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Fender road worn or Highway one jazz

Which do you think is better? Fender Road Worn Jazz or Highway One Jazz

  • Fender Road Worn Jazz

    Votes: 68 48.9%

  • Fender Highway One Jazz

    Votes: 71 51.1%
  • Total voters
    139
#41
The thing about poly is that it's so hard that it doesn't really wear in. It will chip but it won't wear. The practical effect is that a poly finish becomes a record of your klutzy moments but not much else. There will be a crater from that time you knocked your bass off the stand, and from when you swung the headstock into into the ride cymbal that time -- but unlike nitro it won't have the nice forearm wear spot from your hours and hours of yoeman work onstage or in the studio or whatever.
 
#42
Tusec said:
The thing about poly is that it's so hard that it doesn't really wear in. It will chip but it won't wear. The practical effect is that a poly finish becomes a record of your klutzy moments but not much else. There will be a crater from that time you knocked your bass off the stand, and from when you swung the headstock into into the ride cymbal that time -- but unlike nitro it won't have the nice forearm wear spot from your hours and hours of yoeman work onstage or in the studio or whatever.
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Really!?
 

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#46
Bone said:
It's poly, FWIW Fenders Nitro finishes have been shot over Poly(Fullerplast) undercoats since about 1957.
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True, but as far as wear goes, it's the color coats that matter. Some people will go further and argue that finish affects the tone but I am skeptical of that. To me, poly vs nitro is strictly about aesthetics.

Also, the Fullerplast was mainly a grain filler wasn't it? I think it would have been basically sanded away prior to shooting the color. The intent was that it would fill the pores, not stay on the surface. The stuff was basically fine sand mixed with a binder of some kind.
 
#47
Personally.. I like the feel of nitro, I like the way nitro wears.. poly doesn't really wear

Poly can be applied very thin, but is usually associated with cheap instruments where it is slathered on thick.
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I agree on the feel of nitro being better but as far as poly being associated with "cheap instruments" I disagree. The new American Fenders use ploy.....
 
#48
They are both good options. Depends on what your preferences are. The roadworn is more of a vintage sounding and feeling bass. If you want vintage go that route. If you want a more modern stiffer neck with more fundamental tone then the hwy one is for you. I hate a real stiff neck. I am also not a fan of high mass bridges. I personally would choose the roadworn. I have yet to play one of those that was a dud. They play like a vintage Fender should.
 
#49
Tusec said:
Also, the Fullerplast was mainly a grain filler wasn't it? I think it would have been basically sanded away prior to shooting the color. The intent was that it would fill the pores, not stay on the surface. The stuff was basically fine sand mixed with a binder of some kind.
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No it was a catalyzed varnish that was rock hard. Most fenders were alder bodied so no grain filler was used. Grain filler is mostly a wipe on wipe off then sand away the light film. I painted over 300 Nitro finishes last year when I worked here... www.groshguitars.com

I like the look and feel of Nitro, do I think it effects tone? Not really. Just me,YMMV Every bass is defferent.

I'm kind of suprised by the poll, HW1s getting more love than the RWs?
 
#55
Bone said:
No it was a catalyzed varnish that was rock hard. Most fenders were alder bodied so no grain filler was used. Grain filler is mostly a wipe on wipe off then sand away the light film. I painted over 300 Nitro finishes last year when I worked here... www.groshguitars.com

I like the look and feel of Nitro, do I think it effects tone? Not really. Just me,YMMV Every bass is defferent.

I'm kind of suprised by the poll, HW1s getting more love than the RWs?
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You are right on the money about the Fullerplast being clear rather than a grain filler:

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I am not super surprised by the poll. Road Worns are controversial. If they were running for office, their advisors would be warning them about their high negatives. I suspect people will actually vote against a RW, hence the poll results.

I just bought a Road Worn a couple weeks ago and am crazy about it in all ways. It's a great instrument and the fact that they figured out a way to mass produce the wear patterns so artfully is just amazing to me. My only problem with them is the body thickness thing.
 

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