Help!! I recently came into some money, after a great super bowl game, and have been planning to buy an American Strat. My delemia is that I don't know which one to buy. I have studied and played some highway ones, and one American special, but I can afford to buy an American standard. I know all the features of each guitar, but without playing an American standard, I don't know the tone differences or feel of the standard. My local music shop has none of these. Also, Ash or Alder?

The biggest difference is the flat finish on the highway one isnt for alot of people .It flakes off really easy .Some people like the reliced look.I dont.The other difference is the pickups sould darker to my ears on the HW1.I own an American Standard and lie it alot .Very nicely built guitar with some great color options which the HW1 doesnt have .Plus I like the buffed and glossy fretboard of the MIA standard.Then there is always the case .The TSA case of the MIA is nice and the HW1 comes with a gig bag.I would really try to play a MIA before you buy one.Another guitar to check out is the new American Special.Similar to the HWY1 ,but with a gloss finish and Texas Special pickups.

Another big difference is the Headstock - big 70s CBS style on the Highway and original shape on the US.

Didn't know about those American Specials, but they sure do look good. Big headstocks again I see..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Buy the standard, you'll be soo happy you did. If I could of, I would of! The Highway 1 and Special have different pu's and that CBS era headstock. I'd rather have a American Standard. If you're too worried about it, you can find a decent one used for less then $700.

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


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Take the ride and go to the nearest place that is stocked so you can play a bunch of them. This way you choose what feels and sounds best to you.

The MIA Standard!! You'll find it's great for all types of music and you'll always wonder if you should have gotten it instead of the others.

Personally I would go find a Music Store that has a better selection and try out as many as possible.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

+1

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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

I own an American Standard, and a HWY 1 Tele. I love them both. But, the American Standard may be the best feeling guitar that I have ever played. It just fits my hands and my body beautifully.

The Standard has unbelieveable fit and finish. Mine is pearl in color and I recently put Hot Noiseless pickups in it. I've played a lot of guitars and nothing compares to how this thing feels and sounds!!!

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2008 American Standard w/ Hot Noiseless
2009 Hwy One Tele
2010 Vox AC15 w/Greenback and Top Boost
Fulltone Fulldrive II Mosfet
TC Nova Delay
Hardwire RV 7
EB Jr Volume Pedal
BOSS TU3 Tuner
Digidesign Eleven Rack

i got my american standard about a year ago and i love it to death. you cant go wrong with one, whether it be rosewood or maple, or hss or sss.

here is a pic of mine:

Dude Thanks to the Saints I got a. American standard which I order thru our local guitar store. Which is charcoal frost and maple neck. The reason I choose that color not only I love it, only American standard carry that color. Second if you have the money and can afford the standard you wont regret it. I tried the Hwy 1 and american special. They feel like playing the MIM standard strat with the exception to the Hwy 1 the fret is to big for my hands. So if you lived near a Guitar Center go check it out today is the best day to buy a strat. Presidents day weekend so they have sale ongoing. I saw a sienna sunburst MIA strat for $979 cant beat that those are for sale around $1,149.

Well I finally did it. I bought an American Standard!! I haven't owned a strat since 1991 when I sold my 1986 MIJ to a fellow bandmate. I am so excited to get it. I ordered it through Musicians Friend on Monday. I couldn't pass up the presidents day sale. After a 15% discount I payed about $850. I got the black w/ maple neck, just like the one I sold in 91'. But I am certain that this one will be much nicer and sound better. I have only purchased one other guitar without playing it. That would be my 2001 Gibson Advanced Jumbo. That guitar exceeded my expectations completely. I'm hoping this one will too.

Hopefully you're not waiting like everyone else. Items that are 2-5 day delivery taking two months or more to actually be shipped! When you get it, post some pics!

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


facebook.com/313DBC

Go for am standard for your money. Look close at s#'s you might get a strat that a couple of years old for a little less then a current year model . Haggle.

I found a naturally road worn american standard for $599. Sounded great, just really worn... I'd buy that over a Highway 1 any day....

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


facebook.com/313DBC