I've been playing for a year now, and I think I'm about ready to upgrade my gear. I have a MIM Strat HSS which I'm pretty happy with. My only complaints are that the frets are a bit rough, and I think neck pup is a little week. I've been eyeing a Hwy 1 strat at the local Guitar Center it feels a bit better in my hands and the pups seem a bit hotter. But is the jump in quality really worth the extra cost? I had also considered changing pups I hear good things about the Duncan '59 and Dimarzio Area 51.
Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, rocketdog, The highway one stratocaster is fine, the frets on the highway one are jumbo which will make your string bending, sweep picking and soloing in general really smooth, the standard stratocaster has medium jumbo frets which are smaller, also the highway one is american made, you will definitely feel a difference ....

I have two lil 59'ers in my MIA Squire Strat. In the neck and bridge with a push pull pot for coil tapping. I love them! I have a Vintage Rail in the middle pos and love it too! I also have a HWY 1 HSS and guess what? I love it as well. I would get a new pickguard and wire the new pups with all new wiring and pots. I think you will like it and if you buy a guitar down the road you can experiment with the loaded pickguard.