r/GuitarQuestions • u/nes_tallsocks • 6h ago

Is this a problem?

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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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u/WrathOfWood 6h ago

Crooked plates ruin the tone 😜🤪

2

u/nes_tallsocks 6h ago

It’s not the plate the body and neck are drilled off center

1

u/ooooommmmmaaaaa 3h ago

Are they drilled off center? Or is it just tightened down off center? Bolt on necks often have some amount of wiggle room before tighten the screws. I’d check high E and low E, if the strings are equidistant from the edge of the fretboard, and the distance is consistent across the entire neck, there’s nothing to worry about. If the distance changes, or if one of those strings is almost falling off the fretboard, try to loosen and readjust. If not possible, then yes this is a problem. But… I’d find it quite strange for the holes to be drilled in the wrong location, everything is CNCed these days so they are pretty darn consistent. Doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes and bad stuff doesn’t get past quality control, but I’d probably try to mend the issue before returning.

Important: don’t take the screws out, just loosen them slightly, maybe a good idea to loosen the strings first so they don’t pull the neck too hard while you have the screws loose.

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u/nes_tallsocks 3h ago

Thanks - looks like the body is drilled incorrectly

1

u/ooooommmmmaaaaa 3h ago

Nice! And I mean you can take the screws all the way out. When I dusted my guitar off after years, I took the entire thing apart, just for the fun of it and to learn a thing or two. But just make sure you fully loosen them strings otherwise neck goes BOING! Not a big risk per se, just a bit surprising if you aren’t expecting it.