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Mexican P-bass with 21 frets???

scrodzilla

scrodzilla

Aug 7, 2008
176
8
South of Heaven
#1
I've had my trusty MIM P-bass for a long time and have always wondered...why the hell does it have 21 frets? :confused:
P1010738.gif

As far as I can tell, the neck is original. Every other P-bass I've owned (including Squiers) have had 20. It's never bugged me enough to ever ask anyone and it's not really bugging me now, but if anyone wishes to shed some light on this mystery, feel free!
 
#10
Okay, okay...I suppose I should've expected a bunch of jokesters here. :D

I've never oiled a fretboard in my life and couldn't care less about what it looks like. In fact, I like to leave the road grime on my basses. My intonation is just fine. If the extra fret is a result of the dirt's escape attempt, my neck would most likely have 87 frets.

I was just curious to find out if anyone else out there has (or has seen) a Fender neck with 21 frets. I guess no one knows.
 
#12
EagleMoon said:
The Fender Zones and Precision Lytes had an extra fret or two.

I was just thinking that extra fret would make the neck a little longer, which would throw off the intonation.
Click to expand...

Agreed. However, I have Badass IIs on this bass and my MIA P-bass, and the bridge (using the holes from the original bridge) is seated closer to the pickup on my MIM, obviously to make up for the longer neck. The back of the bridge on my MIA (with 20 frets) is right on the edge of the body. I don't know, man...it's weird. I can't find any info on there ever being a Mexican P-bass with 21 frets!
 
#16
Just a guess, but the neck is probably not original.

The bass saddles look to be in near the same place in relation to the bridge screws as they would be on a regular fender bridge, so

Take off the bridge and see if there's a second set of screw holes slightly further from the neck than the ones the BAII is screwed into. If there is, it's definately an aftermarket neck switch. If not, it might still be an aftermarket neck but it's worth a try anyway.
 
#18
Here's another pic. Another funny angle, but another pic nonetheless.
P1010741.gif

It's a legit Fender. I bought it brand new several years ago from a trusted local music store and it came with all the warranty documentation, etc. I no longer have said paperwork, but it did come with it. As dumb as it may seem, I didn't even notice that it had an extra fret in the store or for a few months after buying it, for that matter (who plays up that high on a P-bass? HA)! The strangest part is that this bass isn't any longer than my American P-bass with 20 frets...the neck pocket itself is actually longer to compensate for the extra fret, leaving the overall scale length as it should be.
The headstock decal has been replaced because a few years ago, I (foolishly) decided it would be a good idea to paint the headstock black. I instantly hated it, sanded it clean, applied a good repro decal and lacquered it (I didn't and don't care about it looking "original"). I replaced the bridge myself and screwed it right into the existing holes. Intonation has never been a problem. I know a lot of aftermarket P-bass necks have 21 frets, but why would my original (and brand new at the time) Fender come with an aftermarket neck? It's an awesome bass and continues to serve me well, but I've always been a little baffled about this pesky extra fret!
 
#20
Might want to check your "trusted" dealer. There is no way that headstock is legit fender. For starters, the hole for the truss rod isn't even close. On a Fender MiM with a rosewood fretboard, the hole for the truss rod actually extends up into the rosewood.

example:
bass_headstock.jpg
 

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