The Texas Special pickups in the American Special are much hotter than the other pickups. For me I really like the Texas Specials when I am using distortion. I think they sustain much better than the stock pickups, and seem a little more like a humbucker in my Knopfler Strat. I dont like them as well for playing clean as I do my stock American Strat or my #1 that has CS 69's in it. With distortion though the Texas Specials win every time.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

I agree with highway1.I will probobly gut the pickups.I might go with the emg sro humbucker.Does anyone out there have one?and a malmsteen fury pickup when/if that comes out.ANyone think that would sound cool?lET ME KNOW??oR even if I should change the middle pickup.It doesnt acheive the tone im after.Thanks!

Thanks, senderkik. There is no shortage of sun here (except for this weekend) so outdoor pics make sense. A Sunburst in the desert sun... what a concept.

John

I have 10 other Strats around here, from an '08 American Standard, an American Deluxe, 3 artist models, a Custom Shop '56 NOS and an original '65 and I can't put my American Special down. Maybe it's because the Special is new but I see this love affair lasting a while. It sounds great clean through my '65 Deluxe Reverb and Twin Custom 15 Reissues.

Down to $170 from $300 before one is yours, eh? That's what I call progress.

John

The general opinion seems to be up-grade every thing but the neck& body.I still over time have replaced most of the above, except my 09. For $600-$800 they are still a good deal.Seems a bit sad though if you still have to spend more. Go look at Gibson faded series sg&lp's. Same problem. When I bought my first hwy-1, I expected to replace some stuff over time. I find the bodys & neck's are ok. I just happen to prefer nitro finishes.If you prefer gloss buy an am special. The pups are probley mim, same as all the hardware. Unless you buy all used part's . It could cost you more then at least $300-$500 too up-grade . Now is that really sensable. OHHH Right we are talking guitars arn'tt we. I'm a little lucky, I up-grade my am standards (tels&strats) so most stuff fit's on my hwy-1's.

i prefer the highway one sss stratocaster over
the new american stangard strat any day! and
the new american specale strat is nothing more than
a half assed version of the legendary highway one sss stratocaster.

the highway one sss strats are simply superior over
the new american standards and american special strats.

I'm curious to know what facts your opinion is based upon?

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

I agree with you on your statement onthe New American Standard comment, but disagree with the Highway 1 comment. I have only spent a total of maybe an hour and a half on the American Specials. I have spent 2 years on the my Highway 1. I do make my statements lightly.

Maybe it is just pre-GAS talking when I say the American Special is better, I'll know that better in a couple months. Plus I really love my Highway 1 Stratocaster. I did have to up-grade a some parts on it to make it what I want; however, I knew this when I bought it. After playing the American Special, I know I will not have to replace any parts unless I want to, not out of necessity.

Differences between the American Special and Highway 1 SSS models:

1. Finish--Flat Nitro vs Gloss Urethane finish
2. Pickups--Alnico III vs Texas Specials
3. A polishing cloth--Highway 1's do not need one
3. SSS models on the Highway 1 had a Rosewood option whereas the American Special does not. In my case I was looking for a maple necked guitar now anyways.

Otherwise it is essentially a Highway 1 Stratocaster. Plus I cannot find a Highway 1 Stratocaster in my local music shops. I can barely find the American Specials. Plus the CAR color is awesome up close.

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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