Fender Highway1 strat 2003 vs. 2006

[Mr.Stratocaster]

Hello everyone!
I would like to buy Fender Highway 1 strat with oversized 70's style headstock. I have found that newer 2006 models do have this feature, but some of the older 2003 models also have oversized headstock.

I want to know any differences between 2003 and 2006 models! Is there any differences in finish, neck shape, fretboard radius, frets size, body wood etc.?

Please let me know. Thanks!

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Fender Highway1 strat 2003 vs. 2006

When the Highway 1 series first came out, the range was based loosly on 50's type cosmetics (small headstock, script logo). The Strat with the big headstock was the HSS one, with a black-bobbin humbucker in the bridge on white scratchplates. The newer HW1's are loosly based on 70's cosmetics, hence the big headstock on all the Strats.

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Fender Highway1 strat 2003 vs. 2006

The older ones had satin acrylic lacquer finishes, the newer ones have opaque nitrocellulose lacquer finishes.

 

[FenderBender03]

Re: Fender Highway1 strat 2003 vs. 2006

The newer '06 models have "Hot Alnico 3" pickups while the older versions had vintage reissue Alnico 5 pickups. The same ones found in the 50's and 60's made in Mexico reissues.

I also hear that the new Highway 1's now offer a steel tremelo block.


It's also worth mentioning that the older Hwy. 1 guitars also had American Series necks, and they also had the Classic Series hardware along with the pickups.

I had a 2005 maple neck Hwy. 1 in honey blonde...i even installed a steel block in it. It really was a pretty nice guitar, but i had to have one of the upgraded '06 Standard Telecasters in Chrome Red. Now i'm kinda glad i made that move, this new Tele is really cool!



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