Fender Am Special vs Hwy One

Down_Low · #1 05-05-2011, 08:56 PM

Hi guys,

I realise that the Am Special is fairly new and there may not be a lot of opinions yet, but I'll try anyway. The Am Special is more expensive than the Highway One, but I'm struggling to see why? The Hwy1 has a better bridge, different paint, but otherwise they look the same. Is one better than the other? Are there any differences I missed?

Down_Low · #2 05-06-2011, 03:23 AM

Nothing? Maybe I should've titled it "Which American Fender
for metal/punk/disco?"

spaz21387 · #3 05-06-2011, 03:43 AM

the highway 1 is pretty much a mexican made fender only assembled in the us with a better finish.

itsnottruerufus · #4 05-06-2011, 08:55 AM

The Highway ones have a thin nitro finish, and a badass bridge, like you said.
But, like Spaz said, they are essentially Mexican fenders with a greasebucket tone circuit.
The American Specials have different pups, a different (and in my opinion, MUCH nicer neck) and the poly finish.

mpdd · #5 05-06-2011, 09:23 AM

remember everybody was super excited about the highway ones when they were new, so try them both and you decide, i personally love my highway one, because i needed a really stable bass that i could play hard that would cut through and was easy to play

THand · #6 05-06-2011, 09:29 AM

The newer Highway One's are MIA, not MIM.

They also have a graphite reinforced neck and do not have the CNC route under the pickguard.

They have the Badass bridge and a nitro finish and the greasebucket tone circut, as already mentioned.

itsnottruerufus · #7 05-06-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

The newer Highway One's are MIA, not MIM.

They also have a graphite reinforced neck and do not have the CNC route under the pickguard.

They have the Badass bridge and a nitro finish and the greasebucket tone circut, as already mentioned.

American Specials have Greasebuckets too...
And I meant more they were essentially MIM basses that were just assembled in America, not actually MIM, as I believe the necks and pups are the same, etc.

hdracer · #8 05-06-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnottruerufus

American Specials have Greasebuckets too...
And I meant more they were essentially MIM basses that were just assembled in America, not actually MIM, as I believe the necks and pups are the same, etc.

Wrong, The necks & body's are MIA, Graphite neck and all.

When is this misinformation going to end?

Passifid · #9 05-06-2011, 11:45 AM

the difference
AM has thinner neck
AM has different finish
AM doesnt have badass bridge.

I prefer the feel and sound of AM some prefer HWY1 choose what you like best

BigOldHarry · #10 05-06-2011, 11:52 AM

I have played both, though not at the same sitting.

The hardware & p'ups on the "Special" is cheap but serviceable. The wood was okay. Get one cheap, put new hardware & electronics in it and you have a decent bass.

The hardware on the HW1 is better, and I liked the body finish better. I can't speak to the pickups, but knowing Fender, they are about the same as the HW1 if not cheaper.

These basses are Fender's Entry Level "US" basses. Keep that in mind when considering a purchase and be sure, VERY sure, to PLAY before you PAY for these things.

THand · #11 05-06-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Wrong, The necks & body's are MIA, Graphite neck and all.

When is this misinformation going to end?

Apparently never.

At least some of the new Highway ones also have MIA pups as well. Bongolation has some first-hand experience with that. I haven't taken mine out to check.

I think this never dying rumor about them being MIM is why the Specials came about. They actually are making a cheaper bass, but making it "special" and raising the prices over the Highway One. Eventually they will have the Highway One replaced and by the Specials and make a killing. IMO, get a Highway One over a Special while you still can. They are super basses at a fair price...something that is happening less and less these days.

bzmnt · #12 05-09-2011, 08:05 AM

This is one step aside from the original subject but...

I haven't played a HW1 in ages but today I tried a new American Special P-bass and a used Mexican P-Bass (I don't know the series but it was that Fiesta Red colored one).

I have to say, the used mexican p was way nicer than the am special. I've never heard before about the Am special series but it didn't give any "quality feeling" to me at least. The neck was slimmer than original p, which was pretty nice since I've not used to a p-neck (I've never owned a p) but the fretwork felt much nicer on the Mexican and somehow unfinished on the USA model. Of course it's possible that the owner of the Mex has filed the frets or something but anyhow, if I'd had to choose, it would've been the Mexican for the overall feeling.

Aspidites · #13 05-09-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

The newer Highway One's are MIA, not MIM.

They also have a graphite reinforced neck and do not have the CNC route under the pickguard.

They have the Badass bridge and a nitro finish and the greasebucket tone circut, as already mentioned.

Highway One's have never been MIM.

THand · #14 05-09-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspidites

Highway One's have never been MIM.

yeah, I know. I emailed Fender about it a while back. At one point they were doing some rough cutting in Mexico...which is where I think the confusion started, but they were still finished, fitted, and assembled in the US and the necks were 100% USA made. Then there is the "Hwy 1" and the "Highway One", which are different. I think the Highway One is the best bang for the buck Fender has going right now.

DTF · #15 05-09-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsnottruerufus

The Highway ones have a thin nitro finish, and a badass bridge, like you said.
But, like Spaz said, they are essentially Mexican fenders with a greasebucket tone circuit.
The American Specials have different pups, a different (and in my opinion, MUCH nicer neck) and the poly finish.

wrong

DTF · #16 05-09-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaz21387

the highway 1 is pretty much a mexican made fender only assembled in the us with a better finish.

wrong

DTF · #17 05-09-2011, 10:49 AM

play both and decide for yourself , the hardware and electronics are the same ,except for the badass bridge the neck profiles appear to be different ,who knows? and the finish , I hate the look of a matte finish but the matte finish buffs out nicely

hensonbass · #18 05-09-2011, 10:04 PM

I bought an AM Special P bass last week. I'm using it as a comparison to any other P bass I come across be it new or used. So far I haven't found anything that plays easier. The neck is perfect for me and the intonation is spot on. The bass also sustains forever and it sounds even on all strings. It's sound is very focused and the bass is super light too. I'm going to install a '62 P bass pickup to see if I can better the tone I get now. Not that it's bad at all, I just wonder.

Even if I come across a better sounding bass I don't think I will top that neck on mine now. If this pickup swap gives me a little more mojo I'm done looking around.

Metal Mitch · #19 05-30-2011, 05:02 PM

Checked out the MD sale at GC and tried one of these today... what I really liked was the new 60th Ann hybrid P with the 51 pickguard and control plate. But I also tried the new Special. Put it down right away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

These basses are Fender's Entry Level "US" basses.

and it felt like it. Low-end import quality with a US sticker on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THand

IMO, get a Highway One over a Special while you still can.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzmnt

I have to say, the used mexican p was way nicer than the am special.

Yup. The MIM P was much better than the AS. So was the Schecter Diamond P Custom, if you like a flat fretboard.

Bongolation · #20 05-30-2011, 05:55 PM

Much misinformation in this thread about the Highway Ones based on the originals opposed to current production. They are so different, I don't know why FMIC kept the same name.