Fender Highway One series discontinued?

[Bongolation]

I believe was a different type of lacquer finish, with the finish being changed to the nitrocellulose lacquer for the ONE 'upgrade' Series ... even though the original 1 series and the ONE series both had the satin finish, they had different top coats if I remember correctly ...

The originals had acrylic lacquer.

 

[tjh]

My best guess -- and it's only a guess -- is that the final HO bodies were the same as the RI bodies or those of the MIM Classics.

The HO guitars also had vintage radii and inletting, same as RIs.

At some point, FMIC made the decision to rationalize and economize production by eliminating a lot of differences in component inventory between the models. This much I know for a fact.

I suspect the HOs used the same body as another model or models as part of that inventory reduction.

It would be interesting to get some examples on the bench to compare them.

I have seen that the latest Classic 60's Jazz basses (MIM) have the round CNC hole under the pickguard ... so these are not the same body as the latest Hwy One J's used ... not sure when they started with the hole under on the 60's Classic Series, but the newest I had was '05 and that was still without ... so I would suspect in the last couple years or so ...

 

[Bongolation]

I have seen that the latest Classic 60's Jazz basses (MIM) have the round CNC hole under the pickguard ... so these are not the same body as the latest Hwy One J's used

Just a guess there. I imagine it's the MIA RI body then, because I can't see them making those bodies just for the HOs. It doesn't really follow. Take the PG off the Jazz and it's like the Jaco. Pure vintage body, looks to me.

 

[leftiebass]

so will these be selling at 'closeout' or 'discontinued' prices? how much?

 

[spiltcoil]

You're missing the point: The claim for magic tone is either true or it's not. It's not a matter of "opinion."

It's not merely that there is no way that the claim for magic tone from finishes on a massive solidbody can be proved, nor is there any persuasive evidence for it, there's no logical basis even for the claim, which simply defies common sense. It's a myth based on the grossly misunderstood importance of finish in fine acoustic classical instruments.

Nobody in tech at FMIC believes a word of this nonsense (I know, because I've discussed it with them), but this myth has eventually been recognized as an exploitable marketing angle. It's easier to pander to pervasive ignorance and make money from it than to try to educate the unwilling and impenetrably stupid at your own expense. Bubbas believe there's a difference, so by all means sell them what they want and tell them they're right.

It's like Gibson putting Orange Drop bleeder caps in their better guitars, the Bubba imaginary advantage of which is also based on a misunderstood actual benefit in a completely different application. Gibson knows there's absolutely zero technical advantage to it, but the Bubbas believe there is, so why not drop twenty cents to attract them to some otherwise wildly overpriced product?

Etc., etc., etc. While we're at it, let's sell them some magic guitar cables, too.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence -- especially when what you claim flies in the face of logic, common sense and received scientific knowledge. The Bubbas have no such evidence for these various myths any more than they have for abduction by space aliens.

If you can't provide evidence, you should at least have a plausible hypothesis, but they lack that too.

Please define your use of the term "Bubba" to designate a category of people. Secondly, post your hard scientific evidence, heck, for the sake of not derailing (which seems a common trait of yours) pm it to me...and not in the form of an analogy. I'm done here. The Highway One's are great basses for the money and I hope they aren't discontinued. I love the fact that their thin nitro finished bodies resonate more and wear gracefully. For the record, my main instrument is a lovely poly encased Precision and I like it the way it is.

 

[bassbenj]

Please define your use of the term "Bubba" to designate a category of people. Secondly, post your hard scientific evidence, heck, for the sake of not derailing (which seems a common trait of yours) pm it to me...and not in the form of an analogy. I'm done here. The Highway One's are great basses for the money and I hope they aren't discontinued. I love the fact that their thin nitro finished bodies resonate more and wear gracefully. For the record, my main instrument is a lovely poly encased Precision and I like it the way it is.

Wait a minute. I happen to be an owner of two of the referred to overpriced Gibson guitars. The bubba idea that a nitro finish is thin (yes it is) and more resonant (on a huge chunk of log?) and wear "gracefully" is well just plain wrong. That is unless you stretch the meaning of "graceful" quite a bit! And you forgot to mention the amazing sticky action of Nitro on the neck. A stickyness that as far as I can determine no guitarist has an answer for in spite of the million "folk cures" for the condition.

Yes, new nitro finishes look great. Yes, I've heard a lot of great things about the Highway One basses regardless of finish. Nitro gives them a great "vintage" feel even if it makes them play worse and damage easier.

As for "bubba" hey let me refer you to the book "Better than Sex" by the late Hunter S. Thompson for enlightenment on the proper usage.

Next we will discuss how the kind of insulation in your POWER transformer affects your tone!

 

[rollcall]

I didn't really think much of my 2006 HWY One (the black one), that is, until I started recording with it. So, if I could only have two of the basses pictured, the HWY One would be one of them.? well sell me the vintage fretless then...

 

[spiltcoil]

Wait a minute. I happen to be an owner of two of the referred to overpriced Gibson guitars. The bubba idea that a nitro finish is thin (yes it is) and more resonant (on a huge chunk of log?) and wear "gracefully" is well just plain wrong. That is unless you stretch the meaning of "graceful" quite a bit! And you forgot to mention the amazing sticky action of Nitro on the neck. A stickyness that as far as I can determine no guitarist has an answer for in spite of the million "folk cures" for the condition.

Yes, new nitro finishes look great. Yes, I've heard a lot of great things about the Highway One basses regardless of finish. Nitro gives them a great "vintage" feel even if it makes them play worse and damage easier.

As for "bubba" hey let me refer you to the book "Better than Sex" by the late Hunter S. Thompson for enlightenment on the proper usage.

Next we will discuss how the kind of insulation in your POWER transformer affects your tone!

Excelsior!

 

[LoveThatBass]

Next we will discuss how the kind of insulation in your POWER transformer affects your tone!

LOL

 

[Mark4]

... actually, you may want to double check on your daphne blue finish ... if I remember correctly, the daphne blue was only offered on the Hwy 1 series, not the Hwy ONE ... that would leave it what I believe was a different type of lacquer finish, with the finish being changed to the nitrocellulose lacquer for the ONE 'upgrade' Series ... even though the original 1 series and the ONE series both had the satin finish, they had different top coats if I remember correctly ...

The body was made in '09 (the original neck in '08), and came equipped with a Badass bridge. Maybe this color is simply less common. Either way, it looks and feels good to me.

(The pickguard in this picture is not original spec. I wanted to cover the truss rod adjustment notch, because the '96 MIM neck I coupled it with adjusts at the headstock.)

 

[MrRobert]

I just pulled the trigger on a new Highway One after months of agonizing between a classic 50's P, Highway One, or possibly a used American Standard. Here's my reasoning... First off, I am not in a place where I can drop the required cash on my dream bass, a late 60s - late 70's P. With that in mind, I wanted a solid Precision that was as close to my dream bass as possible. Of course, I wanted to spend less than a grand, so those were my options. I managed to play a 50s that a fellow TBer here in Austin offered to sell me, but the color was not what I wanted and it just didn't 'speak to me'... I also played a few AM STDs in local stores, and was really impressed with the sound and quality. I would still like to have a late model AM STD, but finding a good used one with a maple fretboard where I live has proven to be impossible so far. I know there are a few here on TB, but they never seem to be the right body neck combination for me, and I am slightly sketched about buying a used instrument that I haven't played because I'm a weirdo about the way a bass feels.
SO!
Guitar Center has a $100 off anything coupon this weekend, and it just made sense... They are discontinuing this model, and most of what I've read about it really appeals to me. American made... same parts except for some of the hardware/finish... and the kicker: $679 new. And if I don't like it, I have 30 days to return it or exchange it for something else. I think I'll like it a lot though. I guess I'll find out soon!

 

[LoveThatBass]

I just pulled the trigger on a new Highway One after months of agonizing between a classic 50's P, Highway One, or possibly a used American Standard. Here's my reasoning... First off, I am not in a place where I can drop the required cash on my dream bass, a late 60s - late 70's P. With that in mind, I wanted a solid Precision that was as close to my dream bass as possible. Of course, I wanted to spend less than a grand, so those were my options. I managed to play a 50s that a fellow TBer here in Austin offered to sell me, but the color was not what I wanted and it just didn't 'speak to me'... I also played a few AM STDs in local stores, and was really impressed with the sound and quality. I would still like to have a late model AM STD, but finding a good used one with a maple fretboard where I live has proven to be impossible so far. I know there are a few here on TB, but they never seem to be the right body neck combination for me, and I am slightly sketched about buying a used instrument that I haven't played because I'm a weirdo about the way a bass feels.
SO!
Guitar Center has a $100 off anything coupon this weekend, and it just made sense... They are discontinuing this model, and most of what I've read about it really appeals to me. American made... same parts except for some of the hardware/finish... and the kicker: $679 new. And if I don't like it, I have 30 days to return it or exchange it for something else. I think I'll like it a lot though. I guess I'll find out soon!

Congratulations. That was a good buy. I had a 50's P and it didn't speak to me either. That should be a bass that will serve you well for some time to come.