It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:35 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Whats the difference between Highway 1 and American series?
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:41 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:53 pm
Posts: 77
I want to buy a jazz bass. I love the feel and sound of the American series and I'm a firm believer in buying American so a mexi is not a choice for me but since fender increased prices on all of their instruments, Ive been leaning toward the Highway One Series. I know the main differences are the finish and pickups and bridge, but I've never had a chance to play one myself and would like a more detailed explanation. The things i want to know are

*Is the neck on the Highway One the same feel as on the American Standard Series?

*Is the wood lower quality than used on the American Series?

*Besides the finish, is the highway one as durable as the American series?

*Is the greasebucket tone circuit a good or bad thing? (if not I'll just switch it out for a regular pot by myself)

*What do the pickups lack compared to the American Series?

I'm definitely not going to make a purchase without playing one myself first, i just want to know these things until i can get my hands one a highway one.

Thanks for your answers!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:55 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:47 am
Posts: 394
Despite the fact they are both MIA basses, they are QUITE different.

The neck on the Am. St. has a thinner satin finish on the back that does feels different. It also has griphite reinforcement rods that are a HUGE plus, because they stengthen the neck and allow you to get a lower action witout fret buzz.

The pickups are voiced a little different. The Am. St. is more modernly voiced (i.e. more low mid, less hi mid), whereas the highway one is a more vintage voiced (i.e. more hi mid, sweeter high).

The greasebucket circuit is completely subjective. Don't be fooled by the way it's described as "rolling off the highs wihtout addign bass." it's false mainly because NO passive tone control adds bass, it only cuts highs. What the greesebucket really does is sorta switch cap values midway through rolling off the contol.

It's easy as hell to rip it out and put in a regular tone cap (you don't need to change the pot itself).


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:32 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:53 pm
Posts: 77
all of those things are definitely pluses in my book, especially the more vintage pickups. do you own one yourself?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:42 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:15 am
Posts: 45
I've played both these instruments and own the Highway One. The Highway One is good value for the money it has good tone the neck feels great and the finish looks good. But having played the American Standard Jazz Bass it made me wish i held onto my money for a bit longer. I played a Candy Cola with a Maple fretboard and honestly thought it sounded and played better. It has a beautiful neck on it also. If you are looking to gig a lot though I would just get a HWY 1 due to the fact I believe it would be more durable in the long run and maybe down the line get a Standard to be your baby, I know I will be lol. Its really up to you on what you buy though.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:32 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:10 am
Posts: 1086
For 2009's IMO both HW1 and US basses are graphite reinforced.. The difference between the 2 are well US has lightweight keys whilst HW1's have the same as MIM ones.. and the Bridge too.. '09s have BAII on the HW1's and the US ones have High Mass Vintage bridge.. which I think can be string through or top load..


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:43 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:44 pm
Posts: 98
Location: Utah
JazzBass1990 wrote:
I've played both these instruments and own the Highway One. The Highway One is good value for the money it has good tone the neck feels great and the finish looks good. But having played the American Standard Jazz Bass it made me wish i held onto my money for a bit longer. I played a Candy Cola with a Maple fretboard and honestly thought it sounded and played better. It has a beautiful neck on it also. If you are looking to gig a lot though I would just get a HWY 1 due to the fact I believe it would be more durable in the long run and maybe down the line get a Standard to be your baby, I know I will be lol. Its really up to you on what you buy though.



I own an AM Standard P Bass and it's tank tough. I think more durable than HWY1. Finish wise though I would rather beat up the HWY 1 than the AM STND.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Mr. Nylon and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: