Does Anybody Here Know Someone At Fender...

SIx String Chef

SIx String Chef

Ambassador of Taste
Country flag
...That can help me understand WTF happened to this pickup's wires??

Fender Tex-Mex Odd WIres.jpg

Here's a little background:

I stopped everything to put together last-minute a guitar, as a belated Xmas / B-Day present for my son before he leaves to go back to university in a couple of weeks.

I'm basically trying to "morph" a MIC Tele into something quite a bit more decent. And, among many other things, I am upgrading the crappy stock pups with a brand spanking new set of Fender Tex-Mex pups. Fresh out of the acrylic case... But oh, surprise!!!

The black wire on the bridge pup is AT MOST 3" long, while the white is AT LEAST three or four times longer than that. I may probably be wrong but that just does not register with what I know should be the length of wires you get from a new set... Again: WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K??? Haven't even measured it, but I really don't think it will comfortably get from the bridge to the control cavity, let alone the potentiometer. (EDIT: I have actually tried it and the wire isn't long enough to even make it out of the tunnel between the pup and control cavities).

And I know, it would be an easy fix to just add an extra length of wire, solder it, shrink tube the joint and Bob's yer uncle... But that's not what I bought a new set of brand name pups for. And certainly that's not what I would expect from Fender... Or should it be? What I do know, is that I'm not doing another 90-minute commute to the far north end of the city to return these and get a new set.

Any suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated... as well as any names at Fender that would care enough to tell them about this. Really.
 
Last edited:
Yup, ‘Tis a dilemma — splice it to get the guitar up and running, or send it back to Fender to rattle their cage, a bit?

I’m usually a “Let’s just get the job done,” kind of guy, so normally I’d probably just opt for splicing. But, man, that would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad!

In this case, if time wasn’t an issue, it would probably be a good idea to send it back just to make the point that somebody was not paying attention!
 
QC dropped the ball on that one…. Or it was a return for credit and previous customer cut the lead, then returned it. Never checked by a Fender.

I’m like Smitty. I’d probably just splice and use it…. As long as you think the pup itself is a good pup. Then I’d email the photo to Fender customer service with a “what the crap” question.
 
iblive said:
QC dropped the ball on that one…. Or it was a return for credit and previous customer cut the lead, then returned it. Never checked by a Fender.

I’m like Smitty. I’d probably just splice and use it…. As long as you think the pup itself is a good pup. Then I’d email the photo to Fender customer service with a “what the crap” question.
Click to expand...

My initial thought was the alteration by a customer, then returned scenario.
 
Quick update: I spoke to the rep at the store where I bought them (Solo Music Gear) to see about a return or exchange and his reply, after checking another set and confirming with one of his techs, is that "it's by Fender's design". That's right: ALL Tex-Mex Tele Bridge Pickups now come standard with a very short (about 2") black wire lead.

Apparently, someone in Fender decided in their "infinite wisdom" that everybody should have just enough black lead to be able to either just get it under the bridge plate or, connect it to the pup cavity shield and then with another wire to the back of the volume pot. Or if the user is feeling adventurous enough, put their mind to work and splice some extra wire to reach the pot itself.

(sarcasm alert) Well, aren't we blessed that the bright executive minds at Fender were kind enough to keep our "widdle bwains" busy pondering all the possibilities that such a creative challenge presented??? Meh, too much credit given to them... Truth is, shorter wire lengths make for smaller costs. WIth the added bonus (for fender, of course) that if something happens to the pickup later in life, having spliced extra wire will void the warranty so you're SOL. And THAT is the Bottomline!!

Disclaimer: the preceding rant(s) have been mostly fuelled by a sewage backup caused by a blocked drain pipe and a stuck section of a plumber's drain snake trying to unclog it, all compounded by the city of Toronto's assessment that "the problem is in your segment of the drain, so it is your responsibility to fix (and pay for) it. Nyah, nyah". The rest of my motivation is just because I'm training for my curmudgeon years ahead...

So, anyway... I went ahead and spliced, soldered and shrink-tubed the heck out of the Fender travesti wire and turned into something useful.

Aaaaand... I'm spent!!. Pictures coming soon. ;)
 
Not that in the general scheme of life does it matter…. My aftermarket pup set for my Strat had full length wires. Makes one wonder what Fender plans on doing with the 2 cents they save on each pup.
 
SIx String Chef said:
Quick update: I spoke to the rep at the store where I bought them (Solo Music Gear) to see about a return or exchange and his reply, after checking another set and confirming with one of his techs, is that "it's by Fender's design". That's right: ALL Tex-Mex Tele Bridge Pickups now come standard with a very short (about 2") black wire lead.

Apparently, someone in Fender decided in their "infinite wisdom" that everybody should have just enough black lead to be able to either just get it under the bridge plate or, connect it to the pup cavity shield and then with another wire to the back of the volume pot. Or if the user is feeling adventurous enough, put their mind to work and splice some extra wire to reach the pot itself.

(sarcasm alert) Well, aren't we blessed that the bright executive minds at Fender were kind enough to keep our "widdle bwains" busy pondering all the possibilities that such a creative challenge presented??? Meh, too much credit given to them... Truth is, shorter wire lengths make for smaller costs. WIth the added bonus (for fender, of course) that if something happens to the pickup later in life, having spliced extra wire will void the warranty so you're SOL. And THAT is the Bottomline!!

Disclaimer: the preceding rant(s) have been mostly fuelled by a sewage backup caused by a blocked drain pipe and a stuck section of a plumber's drain snake trying to unclog it, all compounded by the city of Toronto's assessment that "the problem is in your segment of the drain, so it is your responsibility to fix (and pay for) it. Nyah, nyah". The rest of my motivation is just because I'm training for my curmudgeon years ahead...

So, anyway... I went ahead and spliced, soldered and shrink-tubed the heck out of the Fender travesti wire and turned into something useful.

Aaaaand... I'm spent!!. Pictures coming soon. ;)
Click to expand...
That suck, but that is the best rant I have seen in a while. It rare to see an informative yet entertaining rant.

Fender should be ashamed, then again if they know this is going on and wont correct it, then they wouldnt feel ashamed at all anyway.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
That suck, but that is the best rant I have seen in a while. It rare to see an informative yet entertaining rant.

Fender should be ashamed, then again if they know this is going on and wont correct it, then they wouldnt feel ashamed at all anyway.
Click to expand...
Thank you kindly good sir... I aim to please! I'm here all week, try the veal and don't forget to tip your server! :LOL: :cheers2:
 
SIx String Chef said:
...That can help me understand WTF happened to this pickup's wires??

View attachment 78366

Here's a little background:

I stopped everything to put together last-minute a guitar, as a belated Xmas / B-Day present for my son before he leaves to go back to university in a couple of weeks.

I'm basically trying to "morph" a MIC Tele into something quite a bit more decent. And, among many other things, I am upgrading the crappy stock pups with a brand spanking new set of Fender Tex-Mex pups. Fresh out of the acrylic case... But oh, surprise!!!

The black wire on the bridge pup is AT MOST 3" long, while the white is AT LEAST three or four times longer than that. I may probably be wrong but that just does not register with what I know should be the length of wires you get from a new set... Again: WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K??? Haven't even measured it, but I really don't think it will comfortably get from the bridge to the control cavity, let alone the potentiometer. (EDIT: I have actually tried it and the wire isn't long enough to even make it out of the tunnel between the pup and control cavities).

And I know, it would be an easy fix to just add an extra length of wire, solder it, shrink tube the joint and Bob's yer uncle... But that's not what I bought a new set of brand name pups for. And certainly that's not what I would expect from Fender... Or should it be? What I do know, is that I'm not doing another 90-minute commute to the far north end of the city to return these and get a new set.

Any suggestions are more than welcome and appreciated... as well as any names at Fender that would care enough to tell them about this. Really.
Click to expand...
In this design the black wire is short.
The black wire solders to the ground / shielding inside the guitar, which is near the PU.
The white wire reaches to the PU selector switch.
And so, there is nothing wrong.

If you want to extend the black wire, or shield the black / white PU wires that's OK too.
 
I understand what AMPMAD is saying here, and am a bit clueless on TX MX pups. Is this a specific use, Neck pup only and did you buy a 3 pup set where there is a Mid and Bridge specific pup as well and what is status of those wires? Full Length?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top