I've been thinking about getting a project guitar for the summer, so I went to my local music store to check out some MIM standard strats.

At the store, I saw a sunburst strat with a matte finish but with a small headstock, with production year 2004.

Are Hwy 1's made in 2004 supposed to have small headstocks? Having a Hwy 1 with a small headstock would be a dream come true for me because the only thing that irked me about those guitars was the headstock!

I also tried either Classic Players 60's or Classic Series (can't remember which), and liked its neck better than the one on MIM standard...Is there a difference between the two, or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

Hello!

I was very tempted to buy a Highway 1 strat when they first came out and Yep, The Hwy 1 did start out with a small head stock, But Fender changed it for a large one later. Which is why I don't have one (Like you, I'm not a great fan of big headstocks)

Classic Players 60's strat has a 12" radius which some may find easier to play. The Mim hasa 9.5" Radius (i think? confirmation required here)

Hope this helps

Andy

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http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0131000309

The neck on the Classic 60's Strat has a 7.25 inch radius.

I just purchased this guitar and I thought I was buying an American Standard, it is clearly a Hwy One. My question is IS IT WORTH $700?? I literaly just got it, haven't even plugged it in yet. Any thoughts?








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@mxcagg

was it $700 for just the guitar? or is that after taxes and with a case? I have the same one with a maple fret board. It cost about that much when I bought it new. I love mine though and would pay $700 again for it.

You could probably have gotten it cheaper. If its from GC, return it and then come back in a few days later and talk them down in price. They're always willing to negotiate a little bit.

just to be clear, the total was $725 which included a Fender molded hard case like new and shipped niceley. I just feel hosed because they told me it was an American Standard and not a hwy one and all i saw was a nice honey blonde strat. Yes, i can return it easily to Guitar Center, shich i think i will after I play it for a few weeks.

i think thats a good idea. If you like the guitar, don't be afraid to take it in and ask for $150-$200 to make up for the false information they provided you. They're usually really cool/understanding about returns.

Original Highway 1's had the smaller headstocks. They started to outsell the American Standard, so Fender put the large 70's headstock to curb sales (My Opinion!). I believe either 2005 or 2006 was the year they made their changes. Same thing with the American Special. Fender would never make the mistake of making a cheaper guitar that looks exactly like an American Standard again.

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I've never seen a Highway in that color. Are you sure???

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A sunburst? or honey blonde? Fender should have both, i think

Honey Blonde. I've seen Black and Sunburst. Plus they only come with cheap gig bags, not hardshell cases...

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I've verified with Fender that this is a honey blonde Hwy 1 made in Feb '05. I also called GC and they agreed that the price should be lower, so they agreed to sell the guitar for $550, so I got it for $615 after tax and shipping, but that includes the hardshell case. That may not be the lowest but it is a nice one and I love the honey blonde, and it's in great shape.

@detroitblues

Yeah, my Highway one is honey blonde with a maple fretboard, circa 2005. I'm not sure if they pushed honey blonde as hard in the second version of the highway one.

Here is a link to the highway one at good ol' musiciansfriend.com. you can see the honey blonde in the other photos of the guitar, but they don't have any in stock aparently:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Highway-One-Stratocaster?sku=512768

Its a beautiful guitar without a doubt!

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


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That's cool and that was the price I just threw at you from the other thread. I am glad I wasn't too far off the guestimation. I am glad you like it.

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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