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Post subject: Why does the Highway 1 Telecaster cost so much less?
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:26 pm
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It's nearly half the price of the American Standard Deluxe. Why is this? I don't particualry want to hear about the electronics that much seeing as I'm no expert in that field. To your experience how different is the tone between the American Standard tele, the American standard deluxe, and the highway 1? I'm not buying it anytime soon, but would I be better off spending 300 dollars more for a standard tele? I know it costs 300 dollars more, but is the american standard tele really 300 dollars better?


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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:55 pm
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All the instruments in the Highway One series are less money than the regular American series. They're a bit more vulnerable to damage, I know that much because of the nitro finish. Not sure why else though. But that's just my guess. :?


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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:56 pm
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Rocker_Gamma wrote:
All the instruments in the Highway One series are less money than the regular American series. They're a bit more vulnerable to damage, I know that much because of the nitro finish. Not sure why else though. But that's just my guess. :?


So the sound is exactly the same then?


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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:00 pm
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Here is something I was wondering, Are the parts American on the HWY 1 series ? Or are the parts made in the mexican shop and shipped to America for assembly?


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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:54 pm
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My HWY 1 Stratocaster says Made in USA, so as far as I am concerned it is . True the Nitro finish is more vulnerable to take damage, but it allows the wood to breath better and gives it a slightly mellow-er sound than the MIM. It has good technology in the circuits that are far superior to the MIM models (my opinion only). It is a good step up from the MIM models I played in the store at the time I purchaced it. BAck to the Tele's:

The Extra $300 dollars spent on the MIA Standards and Deluxes are worth it if you like their sounds.

If you save enough money for the American Standard, go ahead and play the HWY 1, American Standard, and American Deluxe. Make your choice. The one to buy is the one that sounds the best, feels good, and easy to play. You may even save some $$$ if you decide you like the HWY 1 better.


FOrgot to mention that the HWY 1's are made with cheaper parts compared to the MIA's

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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:04 pm
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I heard that the Finish was the only difference...

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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:21 pm
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allanf64 wrote:
I heard that the Finish was the only difference...

More then that the American Standard has better tuners that are staggard and different controls which are Delta tone and no load. Also Rolled finger board and the Bi Flex truss rod, different saddles . There is a big difference other then just finish.

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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:00 pm
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cvilleira wrote:
allanf64 wrote:
I heard that the Finish was the only difference...

More then that the American Standard has better tuners that are staggard and different controls which are Delta tone and no load. Also Rolled finger board and the Bi Flex truss rod, different saddles . There is a big difference other then just finish.

I did not Know that...thanks.! I thought it just lacked the shine...I've never played that particular model. But, I've yet to meet an American Strat or Tele that I didn't like for the most part... except...(back in 79'-80' my buddy had a strat that seemed to have quality control issues)...

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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:14 pm
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cvilleira wrote:
allanf64 wrote:
I heard that the Finish was the only difference...

More then that the American Standard has better tuners that are staggard and different controls which are Delta tone and no load. Also Rolled finger board and the Bi Flex truss rod, different saddles . There is a big difference other then just finish.


So the only difference is finish, tuners, all that external stuff? Do they have the same exact pickups and body shape and everything? I know I'm supposed to go by tone but I just want to know if it is basically the same guitar or not. I really don't give a $@!& how the guitar looks so does it really matter?


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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:50 am
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Hello Folkrock91,

The American standard also comes with a
nice hardshell case. Highway one has no
case with it so add about a $100 to your cost.
Go play em both if possible see what you like.

Cheers.


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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:15 am
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folkrock91 wrote:
So the only difference is finish, tuners, all that external stuff? Do they have the same exact pickups and body shape and everything? I know I'm supposed to go by tone but I just want to know if it is basically the same guitar or not. I really don't give a $@!& how the guitar looks so does it really matter?

No, the pickups are not the same. Annnnnd don't forget the MIA Std also comes with a beautiful hardshell case.

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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:09 am
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The Highway Ones cost less because:

The "nitro" finish costs less to apply
and
They have "vintage" style hardware which costs less

I've got an '04 Hwy 1 Texas Tele and it's fabulous. Mine came with hotter Texas pickups that have since been changed out for seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders. The original p'ups sounded good, but I alway's upgrade my pickups (my MIA Strat has DiMarzio's now) it's just my thing.

In my (not so humble) opinion, the Highway 1's are the best "bang for the buck" guitars that Fender makes. You get a US made instrument at a great price point.

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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:51 am
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I have an 04 Hwy1 and I tried it and 4 others along with 5 AmStd and 5 MIM before buying. My conclusion on the Hwy1 vs. the AmStd: the tone was consistently more muted or mellow. I'm not an expert in electronics either, so I don't know whether this was due to wood, finish or the electronics or (most likely) a combination.

Put in simpler terms, the Hwy1s I tried didn't have the classic Tele twang and spank of the AmStd. I can't get that sound no matter how I play with the amp settings. In my case, that was okay because I don't play much old school country, rockabilly or other genres that depend on the twang.

So if you're looking for the classic sound without having to do any mods or working hard at settings, the AmStd is likely the better choice. The other enhancements will be icing on the cake!


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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:24 pm
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philip602 wrote:
I have an 04 Hwy1 and I tried it and 4 others along with 5 AmStd and 5 MIM before buying. My conclusion on the Hwy1 vs. the AmStd: the tone was consistently more muted or mellow. I'm not an expert in electronics either, so I don't know whether this was due to wood, finish or the electronics or (most likely) a combination.

Put in simpler terms, the Hwy1s I tried didn't have the classic Tele twang and spank of the AmStd. I can't get that sound no matter how I play with the amp settings. In my case, that was okay because I don't play much old school country, rockabilly or other genres that depend on the twang.

So if you're looking for the classic sound without having to do any mods or working hard at settings, the AmStd is likely the better choice. The other enhancements will be icing on the cake!


What if I'm planning on playing soft rock and folk rock on it? Like Van Morrison, Dylan, and maybe some jazz? I'm still going to try it out, but I want to know what I'm doing ahead of time.


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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:11 pm
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thanks for the answers i'll also always wondered this


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