Hi,

been on my everlong browse of strats and noticed the new 'Special' line of guitars from Fender.
They are said to be the model between the Highway 1 and American Standard and come in at $799 i believe.

Just wondering if any of you guys have played one of these and how they compare to the Standard and Highway 1 models.

Also the only real difference i have seen is the 70s headstock, texas special pickups and a vintage style bridge is this all? or is their more?

what do you guys think?

Cheers,

Larsson

Here's my thread on it,

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34994&start=0

Do a search of the forums, there are other threads too.

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Am. Special = affordable guitar with Texas special pickups, which a lot of people really like.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I actually think its a smart move on fenders part.The 2 biggest complaints of the HWY1 are the finish and the pickups.So you put 2 great colors (who doesnt like candy apple red?)with some of the most popular pickups and you have a great playing strat for what? A hundred more than the HWY1.To be honest , I dont like the MIM lonestar and roadhouse .Which is suprising because I have a MIA version and love it.I think they will do well .Dont really care for the headstock though.

If I were ever to go back on the road, I wouldn't want to take any of my long standing guitars again, for various reasons. I would really look at buying an Am. Special to replace the Strat with the Texas Specials. If you want that kind of sound, and don't already have a guitar with them it's really worth a look. Are there any other Strats with them stock outside the artist models or CS offerings?

If there was an Am. Spec. candy apple red 3 single coils with a through-body hardtail i would go out and buy one right now.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I own a '07 Highway 1. I am looking (saving money) for the American Special SSS. The only real differences between the two is the pick-ups and finish; otherwise, it is the same guitar.

It plays and feels similar. Headstock is the same as mine (70's style). Same Tremolo and Block. Same jumbo frets, although the American Special I played in the store was dressed a little better than mine. The same tuners and strings. Same Greasebucket tone wiring.

I was going to buy another Highway 1 this year, but since the American Special came out, I want the Candy Apple Red/Maple neck/SSS model. It is awesome. I have been Jones-ing for one since I played one 3 weeks ago.

I suggest going and playing several different Stratocaster models and seeing which one is best for you. I have found my next guitar.

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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

American Specials are great guitars, I tried one and loved it to the point of going back to the store the next morning...and finding out it's been sold already!
Everything in that guitar (with the possible exception of the extra fret and the 5-way switch) matches my preferences. I would have bought one online already if I wasn't also thinking about the CS '69 Time Machine thing...
Highly recommended.

I happened to try one today, looking for a practice amp. I played a sunburst one through a Frontman 65r & a Vibrochamp XD. Thought the neck was really comfy, kind of a thin finish that I would suspect will wear pretty fast. The fit and finish seemed pretty good otherwise and it sounded and played well. The hardware seemed solid enough... all in all, a pretty sweet little guitar. Still up in the air on the amps...

How does the Candy Apple Red look? I love that color, but there was a review of this guitar on GuitarCenter. The reviewer said that the Candy Apple Red is more of a medium metallic red.

Just wondering.

I have the 3 color sunburst HSS and I friggin love the thing to death. I am not a previous fender owner, my other electric is an ibanez, but this is a very comfortable and versatile guitar and it's American made to boot. Awesome!

Every review I have read really gave this guitar props, besides the people who actually bought one and said how good they are.

Hallo.
Does anyone knows if the Fingerboard is satin finish or high gloss like the american standard?

The neck is gloss on mine

Anyone? I haven't see it in person, yet.

I now own one. It is a medium-ish metallic red. See this link to see it under my house lighting. On my computer, the brighter red along the bottom curves accurate to what it looks like in person:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=37826

I just bought one and it looks awesome. It plays fantastic. I also own a Highway 1. Playability: they are both about the same. Tone: they are completely different sounding. I have a rosewood fretboard on my HWY 1 and the Maple fingerboard has a brighter tone. My wife mentioned that to me last night when I played them both for her so she could hear the difference. She was just as impressed with the American Special's tone as I am.

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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