopping for an amp. What makes the place great is that they have a small room just for the amps, and you can close the door and play in peace. I wish more shops would do that simple thing. Serious buyers can go on a weekday afternoon, have the place to themselves and try all the guitars and/or amps that appeal to them.

[z-clay]

I've normally set up my guitars 9's , very low action and a perfectly straight neck. However, When I recently purchased my RW the action was medium high with slight relief in the neck and thick string set (at least 10s). I just figured that I would play it in its present condition until I got spare time to restring and set it up. Well, after playing this thing about a month and a half, I'm beginning to think that this set up is partly why the guitar sounds so good. At this point, I'm gonna keep it just like I got it. LoL

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by e-merlin

You buy a lot of guitars, Mark. Would your dealer do that for someone that came in there on their vacation, found one they couldn't live without, and probably never buy another one from him?

Not trying to be critical here, but you definitely rate special treatment.

I can understand custom builders going the extra mile, but Fender is building guitars for everyone. They need to send 'em out the door with a setup that will be acceptable to the average player. All of that work would add considerably to the price of a guitar.

I dont get any special treatment he does that for everyone.

I have purchased 15 new Fenders from him since 1999 and he has hand picked each one to get in the weight range I selected made sure it had a tight neck pocket then did a complete pro setup.

Thats why I kept buying from him he gave what I thought was excellent service at no extra cost.

[Southern Ill Electrics]

I like the Reverend Imports a bunch.....but there is not a dealer within 4-5 hours of me.I took a chance and called up a dealer in Florida(Blues Angles) and talked with them over the phone.Got a great price and fine setup.Jim weighed them for me(several of them) and I was very pleased with each purchase.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I dont get any special treatment he does that for everyone.

I have purchased 15 new Fenders from him since 1999 and he has hand picked each one to get in the weight range I selected made sure it had a tight neck pocket then did a complete pro setup.

Thats why I kept buying from him he gave what I thought was excellent service at no extra cost.

Doctor, what does your dealer do with the ones that don't pass muster? Drop them off in Corona when he visits his daughters or goes to Knotts Berry Farm?




Seriously, comprehensive documentation of each guitar your shop takes in makes it much easier to get 'em back if they get shoplifted or whatever. Your Commerical Insuror might be impressed and lower your premium.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Doctor, what does your dealer do with the ones that don't pass muster? Drop them off in Corona when he visits his daughters or goes to Knotts Berry Farm?




Seriously, comprehensive documentation of each guitar your shop takes in makes it much easier to get 'em back if they get shoplifted or whatever. Your Commerical Insuror might be impressed and lower your premium.

What he would do is order 6-7 of the same model and cherry pick the best ones and send the rest back to Fender.

Back when Fender was selling 52ri bodies and necks he would order some bodies cause he said they were usually lighter in weight and when someone wanted a real light 52ri like under 7 lbs he woukd take all the parts off a new guitar and transfer them to the new Fender body.

The customer got a 6.5-7lb tele that way and was happy the dealer had to go thru some extra steps but this is how you keep a good customer base bend over backwards to please people and your efforts will be returned with loyal lifetime customers.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Back when Fender was selling 52ri bodies and necks he would order some bodies cause he said they were usually lighter in weight and when someone wanted a real light 52ri like under 7 lbs he would take all the parts off a new guitar and transfer them to the new Fender body.

Mark...w/ all due respect (and I mean that)...doesn't doing that, according to some of your past statements and others, no longer make it a "Real" Fender. I thought you and others had argued that very point in the past ?...I'm really not tryin to start anything (Honest)...but you can't have it both ways....I guess you're referring to Larry ?

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

Mark...w/ all due respect (and I mean that)...doesn't doing that, according to some of your past statements and others, no longer make it a "Real" Fender. I thought you and others had argued that very point in the past ?...I'm really not tryin to start anything (Honest)...but you can't have it both ways....I guess you're referring to Larry ?

Well yes and no this is a tough call.

I would think if an authorized Fender dealer took a real Fender body fender sold as a replacement body and used it to satisfy a very picky customers weight request it would still be considered a real Fender. Even tho the neck and body werent the original ones that were mated at the factory the body would be the exact same body just lighter in weight and there are no markings in the body that would match the neck.

The warranty and database would stll be correct if a customer called up fender and said I have a 52ri serial number bla bla bla and they said yes this is a 52ri made in 1999 Butterscotch with an all maple neck.

Those would all matchup and the dealer who did this would always honor the warranty.

That to me is different from someone buying a body from Stratosphere and adding it to a neck they already have from another guitar where if that person called up Fender and said I have a fender serial # bla bla bla then those specs wouldnt match.

I know this sorta goes against what I always preach but in this rare case where a dealer took an authorized body made by Fender just lighter in weight than ones he ordered and all the parts were new unused which they were and he is an authorized Fender masterlevel dealer then its ok and I woiuld still consider it a real fender.

yes its Larry. LOL

I want to also point out when he did do this a couple of times the buyers were fully aware of what was going on he didnt try to pull the wool over anyones eyes. The customer ended up with a Tele less than 7lbs it was reassembled by a good tech and setup and was probably better than any of the ones than left the factory anyway.

Thanks for asking about my felings on this.

[rangercaster]

the shop should be responsible for set-up ... but this costs money (well-spent i think) IMHO, the mega-stores put many of the good little shops out of business ... i bought a guitar and had work done in a small shop about an hour north of NYC ... the owner himself talked to you and did the work ... i ordered a guitar, and he got on the phone to his manufacturers rep to hand-pick one ... if it didn't meet his standards, it was shipped back (without my inspection) ... when i finally got the guitar, it was perfect, but he still offered to tweak it more, but i was so happy to finally get it, i said no thanks ... it's still a great guitar and the neck work he did on my JV '52 RI was perfect !!! if you can deal local to keep these guys going, do it !!!

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I dont get any special treatment he does that for everyone.

I have purchased 15 new Fenders from him since 1999 and he has hand picked each one to get in the weight range I selected made sure it had a tight neck pocket then did a complete pro setup.

Thats why I kept buying from him he gave what I thought was excellent service at no extra cost.

Then you have truly found an exceptional dealer. And certainly excellent service.

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by rangercaster

IMHO, the mega-stores put many of the good little shops out of business

Well, you're wrong! And here's why:

The customer put the little shops out of business. They weren't forced to go to the mega-store, they made a choice. A lot of the choices most of us make are based on price.

Now, if the "good little shops" were going the extra mile like Mark's favorite dealer, they might have retained customers that went elsewhere. However, when mom-and-pop choose to stick to their guns on price, and you can get the exact same thing for $100 less half way across town, which store is going to get the sale? Maybe mom-and-pop can't undersell Mega-Monster-Music, but they sure can do a thing or two the big-uns can't. It's called value. Percieved value to be specific. "Yeah, our guitars cost a bit more, but we do a custom setup blah, blah, blah, value added, see what you think of this one compared to the one you played at..."