Fretboard Problems Ranger Custom

[Bill Bays]

I loved the guitars looks, feel and sound, so I bought it. 1998 Ranger Custom. I was crazy about right off. After playing it for a few months I wasn't quite as happy with it for two reasons: 1> it wouldn't play in tune and 2> the notes played on the higher frets would bottom out during string bends. I took it to the local guitar store and they claimed to have set up the action and intonation. The problem continued. I was faced with three options: keep the guitar and not play it, sell it and cut my losses or spend some money and have it fixed. I have heard from another Ranger player (can't remember if it was here or on another group) that this same problem had been fixed by having the fretboard radius re-carved and new frets installed. I checked this out with a reputable repair tech (Mass Street Music, Lawrence, KS) and had it done. He changed the radius to 10" from the 7 3/4" stock and refretted the guitar with taller, wider frets. I had him match the specs from my 89 Am Std Strat, which is (was) the best player of my collection. The results are exceptional! He opened up the grooves on the nut a bit, and reset the intonation so it plays in tune and stays in tune. The best part is that now I can bend anywhere on the fingerboard and retain my tone all the way up. My Ranger is now my main player, although I still use Strats for some numbers.

[Douglas Henninger]

Hi Bill...
I have had 3 Rangers (2 of them Customs and an original before there even WAS a Custom!) as well as a Medley limited edition. All of them are flawlessly built and played well. But I took all of them to a competent certified guitar tech or luthier for a checkup/setup. You can do most of the basic stuff yourself (Dan Erlewine's setup book for electrics is really excellent), but there are things a pro can spot that you will never figure out. Nut related buzzes and overly snug slots are common problems and easily fixed (and cheap!). My point is this: Robin does not turn out any substandard guitars. If you have intonation problems, buzzing, etc., the problem lies in the setup, not in the guitar itself. I have learned from one of the best (T. Rodriguez who builds the special Strat on Lindy Fralin's website) that most problems with a high quality guitar are adjustment related. I hope this helps others to recognize that professional setup is a pretty good investment and serves as a model to work from for your OTHER Robins when you get them (which you will!). Best Regards, DH

[Bill Bays]

I would not say my Ranger Custom was "substandard" by any means. It apparently was just not of the ideal fretboard radius and fretwire size for my type of playing. Everything else about the guitar was just about perfect, in fact better in quality than anything I had played from Fender and equal or better to their custom shop guitars. Since the refret, I can say I truly have a "custom-made" guitar, since it does everything I could expect one guitar to do.

[Douglas Henninger]

A close read of my post shows: 'My point is this: Robin does not turn out any substandard guitars. If you have intonation problems, buzzing, etc., the problem lies in the setup, not in the guitar itself."
Robins are top notch, every guitar, every time!
I want to make clear that point! I have never read a review or message of any sort, anywhere, that indicates otherwise. I have seen and handled the actual custom Strat shown on the Fralin website and can tell you that even guitars built by a skillful luthier are not 'better' than Robins, just outfitted differently. Robin is turning out great stuff (which is why they are the ultimate used guitar deal!).