Help! Fast!

[jimmyb]

How can I tell the difference between a highway Fender p bass and a standard American P?

 

[PilbaraBass]

Highway 1 spec:

Model Name Highway 1™ Precision Bass®
Model Number 011-1300-(Color #)
Series Highway 1™ Series
Colors (300) 3-Color Sunburst,
(304) Daphne Blue,
(338) Crimson Red Transparent,
(367) Honey Blonde,
(Satin Lacquer Finish)
Body Alder
Neck Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Rosewood, (9.5” Radius/241 mm)
No. of Frets 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 1 Standard Vintage Alnico Split Single-Coil Precision Bass Pickup (Mid)
Controls Volume, Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit (Rolls Off Highs without Adding Bass).
Pickup Switching N/A
Bridge Standard Vintage Style 4-Saddle
Machine Heads Standard
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply White
Scale Length 34” (864 mm)
Width at Nut 1.625” (41.3 mm)
Unique Features Satin Lacquer Finish,
White Dot Position Inlays
Strings Super Bass 8250M NPS, p/n 073-8250-006,
Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .110TW (Taperwound E)


The "standard" bass is Made in Mexico...(It'll say so on the headstock)...

However...the "American" bass has these specs

Model Name American Precision Bass®
Model Number 019-3260-(Color #) and 019-3262-(Color #)
Series American Series
Colors (700)* 3-Color Sunburst, add $50.00,
(706) Black,
(722) Sunset Orange Transparent, Ash Body, add $150.00 for Special Wood Requirements,
(725) Chrome Red,
(750) Butterscotch Blonde,
(791) Chrome Silver,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Body Alder on:
(700)* 3-Color Sunburst,
(706) Black,
(725) Chrome Red,
(750) Butterscotch Blonde,
(791) Chrome Silver,
Ash on:
(722)** Sunset Orange Transparent,
Neck Graphite Reinforced Maple, Modern “C” Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard Rosewood p/n (019-3260) or Maple p/n (019-3262), (9.5” Radius/241 mm)
No. of Frets 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups 1 American Precision Bass Split Single-Coil Pickup
Controls Volume (with S-1™ Switch), Tone
Pickup Switching 2-Position Push/Push S-1 Switch:
S-1 Switch Up: Pickups in Series,
S-1 Switch Down: Pickups in Parallel
Bridge American (Strings-Thru-Body)
Machine Heads Cast / Open Back
Hardware Chrome
Pickguard 3-Ply Parchment On:
(700)* 3-Color Sunburst,
(722) Sunset Orange Transparent,
1-Ply Black On:
(750) Butterscotch Blonde,
3-Ply Black/White/Black On:
(706) Black,
(725) Chrome Red,
(791) Chrome Silver
Scale Length 34” (864 mm)
Width at Nut 1.625” (41.3 mm)
Unique Features S-1 Switching,
Posiflex™ Graphite Neck Support Rods,
Rounded Body Shape,
Rolled Fingerboard Edges
Strings Super Bass 8250M NPS, p/n 073-8250-006,
Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .110TW (Taperwound E)




*******************************
note that the American Precision now comes with the S-1 switch...a push-switch built into the volume control...

with nothing else...Model numbers should be a dead giveaway on the basses...

 

[Mon Rominee]

doesn't one have a duller finish, and one is nice and glossy, the latter being the American Standard? why the urgency? Do you have one of each in your mitts at a store typing with your foot?

 

[jimmyb]

Thanx for the Super Fast detailed reply. I'm sorry. I should have been more specific. There was a bass on the 'bay with 45 mins. to go (pbass) But I couldn't tell from the pics What it was. The year was 03 so no s1 switch, bit with the info you supplied, no string through tells me it's a Highway 1.
Thank you very much

 

[Marcus]

That's just a rule of thumb:

If it does not have string ferrules, it is not a RECENT American Precision.