My new Affinity Strat has cracks on the wood beneath the bridge

[2k5Bullet]

First of all, why are you showing a link to Epiphone's warranty info?
Secondly, Fender US will not be responsible for any warranty issues he has, the Fender distributor in his country will be, because he's in Iran, not in the US!

Because a 6 month old guitar that has cracks & wood splitting is not normal, it's a warranty issue beyond anything that is a returnable guitar. So many consumers, regardless of where they are simply don't read the paperwork that comes with their guitars. There's a reason they put that in the box, have webpages to register products. Epiphone Talk is a sister site, maybe there are consumers that are interested in the warranty aspect of a new guitar & that matters. End of the day, OP needs Fender to make the call on a warranty since the music store thought the guitar was fine. Whether it's Fender USA or Fender Iran, being steered in the right direction is what needs to happen for a warranty repair.

 

[Wound_Up]

Listen to Surf, the bridge is lifting because there isn’t enough spring tension to counteract the strings.

If you have 10s or larger strings, run 9s, they require less tension.

I hate to have to say this, but, a newbie pulling on a trem arm is a problem waiting to happen.

The damage is most likely self inflicted.

Deck and or block that trem and that will be a great guitar to learn on.

A newbie pulling on a trem arm is a problem waiting to happen? Nonsense.

History proves that. Look at the millions of new Strat players since 1954 that haven't broken their trem or body by using it while they were new players.

That's a bunch of nonsense. It had nothing to do with him being new. You can almost guarantee it would've happened no matter who bought that guitar, unless it was bought by someone that blocks the trem and never uses it

 

[surf green]

I don't really use the bar in my playing style, like i said, even tho it was "working" i may have used it for a total of 15 times maybe, in 6 months.
So if I find a piece of wood and put it there, i won't be needing repairs?
What about things like Break Angle of the strings and some other things that people say "can only be right if the 2point trem system is floating and not blocked"

In answer to your questions I'll revert back to the Strat that I blocked. It's not the best example because it's not a 2 point, and it's a modded project, but the principal is the same.
In the pic you can see that the trem/saddles break angle is slightly elevated. This is accomplished by adding springs and adjusting the tension of the spring claw. It can also be done with a wood block
but adjustments are easier with springs. Once you get your 2 point set where you want it, you should be all set. Basically a balancing act. You got this, welcome aboard.

 

[BlueSquirrel]

I don't think I can return it but I'm going to ask (when posts were lifting out i took it there and they said "just push it back in, it's not a problem")
I found a local luthier who could make a body from Alder and paint it to whatever color I want, I've seen their work and it looks promising, but if they can fix it with epoxy, or cut out the wood completely and glue in new wood, that'd be cheaper I think,

Good idea! It is crazy that it has happened on an only-six-month-old guitar! It makes one wonder about Squier's quality.

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Slacker G]

I hate to have to say this, but, a newbie pulling on a trem arm is a problem waiting to happen.

I know several professional musicians that this has happened to, including myself, and I am definitely not a "newbie" so I wouldn't blame him. The problem is guitar companies using two hole vibratos in wood that is too soft.

 

[menac1ty]

Thank you to everyone who helped! I'll start by blocking the trem and then maybe i nthe future, I'll get a new body, I'll pay a visit to Fender and if they refused to do it, I'll see what the luthier can do.
Thank you agian for your time!

 

[BlueSquirrel]

Keep us posted!

 

[menac1ty]

Keep us posted!

As I said, the guitar is completely playable, stays in tune, intonates perfectly and overall, if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know there's something wrong with it; except for the trem system of course.
In a few days, it will be the Persian New Year, and so everyone will be on vacation. And so I'm going to keep playing it and hope for the best.
After the holidays, I'm going to see waht I can do and update you all.

 

[Powerstroke]

The body I bought from GuitarFetish also broke lose, but the whole center section broke away. I turned it into a bullet strat.


View attachment 256302 m

A real bullet strat. Very rare

 

[Davis Sharp]

Welcome to Squier-Talk and sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope it works out.

Happy New Year.

 

[aoresteen]

I have had that happen to two guitars: a 1996ish Epiphone Custom S310 Strat and a 1986 Squier Bullet 1 MIJ. Both I fixed by saturating the cracks with epoxy AND turning them into hard tails. I also put a 6mm cap screw in the trem arm hole so that no one would try to put a trem arm in it. No need for 5 springs. Just put 3 springs in and block the trem with a block of wood, Tighen the spring engough that the wood block doesn't fall out when the guitar is tuned to pitch. Both guitars have 0.010s on them tuned to standard pitch.



Yes, that is a Telecaster pickup in the bridge.

 

[Chainsawcharlie]

Within 10 minutes of unpacking my Classic Vibe 50' Strat I had blocked the trem.

 

[Chainsawcharlie]

I have had that happen to two guitars: a 1996ish Epiphone Custom S310 Strat and a 1986 Squier Bullet 1 MIJ. Both I fixed by saturating the cracks with epoxy AND turning them into hard tails. I also put a 6mm cap screw in the trem arm hole so that no one would try to put a trem arm in it. No need for 5 springs. Just put 3 springs in and block the trem with a block of wood, Tighen the spring engough that the wood block doesn't fall out when the guitar is tuned to pitch. Both guitars have 0.010s on them tuned to standard pitch.

View attachment 256494

Yes, that is a Telecaster pickup in the bridge.

Haha, I cant just see someone using an Allen wrench there as a whammy bar

 

[Archtops]

I did take it to them when i noticed the posts lifting up and the misaligned bridge
they said it's okay

I would hold the store responsible. If they replace the guitar then purchase a new body from a reputable source. Best of luck!

 

[Doc538]

Easy fix, block the trem. I 've seen them blocked with 9 volt batteries but I prefer a nice piece of wood, I'll use 2 pieces and remove the springs, that way it acts like a hardtail but can be easily restored if you were going to sell it. Welcome Aboard