Squires and neck warping

[M.R. Ogle]

I've had a small guitar repair business for a few years, and I've seen all kinds of guitars and basses with repairable or minor neck issues, and a very few with un-workable neck problems. From my experience, I'd say Squiers don't have neck problems any more frequently than any other brand instruments.

In fact, if you consider the sheer numbers of Squiers out there, I'd certainly expect to see MORE of them.

(FYI: The three singularly WORST neck twists, warps and ski-jumps I've encountered were actually all Peaveys.)

 

[Malak the Mad]

I recently bought a Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass (VERY similar to the VM Jazz), and have no qualms about whether or not the neck will last, I was stunned at just how well it's built. Stay on top of your maintenance (in most cases, all new basses will require some tweaking from time to time to stay exactly in spec, it just takes a while for the wood and finish and glue to mature), and as far as I'm concerned, I'd be very surprised if mine ever turned into a problem child.

From my personal experience, you're in luck. The Johnston-sig is actually a Classic Vibe Jazz with a fancier paint job.

The three singularly WORST neck twists, warps and ski-jumps I've encountered were actually all Peaveys.

Is it possible it could have more to do with where they source their wood rather than methods of construction?

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Certainly could be the wood source.

 

[jd56hawk]

Hello everyone!

I've been a guitarist for about 20 years, but recently decided to pick up bass in order to pick up some additional gigs as a fil-in musician. So I'm searching for my first bass. I've been lurking here for a while, and was fairly convinced I should get myself a Squire Vintage Modern Jazz; my thought being its a perfectly serviceable bass for a couple years, and then if the gigs continue then it might be worth buying second, better bass and keeping the squire as my back-up.

During my research I stumbled across this [admittedly older] video from Anderton's;



At roughly the 13:12 mark, They mention that the neck of the owner's classic vibe strat has "odd humps in the fretboard" - which to me would suggest warping. I have yet to hear of this anywhere else, in either the guitars or bass. Either the neck was warped or not true at purchase and discovered within a couple weeks, or its never discovered. I realize they may some interest in trying to convince you to buy a higher price tag instrument, and that being an older video perhaps the newer squires may be better built.

I'm curious if;
-is this a real issue? Are people finding their necks are twisting, warping, or developing "odd humps in the fretboard" after a couple years of use?
-Am I on the right or wrong track wanting to start there with the Squire Vintage Modified Jazz, and if I stick with it upgrade later? should I be thinking about/looking elsewhere? I do like the feel and sound of the Jazz Bass, but perhaps I'm missing something obvious?

Thanks all for your time and consideration!

Get yourself one of these before Fender stops making them. They already stopped production of the Squier James Johnston Jazz...the Lake Placid Blue version of the Classic Vibe, and I think it's the end of the line for this one. After all, it's a $375 bass that's as good as the $600 MIM Fender Jazz basses and good deals just don't last forever.
When it comes to Squier the Affinity basses are the bottom tier and the Vintage Modified basses are number two. The CVs are top of the line.
Hey this guy plays one!

 

[hrodbert696]

This is all anecdotal evidence, but I'll mention that I have a Frankenbass where I put together my own "Duck Dunn" with a P body and J neck. Originally both were MIM Fender. The neck started warping on me. The replacement I got for it was a Squier James Johnston neck. So far that has held true with no problems - it's been maybe a year or a bit more since I put it on.

 

[wisconsindead]

My only experience with Squier basses have been Affinity P Basses (2 different basses) which have have both had really bad neck bow problems.

 

[Rikster]

Hello everyone
new to the site does anyone know what neck will fit a squier MB-4 the skull model it has 22 frets and 17" to 12 fret it is 24 3/4" from nut to end of fretboard which is a slight overhang from heel. I picked it up without a neck. Thanks

 

[Malak the Mad]

Hello everyone
new to the site does anyone know what neck will fit a squier MB-4 the skull model it has 22 frets and 17" to 12 fret it is 24 3/4" from nut to end of fretboard which is a slight overhang from heel. I picked it up without a neck. Thanks

I can't say what neck would be a perfect, drop-in replacement, but if you get something other than another MB-4 neck, you will likely have to move the bridge as well. Otherwise, you will have problems getting proper intonation.