fender classic 50's precision or highway one precision???

rabid_fish · #1 08-24-2010, 07:17 PM

well, that's bassicaly de question... wich is, acording to you people, de best of these two basses? i like them both!

pudgychef · #2 08-24-2010, 08:00 PM

Well with the HWY 1 you get graphite support rods and the badass bridge and you can have rw fretboard if you like...

I chose the 50s P as I like the glossy neck, the 1.75 nut width and I preferred the tone.

both are pretty decent value imho

mpdd · #3 08-24-2010, 08:08 PM

sorry, not a glossy neck fan

Jim Carr · #4 08-24-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabid_fish

...which is the best of these two basses...(Fender '50s Classic P-bass or Highway-1 P-bass)

Both good, but there is a better Fender P-bass (not counting the MIA new American Standard). That is the Road Worn P-bass.

Play one with an open mind. If, like some here you just can't do that because you hate relics and know they are evil poser zombies from south of the border, then just go play one back to back with a similarly set up and strung '50s Classic and Hwy-1. Then buy the best sounding and feeling bass of the three.

...or find a used RW P-bass for like $600 on ebay and save a few hundred!

jwalin · #5 08-25-2010, 12:57 AM

I like the vintage frets and the maple neck on the 50's classic. Depends on the deal I found, but I lean towards the reissue...the glossy neck can be resolved with about 10 minutes and some 0000 steel wool....

dave_bass5 · #6 08-25-2010, 05:55 AM

I got a MIM 50's classic P a few years ago and hated it. It looked lovely but i couldn't get on with the neck. Swapped it for a HW-one P and was very happy.
I wasnt looking for a particular vintage tone, just a P i felt comfortable playing.

treekiller · #7 08-25-2010, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgychef

Well with the HWY 1 you get graphite support rods.......

Are you sure? I'm thinking only the Am. Std. & deluxe have 'em.

dave_bass5 · #8 08-25-2010, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treekiller

Are you sure? I'm thinking only the Am. Std. & deluxe have 'em.

Its easy enough to find out, just go look on the Fender website ;-)

And yes they do.

John Wentzien · #9 08-25-2010, 06:03 AM

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0111360300

pudgychef · #10 08-25-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treekiller

Are you sure? I'm thinking only the Am. Std. & deluxe have 'em.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

Its easy enough to find out, just go look on the Fender website ;-)

And yes they do.

amazing thing thing this interwebs

dave_bass5 · #11 08-25-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgychef

amazing thing thing this interwebs

Yep, as long you remember to wind it up and check the valves every now and then a computer can give all sorts of information, right or wrong (wiki)

Jeff K · #12 08-25-2010, 10:44 AM

I've owned both (Hwy. One P and Classic '50s). Both are very nice. Aesthetically, I prefer the Classic. But mine's the discontinued Honey Blonde, which I think looks awesome. My Hwy. One P was also Honey Blonde, but with rosewood (of course) rather than maple board.

Neck-wise, I'd say the Hwy. One was a bit more comfortable (slightly narrower). But not enough to where the Classic is UNcomfortable.

Finish-wise, it comes down to whether you like the nitro or the poly. Either is fine with me, so that's a wash (at least for me).

Tone-wise, both sounded good. But I was pleasantly surprised by how good the Classic sounds. Before I bought mine, I played 4 or 5 other Classics. Surprisingly, they all sounded good. I was expecting more inconsistency because they are MIM. Then I found mine used at a great price. I ended up selling the Hwy. One and keeping the Classic.

But set up properly, I think you'd be happy with either. Here are pics of mine. Maybe it'll help you decide:

And here's how the Classic looks with a tort guard:

dvh · #13 08-25-2010, 10:49 AM

Both are very nice instruments. It really comes down to which feels and plays nicer for you. The neck specs are different and the Classic has the narrow vintage frets. I own one of the honey blond ones and it is a beautiful, playable beast.

Floridabwoy · #14 08-25-2010, 10:57 AM

I have a 50's P and love the small frets and 1.75" nut. I don't like how you have to take the pickguard off when you want to adjust the truss rod.

dvh · #15 08-25-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridabwoy

I have a 50's P and love the small frets and 1.75" nut. I don't like how you have to take the pickguard off when you want to adjust the truss rod.

+ 1 that can be a nuisance but the neck on mine is rock steady...

Jhtjon · #16 08-25-2010, 11:32 AM

I would look for a used American Vintage '57. I was in the same boat as you and was able to get a '57 for $800.00 in like new condition. there are out there.

steve_rolfeca · #17 08-25-2010, 12:20 PM

Don't forget the American 62 Vintage- you can get them for well under a grand used.

Besides, Fender rule #1 still applies: They're all different. Play at least a dozen, regardless of model, and buy the one that sounds and feels the best.

joshmickelson · #18 08-25-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Both good, but there is a better Fender P-bass (not counting the MIA new American Standard). That is the Road Worn P-bass.

Play one with an open mind. If, like some here you just can't do that because you hate relics and know they are evil poser zombies from south of the border, then just go play one back to back with a similarly set up and strung '50s Classic and Hwy-1. Then buy the best sounding and feeling bass of the three.

...or find a used RW P-bass for like $600 on ebay and save a few hundred!

isn't that the exact same as the 50s except for the relicing?

pudgychef · #19 08-25-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshmickelson

isn't that the exact same as the 50s except for the relicing?

that and the RWs have a Nitro finish vs the 50s Poly.....

rabid_fish · #20 08-25-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

I've owned both (Hwy. One P and Classic '50s). Both are very nice. Aesthetically, I prefer the Classic. But mine's the discontinued Honey Blonde, which I think looks awesome. My Hwy. One P was also Honey Blonde, but with rosewood (of course) rather than maple board.

Neck-wise, I'd say the Hwy. One was a bit more comfortable (slightly narrower). But not enough to where the Classic is UNcomfortable.

Finish-wise, it comes down to whether you like the nitro or the poly. Either is fine with me, so that's a wash (at least for me).

Tone-wise, both sounded good. But I was pleasantly surprised by how good the Classic sounds. Before I bought mine, I played 4 or 5 other Classics. Surprisingly, they all sounded good. I was expecting more inconsistency because they are MIM. Then I found mine used at a great price. I ended up selling the Hwy. One and keeping the Classic.

But set up properly, I think you'd be happy with either. Here are pics of mine. Maybe it'll help you decide:

And here's how the Classic looks with a tort guard:

beautiful basses!!! thanks to you and everyone who gave his opinion... of course i have to try them out and i will as soon as i can!