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I said I would never do this...

N

NineSpine

Jun 19, 2007
552
8
#1
For years Ive owned and sold many basses, always scoffing at Fender. Ive owned Ibanez, Warwick, Spector, and even a G&L (which I sold because it was too much like a Fender) and tried out a dozen other brands.

Now, I didn't scoff at Fender because of their sound, and to be perfectly honest I never gave the sound a second thought because I was just so turned off by their looks. I couldn't stand it. Something about the giant headstock and that classic look really turned me off, a LOT.

But as usual, as I got older (I'm not old, just older than I was before: I'm 24) my mind has changed... I had an epiphany about a week ago and my new bass will be a Fender Highway one P-Bass with a rosewood fretboard in the White Blonde color scheme.

For some reason, I immediately appreciated the old school look and ESPECIALLY appreciated the Fender P-Bass sound. I can't put my finger on it, but it's as though I'm seeing it all for the first time.

I guess my real question is: Did this ever happen to anyone else? Also, I would appreciate some feedback on the Highway One P-Bass if anyone has experience with it. It's right in my price range (even moreso if I can find a used one), but so is a used American model. Would I be better off with the used American?

YOU DECIDE!

EDIT: Yes, I know the Highway One is made in America too, but when I said "American", I meant the higher end American line.
 
#3
seems like were at the same point in our lives.. I too also used to scoff at the looks.. like in 50 friggin years you cant come up with a better looking bass than that! and then it hit me sometime last week while listening to some 70s funk.. i was like that bass tone is spot on! and It came down on me like a ton of bricks that I had been ignoring the history of our instrument and that you truly cant fix whats not broken.. ive owned some of the more modern looking peaveys, and just got a lakland 55-01.. A P or a Jazz is definitely in order for my next bass. btw im 22 much similar to you being 24
 
#6
My epiphany came when I was about 21. I was majorly into prog and metal so I didn't have any use for the old-school basses, though I always like their looks. I was frustrated my the high-end response of my 3rd Ibanez, it just never came out right and usually disappeared in the mix. Then, I saw the Geddy Jazz in a store one day and being a huge Rush fan, I thought I would give it a whirl. It was the most aggressive tone I had ever acheived, and I couldn't believe that this "fossil" of the bass world could still sound so relevant and make music that I wanted to make. I now have a Jaguar, its my 3rd Fender and I am currently saving for either a 3TSB Highway One P-bass, or the 50's Classic P in black so #4 is on its way. In fact, I don't know if I'll ever play anything else at this point.

As to the OP question about Hwy1 vs. MIA, it depends. I like the finishes on the Hwy1, I have no use for the S-1 switch on the MIA P. If you are ok with no maple 'board option and like the thin nitro finish, I see no reason to spend the extra dough for the MIA. Go for the Hwy1.
 
#8
I, too, never thought Fenders were for me. I played a few in my younger years, but they never felt right or sounded right. Then about 6 months ago, I was at GC and saw a really nice MIM P-Bass and thought "what the hell". I played it through a SVT Classic and Mesa Powerhouse 8x10 and it friggin' blew my mind! There is absolutely nothing like the sound of a P-bass and a tube head. It took over 20 years for me to figure that out. Don't get me wrong, I still love the feel and sound of my Spector, but there is a reason the P-bass is the standard by which all else is measured and the reason it's still around. Instead of buying one, I'm building one to my tastes and it'll be passive the way nature intended!
 
#9
Yeah, I've been there. I recently unearthed my mid-70's Precision after probably ten years of not touching it. I put a Mighty Mite neck on it, a Basslines Quarter Pound pickup, new pickguard, knobs, pots, capacitor. It's like a new bass. There's something about the simplicity of a Fender. I don't think the American ones are the only ones worth owning...I've got a MIM P bass special and a Squier II that I like equally well. You just gotta find one that's comfy.
 
#14
Congrats on your epiphany Bro! I've always been a Fender guy... but there was a time when I was all about boutique basses. I would still like a Fodera or similar sometime in the future but as far as the music I hear in my head and feel in my heart.... Fenders get it done - and for a fraction of the price of boutique basses.

There is a reason why the P and J are the most copied designs in bass history - and it looks like you just found out why.

Good luck!
 
#20
Yeah, I can pretty much concur with part of this. I have actually always liked Fender basses in general (though I hate their guitars, again, in general).. but I was always a J-Bass kind of guy. I've had a few different jazzes but always thought Precisions just looked old and tired. Then (by way of seeing many different pictures on TB, actually) I started to develop a strange admiration for the P-Bass look.. it's simple, but strong, and I just love the shape of the pickguard by the tone controls. Now I absolutely must get a Black P, with a tort pickguard.. just love that look.
 

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