An affordable American? Isn't that what the Highway 1 is? And the colors leave a lot to be desired. A guitar that is supposed to be by the people for the people wouldn't have another burst and CAR...

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I have to totally agree as I just read the add, there was nothing about that guitar that excited me.

I have the same point of confusion as Ceallach. Having read the Web pages, it appears to be positioned between a Standard and an AmStd. They mix and match features from each side so in that respect, it's slightly different than a Hwy1 ... but

... why not just offer those options on the existing Hwy1 line then? The only thing I can think (I haven't seen where these are made yet) is that maybe Fender is trying to ease out of the US made Hwy1 but that's only if this new line is MIM.

I'm not trying to start a rumor though because as I said, I don't know where the new line is made and Fender never lets me in on their future marketing strategies (darn it all)!

I dont quite understand the way fender names their guitars.
Surely if its american special it would be like an american standard but a bit more special as opposed to like an american standard but not as good.
Does anyone else think they should change their names around?

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Yeah, and I thought the Mahogany Americans were referred to as the "American Special"? That's what I've been calling mine =\

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Don't sweat the small stuff guys, aren't our Fenders all special? To me, mine are

i just hate those big headstocks.

I actually figured it out a few days ago, I think. Even though the Hwy 1 is American made it isn't part of the American series. The American series consisted of the American Standard and the American Deluxe. Well now there are three American series guitar with the addition of the new, less expensive American Special. I believe that's it.

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Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington
No picture = No equipment
Fender CD-60
Squier Deluxe Stratocaster
Squier VM Tele Thinline

You guys are making this too hard. The new American Special line is a replacement line for the out-going (and slow selling) Highway 1 line. And Fender changed the two things on the Hwy 1 that hindered it:
a) the flat nitro finish changed to the usual shiny poly
b) the existing polarizing (in terms of tastes) pickups were changed in favor of the ever-popular CS Tex Specials

It is really just that simple ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Good call, GT. I for one dig the nitro finish. Looking forward making it "road worn" myself.

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2008 MIA Telecaster Crimson Red
2009 Highway 1 Telecaster Sunburst Maple
2010 Martin D-1
Vox Pathfinder 15R
Vox Night Train 15W
WhiteBox Cab w/12in Eminence Man O' War

It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...

But why have two competing lines on the marketplace?

And I like what make the H-1 different, the nitro finish and the greasebucket.

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It's an American made Strat with Texas Special pickups. Hmmm, let me juggle that combination for a few... American Texas? Ah, American Special. I knew all those marketing classes I took in college would sink in eventually.

But seriously, I certainly don't need an American Special but I want one, anyway. I haven't had a Strat with Texas Special pickups since I traded my MIM Roadhouse for an '08 American Standard and the Candy Apple Red one is calling to me. Man, am I easy.

John

It looks like it takes the H-1 route though with mexi and ameri parts though...so calling it an "American" is kind of deceptive...

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I like the nitro better myself, but well...
The greasebucket is there, the finish is urethane, not poly (which is better), the pups are better...; so, to me it's an upgraded HWY 1 with a glossy finish.
The all-black HSS Strat looks a million bucks (beauty, as always, is in the eyes of the beholder).
I'm not particularly pleased by the big headstock, but as I discovered playing my Jagmaster, guess what? I don't get to look at it when I play.

I for one am excited about the new American Special model. I like the specs on on it. I like the Candy Apple Red (SSS) version, but I also like the all Black (HSS) version. I am excited about playing one as soon as I can. It may be the next purchace for me, if I like it as much as my present Highway 1 Stratocaster.

RK