Fender Highway One strats!?

[metalmachine]

i never liked the highway ones. but the American specials were killer if you like strats. i sey get a JACKSON!!!!!!

[uOpt]

I don't like the Mexican standards (or the american standards for that matter) but the 50ties and 60ties MIM reissues are good.

They also have a 1970ties model with large headplate but I haven't seen it live and in color.

[Moonsorrow]

i never liked the highway ones. but the American specials were killer if you like strats. i sey get a JACKSON!!!!!!

or a Charvel!!!!

[crusty philtrum]

That guitar looks good, Mr. Philtrum. What was the process you used to polish it?

I don't exactly remember, but it would have no doubt been the usual process ... I just can't remember where I started. Probably wet-sanding starting with 1200 paper, then it would have been 1500 and 2000, followed by an auto cutting compound (silicon-free) and then a swirl remover.

All the sanding should be done lightly with great care taken around the edges because the nitro is soft and thin.

[Pierre]

I also decked my bridge (5 springs, screwed just to keep it tight with the body. Do NOT screw as much as you can: just keep the bottom of the screw heads firmly against the bridge's baseplate).
My Strat stayed perfectly in tune with the older tuners, but I since replaced them with locking tuners for restringing facility and she's not keeping as well in tune now. The stock hardware is fine.

[papersoul]

So the newer Highway One strats have different string spacing??? I have large hands and find the spacing Gibson uses and PRS, to work well with me. I think I prefer wider string spacing. I sold my PEavey Wolfgang because the string spacing was too close!

Look at this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Highway-One-Hwy-1-Original-Version-USA-Strat-Stratocaster-NO-RESERVE-/140744892301?pt=Guitar&hash=item20c50c9f8d

[Powdered Toast Man]

The Hwy1 guitars just use the MIM string spacing. It's like a 16th of an inch difference.

[dominus]

The Hwy1 guitars just use the MIM string spacing. It's like a 16th of an inch difference.

The older ones had all USA spacing, the newer bridges have USA spaced mounting screws and MIM string spacing.

[papersoul]

The older ones had all USA spacing, the newer bridges have USA spaced mounting screws and MIM string spacing.

OK....so which is wider???? Thanks.

[papersoul]

Which is the wider spacing? At 6'3", 220 as a bodybuilder, I have big hands!

[papersoul]

Best strat I have played was my 2000 amer. Standard but I hate the bridge. I prefer a vintage style bridge like the H1. I wish the H1 had rolled fret ends.

[crusty philtrum]

Which is the wider spacing? At 6'3", 220 as a bodybuilder, I have big hands!

The Highway 1 has slightly narrower string spacing. The neck is regular width so if the string spacing was an issue, you could replace the bridge with a regular one ... the 6 mounting screws are the standard spacing, as has been mentioned previously.

Have you played a Highway 1 ? I really don't think the fret ends/ edge of fretboard is an issue, and I've never seen anyone else mention it as being a problem. Mine plays just fine and is very comfortable.

[papersoul]

I went and played some today and actually found the American St. A step above.

[papersoul]

It seems the Standard is head and shoulders above the Highway.
I found a Standard locally for $600 with rosewood board and Lindy Fralin Vintage Hots and full shielding. But I prefer maple and stock.

[JordanM82]

Fralin vintage hots are really really good pickups... dont let that hold you back man, you could always take those out and sell them and have more then enough for new pickups especially the stock ones...

[Kramer Guy]

It's too bad Fender discontinued them in favor of the American Specials . If I had the money, I would definately go and get one , which you still can on Musician's Friend or on E-Bay. I pretty much turned my 2008 Squier Standard Strat into a version of a Highway One, except the pups are Custom Shop 57/62s . It has a Fender F logo plate on the back and Graph-Tech Bridge Saddles with a Fender 5 way pup switch. Sounds great and stays in tune with no problems. I've had plenty of offers to sell it, but it's not for sale.

[papersoul]

Guitar center has the new highway one strats in stock but they don't feel as high quality as the standards. I hear the post 2006 highway one strats are also veteran than older ones. However, if you can get a used standard, why not?

[Powdered Toast Man]

Funny, when I went to go buy a Strat I did an A/B between a Hwy1 and an AS. I really went into the store expecting to come out with an AS but I ended up buying the H1.

[papersoul]

I prefer the 6 screw bridge over the two post, so if I had to have a USA model, I'd definitely go with a Highway One.

I do agree on that! It makes a difference in resonance!

[JordanM82]

I've played a couple American specials and none of them disappointed me I wouldn't be afraid to give them a look either. Great guitars, great pickups, 6 screw vintage style bridge.... I dig 'em