I have a 97 P and the neck is as good as a US made or anywhere else.
I also have a Mike Dirnt Squier Precision, the neck is very simular to my 97 P. I can play each well, the 97 P a little better.
The MD Squier weighs 8lbs and the 97 P is 9lbs.
A Mike Dirnt Squier has more mass than a P bass...