Unsure whether to keep this guitar or not

[vidi790]

I apologize for the spam, Ill explain where my heads at the moment.

I bought this left handed (no more lefty joke pls!) guitar (Fender AM Pro II) new from an authorized Fender dealer. The Serial Number checks out fine and the dealer is reputatable.

There is a noticable gap, which is pretty obvious. However, things have been pointed out by a few people (not by everyone - there hasnt been a consensus on everything):

- The decal not fitting the headstock
- The neck is not a real Fender
- The neck has been replaced
- Nut hasnt been cut right, the low E is close to the edge and allignment is slightly off
- Looks to be a slight gap on the back

I've also noticed a slight gap on the back and the other side of the neck

I'm back here for a few reasons:

1) Determine that this is not a fake
2) Determine if there is anything else that is question and/or could have structural impacts i.e that are not cosmetic
4) Is the headstock and truss rod hole okay?
5) If it sounds okay - I have a video

I bought this outside the EU so Id have to pay customs and VAT to return. Apart of me wants to return, a part of me is looking for a reason to keep.

I appreciate the comments and the help on this. Post anything you notice on these.

 

[Nick1964]

From my personal experience if it bothers you now it will probably bother you later. I know it would me anyway. I would return and eat the cost to “hopefully” get a better one. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Frodebro]

The gap on the neck pocket isn’t all that unusual, if it were tight you would probably have issues with the paint cracking around the neck pocket with seasonal changes. As for the decal, they use the same one for lefty guitars as they do righties, and the fit seems off because on righty guitars the Fender logo is next to the nut instead of on the opposite end. They have to place it where it fits around the tuning pegs on lefty guitars.

 

[Eagle]

That is 100% original and definitely not fake or swapped neck.
It’s just the kind of problems that are very common in left hand instruments .
The fit and finish on left hand guitars is almost always sub standard.

 

[JasonE]

I agree with Eagle. If the gaps around the neck are too much for you, send it back. Just know that if you get another one it could show up exactly the same way. If the guitar plays and sounds good I would try to get past it and enjoy the guitar. If the gaps are something you focus on every time you pick the guitar up, send it back because that will be how it goes for the foreseeable future. If you buy something else but a different brand because I would expect the next Fender to be the same.

 

[DrewJD82]

Yeah, the logo is like that on other ones as well-

 

[EOengineer]

Jesus I’ve been in this for decades and never noticed how weird the left handed headstocks look with that decal orientation.