This is my first post, so please be kind. I have done the due diligent forum search thing prior to posting, but was unable to find a clear answer to my question: How to tell a Highway 1 strat from a Standard American? I have seen a fairly good deal on a 2005 strat that is claimed to be a MIA, but the deal is so good that I am questioning whether it is a Highway 1 or not. I don't intend to start a flameup about which is better I would just like to know how tell the difference. I have a few high-res pics. I can tell from the Z5xxxxxx serial number that is an american-made, but the Fender site doesn't tell me much more. Can you tell from the bridge/headstock/pot knobs/etc?

Thanks, I appreciate the crowdsource!

Just look at the neck!!!! The finish!!!! no way to miss the difference.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

It was my impression that the CBS headstock is a relatively recent addition to the Highway 1 and may not be present on some of the older ones. Since I am looking at an older model, most of the current model information may not be that helpful. I was hoping there was a simple clear distinction, such as the Hwy1 not having "Made in America" on the headstock or the type of bridge or the way "Fender" is printed on the headstock.

the headstock. i'm not a fan of the oversized headstock and thats the one thing that kept me from buying a Hwy 1.

Differences are huge...

- Big headstock on the hwy 1
- Flat nitro finish on the hwy 1
- 6-screw vintage bridge on the hwy 1
- No case for the guitar is a clue it might be a hwy 1 (they come w/ a gig bag)

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I like to add also on the list that the Highway One strats do not have micro tilt adjustments, and the neck plate is plain, no markings.

Also, the body cavity is routed SSH in the Highway One. The American Standards are HSH.

The tone circuit in the Highway ONe is grease bucket configured, no indentation when set the tone 2 at 10.

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Big Jay,

Didn't the Highway Ones prior to 2006 have smaller headstocks with 50s spaghetti style Fender Logos?

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I think that the pre-2006 Hwy1s are very difficult to distinguish from AS Strats because they had smaller headstocks, serial numbers indistinguishable (Zxxxxxxx) from AS strats. Perhaps the bridge is the easiest (2 v. 6 screw)?

i thought highwasy 1s also only had 21 frets