phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Inspired by the budget #1 axe thread. Out of every electric guitar in my stable (which I think is pretty interesting, see signature), this one has played the most shows, been to the most rehearsals, and travelled the most. I never really talked about it though.
2009 Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster. I never really talked about it, even though I play it ever day. I started out by playing her stock for a while, because I wanted a "pure" stratocaster. That didn't last very long.
Before bringing it to the stage, I added a SD hotrails to the bridge. I dislike single coil bridge pickups, so it made sense. It's what they had at the store, and it fit the bill quite nicely. I also slapped on a set of Schaller straplocks, which don't exactly match, but like with the pickup, I decided I wanted to take my new guitar to the stage, and it's what they had in stock. When doing the pickup install, I put in new pots. Not because they were of different values, but I wanted pots with a little more stiffness for the tone pots, and a smoother feel for the volume. It's also worth noting that the second tone pot also affects the bridge pickup. I also put it a stereo jack, wired mono, lol. I like the extra hold it has.
I broke a saddle on the guitar at some point. When I noticed it, I replaced it with string-savers. I don't know much about them except that they are graphite, and they did alter the feel of the guitar a bit. Firstly, they replaced bent steel saddles, so they feel better for palm muting. They also seem to tame a bit of the high end. The trem is locked down. It's not blocked, but it'S down so tight that it never moves. It's also a virgin, I've never had the arm in there.
Cosmetically, I dig this guitar. Hwy1s have a matt finish to start with, but the guitar's color dulled out something fierce when I flew it out to Alberta this summer for a series of shows. It's been in and out of cold, heat, humidity, hard sun and everything I could throw at it. It's made the finish look really different actually. It's chipped all over the place, but I think it gives it character. The neck finish is starting to grey out a bit behind the neck, but I'm not worried about that. Jumbo frets, so plenty of life left on those. The knobs and pickup covers are artificially aged. I just hate the look of white on white. So I took those parts, used my coffee and other liquids method, and went to work with that. I know, shallow, but I like that look better.
I dig this guitar. It's not as polished or smooth as my Gibsons, but it has guts. It's travelled with me for as long as I've had it, slept outside, been banged up, and it just works. She's a 3 piece, budget strat, but for about 800$ total investment, I have a guitar that really is worth playing. Super resonant, with a beautiful neck, and a feel that just makes me want to hold it. I think I might try and put a graphite nut in it, and then call it a day. Hasn't caused me problems yet, so that will wait. Out of all my guitars, if I had to have a signature one, I guess this would be it. All my others are stock.
2009 Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster. I never really talked about it, even though I play it ever day. I started out by playing her stock for a while, because I wanted a "pure" stratocaster. That didn't last very long.
Before bringing it to the stage, I added a SD hotrails to the bridge. I dislike single coil bridge pickups, so it made sense. It's what they had at the store, and it fit the bill quite nicely. I also slapped on a set of Schaller straplocks, which don't exactly match, but like with the pickup, I decided I wanted to take my new guitar to the stage, and it's what they had in stock. When doing the pickup install, I put in new pots. Not because they were of different values, but I wanted pots with a little more stiffness for the tone pots, and a smoother feel for the volume. It's also worth noting that the second tone pot also affects the bridge pickup. I also put it a stereo jack, wired mono, lol. I like the extra hold it has.
I broke a saddle on the guitar at some point. When I noticed it, I replaced it with string-savers. I don't know much about them except that they are graphite, and they did alter the feel of the guitar a bit. Firstly, they replaced bent steel saddles, so they feel better for palm muting. They also seem to tame a bit of the high end. The trem is locked down. It's not blocked, but it'S down so tight that it never moves. It's also a virgin, I've never had the arm in there.
Cosmetically, I dig this guitar. Hwy1s have a matt finish to start with, but the guitar's color dulled out something fierce when I flew it out to Alberta this summer for a series of shows. It's been in and out of cold, heat, humidity, hard sun and everything I could throw at it. It's made the finish look really different actually. It's chipped all over the place, but I think it gives it character. The neck finish is starting to grey out a bit behind the neck, but I'm not worried about that. Jumbo frets, so plenty of life left on those. The knobs and pickup covers are artificially aged. I just hate the look of white on white. So I took those parts, used my coffee and other liquids method, and went to work with that. I know, shallow, but I like that look better.
I dig this guitar. It's not as polished or smooth as my Gibsons, but it has guts. It's travelled with me for as long as I've had it, slept outside, been banged up, and it just works. She's a 3 piece, budget strat, but for about 800$ total investment, I have a guitar that really is worth playing. Super resonant, with a beautiful neck, and a feel that just makes me want to hold it. I think I might try and put a graphite nut in it, and then call it a day. Hasn't caused me problems yet, so that will wait. Out of all my guitars, if I had to have a signature one, I guess this would be it. All my others are stock.
