NBD - fender highway 1 first gen

[Parzival]

I was browsing the Facebook classifieds when I ran into a 2003 highway 1 jazz bass. First iteration without the Badass. The price was reasonable and the seller was very friendly.

Haven’t plugged it in yet but the general feel of the bass is fantastic. I put a set of SIT strings and tweaked the neck a bit. The weight is great , the neck profile is nice , the rosewood is dark. I would say I got a 9.8 out of 10 deal.

An yea , pics or it didn’t happen View attachment 7234964


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Those Hwy One are coveted AF! Very cool bass.

 

[NKBassman]

It is essentially a Mexican bass that says USA on it. I have a first gen Highway 1 P bass. It is easily the best P bass I have ever played.

I'd say it's an American-made bass at MIM prices . However you wanna slice it, it's a great choice.

 

[WG Plum]

I was browsing the Facebook classifieds when I ran into a 2003 highway 1 jazz bass. First iteration without the Badass. The price was reasonable and the seller was very friendly.

Haven’t plugged it in yet but the general feel of the bass is fantastic. I put a set of SIT strings and tweaked the neck a bit. The weight is great , the neck profile is nice , the rosewood is dark. I would say I got a 9.8 out of 10 deal.

An yea , pics or it didn’t happen View attachment 7234964


View attachment 7234967View attachment 7234968

Those are great basses!

 

[elgranluis]

Just came back from rehersal (country band ). I loved the bass , everyone else did. There is just some nasty ground hum, the bass isn’t grounded when you touch the strings. Other than that the bass sounds and feels fantastic.

My current favorite basses are a 78 rosewood P, a passive musicman sub(made in USA), a late 70s Gibson grabber , and this highway one bass made in 2003. In no particular order btw

 

[elgranluis]

I'd say it's an American-made bass at MIM prices . However you wanna slice it, it's a great choice.

That’s actually how the seller was advertising the bass : “MIA fender for the price is a MIM”

Because of the wear , the seller was hesitant that I would like the bass.

I was like “ are you kidding me , this is right down my alley !”

 

[elgranluis]

It is essentially a Mexican bass that says USA on it. I have a first gen Highway 1 P bass. It is easily the best P bass I have ever

Yes , killer bass. I recently ran into an article about Carol Kay , and she mentioned that the closest thing to the basses that she played back then were the MIM .

Not to get too political , but it’s been said many times before : fender basses from Ensenada are made by Mexicans in Mexico , and fender basses from corona are made by Mexicans in the US.

 

[Nenor]

Recently got a 1st gen 2003 blond HW1 jazz. A bit worn but in good shape. Played and sounded very nice to start but I always push my instruments as far as they would go. So, I did fret leveling/crowning/polishing. Replaced the bridge with a vintage style Hipshot and put on a set of Nordstrand J-blades w&w. That really transformed the bass. Serious 60's vibe. Dark rosewood, pure clean/deep jazz tone with very low action on almost straight, buzz-free neck. It's also sub 9lbs and honestly much better than the 2008 AmStd / 2010 MIJ jazz I used to own. I'll probably upgrade the tuners as well with a Hipshot HB7 set.