Okay so i'm asking for a sort of economics lesson here. We have the American Standard Strat currently going for around 999.99$, then the High Way one going for around 699.99 then the fender American Special Strat going for 799.99. All are made in america right? So where are the cost cuts coming from. I know the high way one has a diffrent nitro finish than the american standard. Is it quality of wood, types of finish? I know the american special has Texas Special pups, those are an upgrade over the american standard pups right? Most importantly do these costs cuts affect the tone of these models? Just wondering is all.

Plus 1 with BigJay!!!

Part of the added price for the American Std. includes the molded "High-Tech" case which might be of value if you take it on the road. Also the American Std has the High Mass Bridge Block which may have an effect on the tone as well.
My feeling is that the higher end models hold their value much better and I use that as an excuse to buy the best model I can afford. Then I have no excuses. But - I need some.

Yes the better parts are put on the American Standards and they have more gizmos; however, every person needs to play many different guitars when shopping. I for one absolutely love the new American Special.

I own a Highway 1. I like the American Special SSS model better than the Highway 1 and American Standard. Of course I love the Highway 1 over the American Standard as well. I like the jumbo frets. The playability of the Highway 1 and American Special are about the same, and IMO better than the American Standard. The Texas Specials do make the tone superior to the tone of the American Standard. As far as sustain, I cannot tell the difference between the three. And inspecting the trem block on my Highway 1, I cannot foresee a bigger block being used. The American Special has the same trem block as the Highway 1. It is a much bigger block than used in the MIM Standard and Squier VM/CV models.

Play all three models and let your hands, fingers, and ears tell you the answer to your question. I have formed my opinions based on my experiences.

These are my opinions of these three guitars and many do not share these opinions. And for those who are so darned worried about that hard shell case that the American Standard comes with, consider this...for the price of the American Standard I can buy the American Special, a nice Fender Tweed case, and a new set of strings to immediately change those nasty floor strings that everyone has been playing on and still have a few bucks left over for lunch before getting home.

Now for the real question, do I need the bi-flex truss rod, 2 point tremolo, and S-1 switch on my Stratocaster. I say....no.

_________________
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

Rkreisher's post makes a lot of sense. I also like the H1 due mainly to the jumbo frets, but really have come to like - and prefer - everything about it.

I went to the shop determined to get an American Standard, and wound up with a H1.