Hello all,

Just making the leap from acoustic to electric.

I'm now the proud owner of a shiny new Highway One Strat. Didn't ask a lot of questions at the dealer... I assumed the owner's manual would have most of what I need to know. BOY was that a mistake!

Being an engineer, naturally the first thing I want to know about any new toy is..... what makes it tick?

Fender's "one-size-fitz-all" manual is filled with lots of great info, but scores a big FAT ZERO on detail. It's pretty worthless for trying to figure out what the guts of my new axe really are.

So guys (and gals)... here come the questions.
(Oh yeah - the Serial# is a Z6 series)

VOLUME CONTROL -- duh! I think I got that one.

TONE CONTROL -- The manual lists three different kinds of tone controls: TBX and Delta-Tone both have detents on the knobs. Since my Strat has no detents, I can rule those two out which leaves "standard" tone control. For "standard", the manual seems to talk about a single control. Clockwise for "a brighter tone" and counterclockwise for mellow (sounds rather "not bright" to me)
My Strat has two tone controls but 3 pickups - what's up with that?

ACTIVE ELECTRONCS - The manual talks about battery powered "_stuff_"
Short of unscrewing the back, how do I know if I got any of this stuff?

SWITCHES - Well that's almost a no-brainer. I've got a 5 position switch, but nothing tells me what each position does. Yeah, I know, plug it in and listen to the different sounds. But that still doesn't explain which pickup or combination is making those sounds. (All us engineer types just GOTTA know the details.)

TREMELO Yep... got one. Now this is one place the manual really shines. Fender has done a really terrific job of explaining how each type of tremelo works, but nowhere does it describe what they look like - or give a picture, or drawing. I'm clueless on this one.

One last thing. In several places, the manual says I should put a piece of tape over the hole for the tremelo arm so the spring doesn't fall out. There wasn't any tape when the guitar was haning in the rack in the dealer's showroom and he didn't use any tape when he put the strat in the case. I turned the guitar upside-down and gave it a good shake -- nothing fell out. So.... is it gone already? or this just a case of Fender being OVER cautious?

Thank you one and all for your help to this newbie.
Jim
=====
Yamaha 12 string
Martin 6 string
Shiny new Strat

Easiest stuff in the world is a way to play a strat.

There's 3 single coil pickups, and a 5 way switch. Starting from the upward position:

Neck pickup
Middle-Neck
Middle
Middle-Bridge
Bridge

The neck has that really bass sounding thing.

The middle tone control is for the neck pickup, and the lower one is for the middle pickup. The bridge has no tone control. Both are bass and treble, counterclock and clockwise respectively.

The tremolo is that big arm on the bridge of the guitar. push it up and down and your tremolo effect should work like a charm. Dont tape the back cover either, its got nothing to do with anything.

_________________
One of God's own prototypes. Too weird to live, too rare to die.

Hey Jim,
Congratulations on your new guitar. Highway Ones are great axes!

OK, so here's the deal:
Tone Controls: The "standard" Strat set-up is the tone control closest to the volume knob controls the tone of the neck pickup. The other tone control controls the tone of the middle pickup. And the bridge pickup has no tone control, it goes straight through for a brighter, unaffected tone. Now you can get creative with re-wiring, but that's the standard set up

Switching:
Starting from pointing down toward the bridge:
1 - Bridge pickup only
2 - Bridge and middle pickup together - out of phase, quacky sound
3 - Middle pickup only
4 - Middle pickup and neck pickup together - deeper quacky sound
5 - Neck pickup only

And regarding the tremelo spring, I don't think I've ever found a Stratocaster that actually had a spring for the tremelo arm. I think that they've ALL fallen out or have been stolen by aliens! Wobbly trem arms are pretty much the standard, but there are some fixes out there. Check the internet. I'm reluctant to recommend any at this time.

Hope that helps a little. And welcome to the wonderful world of stratocasters!
Jon

lol, practically a copy of my post.

_________________
One of God's own prototypes. Too weird to live, too rare to die.

Wow! Talk about quick response!
You guys are great!
Thanks Magician and you too Jon.
The only question left is what style tremelo.
The owner's manual has great descriptions of the different types:
American Series
Deluxe American Series
Fender Deluxe Locking Tremelo (99% sure this is not mine)
Floyd Rose Original and Floyd Rose II
Vintage Synchronized Tremelo

My tremelo setup doesn't match any of the drawings in the description section and it doesn't match the picrures back in the adjustments section.

Sure would be nice to know which type it is.
Hmmmm.... got a picture but can't figure out how to put it in the message.
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AHA!!!
I found a good picture
I also realize I have been using the wrong name.
I have been talking about the "tremelo" but now know
the official name of the item is the "Bridge Assembly"
But that still doesn't answer my question......
Which type of bridge assembly does my Strat have?

Those interested in taking a guess can see the official
drawing at:
http://www.fender.com/support/diagrams/ ... 02APg2.pdf

Thanks again!

_________________
Jim

=====
'73 Yamaha 12 string
175th Anniversay Martin 6 string
Shiny new Highway 1 Strat!

If its got 6 screws holding it in place its a vintage synchronized.
2 screws and screw in trem arm = standard 2point
2 screws and pop in arm = deluxe tremolo
2 hex bolts, collar fit arm and micro tuners = floyd rose (usually always coupled with a locking nut).

Why not post a picture in the 'show us your strat' thread.

Welcome to the forum mate.

_________________
No no and no

This should help you out a little as well in addition to the "manual". It is the specs for the Highway 1.
The Highway Stratocaster is a great guitar. I love mine.

http://www.fender.com/products//view_sp ... Upgrade%29

RK

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

And using those specs to help answer a couple of your questions -
1. Your tremelo is the 6 screw vintage style.
2. The second tone control operates the bridge pickup on a highway one, not the middle pickup

enjoy your new guitar!

_________________
Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

That's great!
All my questions answered in less than a day.

Wadda bunch o dudes!

You guys are terrific!
As far as I'm concerned, this topic is done.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

_________________
Jim

=====
'73 Yamaha 12 string
175th Anniversay Martin 6 string
Shiny new Highway 1 Strat!

Glad we could help. Forgot to welcome you to the forum with my first post. We'll see you around. Enjoy your new guitar.

RK

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head