I've been away from the guitar for many years, but have an itch to get back on it. I admit I got frustrated with guitar, but I think the fact that I had a small squier bullet and weak amp, and no money to invest in gear limited my improvement. I am considering making a purchase of a used Kenny Wayne Shepherd strat or a Highway One strat. I like the reviews I've read about both guitars. The one concern I have with the Highway One is the lack of a neck adjustment. Can anyone offer any advice or their experiences with these two styles?

Maybe I am mistaken, but I was of the understanding the Highway one does not have a truss rod for neck adjustment.

no money to invest in gear limited my improvement ...... Brother you can't buy skills, buy one of em, play the hell out of it. Good luck

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— did that sound like something?

A good amp or headphone-based solution would help, too. I'm always amazed at how a cheap guitar, with a good setup, sounds great through good amplification.

The Highway One is an awesome guitar mate. It does have truss rod ajustment, not the bi-flex type, but works very well by the way. I still love mine besides having a american standard. Go for it. As for you limited budget, just get a Vox Amplug AC30 with the mini-cab if you must, and youre a go!

OK... I would like an opinion on guitar selection. I don't know if the HW1 or the KWS would be right for me. I like what I've read. I get a little nervous reading about the differences between MIM and MIA. I'm not real comfortable buying a guitar from a pawn shop or off of craigslist. I want a strat. I would prefer MIA, but would be OK with MIM. I don't ever see myself in a band, but I don't want to buy a crap guitar, and I don't care to buy something too low end and begin wondering if I should look at eventually replacing pick-ups, or other mods. To someone who is essentially a beginner all over again, what noticeable differences would there be in a standard strat, american strat, hss model, etc. So many choices...

I can pick up either a 2007 HW1 or 2007 KWS locally for around $500. That SEEMS to be a decent deal. Also a 2002 standard strat for $350, which seems little high.

Maybe I should be looking at a decent Squire.

I'd like to find a KWS for $500. Where is this at?

I wound up going with a Roadhouse strat.

If you are interested in a HW1, you could see if this guy still has his for sale. He was willing to go down to $400 for me.

http://springfield.craigslist.org/msg/2053941751.html