FENDER SELLING PARTS?

[Hbom]

Just got this in an e-mail.

http://www.fender.com/store/necks-bodies/?utm_source=Newsletter-January7-Store&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Store-NecksBodies-MainFeature

Not sure what else to say.

 

[bagman67]

Yeah, we had a discussion about that a few months back.  The general response was "folks who know will still buy Warmoth, both for quality and for options."

 

[Cagey]

No doubt. A Fender-grade Rosewood over Maple neck for $500? Gimme a break. I can get those from Korea with a finished body, hardware and electronics attached and set up for $199.

 

[Ace Flibble]

But that won't have 'Fender' on the headstock. It also won't have any resale value and it may not be a perfect fit for particular parts somebody may have in mind which they know will fit a Fender. Additionally they come with the same profiles, fret sizes and finishing that any other Fender has, things which you can't get from parts companies (as Fender don't use the Dunlop wire as most parts companies do and I've yet to find any parts company that replicates Fender's standard C profile exactly). Some people may want things which only a custom shop or parts company can provide, while others may already find the most standard parts are perfect for them and they don't want to mess with anything else.

Sure, you could buy quality wood and build a desk yourself relatively cheaply, but plenty of people just want to go to Ikea and buy a flat pack unit. I could easily go to local artisan stores, buy the best quality ingredients and a stone baking dish and make myself the most authentic pizza possible, but sometimes I just want to ring up Dominoes and have something hot and greasy delivered. Same deal here.

 

[Cagey]

That's true. If it doesn't say "Fender" on the headstock, there are those who think it's less than ideal. Resale suffers accordingly. Foolishness, but real. Fit is also an issue. Most of that Pacific Rim stuff is not sized right if you're looking for interchangeability. Still, I don't know how that justifies charging $500 for what Warmoth, USACG or Carvin would call a $150 neck that does fit, and what the Koreans would call a $150 guitar. At least with the Warmoth, USACG or Carvin parts, you don't have fit/finish/quality issues. With Fender, you get a sticker. BFD. They're a dime a dozen on the 'net.

 

[ihavenothingprofoundtosay]

No doubt. A Fender-grade Rosewood over Maple neck for $500? Gimme a break. I can get those from Korea with a finished body, hardware and electronics attached and set up for $199.

Indeed - there's already at least one guy on ebay that's making decent cash by selling the necks & bodies separately. 

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

As discussed in the other thread too, this isn't a new practice.  Guitar Centers in the 90s had Fender necks and bodies for sell.

 

[Great Ape]

"New" Fenders, especially those assembled by a 'civilian', from parts, no less, will have ZIP for resale value anyway...would YOU buy one? YIKES! 

 

[DarkPenguin]

I've bought a Fender MIM neck and a Fender USA neck.  The USA neck was great.  Lovely frets.  Nicely finished.  The MIM one is also nice but I had to get the frets dressed and the finish isn't nearly as nice.  It isn't bad but if you look closely at it you can see some finishing marks.  For $200 I like it.

At $500 for the USA neck I think I would get a Warmoth neck instead.  At that price I can get some really interesting options from Warmoth.

 

[Cagey]

"New" Fenders, especially those assembled by a 'civilian', from parts, no less, will have ZIP for resale value anyway...would YOU buy one? YIKES!

True enough. But how do you know?

It's got a sticker on it!

Ok. So... where do I get a sticker?

Answer: anywhere.