Project: The Highway 2 Bass

[portaflexer]

So... I played the Fender Highway 1 basses at a local shop a few years back and I really liked them. I couldn't decide if I liked the P or the J better. I liked the tone of the P but the neck on the J was more my speed. So, I said they should make a combination. A Highway 1 P body with a Highway 1 J neck. I got tired of waiting for Fender, so I decided to do it myself. Here's my latest project... the Highway 2 bass.

First things first, this was my concept sketch.

About a year later, I finally finished the project.

Complete with black pickguard, jazz knobs...

...Hipshot HB7 tuners...

...and a custom Highway 2 neck plate.

I've currently got her strung with 45-100 D'Addario Chromes (flatwound) and she really lays down the grooves. I'm pretty pleased. I had to share.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

That looks ......looks....man...that looks good!

so, you had to buy 2 highway´s or just one and one jazz neck??

Congrats!

 

[portaflexer]

Thanks man. I bought it all in parts... that's probably why it took me a year to get it done.

 

[fish slapper]

Nicely done! How did you get your parts?

 

[portaflexer]

The knobs, strings, and strap buttons I had.
The pickguard I bought locally.
The body/bridge/electronics came from eBay and so did the engraved neck plate.
The neck and tuners came from the TalkBass classifieds.

 

[carlos840]

You can find loads of parts on ebay!

Stratosphere is a great seller, bought 3 necks from them!

 

[parsons]

looks great. I think I wouldve gone with P knobs though. Glad you got her done.

 

[portaflexer]

Yeah... I look the look of the barrel knobs better too... but I just wanted another detail to show it's a hybrid J and P.

 

[portaflexer]

You can find loads of parts on ebay!

Stratosphere is a great seller, bought 3 necks from them!

That's where the body came from.

 

[joeyl]

nice, looks cool. I like the Jazz knobs but I think they are a bit lost on the black guard, but I do like the black guard also.

 

[mattpnolan]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[bassman_al]

Looks great'

 

[paganjack]

That's a sharp looking axe!

 

[SlingBass4]

I did basically the same thing a year ago with my Highway One, and like yourself...couldn't be more pleased. I prefer Warmoth necks, and their Jazz New Slim was right up my alley as were th ebrass nut and Hipshot 'lollipop' tuners. The tuners and neck provide a more solid foundation without sacrificing the Fender tone/sound. ENJOY yours - it's the best of combinations

 

[portaflexer]

Love the tort guard with the sunburst.

Thanks for all the compliments guys. I'm really pleased with her so far.

 

[rummy]

Great ideas!

 

[Stranger Danger]

Just curious how much you have put into it? It's allsome!

 

[portaflexer]

I would guess about $800-850.

 

[portaflexer]

I hate to say it, but I've decided to sell the Highway 2.

It's listed HERE if anyone is interested. It makes me sad, but I really need money for Christmas presents.