Challenges

Finish Over Frets

Many Fender maple necks have finish sprayed over the frets. Only a small sliver of the metal fret is exposed at the top.

This makes some services challenging and sometimes even impossible.

With finish over the frets it is impossible to nicely polish the frets to a mirror shine.

When refretting it is impossible to preserve the original finish around the frets. In those cases, finish touchup work is not practical and the only sane option is to strip the finish, resurface the fingerboard and refinish it.

Fret End Gaps

When frets aren't fully seated in the middle of the fingerboard, it can be tolerated. But when they are not fully seated at the edges, the only solution is a full refret.

Those are under radiused frets an that's a sloppy factory defect. These frets will feel sharp, no matter how much anyone tries to polish them and the high E string will get stuck under those frets.

Please do not ask us to try polish those fret ends. There is nothing that anyone can do, other than a full refret, to fix this problem. So, if you know that your guitar neck has this problem, you will know in advance that the only service option is a full refret.

Chipped-off Side Finish

When Fender sprays a thick layer of poly finish over the frets and the frets consequently start sprouting, due to the shrinking of the wood, the fret ends tend to push the plasticized poly finish away form the wood. There is no elegant solution other than fully stripping the finish and fully respraying.

But, please note that we do not offer refinishing services.

Finish Peeling Off

When applying finish to wood, surface prep is key. When that's not done properly, or when the finish is not mixed right, or wrong temperature, or other details are not right, the finish will start peeling off, after a while.

Please do not expect miracles from us. This is how Fender made these necks.

However, feel free to call Fender directly and voice your grievances directly to them. They always look forward to hearing from people who are having these kinds of issues with their guitars.