Tele nightmare

[redhouse_ca]

I cannot believe this happened to me!

I recently moved to Maryland for work. After a few months of living here, I noticed my Tele had developed pretty bad fret sprout (Fret ends were protruding from the edge of the fingerboard) and was no longer comfortable to play. I thought about fixing up the frets myself as I have done other repairs on my guitar. However, I did not want to risk messing the frets up, so I decided to take my guitar to a professional. I brought my guitar into the shop and let the guy know it had fret sprout. The guy's response was "Fret what? Fret Sprout? I never heard of it." So, I showed him what I was talking about, and he proceeded to annotate what needed to be done and told me it will be ready in a few days.

Four days later (Today), I go to pick up the guitar, and notice the frets felt the same. I took a closer look and realized not only were the frets still protruding, but they were worse than before and the wood around the frets was chipped along almost every fret. Some chips were deeper than others. On top of that, the tops of the frets were no longer smooth but gripping the string if you tried to bend the string!!! My wife was there, she does not play guitar, but even she could see how bad of a job he did.

I inform the employee who was going to ring me up for the work (The guy who did the fret job was not in today), and his words were "yes, you are definitely not paying for this. Let me speak to the manager." I'm glad they realized it was a very poor job and didn't try to defend the work!

After about an hour, the place ended up placing an order for a replacement neck for me that should be arriving in about 3 - 5 days free of charge for me ($450). I'm pretty bummed out that my guitar will no longer have the original neck, but I guess I will hold onto it if I ever decide to sell the guitar in the future. The guitar is a Fender Road Worn 50's Telecaster. I added some photos for you to see.

AND I just realized the Low E string is not ringing freely. I hope nothing is wrong with the bridge!!! I'll have to do a proper set up once I receive the new neck and ensure everything is still okay with the bridge.

Has anyone had a similar experience? If so, did it motivate you to learn to do the work on your own guitars?

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I'm really sorry that this happened to you, and I don't want to add fuel to the fire but you are so right to feel the way you do, not just about the hack job, but also the fact the neck will not be original. One idea I had is to ask for both? Have a pro there (if they exist) repair the current hack job (if that's possible), or at least get it as good as possible, or have a true pro fix it and have them pay for the repair.

I try not to get malicious about this kind of thin but I'm going through a guitar related mess that has cost me a huge amount of time and a lot of stress and I think it's reasonable to expect an outcome that gets you at least somewhat whole. It's probably just me, but it seems the idea of totally delighting a customer when an error ia made is dead, a thing of the past. Some of the best vendor relationships I have had have been after a problem where they just step up and go beyond the expected. It builds incredibly loyalty.

 

[2HBStrat]

Wow, that's terrible. My take is that since he didn't know what fret sprout was he's a novice at guitar work. This may have been his first guitar repair job.

 

[gimmeatele]

That is awful work by any means, hope the new neck is totally free and works for you

 

[mimmo]

What a story, really sorry that this happened to you.
That's why I recently moved but I keep going back to my old tech: a good, reliable guy is priceless IMHO.

 

[teletail]

You know, I have been beating myself up for trusting a guy who does not know what fret sprout is. I should have turned right around and left the place. Now I know for next time!

I also never use any shop I don’t have a referral from.

 

[Wrighty]

I'm really sorry that this happened to you, and I don't want to add fuel to the fire but you are so right to feel the way you do, not just about the hack job, but also the fact the neck will not be original. One idea I had is to ask for both? Have a pro there (if they exist) repair the current hack job (if that's possible), or at least get it as good as possible, or have a true pro fix it and have them pay for the repair.

I try not to get malicious about this kind of thin but I'm going through a guitar related mess that has cost me a huge amount of time and a lot of stress and I think it's reasonable to expect an outcome that gets you at least somewhat whole. It's probably just me, but it seems the idea of totally delighting a customer when an error ia made is dead, a thing of the past. Some of the best vendor relationships I have had have been after a problem where they just step up and go beyond the expected. It builds incredibly loyalty.

Yep, use a service for years with no problems. I will recommend them with the caveat 'so long as thing's go right'. How they handle the first problem, however it arises , who ever causes it and whatever the cost, decides on whether I'll recommend them from there on in, with the caveat 'when it does go wrong, they help sort it.

 

[Wrighty]

I cannot believe this happened to me!

I recently moved to Maryland for work. After a few months of living here, I noticed my Tele had developed pretty bad fret sprout (Fret ends were protruding from the edge of the fingerboard) and was no longer comfortable to play. I thought about fixing up the frets myself as I have done other repairs on my guitar. However, I did not want to risk messing the frets up, so I decided to take my guitar to a professional. I brought my guitar into the shop and let the guy know it had fret sprout. The guy's response was "Fret what? Fret Sprout? I never heard of it." So, I showed him what I was talking about, and he proceeded to annotate what needed to be done and told me it will be ready in a few days.

Four days later (Today), I go to pick up the guitar, and notice the frets felt the same. I took a closer look and realized not only were the frets still protruding, but they were worse than before and the wood around the frets was chipped along almost every fret. Some chips were deeper than others. On top of that, the tops of the frets were no longer smooth but gripping the string if you tried to bend the string!!! My wife was there, she does not play guitar, but even she could see how bad of a job he did.

I inform the employee who was going to ring me up for the work (The guy who did the fret job was not in today), and his words were "yes, you are definitely not paying for this. Let me speak to the manager." I'm glad they realized it was a very poor job and didn't try to defend the work!

After about an hour, the place ended up placing an order for a replacement neck for me that should be arriving in about 3 - 5 days free of charge for me ($450). I'm pretty bummed out that my guitar will no longer have the original neck, but I guess I will hold onto it if I ever decide to sell the guitar in the future. The guitar is a Fender Road Worn 50's Telecaster. I added some photos for you to see.

AND I just realized the Low E string is not ringing freely. I hope nothing is wrong with the bridge!!! I'll have to do a proper set up once I receive the new neck and ensure everything is still okay with the bridge.

Has anyone had a similar experience? If so, did it motivate you to learn to do the work on your own guitars?

View attachment 1093418 View attachment 1093419

Surely the shop, but NOT the idiot who wrecked it, should fit the new neck and do a basic set up, handing you back a complete, playable, instrument? Just a cynical thought, how's about if the bloke you saw on collection actually was the one who did the set up? If so, he's owned up but not inclined to face you

 

[Jupiter]

That’s beyond bad all the way into bizarre

I guess he was trying to get the roots out so they wouldn’t sprout again

 

[RMLamey]

Should have made a U turn when he asked what fret sprout was and never looked back.

 

[AquariumRock]

You know, I have been beating myself up for trusting a guy who does not know what fret sprout is. I should have turned right around and left the place. Now I know for next time!

For sure. I would have been so nervous leaving my guitar with a tech who said something like that. What a hack.

 

[Durtdog]

This is what happens when you hire Edward Scissorhands as a guitar tech.

 

[Sax-son]

Whoever did that fret job should be arrested for vandalism! First off, fretwork is a skill that requires experience. Anyone who doesn't and takes on the job by winging it should be sued. If you can't remedy the problem, don't take on the job. I have personally had some similar nightmare jobs and by someone who supposedly had an incredible reputation. Frustrating as hell.

 

[McGoldTopp]

contact 7ender for a replacement decal/serial number.

 

[McGoldTopp]

maybe it is your fault for not specifying if you wanted the frets to protrude more or less....

 

[TelePlayer_Ruben]

Thank you all for the feedback. I will be using this as a learning lesson and take the time to know how to do most jobs on the guitar myself. It is especially difficult for me to find my "Go To" tech/luthier as I am currently in the military. Every 2 to 3 years, I have had to move to a different state or country. My guitars travel a lot and are exposed to all sorts of climates. Because of this, I believe it will be extremely beneficial for me to learn how to do most repairs.


Thank you all.

 

[Sax-son]

Yep, use a service for years with no problems. I will recommend them with the caveat 'so long as thing's go right'. How they handle the first problem, however it arises , who ever causes it and whatever the cost, decides on whether I'll recommend them from there on in, with the caveat 'when it does go wrong, they help sort it.

As long as their last name isn't " Murphy".

 

[takauya]

Wow, wow, wow. I'm so sorry this happened to you. If it happened to me I'd never be able to be cool as you seem to be.

 

[BobTheOwl]

I wouldn’t accept the replacement neck. Push for a new guitar. The replacement neck basically makes it a partscaster as far as resale value goes, as the serial wont match up with fenders database.
They’ve knackered your neck which is a major part of your guitar which by default has knackered your guitar.

 

[Fretting out]

I wouldn’t accept the replacement neck. Push for a new guitar. The replacement neck basically makes it a partscaster as far as resale value goes, as the serial wont match up with fenders database.
They’ve knackered you’re neck which is a major part of your guitar which by default has knackered your guitar.

And he’s going to have to find someone to work on the replacement neck (most require fretwork) so that’s more money out of his pocket

Completely unacceptable

I’m not one of those sue happy type people but this is what small claims court is for

 

[Tim S]

@TelePlayer_Ruben Thanks for your story. I applaud your trust in your fellow man (we all hope to be on the receiving-end when dealing with others) and I’m sorry you were let down.

For future reference, pro-level fret end files can be found online at StewMac or even Amazon for under $40 and videos on how to use them abound on YouTube. But always practice new procedures on “beater” guitars until you’re confident enough to work on your “good” ones. (Like guitar playing, everyone starts guitar maintenance with zero experience)

I hope your trust is rewarded down the line.