highway 1 vs. MIM

[callous_frigid_chill]

what are the main differences between these? all i know is that the highway 1s are made in the us and have a different finish.

[Luke Duke]

The hwy 1 finish is a thin laquer instead of a poly paint. The hardware is the same I think both are MIM. The body and neck are the biggest difference. The neck is the same profile, and fretwork as the American series. The difference is no micro-tilt adjustment. But it wouldn't surprise me if the neck had the plate on it but the body didn't that would cut the cost by having interchangeable necks. Necks are also 22 fret instead of 21. The body is usually 2 or 3 pieces of alder like the mexican....probably like the Am. Series too. Hope that helps somewhat.

Luke

[the guy who invented fire]

If you mean the MIM classic series...not much, thwe tuners are different, both are good. The bridges are the same. The pickups are the same, and not bad for stock. The HW1 necks have fatter frets and have a flatter radius. The finish is different. The HW1 are more like AS Fenders while the MIM classics are more like Vintage reissues. As for the MIM Standard guitars...they are very different...in fact NONE of the parts from a MIM Standard and a MIM Classic or a HW1 are the same!

[the guy who invented fire]

The hwy 1 finish is a thin laquer instead of a poly paint. The hardware is the same I think both are MIM. The body and neck are the biggest difference. The neck is the same profile, and fretwork as the American series. The difference is no micro-tilt adjustment. But it wouldn't surprise me if the neck had the plate on it but the body didn't that would cut the cost by having interchangeable necks. Necks are also 22 fret instead of 21. The body is usually 2 or 3 pieces of alder like the mexican....probably like the Am. Series too. Hope that helps somewhat.

Luke

You are right...the necks are set up for micro tilt but the bodiess are not...The HW1 use the bodies from the MIM Classics and the necks from the American Standard with the pups and bridges from the MIM Classic and the tuners and string trees, and guard plates from the American Standard with the thin/satin finish...I love my HW1 Tele...I have changed a few things, but I love it. If you want a more modern Fender with out the AS price tag, get a HW1...if you want a vintage style guitar w/o the high price tag get a MIM classic!

[callous_frigid_chill]

thanks guys

[Luke Duke]

AHAH! Those sly little Fenderites. One plus one equals 2.5 in this case. My buddy has a Hwy 1 Pbass and it has an amazing tone. Harmonics gallore are amplified by his duncan I bought him. I've been looking at a blue one....but I'll have to dump my current US strat and I don't think that's gonna happen.

Luke

[Twitch]

I own a MIM Fat Strat and have played many strats at shops. My view on MIM strats is that some of them are exceptionally made, while some of them are crap. If you try a lot of MIM's out you can find one that feels just as good as an American, the difference being the tone. If you plan on modding, I would look for a nice MIM then swap out pups, bridge, and anything else you want. Then you'll have a great little semi-custom strat. :thumb:

[big_black]

I just can't seem to get into the HWY 1 finishes. They all just look cheap. There is something that doesn't feel right compared to my MIA. It just doesn't feel "real". I am kind of picky though, especially about Strats.

[the guy who invented fire]

I just can't seem to get into the HWY 1 finishes. They all just look cheap. There is something that doesn't feel right compared to my MIA. It just doesn't feel "real". I am kind of picky though, especially about Strats.

i haven't played a HW1 Strat yet that I liked...But I LOVE my Telecaster to death, that said I have put quite a few upgrades into it...but I liked it a lot stock!!!

[stevie ray]

I kno of the HW1 (highway 1) but what is a MIM strat? Or MIA?

MIM= Made in Mexico and MIA=Made in America? Is that it?

thanks

[the guy who invented fire]

I kno of the HW1 (highway 1) but what is a MIM strat? Or MIA?

MIM= Made in Mexico and MIA=Made in America? Is that it?

thanks

You are right...WOW I would have thought SRV whould have known that!!!

[stevie ray]

You are right...WOW I would have thought SRV whould have known that!!!

Hey, its all about the playing!

And abbreviations can confuse me... hahahah silly question

[big_black]

i haven't played a HW1 Strat yet that I liked...But I LOVE my Telecaster to death, that said I have put quite a few upgrades into it...but I liked it a lot stock!!!

It's a weird thing about Strats, I guess. Some MIM and HWY 1 Teles are alright to me. A strat has to be a really great one for me to get into it. I love the Classic Series Teles.