• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mike Dirnt P - Stronger necks now or still bowing??

K

Kunekune

Guest
May 7, 2012
42
0
#1
Hi people. I'm dead keen on buying one of these but I'm really concerned about all the neck issues I've read about, eg: bowing, flimsy, weak neck due to bad truss and/or soft wood (no, not THAT kind of soft wood, hehe!!)

I'm really keen to hear from anyone who has bought one of these in the last couple of years (most of the flimsy neck issues seem to be from 3 or 4 years ago??) I'm wondering if Fender have "sorted" the neck issues, so to speak.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the standard version - MIM, NOT the Squire version.
 
#2
Hi man,
I gotta tell ya: I bought mine a two years ago (Vintage White)
and everything was okay, I just resold it for a Geddy Lee Jazz (which in turn got "sacrificed" on the "altar" of my second Yam
Attitude limited II)

Anyway (letting GAS alone) a very good bass for the price and
brilliant enough (swamp ash body) to even get some serious slap n'pop out of it!

Anyway (again) I detuned it full step down with d'Addario XL 40-95 having no problem with the neck at all. If only... right, maybe just some screw fixing here and there, but really nothing more than that

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#3
Kunekune said:
Hi people. I'm dead keen on buying one of these but I'm really concerned about all the neck issues I've read about, eg: bowing, flimsy, weak neck due to bad truss and/or soft wood (no, not THAT kind of soft wood, hehe!!)

I'm really keen to hear from anyone who has bought one of these in the last couple of years (most of the flimsy neck issues seem to be from 3 or 4 years ago??) I'm wondering if Fender have "sorted" the neck issues, so to speak.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the standard version - MIM, NOT the Squire version.
Click to expand...

Don't believe everything you read.
Sometimes inexperienced people will blame construction because they do not know any better.
There can always be a bad neck from time to time, wood varies and sometimes qc does not identify it. But Fender's construction methods are not exactly experimental. They do know how to build necks. You will be ok.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Garret Graves
#5
mcnach said:
Don't believe everything you read.
Sometimes inexperienced people will blame construction because they do not know any better.
There can always be a bad neck from time to time, wood varies and sometimes qc does not identify it. But Fender's construction methods are not exactly experimental. They do know how to build necks. You will be ok.
Click to expand...

This x100.

I'n gonna go as far to say tha kids with little to no experience buy these basses and have no idea how to set them up properly. I agree fender has been making basses for a long time and for one model to be cosistently messed sounds bazaar.

I am gonna say you will be safe buying this bass.
 
#6
The truth is hard to find on the Internet. It lives in the corners, hiding from those who would squash it with rumor, urban legend, and pure falsehood. Here, we are in such a corner, and those who know can whisper to you that the Mike Dirnt P-Bass has no more neck problems than any other production Fender bass. Take this knowledge, and keep watch for the Internet trolls who seek to stomp you with their big, hairy feet.
 
#7
While I doubt any one model of Fender P-bass would have significantly greater neck problems than any other, I gotta ask: If you perceive there to be a running problem in a particular item, why would you be so keen on purchasing one?

It's kinda like "Yeah I know the Pinto's handling sucks and it blows up if rear-ended in a collision, but I gotta have one anyway" :lol:
 
#8
Thanks heaps to all for the replies!! I agree wholly or partly with all. Keep it coming!!

Anyone else bought one new in the last couple of years and had or NOT had issues with the neck "giving/bowing" a little/lot??

Basically, the thing that made me nervous was that a lot of the folks having the "real OR imaginary neck issue" with the MD-P seem to claim a lot of experience with fender p's and are at odds.

I figure I'll get one new so I've at least got the warranty if it becomes one of Robin Hoods favourite weapons. ONE THAT CAN SHOOT 4 ARROWS AT ONCE, HA!! (impossible but funny)

I agree, it seems odd to think that just the MD-P would have a higher likelihood of bowing... but the reviews are many (mainly from 3 or 4 years ago.. strange??)
 
#10
@ bongolation
Yeah different but good

@ coyote1
The proverbial Ford Pinto trial? Man: are you a counsellor or what?
Great man, good... It's a World famous case study. All over here as well.

@ kunekune
Go for it man, and go for it 3TS (so it's off the nu series)... I got a 2006 model, I think, and still ok, but it could possibly be just mine to be alright. Who knows? If you can be confident with a new one by it in that finishing.

But buy it anyway (I must love this word after all) it's a very thunderous bass... Even if I'll put a Fender WideRange on in neck position... But again: it's just me

Go for it and enjoy!

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#13
coyote1 said:
While I doubt any one model of Fender P-bass would have significantly greater neck problems than any other, I gotta ask: If you perceive there to be a running problem in a particular item, why would you be so keen on purchasing one?

It's kinda like "Yeah I know the Pinto's handling sucks and it blows up if rear-ended in a collision, but I gotta have one anyway" :lol:
Click to expand...

I loved my Pinto.


:hiding:
 
#16
Bongolation said:
I don't believe there's been another Fender Precision in the recent catalogue with a rosewood fingerboard and the original headstock, for starts.

Pretty glaringly unique.
Click to expand...

And whathas theheadstoc got to with bowing necks?

Or indeed a Rosewood board plenty of basses inc fenders have rose wood boards. sowhat makesit different thats going to cause it to bow?
 
#17
Could it be possible that Fender DID indeed use a "softer" batch of maple on these MD-P necks in the beginning, with the idea that the chunky necks on these would be ok with the softer wood selections? (I have no knowledge on how wood selection works btw)

Please, don't scald me as if I'm "stating" that this IS the case. Merely speculation!!

Also, I've read in a few reviews that the fret grooves were cut WAY too deep on some of the early MD-Ps, leaving too much empty space under the frets after they had been set in the board. Could that make the neck "give" a bit more than it should, with the too-deep grooves sandwiching-in as the neck "sets"??

Anyway, based on the amount of reviews I've read on these MD-Ps, I'm sure there were more than a few dodgy ones around in the first 5 or so years of production. Too many of the same problems for it to be put down to kids with no idea about bass care.

The neck and fret issues don't seem to come up as-of-late!?
 
#18
mcnach said:
There can always be a bad neck from time to time, wood varies and sometimes qc does not identify it. But Fender's construction methods are not exactly experimental. They do know how to build necks. You will be ok.
Click to expand...

thousands of fender owners who have gotten the signature ski jump after the 12th fret would disagree. I like fenders and own several, but their necks aren't exactly top notch in their builds.
 
#20
Kunekune said:
Hi people. I'm dead keen on buying one of these but I'm really concerned about all the neck issues I've read about, eg: bowing, flimsy, weak neck due to bad truss and/or soft wood (no, not THAT kind of soft wood, hehe!!)

I'm really keen to hear from anyone who has bought one of these in the last couple of years (most of the flimsy neck issues seem to be from 3 or 4 years ago??) I'm wondering if Fender have "sorted" the neck issues, so to speak.

Just to clarify, I'm talking about the standard version - MIM, NOT the Squire version.
Click to expand...

in 25 years of playing i've never seen a warped neck (brand new instrument) in a store or had a neck warp on me ...

I did buy one squire 2nd hand to hot rod and when i got it home i realized it was warped in the bow n arrow fashion ....that's my only experience with one!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back