Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

[Old Guy]

Hey everyone!

The Player Series Telecaster is basically having a factory recall because the bridge on the current run is not positioned correctly and the strings are resting on the bridge saddles in an awkward way. Basically making it difficult to change the strings without virtually removing the bridge saddles.

Fender is now going to produce the guitar with a new bridge plate with new saddles, but if you have a guitar with the faulty saddles, your closest Fender service center or where you bought the guitar will replace the bridge that is installed with a new bridge with the new saddles under warranty.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Just googled to figure out what the issue is. Weird, glad they're making it right though.

Keep the old stuff You never know what becomes 'rare' later.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Thanks for the update! You wonder how something like that got past the testing phase, though.

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Thanks for the update! You wonder how something like that got past the testing phase, though.

What's weird is that it's not really a big issue per se. The bridge saddles are too far towards the pickup so in order to restring the guitar, you have to physically move the saddles back on the springs to thread the string through the holes and the saddles. It's a little awkward, but can be done. The real issue is that if you do that too...ermm...aggressively, you throw off the intonation of the guitar every time you change the strings.

Live and learn, I guess. Glad they are being quick about helping the customer out, and they've already announced that starting next month, all the Player Series Teles will be sold with the new bridge.

I'll tell you, though, it's a killer guitar, so to me, it's really no big deal. The shop I work with is excellent and I know they want their customers to be happy, so they've already assured me that they'll take of everything.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

The bigger issue to me is the rubbing of the strings against the edge of the saddle. Looks like they tried to save cash (or just simplify processes) using bent Strat saddles without realizing there would be a problem.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I wonder if the QC Manager on this guitar got a scolding...

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I wonder if the QC Manager on this guitar got a scolding...

Funny you should say that, as I contacted them with another QC issue before I even knew about this one.

The bass side screw on the neck pickup didn't have that little plastic tubing on it to prevent the pickup from moving against the pick guard. It's been reported multiple times online by other new users. Sounds like they need to tighten up a bit.

Still a great guitar for a great price, LOL.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I had to Google what the details are with this. Yup, definitely a problem. Kudos to Fender to addressing it quickly. And they needed to because these models are the new bread and butter line. I'm thoroughly impressed with the Precision Bass and Stratocaster. Wouldn't mind one of each myself.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I haven't noticed this on mine as I was going to change strings tonight or tomorrow!
Also I was going to put a different bridge on soon regardless.
Anyways stuff happens and I hope customers aren't too put off by this.
I really like my player series, it's a good body and neck.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Just a little update. When I spoke to Fender after I put up this initial post, they actually offered to replace my guitar altogether. I told them I prefer to keep the one I have and they just asked me to tell the warranty center to contact them to send them a replacement. Then once they receive it, they will replace mine under warranty.

Still trying to get with the shop to finalize them ordering the part, but when I spoke to them, they hadn't even heard of the issue. Glad Fender is being super cool about this.

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I haven't noticed this on mine as I was going to change strings tonight or tomorrow!
Also I was going to put a different bridge on soon regardless.
Anyways stuff happens and I hope customers aren't too put off by this.
I really like my player series, it's a good body and neck.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

I haven't been able to get any information on the bridge at all other than that it's not just a direct drop in replacement from the old Mexican Teles. Fender says those won't fit in. You may want to make sure the one you intend to get will fit.

I am very curious as to what the replacement bridge is made of, both the plate and saddles. One of the reasons the Player Series was an upgrade over the MIM ones, was that the bridge saddles are made of steel, not nickel. Not sure what the bridge plate is made of, though.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I haven't been able to get any information on the bridge at all other than that it's not just a direct drop in replacement from the old Mexican Teles. Fender says those won't fit in. You may want to make sure the one you intend to get will fit.

I am very curious as to what the replacement bridge is made of, both the plate and saddles. One of the reasons the Player Series was an upgrade over the MIM ones, was that the bridge saddles are made of steel, not nickel. Not sure what the bridge plate is made of, though.

I was going to replace whole bridge...put on a pat pending fender bridge plate with 3 steel saddles.
With the old mim, vintage bridges were drop in replacements.
I hope that hasn't changed!!

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[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I was going to replace whole bridge...put on a pat pending fender bridge plate with 3 steel saddles.
With the old mim, vintage bridges were drop in replacements.
I hope that hasn't changed!!

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

I would suggest sending the Fender CS people an e-mail. They are very responsive and can answer your question directly for sure.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I would suggest sending the Fender CS people an e-mail. They are very responsive and can answer your question directly for sure.

I have sent one and am waiting for reply

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[Old Guy]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Another update after dropping off my guitar at the shop.

It turns out that for the first run of the guitars, the bridge was actually drilled out in the wrong place. This means that it's possible that Fender will not be able to retrofit the new bridge saddles on those guitar, and the choice is either to keep the old saddles, or get a completely new guitar from them.

The shop asked me to bring my guitar in to take some measurements and send them to Fender before being able to tell whether they can just replace the saddles or not. If they can't, I will have to decide if I want to just replace the guitar with another one with the bridge in the right position, or keep the one I have and deal with the old saddles, but incorrectly drilled out.

Also, they are not replacing the entire bridge. Just retrofitting the saddles. I should find out for sure by Monday or Tuesday and update this thread when I find out.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I would love to know if my bridge was drilled right! no reply from fender yet so I'm trying them again.
Closest fender authorized dealer is almost two hours away. Sigh

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[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I called fender. Nathan was helpful hopefully I can trust him
He said either he would send me a call tag to ship my guitar to Vegas, the closet service center, he could send a replacement bridge saddles, or I could return to point of purchase. I asked it it's an issue with how the bridge is drilled, if it's drilled differently from mim. He said no there's nothing wrong with bridge placement and the fix the problem is the old mim bridge for now until they design saddles. But to keep it in warranty they really want to have a tech do it. I told him I just want the vintage style 3 saddle bridge and he says it should be fine cuz the old mim bridge is the fix now... So if a=b and b=c then anything that would have dropped in on old mim standard would drop in here.
I declined to send the guitar anywhere and they wouldn't send me a vintage Pat pending bridge for sure. So I asked if he could send me a a trem arm for my strat that never came with one, was about eight months ago I got it without one. and normally they don't go that far past sale date for that stuff, but since I was willing to keep my guitar and fix it myself getting a different bridge and all they'd send me an arm for my strat.
I'm satisfied.

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[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

I guess I'll find out who was right, his tech, or Nathan at fender! I will buy a vintage bridge plate and if it fits it sits.
If it doesn't the guitar is being returned and I will ask for Nathan

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[FuseG4]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

Update
Got four Mexican Standard trem arms instead of classic series 50s part which I thought was 10-32
They actually do fit, stuff on internet says classic series is 10-32 but really are 5mm
This crazy world
I will send back three of them if they tell me to, that's crazy to send 4

 

[ErikH]

Re: Player Series Telecaster Bridge issue

To be fair, warranty work, which this is, has to be done by any authorized tech no matter if the customer knows how to do it themselves or not. So, if the bridge you buy doesn't work, that's no their fault. They have a solution, you actively refused it.