Buy one that you like the sound of and the feel. Be sure to buy it someplace where you can take it back if you can. You really don't know what a guitar is going to be like until you do the setup on it that puts it in the condition you want to play it. Many guitars fail the setup for a long list of reasons.

The road worn models had defects in the early runs causing the high E string to be too close to the edge of the neck. An example of reasons to return it you may not notice at first.

Old MIM at 250 on ebay are a great buy. Wonderful high quality guitars and you can sell them and get your money back if you decide it is not the strat for you.

New USA standards are wonderful as are the used older models if in great condition. The advantage of a used one is that if it was played the player did the work of a full setup most likely. Thus getting the nut cut right, leveling of the frets and intonation set.

Remember if the bridge is floating and you deck it of tighten it down a full setup will be needed.

Thomas

you should def. check out the highway one series. Very versatile,high quality...the finish will wear though. either way 700$ for a MIA Strat...you cant beat that.

I couldn't agree with you more. I'd rather have the Highway 1. Same pickups and its finish is thinned out so it road worn's by itself. If you want to be a bigger spender, the American Special is a good deal. My only problem with the new Highway 1 and American Special is the '70s headstock. Not my cup of tea. Rather have the regular pre-CBS headstock.

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Buy a Highway One strat and put tex mex pickups in it. It will relic nicely in a year or two, and sound as good as any american guitar i have heard.

Highway 1 comes with Tex-Mex....

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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Roadworn comes with Tex Mex (which use Alnico V magnets). Highway 1 use some very different Alnico III pups.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Oops, you're right. I was thinking of Road Worn...

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I don't subscribe to the whole road worn thing. I think the best miles on a guitar are the ones you put on yourself.

I couldn't agree more. I'd rather make my own road wear versus someone else's idea of it. The light nitro finish on the Highway 1 sounds like a good way to go.

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I've always been one of those people who can't stand a speck of dust on my guitars but when I was looking around for a strat and tried all different kinds I ended up with a 60's Road Worn and couldn't be happier. I love the feel and sound. I loved it so much I bought a 60's Jazz bass a little later and love it too. Keep trying them out and you will find one that you won't be able to part with. I'm glad that Fender has so many different config's and options available.

My problem with the road worn series, in addition to my other comments, the cost. They seem to be too expensive for a guitar that has an American verison of the same or lessor cost....

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I do agree that the cost is too high. I had a trade in when I got my strat and I got a very good deal on my Jazz but paying full price would be debatable.

They have come down since they were introduced, but its still not low enough...

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I picked up a new road worn 60's for 600.00 which is ok. I should've grabbed one for 499 a few months ago when musiciansfriend had all those fender friday deals.

Anyway to defend the guitar I really liked the feel and sound of it after eventually just trying one out. I have a SRV sig strat, but I always worry about taking it out or leaving it out when the kids are running around the house, I'd hate to see it knocked off the stand or something.

On the road worn the neck was comfortable and it sounded good to me. The frets are the same as the srv sig so the transition is pretty easy it just has a smaller radius. It's a very light guitar as well partly because ,of the nitro finish, at least compared to the srv. I don't stare at the guitar so the beat up look doesn't bother me, and it's something I don't really have to worry about taking a ding or scratch, etc. If your looking for a backup, or a beater, or even your only guitar I think it's worth checking out.

I wouldn't pay full price, but for what I got it for I think it's an acceptable deal. I think the highway one's are great as well, but I didn't prefer the post 2006 headstock, pickup, and greasebucket circuit changes. I came across a good deal on a loaded highway one body from 2002. I've read they used the same pickups that the newer fender classic 60's uses. I'll either find a smaller highway one headstock neck, or a road worn neck to complete it.