Hey all,

I'm planning on getting another strat, but this one is going to be American. I'm trying to decide between the Highway One and the American Standard. I currently have a Mexican Standard which Im impressed with the quality and now want to get the quality of an American.

What I love most about the Highway one is the finish. I love the fact that its not smothered in the poly finish and I know it makes a differnece in sound. I love that its matte finish and that it'll age beautifully. I'm not a fan of the big 70's headstock, but its not a big deal, since I care more about the neck and the body. PU's I've heard mixed reviews, but they can always be replaced if necessary.

Now the Am Standard is... I dont know what to say. Its 100% american (the highway one I read is 85% American). I love the accesories that come with it. I am tired of the glossy finish. If they gave the option for Am Standards to come with the matte finish (nitro satin) I would definetly go for the Am standard. The PU's Ive also heard mixed reviews but also can be replaced; the way I see it is why would I invest in the american standard and then upgrade. Everybody has their ideas and reason.

The $300 difference is not a big deal to me, since I'm saving up for it. I do plan to try them out first when i find a store with the highway one. The Am Standards I know where I can find it.

Well I just wanted to get opinions on both guitars from owners.

I appreciate the help

Well i would always go for a 100% made american standard stratocaster. Besides that you have many advantiges on standard like the 2 point synchronized tremolo, and thiner finish, better pups, also you mentioned that you dont like that late 60s large headstock on hw1( actually thats a plus becouse bigger headstocks have better resonance). Before two years i was in a same delema but then i bought american deluxe strat, so if you can think about that option, its a huge difference

Well being the owner of both if you have the cash I would take the standard. In saying that the highway one is still good bang for the buck. As far as the finish not as in love it with it as before. I've heard the fragility of it is good for "natural reliving" lol. To me it's a bit too fragile and is prone to too many dings right down to the wood.

Highway 1. Pocket the extra cash, pay some bills with it or use it to make the upgrades you would likely make anyways. Don't get me wrong the AM Stds are great but I feel they aren't that much better and IMO it is more of a "status" thing that makes them "better". Even after you upgrade a Hwy 1 you'd likely still have $200 bucks in your pocket and an American made axe that out plays the Am Std. Just my opinion so please AM Std faithfuls don't jump on me.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Personally I would choose the Am Standard.

American Standard
Fender® Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with New American Standard Bent Steel Saddles
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0110400705

Highway 1
Fender®/Ping® Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0111162306

with the Am Standard you get case + Cable + Strap (i wouldn't carry a guitar around with a gig bag unless it was a really cheap guitar) with that said if you already have a case and only plan on carrying 1 guitar around then this may not really matter so much or if you are keeping it in one place. You could however sell the case if you didn't want it.

The tuning machines on the Am Std are the same as those on the deluxe and other high end Strats just without the locking.

I also like the rolled frets on the Am Std.

At the end of the day you need to try out both guitars and see which you like more realistically when you taken into account of the case the price difference isn't really much at all considering the the extras on the Am Std. but be weary that to test both that are well set up when you do try them.

_________________
Fender American Standard 2009 (Sienna Sunburst /w Rosewood Neck)
Fender Blacktop Telecaster '10 (Black Maple)
Fender Bassman 100 (Rola 12UX)
Fender Twin Reverb '77 Ultralinear

You are big fan of the nitro finish. So get the Hwy 1. You mentioned you don't like the big headstock. In cvase you did not know, the first-year (2004) Hwy 1s had a small headstock. Buy a used 2004 and you are set. They are not even that expensive (relatively), either.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Go to Guitar Center and try both out and let your ears and hands decide. I recently bought a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. I had read some up and down reviews and didn't intend on buying one, but one was open at GC so I sat down and tried it. I found that sound I was looking for (SRV type) and bought it. Listen to your ears and hands young jedi.

Thats funny I would say my opinion has changed since I bought my highway, I've grown to absolutely love the big headstock and dont really care for the nitro finish anymore.

Can I vote for both?
I like the body of the Hwy 1 (even though it has the same thick poly undercoat that all Fenders have), but I hate the neck with the super jumbo frets and gawdy 70's headstock. So my ideal Strat would be the Hwy 1 body with an American Standard neck.

But if I had to only pick one, it would be the American Standard because the quality seems to be more consistant than the Hwy 1's I've played and they hold their value very well.

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

+1
But the small headstock Hwy 1's have an acrylic lacquer finish, NOT nitro. They all have the same thick poly undercoat, so it doesn't matter anyway.

p.s. The first-year Hwy 1's were early 2002. In 2006 they got the big headstock, jumbo fret, and nitro colorcoat makeover.

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Actually if you get a descent case , you will maybe have 100-125 in your pocket.I wouldnt choose tone over looks.If you like the tone of the standard ,get it.People arent gonna be all that impressed by how your guitar looks, but how it sounds .It isnt really a status thing as the American Standard is a great guitar and plays great out of the box.It also has some great color choices and you dont need to "upgrade" it at all.Its all about how it feels in your hands and wallet , really.

Thanks for the corrections.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

My 1st Strat was a 1989 Strat plus. I feel like it is the creme of the crop and anything else would not be as good. That being said I search many years for the right Am Std and found one that could finally compete w/ my #1 baby. I have not been overly impressed w/ the HWY 1s. Nice but I haven't found one that suited me. I would take a blonde HWY 1 tele in a heartbeat though.

_________________
Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

Where it is made doesn't matter to me but I prefer a gloss finish so, the American Standard would be my choice of guitar.

Horses for courses.

Try them both and see/hear which one you prefer.