HWY 1 Jazz Bass Write Off

[Jonithen]

Maybe dumb question here, but the bass you have with the warped neck has graphite reinforcement, yes? And it is warped?
I wouldn't want to do an exchange for a financial loss (without cash back or extras to make up the difference), but maybe the graphite sounds better on paper than it is in execution. It might be worthwhile to find a bass that feels and plays good to you, and just deal with making occasional adjustments. Having a hard case and trying to keep a relatively consistent environment might make it easier on you.

At this point whether it is warped or not I'd be looking at trading it out, since I'm superstitious and once I feel like I don't trust an instrument I'm not really into it anymore. I accept it isn't the most rational standpoint.

Good luck either way, hope you end up with an instrument that you enjoy however this shakes out.

 

[bassrich]

Well the only big piss off is I got rid of my Geddy Lee to get this thing. I am sure they will make good, they usually do. They do have a new MIM ash body bass that I have been eyeing. If he says I can take it at a replacement I won't be crushed. However I really liked the idea of the graphite support rods

Sounds like the Graphite support rods did not do it any good in this neck If that is the only reason you want it Id go for the ash body MIM

 

[tjh]

I'm going on dated info/experience here...

I know the original hwy 1 did not have graphite in neck, just your regular run of the mill neck.

When if ever did they add graphite to hwy1 or american special models?

The first-gen Highway 1 model did not have the posiflex rods. The second-gen Highway One models do have the posiflex rods, The American Specials also have them. The posiflex rods were the main tangible upgrade to the second-gen Highway basses. I believe the name change/upgrades happened in 2007-2008. Fender's website also specifically mentioned the posiflex rods on their website when describing the American Special neck, coinciding with the Slim-C neck profile.

... I don't remember what the original cost, but the 2nd-gen was $800 with a gig bag,...

.. the switch took place mid '06 from early Hwy 1 to 'upgraded' Hwy ONE, so technically the Hwy 1 never had a neck with graphite wrapped support rods ... you will find all kinds of the Ones floating around with the dime size 60th Anniversary of Fender medallion on the back of the headstock (2006) ... as T mentions, that was also the time the neck changed profile, to heel adjust, no skunk stripe, and Posiflex rods ...along with BAII added and nitro finish ...

... the American Special has used that same neck the entire time of its run since its intro in 2010 ...

... the early Hwy Series basses sold for a street price of $549-599, but you have to remember, that was 10-13 year ago dollars ...

 

[Bassa Nova]

Played one of those Ash FSR MIM models and it was a darn good bass.

I have a 2008 version of this and it is a great bass. Well matched two piece body.

 

[Hevy T]

Sounds like the Graphite support rods did not do it any good in this neck If that is the only reason you want it Id go for the ash body MIM

I do remember reading on this board somewhere that some of us debate that these graphite support rods even do anything. Have to admit Im a little on the fence about them now myself. Now this bass also had really heavy gauge strings on it as well, I wonder if this may have been part of it. I would figure 110-50s

 

[EmptyCup]

.. the switch took place mid '06 from early Hwy 1 to 'upgraded' Hwy ONE, so technically the Hwy 1 never had a neck with graphite wrapped support rods ... you will find all kinds of the Ones floating around with the dime size 60th Anniversary of Fender medallion on the back of the headstock (2006) ... as T mentions, that was also the time the neck changed profile, to heel adjust, no skunk stripe, and Posiflex rods ...along with BAII added and nitro finish ...

... the American Special has used that same neck the entire time of its run since its intro in 2010 ...

... the early Hwy Series basses sold for a street price of $549-599, but you have to remember, that was 10-13 year ago dollars ...

^Props to tjh for giving accurate info here.
I own a 2006 Honeyblond P with the "dime size 60th Anniversary of Fender medallion on the back of the headstock" (the version with no skunk stripe, heel adjusting truss-rod, and the "posiflex" graphite rods) and the neck has been very stable for me.

They also had the "Greasebucket" tone circuit which most people remove (myself included) and replace with the traditional capacitor value.

I could go on but don't want to derail the thread. Best of luck to you in resolving your situation.