Fender MIA Neck question

[hdracer]

I have been wanting a MIA Fender P bass for a long time. I don't want (can't afford) a new one and have been looking for a nice used one. Can someone tell me when Fender started using the graphite reinforced neck? I have been searching around and I can not find a answer to this. I am sure someone here knows. Thanks

 

[wizay]

2007 i think (?) Remeber i saw it in the fender frontline magazine, and i thiiink that was from 07.

 

[sleepytime]

I believe they started graphite reinforcement with the American Series. '99? 2000? Not completely sure.

 

[ljazz]

Sometime in late '94 / early '95 I believe. It was the same time they went to the string thru bodies on the American Standards.

 

[J. Crawford]

Wow, 3 totally different answers.

 

[hdracer]

Is there some kind of markings or a easy way to tell? The only marking I have ever seen is a sticker on the pick guard or a tag on new ones

 

[Turock]

I gotta go with sleepytime.
IIRC, it was around 2000, when they went to "American Series".

 

[Indiana Mike]

I'm going to email Fender and hopefully not wait 6 years for an answer

 

[Jeff K]

It was with the '95's, in conjunction with their "Daddy's Home" advertising theme for that year.

Edit: This info is taken from "The Fender Bass - An Illustrated History" book copyrighted in 2001.

 

[Osprey]

I have a '99 MIA P with the graphite rods

 

[hdracer]

It was with the '95's, in conjunction with their "Daddy's Home" advertising theme for that year.

Edit: This info is taken from "The Fender Bass - An Illustrated History" book copyrighted in 2001.

WOW! Thanks. I did not know it went that far back. I am looking at two used basses and the price is about the same but they are a few years apart in age. One is a 2001 and the other is a 2006. I like the 01 better (blonde 50th) but I wasn't sure about the neck. I wanted to use that as a bargaining tool to try and get the price down.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Yeah the reason why some people are remembering 2000 is because in 2000 they changed the way it was inserted or something but the graphite was there from 95 and on.

 

[RickenBoogie]

My '02 has the graphite rod, and it really does a great job keeping my neck straight. Solid as my Rics, which are the best necks ever, I think, so that's says alot about the Fender. The 50th anneversary model might hold its value better, too.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

That was a good question. So were the older necks(pre-graphite)like the MIM necks of today? Just wondering.

 

[Marton]

^I never played one, but I don't think that no graphite make them lesser quality. Pre CBS Fenders don't have graphite in their neck !

 

[king_biscuit]

It was 1995.

 

[jellymax]

yes, mid 90's mia models.

 

[ljazz]

I just spoke with an old student of mine, who picked up a MIA jazz bass right about when they stopped making the longhorn jazz...... Graphite rods, string through body. Beautiful bass as I recall, and he still has it.

 

[kevcooke]

I don't know when they introduced it but what I would say is that my American Vintage '62 reissue doesn't have the support rods and is sturdy as anything!

 

[Indiana Mike]

I'm going to email Fender and hopefully not wait 6 years for an answer

Mike it was the early 2000 that we started using the graphite rods.
*
*
Take care,
*
Ed Treat
Consumer Relations
Fender Musical Instruments
8860 E Chaparral Rd # 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
480-596
From: Mike [mailto:mike
Posted At: Thursday, December 24, 2009 10:56 AM
Posted To: Consumer Relations
Conversation: Fender bass question
Subject: Fender bass question
*
Hello , I was wondering when Fender started using graphite rod reinforced neck on the American made bass guitars .
*
Thank you,
*
Mike
*