Without a doubt!

Don't the highway 1s have an issue with the thin finish? What have your experiences been with the finish? Also, the highway 1 has jumbo frets which aren't appealing to some people.

The finish on my Hwy 1 is the thinner nitro finish but I don't consider that an "issue". The wood is able to breathe more easily, continue to age naturally (enhancing tonal qualities) and resonate more freely. Plus the nitro finishes actually "relic" through normal use so you get to earn the cool vibe instead of buying a pre worn instrument. The newer poly finishes are super tough and pretty much stay gorgeous unless you really whack them into something.

As to the frets, mine are medium jumbo and feel really nice to play.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Yea, I wouldnt say the finish has isses per se.Its either that you want a finish that wears easily or you dont.Myself , i prefer the pristine look, but thats just me.

Bottom line is what feels good to you. If you can play them both then you will know! I own a 97 MIM Jimmy Vaughn, came with Tex-Mex pups, and I just changed the trem to a 62 RI since they are steel. The ones on the MIM are zinc. I play the blues, for me it rocks! But to be honest, I'm now going all the way and getting a CS Masterbuilt Eric Clapton.

Heck, go to the store and play everything you can get your hands on, you might surprise yourself with a model you never thought about!

Just my 2 cents

Absolutely the only way to go guitar shopping. I cant think of all the guitars from various manufacturers I've fallen for over the years, just by doing this. Learn to see through the crap setup and the fact that every 2bit hack in a 50sq mile radius has had their mucky paws all over it, and judge the guitar for what it is against how much it costs. If column A is greater than column B congratulations, you found a guitar you like a bit. If not move onto the next.

Everyone should have a guitar they like, without fear of anyone else belittling their unique preference.

Goodluck with the CS Bluzdawg, I can honestly say after getting my quite low end CS guitar, I dont think I'll buy a productionline guitar again. Hell of an instrument.

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No no and no

I have to say thay I have had my Highway one for almost a year. I play it everyday. I have not had any issues with the Nitro Finish. If you want an ultra shiney guitar then this one is not for you. The jumbo frets are what drew me to this particular guitar. IMO the Jumbo Frets allow me to play faster, I do not have to press as hard on the strings to get a clear/true sound, and they are easier to do bends on as well.

Again, my suggestion is to go and play a few Highway 1's and a few MIM Standard's in the store and make up your own mind as to which on eyou prefer. The highway 1 is not for everyone.

RK

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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

Don't you find it hard to do slides with the jumbos? calluses on your fingers?

I have been playing for almost 20 years. I have calluses on my fingers from playing for so long. No I do not find it hard to slide around the neck at all. Again, you do not have to press as hard to get the notes to ring out.

RK

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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

Personaly I find jumbo's uncomfortable, medium jumbo's less so. For precisely that reason. Its like running my fingers down a ribcage. My personal favouritism goes to vintage frets ground down low with nice (as perfect as i can get it) half circle crown, and a decent string height (1/8th to 3/16ths on the high E at the 12th fret). Slippy and slidey and the height gives plenty of clarity and allows you to whack the strings if you want. You can really dig in with the pick.

After 22 years on construction sites I've fists like a gorilla's boxing gloves. Its all down to preference. As your callouses grow the way your mind interprets what your fingers feel changes. Were superbly adaptable creatures, us humans. In truth thats all it comes down to, how your brain responds to what you feel, see, smell and hear. Nobody but nobody can ever tell you that thats wrong. People may offer suggestions as to other things you may prefer, they may unveil some hitherto unknown revelation upon you. It still doesnt mean your wrong because at the point your preference changed so did your perception.

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No no and no

niki, i sure know what you mean about the jumbos.I have a SRV with 6105 dunlops and it took some getting used to .When you do slides on it , it can feel like a railroad track.i also have an American standard and when I switch guitars I have to let my fingers adjust as well.The jumbos require a lighter touch especially when doing slides, but bends are sweet.

If money is an issue, MIM. If not, Highway one... Good "in-between", Lonestart or Roadhouse...

Been playing MIM for a few years now. Straight out of the box a few adjustment where required, but over all the most modding I have done has been for appearance. My MIM Ash Strat did receive a pickup swap, put in the vintage noisless. thats about it.

I went back and forth to Guitar Center for months picking out my new guitar. I did lots of play testing and homework. I knew I wanted an HSS. I have an American Deluxe and I honestly believe that such quality could not be had at a lower price. So my choices were the Standard, Deluxe Lonestar and the H1. I did try other brands too. Several RGs by Ibanez and Gibson SGs. In comparison I feel that Fender offers the most bang for the buck.

Since I already had a very clean Fender tone with my American Deluxe I wanted my next guitar to have a bite to it. The Alnico III magnets are crunchy and warm with excellent distinction so your notes aren't lost behind distortion. Out of the box it pretty Metal which is what daddy wanted!

Love the Jumbo frets! I'm a brand-a-holic. If I try something and I find a brand I like I won't change. Been using Ernie Ball Slinkies (Lime) for over 30 years. But somehow, because of the combination of the narrower string spacing and jumbo frets, the supplied Bullet strings works great and I think I'll be keeping them too.

Cosmetically, the matte finish buffs out very easily. Just a couple weeks of normal playing brought out a shine in high contact areas. The finish was designed to wear away quickly so that you can have your own distinct road worn guitar in short order. I haven't had a cigarette in 15 years but I almost want to start up again just to get those gnarly cigarette burns on the head stock. Speaking of which, the 70s style headstock and logo really reeled me in. Hendrix at Woodstock. That's what that made me think of. Ok so I'm a dinosaur. At least I'm a Fender dinosaur!

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

Manabu, I had a similar experience with the H1. I'd played D'Addario strings since I was sixteen, and nothing else but those - but the super-bullets just work so beautifully on the H1 strat, that I decided to stick with them, also. They just felt right, somehow, on that neck.

My H1 has been played every day, and has basically re-ignited my love of guitar playing. I always enjoyed it, but somehow this is different. It's like being a kid and getting into guitar for the first time all over again!