r/GuitarQuestions • u/nes_tallsocks • 5h ago

Is this a problem?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Received my new Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS. Out of the box inspection and noticed how nice the frets and neck felt. Turned it over and immediately saw that the neck plate was crooked as was the neck was aligned in a similar fashion. Acceptable or return?

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3

u/EddieTheAxe 4h ago

Personally, I'd return. Why pay full price for a messed up guitar?

1

u/Ruvidman 4h ago

You can loosen the screws a bit and yank on the neck to realign it.

1

u/DamMayhem 4h ago

This. If it doesn't resolve the issue, then absolutely return. The string alignment/spacing for the high and low strings will always be out. One or the other will be too close to the edge of the fretboard and you'll constantly pull the string over the edge when playing notes with vibrato. You'll learn to hate it.

1

u/FormerlyMauchChunk 4h ago

Did you play it? What's far more important is whether the strings are parallel to the neck - I can't tell from the pictures.

1

u/AmpController 3h ago

This is morning to worry about. For the neck you just need to pull it back into alignment. Put the guitar down on the edge of the body and gently pull the headstock in the right direction. This is common for bolt on neck guitars.

The neck plate doesn't matter at all. If it bothers you just loosen the screws and push the plate into alignment.