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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 10:36 am
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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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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: New Hss Fender American Special Strat
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:56 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:48 am
Posts: 202
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!


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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 2:52 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:29 am
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Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
senderkik wrote:
john.bohn wrote:
I really like the gloss urethane finish on the American Special. It's thin, remarkably shiny and it looks great in the desert sun.

Image

John


Beautiful guitar, man that looks good in the sun. It's amazing when the sun hits some of these sunbursts that Fender does.

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. :wink:

John


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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:13 pm
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Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
rkreisher wrote:
Umm...no offense, but have you played one yet? I do not care for the HSS American Special, but tht SSS does give the American Standard a run for it's money. Far superior tone. It plays like a dream.

I was upset that the Highway 1 was being phased out, but this American Special is a definate step up. All I need is $170 and I can take one of these bad puppys home.

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


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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 6:50 pm
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Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:17 pm
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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.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:01 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 5:12 pm
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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.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:03 am
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the highway one sss strats are simply superior over
the new american standards and american special strats.


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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:57 am
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strat2004 wrote:
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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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:18 am
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Rock Star
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
strat2004 wrote:
the highway one sss strats are simply superior over
the new american standards and american special strats.


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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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


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