To me , the only downside of the highway one is the finish.Only because i prefer the shiny guitar look.That being said, the playability of the highway one is top notch.Nice feeling neck, descent pickups, etc.The neck on the deluxe player didnt excite me and I have a SRV with a 12" radius.Nice finish though.If I could have that finish on the hw1 , I would have bought it.

Highway One sounds like it may be the winner.

Before I purchased my HWY1, I was comparing it to the Players Strat also. I was sold on the neck of the HWY1, and I liked the pickups better on the HWY1 (i eventually replaced them with Duncans anyway - lol). The gold hardware was a deal breaker for me. With that said, the noiseless pups on the DLX Players Strat were sweet to my ears, and the finishes are gorgeous.
I use the HWY1 for rock...but the Deluxe Players Strat appeared to have more versatility, especially with the S-1 switching and the noiseless pups.
You can't go wrong either way, I think.

I love my Hwy 1. Although mine is an older one and can't really be compared I guess. Mine has some different features than the new "upgraded" Hwy 1's. Anyways, get the Hwy One. I believe in buying American made instuments (no offense to any of you guys from other countries). I have a 2006 Hwy One Strat, a 2006 DRRI, and a 2006 Martin Custom D-15 Mahogany acoustic, all American made!

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

Oh yeah, and I too thank you for serving our country and keeping us safe!

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

I can't wait to get this Highway 1.

The ash bodys on the players model are just beautiful,I can't say that I am crazy about anyother aspect of them though,the neck is ok,the vintage noiseless pickups imo suck hard and I am not a fan of the gold hardware on anything other than a Mary Kaye,or Hank Marvin model.I built a partsocaster with all Fender part using a sunburst ash body from one of these guitars with a Jimmie Vaughan neck,Eric Johnson vintage trem,and have tried many pickups and combinations of pickups.That body is probably on of the best looking pieces or wood and paint I have ever seen,On the Hwy on I don't care for the flat finishes and I am left cold by the large CBS type head stock,for the same dough I'd rather have a Jimmie Vaughan model and find some pickups that I like or just an AM STD.cheers

Yeah, wingman I don't like that large headstock either. Mine's got the smaller headstock. I know it's a bit more money, but honestly I'd buy an American Standard. Wonderful guitars. It would be no contest if the American Standard were one of the options to buy.

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

Yeah, I need the black Jag Special HH witht eh dragsters. This is just a secondary strat. Jags are always my main guitars.

the highway one sss strat is superior over the new american standard and the delux player by far and a few others. good luck on your hunt but i would go with the highway one sss strat hands down.

Here we go. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

well mr. cherokee no one told you to read my statement
in the first place ans something else it seem
the majority of people agree with me so i realy dont care what you or any one else thinks of my post. if you dont like what i say dont read it plain and sinple as that. have a nice day!

Oh boy.

I really hate that 70s headstock, but the trans wine looks pretty good. Now, maple or rosewood ;_;

I think the HW1 are decent guitars.I prefer the feel of the American necks and I like the over all tone of the AS pickups.