How are the fender Highway one series?
- Thread starter ledzepp29
- Start date
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I absolutely love mine. I've owned an American Hot Rodded Texas Special Strat, and this one. With the exception of the finish....I find the quality to be no different. My neck feels like it has rolled edges, if it doesn't then my Am Series didn't. The stock pups are decent, the middle and neck pups being the better of the set. The bridge I found to be thin and shrill...but I find that with many stock bridge pups.
The light finish really gives these guitars a nice resonant sound and tone. More open and alive...again, not better than the Am Standards....just different. Better in my opinion only.
I love the finish on mine, even though it is nowhere as durable or shiney as the poly finishes of the Am Series. The Hwy 1's will scratch and ding at some pretty minor brushes with watches, buttons, walls....ect. It makes the strat look like more of a relic. If you take extreme care...you could keep it really nice.
Here's the way I look at it. You will more than likely change the pups on an Am Standard anyhow...they are just ok in my opinion. Get the Hwy 1, change the pickups and you are still at least $200 ahead vs the Am Standard.
I absolutely love mine. I've owned an American Hot Rodded Texas Special Strat, and this one. With the exception of the finish....I find the quality to be no different. My neck feels like it has rolled edges, if it doesn't then my Am Series didn't. The stock pups are decent, the middle and neck pups being the better of the set. The bridge I found to be thin and shrill...but I find that with many stock bridge pups.
The light finish really gives these guitars a nice resonant sound and tone. More open and alive...again, not better than the Am Standards....just different. Better in my opinion only.
I love the finish on mine, even though it is nowhere as durable or shiney as the poly finishes of the Am Series. The Hwy 1's will scratch and ding at some pretty minor brushes with watches, buttons, walls....ect. It makes the strat look like more of a relic. If you take extreme care...you could keep it really nice.
Here's the way I look at it. You will more than likely change the pups on an Am Standard anyhow...they are just ok in my opinion. Get the Hwy 1, change the pickups and you are still at least $200 ahead vs the Am Standard.
M
martinsixstringcustoms
Guest
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
My friend got a Highway 1 Tele. I personally am not that impressed. I don't like the finishes (or lack thereof). Plus, no hardcase.
As far as sound, again, I'm sorta critical. But to be fair, I'm not a huge fan of Fender stock pups.
I've got a MIM Strat with SD Alnico Pro II's and to me it sounds and looks awesome. Just my humble opinion for whatever its worth...
My friend got a Highway 1 Tele. I personally am not that impressed. I don't like the finishes (or lack thereof). Plus, no hardcase.
As far as sound, again, I'm sorta critical. But to be fair, I'm not a huge fan of Fender stock pups.
I've got a MIM Strat with SD Alnico Pro II's and to me it sounds and looks awesome. Just my humble opinion for whatever its worth...
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I Loved Jeff's thorough explanation of his Highway 1....I Only own a Highway 1 body and used all of my own stuff from there,but: Like Jeff says,the body resonates great and it vibrates against your body while playing it unplugged....The satin finish is way cool...Looks like someone painted it out in their garage..The only downer I've read so far is about the bridge pickup being weak and this is pretty common on most strats....If you go to www.mrgearhead.com and look under the Highway 1's parts listings you'll see it's loaded with "Mexican Vintage Series" pickups...Probably the same pickups that were used on the Mexican Vintage Classic Reissue guitars...I'd bet with just a bridge pickup change to something ballsier,that a guy could have a really great playing and looking strat in the Highway 1.. :dance: The bodies are really great though..That I can say!
Jeff_H said:
I Loved Jeff's thorough explanation of his Highway 1....I Only own a Highway 1 body and used all of my own stuff from there,but: Like Jeff says,the body resonates great and it vibrates against your body while playing it unplugged....The satin finish is way cool...Looks like someone painted it out in their garage..The only downer I've read so far is about the bridge pickup being weak and this is pretty common on most strats....If you go to www.mrgearhead.com and look under the Highway 1's parts listings you'll see it's loaded with "Mexican Vintage Series" pickups...Probably the same pickups that were used on the Mexican Vintage Classic Reissue guitars...I'd bet with just a bridge pickup change to something ballsier,that a guy could have a really great playing and looking strat in the Highway 1.. :dance: The bodies are really great though..That I can say!
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Thanks John....and I forgot to mention one thing that is VERY important to me. The 60's series strats, and all of the re-issues are missing a fret (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I like the Am Series for that reason.
Also, on most of the Classics and re-issues, the frets are vintage. The Am's and the Hwy 1's are medium jumbo...just personal preference, but worth a thought.
Thanks John....and I forgot to mention one thing that is VERY important to me. The 60's series strats, and all of the re-issues are missing a fret (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I like the Am Series for that reason.
Also, on most of the Classics and re-issues, the frets are vintage. The Am's and the Hwy 1's are medium jumbo...just personal preference, but worth a thought.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Yep buddy...21 frets were and still are,the norm on a strat...The 22 fret gig started I think in the late 80s with the American STD series that came with the TBX tone control...You are dead on about the frets also Jeff...I have some strats with 22 frets and some with 21 and it never makes much difference to me way up that high on the neck...
John
Jeff_H said:
Yep buddy...21 frets were and still are,the norm on a strat...The 22 fret gig started I think in the late 80s with the American STD series that came with the TBX tone control...You are dead on about the frets also Jeff...I have some strats with 22 frets and some with 21 and it never makes much difference to me way up that high on the neck...
John
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I played half a dozen of the first H1s to come into my local dealer a year ago. Overall, they were the most consistent fender guitars I've ever played. The only sonic difference between the guitars was that some had maple boards and some had rosewood, with the tone differing accordingly.
I wasn't a fan of the colours of that first run, but the light finish definitely allowed the guitars to ring. I remember that the pickups were okay, with a distinctive sound compared to other fender models (and I tried everything, at every price point). I'd replace them, but that's a personal thing.
The only thing I didn't like was the not bulky enough neck, which again is a personal thing. The quality was great overall. I'd recommend them to anyone on a budget.
I played half a dozen of the first H1s to come into my local dealer a year ago. Overall, they were the most consistent fender guitars I've ever played. The only sonic difference between the guitars was that some had maple boards and some had rosewood, with the tone differing accordingly.
I wasn't a fan of the colours of that first run, but the light finish definitely allowed the guitars to ring. I remember that the pickups were okay, with a distinctive sound compared to other fender models (and I tried everything, at every price point). I'd replace them, but that's a personal thing.
The only thing I didn't like was the not bulky enough neck, which again is a personal thing. The quality was great overall. I'd recommend them to anyone on a budget.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
They are good workhorse guitars, good above average guitars, I love the model with the big 70's head, want one of those for a frankenstrat project:burnout:
They are good workhorse guitars, good above average guitars, I love the model with the big 70's head, want one of those for a frankenstrat project:burnout:
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59paul
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Right On, Rid.
And John, you're absolutely right...the H1 body is EXTREMELY resonant !!!
( Now...all this from a Les Paul guy. But these guys are dead on !!! )
.................................................................................
Rid said:
Right On, Rid.
And John, you're absolutely right...the H1 body is EXTREMELY resonant !!!
( Now...all this from a Les Paul guy. But these guys are dead on !!! )
.................................................................................
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I loved the Highway 1 I played at GC a while back. I tried a few of them actually, and all of them played, looked and sounded great.
I loved the Highway 1 I played at GC a while back. I tried a few of them actually, and all of them played, looked and sounded great.
UCSDBoy
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I've always kind of wanted to get an unfinished strat body from Warmoth or a place like that and just do up a strat like that - that finish looks relatively easy to do, don't you think? stain and/or seal, and then spray on and buff down a couple coats of satin nitro...
I've always kind of wanted to get an unfinished strat body from Warmoth or a place like that and just do up a strat like that - that finish looks relatively easy to do, don't you think? stain and/or seal, and then spray on and buff down a couple coats of satin nitro...
Norman_T
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I have one (courtesy of my good friend Jeff_H) the neck and the body are great and if you are just using the pups for home/occasional use then that would be fine.
My main criticism of the pups are that it in real gigging situations they just do not cut through the mix. I found this out the other week when I suffered problems in that they started to "break up" and strated to lose their bite, I had to go to my other strat which has got Fralin pups in them.
So yes they are good guitars for the money and if you can them reasonably cheap then go for it but be prepared to change the bridge pup or all three of them. Yes they do scratch and ding but nothing to get worried about and they will add character to the guitar.
I have one (courtesy of my good friend Jeff_H) the neck and the body are great and if you are just using the pups for home/occasional use then that would be fine.
My main criticism of the pups are that it in real gigging situations they just do not cut through the mix. I found this out the other week when I suffered problems in that they started to "break up" and strated to lose their bite, I had to go to my other strat which has got Fralin pups in them.
So yes they are good guitars for the money and if you can them reasonably cheap then go for it but be prepared to change the bridge pup or all three of them. Yes they do scratch and ding but nothing to get worried about and they will add character to the guitar.
dr.barlo
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Highway 1's don't have a tone control on the bridge no? I am not certain, yet I think they are wired vintage style, thus no control on the bridge pickup. Gotta admit am too lazy to check it from mrgearhead.com.
When you were talking about vintage series I thought you meant this. Said to myself how come a difference of $50, should be like $500! :smack:
B
Highway 1's don't have a tone control on the bridge no? I am not certain, yet I think they are wired vintage style, thus no control on the bridge pickup. Gotta admit am too lazy to check it from mrgearhead.com.
When you were talking about vintage series I thought you meant this. Said to myself how come a difference of $50, should be like $500! :smack:
B
stratsandaks
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
I just bought a Highway 1 Strat a couple of weeks ago, I don't really have anything to add except to say that these guys are right on with their comments. It's a keeper.
Currently saving up for some Antiquities to make this guitar really come alive.
I just bought a Highway 1 Strat a couple of weeks ago, I don't really have anything to add except to say that these guys are right on with their comments. It's a keeper.
Currently saving up for some Antiquities to make this guitar really come alive.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Doc...I was looking at the MrGearhead info earlier this week on the Highway 1 and if memory serves me right,there's no tone control for the bridge position pickup....The site shows the pickups as being "Mexican vintage"....
John
dr.barlo said:Highway 1's don't have a tone control on the bridge no? I am not certain, yet I think they are wired vintage style, thus no control on the bridge pickup. Gotta admit am too lazy to check it from mrgearhead.com.
When you were talking about vintage series I thought you meant this. Said to myself how come a difference of $50, should be like $500! :smack:
B
Doc...I was looking at the MrGearhead info earlier this week on the Highway 1 and if memory serves me right,there's no tone control for the bridge position pickup....The site shows the pickups as being "Mexican vintage"....
John
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Right on brother...I'm waiting on my pickguard and then Lew is going to put some Surfer Antiquities onto the guard for me...If they are anything like the Texas Hots...(And I Know coming from Lew they are) I'm going to have both a red and blue strat with Antiquities....Very cool.. :dance:
John
stratsandaks said:I just bought a Highway 1 Strat a couple of weeks ago, I don't really have anything to add except to say that these guys are right on with their comments. It's a keeper.
Currently saving up for some Antiquities to make this guitar really come alive.
Right on brother...I'm waiting on my pickguard and then Lew is going to put some Surfer Antiquities onto the guard for me...If they are anything like the Texas Hots...(And I Know coming from Lew they are) I'm going to have both a red and blue strat with Antiquities....Very cool.. :dance:
John
stratsandaks
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Cool, I'm interested in hearing your opinion on the Sufers. I was pretty much sold on the Texas Hots but after hearing Lew talk up the Surfers... I'm not so sure anymore. :smack:
fftopic:
STRATDELUXER97 said:
Cool, I'm interested in hearing your opinion on the Sufers. I was pretty much sold on the Texas Hots but after hearing Lew talk up the Surfers... I'm not so sure anymore. :smack:
fftopic:
JimiHWannaBe
New member
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
they are pretty nice guitars but they cost about the same as a used american so unless you find a real nice one i would look for a nice used american
they are pretty nice guitars but they cost about the same as a used american so unless you find a real nice one i would look for a nice used american
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
Guys...the guitars are wired vintage style with no tone control on the bridge pup. I simply switched one of the wires, now I have tone control on the bridge and none on the middle, which is fine.
I put the Fender Custom Shop 54's in mine because I got a great deal on them.....$80 for the set. Not bad pups at all. I have a baseplate from Callaham I need to put on the bridge pup at some point to see if that will beef it up a bit. Otherwise, I'm going with a set of Antquities and the Hot Bridge.
Awsome, awsome strat. I want to buy annother hwy 1 body to go with the strat neck I just got from brisk.
Guys...the guitars are wired vintage style with no tone control on the bridge pup. I simply switched one of the wires, now I have tone control on the bridge and none on the middle, which is fine.
I put the Fender Custom Shop 54's in mine because I got a great deal on them.....$80 for the set. Not bad pups at all. I have a baseplate from Callaham I need to put on the bridge pup at some point to see if that will beef it up a bit. Otherwise, I'm going with a set of Antquities and the Hot Bridge.
Awsome, awsome strat. I want to buy annother hwy 1 body to go with the strat neck I just got from brisk.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: How are the fender Highway one series?
John...My gut feeling is that the Texas Hots and Surfers are both great,but just a different flavor maybe? If Lew likes em,I'm sure I will too...OR ELSE IT'S CURTAINS FOR LEW! :13: :32:fftopic: :wink:
John
stratsandaks said:Cool, I'm interested in hearing your opinion on the Sufers. I was pretty much sold on the Texas Hots but after hearing Lew talk up the Surfers... I'm not so sure anymore. :smack:
John...My gut feeling is that the Texas Hots and Surfers are both great,but just a different flavor maybe? If Lew likes em,I'm sure I will too...OR ELSE IT'S CURTAINS FOR LEW! :13: :32:
fftopic: :wink: John
