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Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass
- Thread starter Emanuel Apascaritei
- Start date
I think the idea with the HW One single finish is to allow the thing to resonate better from the natural tone of the wood and to assist in getting that "road worn" look some people are paying out the tail hole for a lot quicker and naturally.
No. Ive already posted this but the 2003 models were called HW1 and the updated 2006 ones are called HW-One.
Resonance on solidbody instruments is about transmission from the body towards the pickups,not about resonance of wood tops ect.The type of finish can't be so important.
The choice of the non gloss finish has got to do with its low cost.Finishing consumes a more important part of the budget of building an instrument than most people think.
No problem. Its a mistake that a lot of people make and it can get confusing when talking about the HW series.
End of the day i do think the HW-Ones are a good improvement over the HW1. A lot of people, me included, put a BAII on their HW1's and its nice to see Fender actually realised.
The Highway One does not come with a case, and the American standard does. If you pay retail price for a Highway One and buy a case for it, the price difference is not so much anymore. I think that has a lot more to do with the difference in price than the paint.
Thanks a lot to all you guys,
the poor paint I have it kind of asimilated, not worried
Now that we talked about the poor paint and the flycase as the main price reduction, I wonder if any of you had the american standard and the HW-one side by side and can share some opinions about the sound? You know the diferent bridgies, pick-ups..etc
Cheers Emi,
the poor paint I have it kind of asimilated, not worried
Now that we talked about the poor paint and the flycase as the main price reduction, I wonder if any of you had the american standard and the HW-one side by side and can share some opinions about the sound? You know the diferent bridgies, pick-ups..etc
Cheers Emi,
I'm no expert for sure but that is what I read from somewhere, may have actually been the Fender site or a magazine review.
The part about it wearing quicker has t obe true if there is a thinner outer coat it will naturally wear quicker. I'm not saying everyone would want that.
No biggie. It is information he can take or leave.
Yes, Ive read it as well but IMHO its people just assuming its designed like this. Ive seen no official Fender statement about this. Im open to be proven to be wrong.
What about all the HW1/one owners where the paint isn't coming off after a few years, are they entitled to a refund?
I recently bought one about a week ago. Its a fantastic bass for the price that you pay for it. Gives that great Jazz bass growl that I was looking for. My only niggle with it how quickly the finish gets scratches and dings on it! Ive had it since last monday and theres already about 15 marks etc on there.
hey guys, I went to another store where they had the american standard and liked it much than the highway, and not for the hard case or the paint, it was for the playability in my hands, the feel, the sound...everything, and I always wanted a maple neck. So I bought it, besides I had a good deal on it. It´s in opympic white with black and wine pg and maple neck.
Emi,
Emi,
I love the neck on my 03 Highway 1. I stripped mine (with nail polish remover and cotton balls!) and put a few coats of Min-Wax natural stain seal. I had to add another string tree for the A string, then added the Badass bridge, dropped in a set of Nordstrand single coils and a Audere pre-amp. I now have big round sweet vintage tones or Marcus sizzle making this the most useful bass I've owned. I paid $475. for it new as it was new old stock. With the upgrades I'm in it for $825...
I for hated the finish before I removed it. the red looked dull and smudgey instead of vintage or worn. Also the store I bought mine from was going to give me a MIA case and this bass would not fit in it. We tried three different MIA cases and it wouldn't fit in any of them. Kinda weird but I like a gig bag better anyway.
I for hated the finish before I removed it. the red looked dull and smudgey instead of vintage or worn. Also the store I bought mine from was going to give me a MIA case and this bass would not fit in it. We tried three different MIA cases and it wouldn't fit in any of them. Kinda weird but I like a gig bag better anyway.
Attachments
Sorry for getting late, here is a pic of it, it´s now called Pupy (explained in the thread)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=588967&highlight=pupy
Speaking from experience. I declined a HW1 Jazz that felt GREAT to me for an American Standard that I saved up for a little later. The American Standard never felt *right* to me even after getting it set up twice. It's a beautiful bass and really sings, but I didn't enjoy playing it as much so I ended up getting a Geddy Lee instead.
Long story short, go with the bass that really resonates with you. Keep in mind different set ups have a big impact on feel up front, of course. I just wouldn't kill yourself obsessing over quality of tuners and paint finishes.
Long story short, go with the bass that really resonates with you. Keep in mind different set ups have a big impact on feel up front, of course. I just wouldn't kill yourself obsessing over quality of tuners and paint finishes.
