I've been checking out guitars constantly for a while, and usually I'm a Les Paul guy, but for some reason i've been very intrigued by some strats ive been looking at. One that really caught my eye is the highway one. I dont know too much about it and i was wondering if anyone had any comments on it in general. Is there anything wrong with it, would it be worth the money in just getting a regular American strat? i love the daphney blue with maple fretboard, but im just curious as to other people's opinions on this guitar. Fire away, thanks!
Fender Highway One
- Thread starter CryogeniX
- Start date
Richard
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
The Hwy 1 is a MIM guitar that is assembled in America so they put made in USA on it. Alot of people around here love it but not me. The ones I had played just seem dead. No sustain or tone. I ended up buying an American Standard and upgrading it with Duncans but now I wish I would have went with a MIM standard or MIM deluxe and upgreaded. Dont get me wrong... I love my American Standard but my brother did the MIM with the same upgrades as I did and his sounds just as good as mine. Pluss he saved around 400 bucks. But I am sure there is some nice Hwy 1's out there.
The Hwy 1 is a MIM guitar that is assembled in America so they put made in USA on it. Alot of people around here love it but not me. The ones I had played just seem dead. No sustain or tone. I ended up buying an American Standard and upgrading it with Duncans but now I wish I would have went with a MIM standard or MIM deluxe and upgreaded. Dont get me wrong... I love my American Standard but my brother did the MIM with the same upgrades as I did and his sounds just as good as mine. Pluss he saved around 400 bucks. But I am sure there is some nice Hwy 1's out there.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Fender Highway One
Necks are (or maybe were) actually the same necks on American Standards, not MIM necks. Hardware and electronics are the same stuff you'll find in MIM strats, and IIRC they use the same bridge unit as the MIM Deluxe. Mine fairly resonant, but it could use a little more in the sustain department. I noticed an increase in sustain with the installation of a Wilkinson VSVG.
Worth noting that mine is an '04, so obviously before the '06 model changes.
Necks are (or maybe were) actually the same necks on American Standards, not MIM necks. Hardware and electronics are the same stuff you'll find in MIM strats, and IIRC they use the same bridge unit as the MIM Deluxe. Mine fairly resonant, but it could use a little more in the sustain department. I noticed an increase in sustain with the installation of a Wilkinson VSVG.
Worth noting that mine is an '04, so obviously before the '06 model changes.
Ayrton
New member
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
I've got a highway 1 tele and it's my main player...over my gibsons, over the american strat I had...it's an AMAZING guitar. Tone is there, sustain is there, playability is there. Maybe I got lucky, I don't know but it's an amazing guitar and I'd never hesitate to buy another should the need arise.
I'm also a big fan of the earlier highway 1 strats (the ones with the regular headstocks) because they use the six point vibrato instead of the two post american vibratos, which I hate
I've got a highway 1 tele and it's my main player...over my gibsons, over the american strat I had...it's an AMAZING guitar. Tone is there, sustain is there, playability is there. Maybe I got lucky, I don't know but it's an amazing guitar and I'd never hesitate to buy another should the need arise.
I'm also a big fan of the earlier highway 1 strats (the ones with the regular headstocks) because they use the six point vibrato instead of the two post american vibratos, which I hate
Ayrton
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
All Hwy 1s get the 6 point trem, but the '07 "upgrade" received a slightly narrow string spacing, '70's style headstock, different pickups, and steel trem block.
Rumor is that Fender is about to do a serious overhaul of the American Standard, and that is why left over '07 AS models are being blown out.
All Hwy 1s get the 6 point trem, but the '07 "upgrade" received a slightly narrow string spacing, '70's style headstock, different pickups, and steel trem block.
Rumor is that Fender is about to do a serious overhaul of the American Standard, and that is why left over '07 AS models are being blown out.
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MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Fender Highway One
What about them is MIM spec then? I'm not as familiar with the 06+ model "upgrades."
Prior to '06 they came off the same line as the American standards. Even to this day I'm not familiar with any MIM 22 fret neck.
What about them is MIM spec then? I'm not as familiar with the 06+ model "upgrades."
Prior to '06 they came off the same line as the American standards. Even to this day I'm not familiar with any MIM 22 fret neck.
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
mine is before the upgrade, can only imagine how good it would be after
mine is before the upgrade, can only imagine how good it would be after
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Fender Highway One
Hmm, did not know that about the upgrades. Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade.
Pre-upgrade did have the bi-flex truss rods and rolled fret edges. Pre-upgrade didn't have ping tuners, either. Instead, they had the cheaper "Fender" labeled Schallers.
I guess if I were to buy another I'd look used, before the "upgrades."
Hmm, did not know that about the upgrades. Doesn't seem like much of an upgrade.
Pre-upgrade did have the bi-flex truss rods and rolled fret edges. Pre-upgrade didn't have ping tuners, either. Instead, they had the cheaper "Fender" labeled Schallers.
I guess if I were to buy another I'd look used, before the "upgrades."
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Fender Highway One
The problem as with all "low-priority-country-for-this-maker" guitars is wood quality. It can be very random. That's also the reason for the dead ones and low sustain ones mentioned.
It is one of these guitars that you must buy in a shop after trying a couple.
The problem as with all "low-priority-country-for-this-maker" guitars is wood quality. It can be very random. That's also the reason for the dead ones and low sustain ones mentioned.
It is one of these guitars that you must buy in a shop after trying a couple.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
That is incorrect information. The Hwy 1 series never had a bi flex truss rod.
I should know, I own three pre upgrades.
Other than the larger '70's headstock (which some like), the current version Hwy 1 is better in every way.
That is incorrect information. The Hwy 1 series never had a bi flex truss rod.
I should know, I own three pre upgrades.
Other than the larger '70's headstock (which some like), the current version Hwy 1 is better in every way.
Richard
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
Bingo. Find one that talks to you. dont worry about what kind it is. you will know you found your guitar when you find it. And strats are so easy to customize.
Bingo. Find one that talks to you. dont worry about what kind it is. you will know you found your guitar when you find it. And strats are so easy to customize.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Fender Highway One
Well thanks for the clarification. Out of curiosity, where have you received your information? How can you tell from the exterior the type of truss rod in the neck? I'd like to know.
How is the current version objectively superior? The "upgrades" Fender cites on their website are up to player subjectivity. Don't forget, I own a pre upgrade, too.
I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but I am simply stating what I know from mine and what I have read on the internet multiple times (hey, it's been wrong before). If you've got some credible sources, please share. I genuinely would like to know if what I've read is incorrect, beyond someone saying "that's incorrect."
Well thanks for the clarification. Out of curiosity, where have you received your information? How can you tell from the exterior the type of truss rod in the neck? I'd like to know.
How is the current version objectively superior? The "upgrades" Fender cites on their website are up to player subjectivity. Don't forget, I own a pre upgrade, too.
I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but I am simply stating what I know from mine and what I have read on the internet multiple times (hey, it's been wrong before). If you've got some credible sources, please share. I genuinely would like to know if what I've read is incorrect, beyond someone saying "that's incorrect."
Ayrton
New member
Re: Fender Highway One
My information came from Fender, which you can verify by emailing or calling.
I should have written "better to some", but generally speaking most folks like the upgrades. However, I actually prefer the older version (like yours) myself. I did replace the necks with Warmoth, and the pups, but still a great guitar nonetheless.
No "pissing" match intended, I was only trying to offer information.
My information came from Fender, which you can verify by emailing or calling.
I should have written "better to some", but generally speaking most folks like the upgrades. However, I actually prefer the older version (like yours) myself. I did replace the necks with Warmoth, and the pups, but still a great guitar nonetheless.
No "pissing" match intended, I was only trying to offer information.