CeeCoz Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 I just bought a brand new Fender Player Plus Telecaster. I took the strings off to remove the lacquer from the frets and discovered an unsightly streak (see photos) on the maple fretboard. When I rub my finger over it it feels smooth and flush with the surrounding fretboard, so I reckon the streak was there before the lacquer was applied. Has anyone else encountered this with a new maple neck Fender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Naturally occurring, sugar sap mark. Maple is prone to this, nothing too worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardMarlowe Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 Yeah, looks just like natural wood figuring to me. Nothing to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 I agree, it's a natural figure in the wood. treat it as a 'signature'; if ever it's stolen, a dated photo of you holding it, proudly showing off this distinguishing feature, will help with its return. Move along now, please, you're blocking the pavement. There's no QC issue here. Move along ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeCoz Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 (edited) Thanks guys. It just never occurred to me that they would use a piece of wood with a marking like that in it. I would have thought that they would want to keep their maple fretboards looking pretty clean and a piece like that would be rejected. Edited December 17, 2023 by CeeCoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted December 17, 2023 Share Posted December 17, 2023 17 minutes ago, CeeCoz said: Thanks guys. It just never occurred to me that they would use a piece of wood with a marking like that in it. I would have thought that they would want to keep their maple fretboards looking pretty clean and a piece like that would be rejected. Not at all; quite the opposite. The Illuminati know that that is where the 'mojo' lies. Marks like that are very sought after, and fetch a high premium. It looks like you've struck really lucky, there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Natural marks like that add character. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 21 hours ago, CeeCoz said: Thanks guys. It just never occurred to me that they would use a piece of wood with a marking like that in it. I would have thought that they would want to keep their maple fretboards looking pretty clean and a piece like that would be rejected. I had an original run, PRS McCarty, with a lovely flame, maple top that had some of those same streaks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...