Fender Highway One Upgrade Stratocaster

[EPI6fingers]

Best fender production strat since 1968 hands down!

[stratdem]

I have a Rare 2007 nitro daphne blue single coil highway one strat. Fender only made 1500 in this color for the upgraded version strats. The color was discontinued 12-31-2007.

[cha2x30]

can i put tbx in my hiway one?thnx and how can i fixed my problem it always stay out of tune every one song?please help me on this....thnx

[cha2x30]

can i put tbx in my hiway one?thnx

[sohamorrohit]

Polyurethane? I thought the HW 1s had nitro finishes...that's why I was planning to get one. :\

[aituaitz]

@sohamorrohit I think only the neck has a polyurethane finish

[stratdem]

the 2007 highway one sss strats are lighter in weight and

the maple fret board is rare. most highway one strats are

rosewood fret boards. and there are visual differnts for shure.

i question if the 08/09/and 2010 are realy crafted in the USA.

[maintheradio]

@stratdem

Im sorry but this guitar just sounds pretty shitty.

i mean, i know you've done all this expert research and stuff, but it ultimately comes down to tone and this guitar is just way too thin and twangy. i think it just has to do with the MIM stock pickups, maybe throw in some new nicer pickups and you will have a halfway decent guitar.

I'm just not that into it. If i might ask, why are you so crazy about this guitar in the first place?

you show up on every highway one review out there.

[stratdem]

@maintheradio dude the Alnico III pick ups are in fenders top 5

best and they a said to be some of best versatile pu's made

period! its people like you who like to take there own personal opinions

and try to make them a fact i have a problem with that. the highway one series

period is one of fenders most successful series in there 65 years. and the 2007

models are one of the most sought after strats today. soo asswipe my coments are based on true facts yours are nothing more than opinions

[maintheradio]

@stratdem

i actually merely stated that I'm not a fan of the guitar.

but whatever floats your boat bro.

[tangypasta]

lol funky accent

[ItzAmazingBrian]

Is the 2007 better than '08 and '09 models? I just thought they completely redesigned them in '07 and they stayed the same since...

[joaokorb]

Got a 2009/Dec and its the same specs as since 06'. Great deal bang for the buck guitar.

[OstanieKiel]

! I'm thinking about getting one, though, should I ?Why do people say that the neck is uncomfortable!?

[bmr21021975]

what are the main differences between a usa standard strat and a highway 1...apart from the pricetag

[christhekiwi12]

the name

[ilovemagic01]

highway one was created better.. ;)

[bmr21021975]

cheaper materials

[ilovemagic01]

no they arent

[bmr21021975]

like a mexican..

[stratdem]

because of the old school strat feel and there superior tone. if you can get a 2007 highway way one sss strat dont let it go.

[RoughRiffsX12]

are all the h1's made these days reffered to as "upgrade" ? or is there a difference between one that's not labaled as that

[stratdem]

the 2007 highway one sss strat's are one of the most sought after strat's today because of there tone versatility and old school strat feel.

[TyLaw321]

@stratdem dude shut up every single video you say the same thing nobody cares

[rich655]

Amen!!! The guy's a friggin' broken record!!

[joaokorb]

Really man 2007-2009 Highway Ones are same feel/tone. There's no such rumor about the 2007 series. All i could find was you spreding the word about the 2007 series. Nothing more. Got a Dec/2009 Sunbust/Mapple SSS. When I opened the backplate for tremolo ajusting was written with atomic pencil behind the springs "AmerSpec". Sweet hugh? All the series got its particularity, but not because you claim to have tree 2007's you can create this fantasy that they're the best in the world. Keep on Rockin!

[stratdem]

and like i said to you befor your claim is total BULLSHIT! if i was you i would do my home work befor i open my mouth. my claim is based on reserch from many pro guitarist. END OF STORY!

[rockerdude29]

I wish they made them either yellowish olympic white or just straight up arctic white,but this odd tan white.

[VarashTR]

AMEN!

[callthemall]

the only reason I would buy the highways one is for the finish. I wish you could get a full quality strat with all the options but with a nitro finish, instead of the poly stuff that chokes out the tone.

[PopExpo]

fuck they should kept the old smaller headstock shape. that big one is just reminds me of the terrible CBS years. the small headstock is the original vintage headstock.

[TheMadMusicMan]

That's true. Looks a lot like CBS 70s. I do kinda like the big Headstock though it looks different.

[ufc70wasnotasbombas7]

fenders are versatile for metal. marty friedman used a strat for recording solos. he just didn't like strats cause they don't look metal. malmsteen also uses a strat btw

[PopExpo]

with the price hike they should at least throw in the old molded standard case. ya know since they are using the skb cases for the standards. i just feel its a rip off when a kid buys a 900 dollar guitar and gets no case. i feel bad for him.

[kraman5]

That turd who asked if it was for metal. U r a retard all fenders can't do metal even if it has emgs in it. Get an ESP or Jackson or even an epiphone prochecy. For metal.

[tommytomat0]

@kraman5 tell that to dave murray :S

[8Fsanabria8]

Is this versatile enough for prog rock/metal?

[dimmutim]

yes it is my bro has this got this guitar

[8Fsanabria8]

awesome thanks

[ktulhu777]

of course, it will be better to change single to mini humb

[asdfasdsfsa]

if you change the bridge pickup yes :)

[stratdem]

why do that the Alnico III pu's are some of the most tone versatile pu's out there today.

[asdfasdsfsa]

Yeah.. my comment was for 8Fsanabria8... Dont get me wrong.. I really like the Alnico III's too.. but singlecoils for metal - not really..

[SpaceDuck9]

Before the Upgrade, the old Highway One strat uses the old standard wiring just by having one 0.01uf ceramic disk capacitor at the neck tone control. Many strat owners doesn't like that particular value because it causes the neck pickup to become too muffled and dark when the tone control knob sets below 6.

The upgrade should have changed the capacitor to a 0.047uf. I don't like the greasebucket circuitry, because it limits the full sound of a Fender stratocaster.

[SpaceDuck9]

Oops...the value of the capacitor on the old HIghway One strat before the upgrade was 0.1uf for the neck tone control and not the 0.01uf.  The 0.047uf is the best choice, but some would prefer to use the 0.022uf. You can find this out on the internet.

If you are happy with the greasebucket, that's cool.

[gmlasam]

Don't let the higher list price turn you off. You can still get a great deal on a HIghway one at GC...some people got the highway one strats out the door with gig bag for $600. Your best bet is buying them on holiday sales...like the one coming up this weekend....memorial day.

[ivo1212]

can anyone tell me what is better- american strat or highway one??

[tcrangle963]

i got an american standard which is killer. never played a highway one. i wud advise getting the american standard. better specs. mayb considered as only minor things, but i think that they wud make a difference. eg. on the highway one, the middle pickup isnt connected to a tone knob.

however im diggin the 70s stylin

i fancy a highway one to abuse it. want another strat to put really thick strings on and new pickups. my usa standard is my baby! in no hurray to change it!

[baldguyshavemorefun]

I have owned many American Strats and I love this HWY 1 the best. You can get a good deal on one if you go to guitar center. Just paid $640.00 out the door for my 2009

[anthoneycrunch]

hugh,... the specs say nitrocellulose paint.

[dirtriderguy]

yeah, I have a highway one P bass and I know its got a nitro finish on it. maybe he's talking about the paint not the laquer

[MichaelWestlane]

I own a highway one and its perfect but why doesnt have chrome?

[stratdem]

the highway one strat has gone up in price they are now $899.99 to $925.00 some places are still selling them at $750.00 BUT! that not going to last long soon the price will go up every weres

[stratdem]

the complete price tag change on the highway one will be in march 2009. the highway one strat will cost $900 to $925

and worth every penny and still under priced.

[stratdem]

there is a correction. the highway one will cost you $974.98. on march 1st not $925

[baldguyshavemorefun]

I just purchased a Hwy 1 Strat for $640.00 out the door at Guitar Center in Merivliie Indiana. I have owned many American Strats and this so far is the best one yet.

[stratdem]

you got a great deal. concidering they list today for $1,130 and retail between $900 and $935 and yes they are a brilliant strat

much better than the new american standards.

[meah941]

What is the list price anyway?

[stratdem]

LIST PRICE - $1,130 (no case)

RETAIL PRICE - $900 TO $935

[meah941]

No, i meant why is their a list price when all you pay is the retail price?

[stratdem]

list price is what fender says its worth.

you can be charged full price $1,130 or store retail it so you only pay $900 to $935

but you cant be charged over the list price.

[rockerdude29]

I got my wine red tele upgrade for $600 brand new shipped from fender.HW1s are wicked guitars.

[stratdem]

one of the best strats ever produced. somthing tells me that the highway one strat is on its way out. because it went from retail $900 to $930 a few months ago to $699 i dont get it? they still list for

$1,130 oh well i have mine.

[netosogo]

someone knows if i can clean the satin finish with a regular guitar cleaner ?(dunlop formula 65)

[viperBSG]

I'd buy this.Nice.But I'd perfer an Ash body over alder.More tone from ash.

[alldini]

Do you have problems with tuning ? when u bend , or use the whammy bar ? i have serious problems with tuning on my Highway one !

[ChristopherRobin94]

ya i get that problem with whammy bar too. theres something you can buy to fix that problem.

[asdfasdsfsa]

what is it? :D

[ChristopherRobin94]

if you mean whats the product called, sorry i dont know.

[BeboAltizer]

locking tuners and graphite nuts help as well as proper intonation.

[stratdem]

no problems at all with tunning

[romanogitarist]

omg.. dead note(buzzing) at 1:11, wtf??

[MorrellMusic]

Actually, it's at 1:09.

[furby19]

i own the sunburst highway one.. it might not be good for metal. but it is perfect for hard rock

[danophile07]

depends what u define as metal, its been around since 1969 i play 80's metal and strats are good for it, just adjust the saddles to get rid of teh twang,

[gmlasam]

How do you adjust the saddles to get rid of twang??? how does it physically do that? Do you mean replacing the saddles of different composite or material?

[Arturdg1bk]

Where is handle? It is possibility to instal it?

[FWCProductions]

Thats the funky clean sound ive been looking for

[jayhawk808]

ok i just bought a mim fat strat and i read a forum its got the name but its just a piece of crap beginner guitar but i also heard fender upgraded the standard strats in 2006 and was wondering was it just 2006 or all the way through 2008 too?

[stempaapia]

its also in 2008

[Volstandigkeit]

Honestly, if the guitar stays in tune, and you are comfortable with it, that's all that matters. Who cares what some fanboy on a forum has to say. Play your guitar, and be consider yourself fortunate to have such a quality instrument.

[stratdem]

best strat on the market today

much better than the new american standards

love it.

[emachines007]

how does the pickups sound in heavy distortion/metal?

[skatebueno123]

if you want to play a strat you will have to get over the "metal" thing. strats are for buetiful music, not for being drowned in unnecisary distortion.

[emachines007]

i didnt buy this one i bought a fender american deluxe, and it sounds EXCELLENT with distortion or just clean for blues perfect guitar, just because its known for blues doesnt mean it has to be blues only

[skatebueno123]

agreed however i dont think that strats are good for "metal" because they werent made to take distortion that heavy.

[emachines007]

i dont like real heavy muddy sounding i like it somewhat heavy like iron maiden some early metallica maybe

[rama6maiden]

than you had a great deal cause maiden(adrian,dave,janick)use strats to but it would be pretty similar to their guitar if you changed the pups to duncan jb(hotrails)

[Snowblind333]

lol at 0.12 seconds

[rautibo]

i liked the H

[Snowblind333]

lol you guys argue over nothing. if the guy says he has 14 fender strats and you dont believe him then just let it go. if someone says thee a 17 year old session player you can believe it or you can think its a lie if you do think its a lie just forget about it. personally i believe that he has 14 fender strats. SOMEONE CHECK OUT MY VIDEO OF MY GEAR

[Snowblind333]

in my setup i have a little fender frontman 65R its small but it sounds really good, and i have a 50 watt marshal amp from 1989 im not sure which model tho, im putt up a new video of my gear because the old one was to dark and i was pissed off. the video should be up in like an hour

[Jackwintermeyer]

Anglelorichetti, are you Joking?! the only use for these cheap strats is for beginner guitarists. They will not become highly sort after until about 50 years old..not even then! Any guitars that have been mass produced like this are rubbish. The greatest strat of all time?! Sorry but i dont think any player can talk about best of all time until they have played or own a Fender Pre CBS guitar. I bet you haven't even seen one in real life! or know what that is!

[TheFrozenLads]

dude--while it is entirely possible (maybe even likely) that you are absolutely right, a pre-CBS Fender is going to cost a bloody arm and a leg. actually, it would probably go for two arms and a leg.

[angelorichetti]

rumor has it that 2008 will be the last year for the highway one strat. the greatest strat of alltime.the late upgraded 2006 and 2007's will be the ones that will be highly sought after.the daphne blue with maple fret board is no longer available (late 2006 to 2007)these strats have been compared to the custom shop strats. so if you have a late upgraded 2006 to 2007's highway one's strat hold on to them they will become a collecters item.

[doctorsadvocategame]

Dude that is absolutely hilarious. I just bought a 2006 Highway one Daphne Blue with the maple fretboard. god damn am i lucky. got it about a month and a half ago.

[angelorichetti]

very lucky dude hold on to it.

[angelorichetti]

the highway one upgrade daphne blue with maple fret board was discontinued in 2007 so who ever has one hold on to it. i have mine

[doctorsadvocategame]

Haha i know dude. The scary thing is that i almost put in EMG pickups. But im sticking with the original 62 Reissue's i have now

[mayerguitar]

it has a satin finshed neck not poly!

[angelorichetti]

late 2006's and 2007's are the best strats of any kind. this strat does it all from the classic tone's to modern tones. i compare these strats to the custom shop or signature strats. the highway one is the best strat on the maeket today. tone/playability/feel this strat cant be beat.

[Nofuture91]

man the lick that guy hes playing at the beginning sounds so familiar. Holy shit i know what thats from!!!! its from behind the wall of sl

[Nofuture91]

behind the wall of sleep by black sabbath. Major props to that guy for picking an amazing song.

[nirvanarox94]

this guitar rocks. it plays everything. wine red with maple neck and fretboard is the colour of mine . woo.

[nirvanarox94]

this guitar rocks. it plays everything. wine red with maple neck and fretboard is the colour of mine . woo.

[blackfireINSANITY]

nitro ages better than poly anyway.

[blahman178]

That guitar could be as good as a standard if it had better pickups.

[blahman178]

American Standard* that is

[sixOHHfour]

I have this guitar in sunburst with a rosewood fretboard. It is amazing once you get some thicker strings and set it up to your liking!

[prompen3]

it doesnt have poly finish as they say in the vid it actually has nitro finish!

[sozsei]

I believe he's talking about the neck, which does have a satin polyurethane finish.