Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a bit of advice,

I have a lefty 2008 HWY1 (black w rosewood neck) I'm not a big fan of black guitars, but being a lefty you buy what is avail. or do without.

Here is where the advice is needed.
A store has avail a brand new MIM 2006 new old stock (sunburst w maple neck) which is the colour I have always wanted.

Both feel good & sound pretty much the same (except for the MIM needs new strings & a setup which is pretty much the norm anyway.

so long story short, it is strickly based on the colour that I am thinking of trading the HWY-1 for the MIM of course I have to pay $200.00 on top of the trade which is understandable.

what would you do if you were in this situation?

Based on my limited knowledge and dim recollection of years-old research, I believe that the Hwy 1 Strats have superior pickups to the MIM models. My interest in the Hwy 1's was the fact that they were finished in nitrocellulose lacquer which in my opinion allows better tone. I think that the Hwy 1's have alnico pickups while the MIM's some cheaper type.

Based on this info, if correct, I couldn't see trading my Hwy 1 plus $200 for a MIM. I'm a lefty too, so I can sympathize with your situation.

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!

How does that song go? Oh yeah, "Love the one you're with!"

When you're down, and confused
And you don't remember who you been talking to
Concentration, slips away

What was the question OHH YEA!!!! Plus 200 bills YEA Love the one your with!!!!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Good one CV, and you know all the words!!

fhop you know I am not a big fan of HWY!'s but would never do that deal.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Personally, I would not make that deal. I understand they are a buisness and obviously need to make a profit but honestly, You could probably make a post on Craigslist or one of the Stratocaster forums and get someone to trade you a great MIM and give YOU $200!!

unless its for a cp 50s or 60s.
personally, your gonna get nailed.
in 2006 , mim's were being sold for 399.00 MIM and your hwy 1 strat, were selling for 749.00 MIA,
so by my calculations, you would have paid 949.00 for a mim strat, not even a road worn. ofcourse i have no idea how much you paid for it. they are probably giving you something like 250 so they can resell it for 500.00. they should be trying to push it ou tthe door, it is 5 yrs old, overstocked item.

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

keep the highway one. If the black bothers you that much you can always save up and get it repainted.

...or strip it and spray clear lacquer over it.

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Forget all about that macho s**t and learn how to play guitar!

Let's see, trade down AND pay $200 more dollars? Don't do it! You can order a lefty from any number of online retailers, and not have to pay the taxes or the middle-man fee's. But you have to do what is right for you. I'm sure the MIM guitar is great, because I have owned several in the past, but there's just something about having "the real thing".

this question is a serious no brainer here.
trade a HW1 on a MIM? oh helz no.
then they are asking you for an aditional $200. lol
man they have seen you coming bro. they will buy 2 or 3 more MIM's
for what they are gonna sale that HW1 at. then they are gonna take that $200
and buy a round of drinks for the whole shop once the door hits ya
where the good Lord split ya after the deal is done.
lefty too, i promise you they
already have a buyer in waiting for that lefty HW1.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

If the color is you only dilemma, I'd say stick with the HWY1. I agree with everyone else when they say that 200 bucks plus the guitar is ridiculous for a MIM unless is a classic player series. And even then I'd probably pass on that deal. Good Luck though.
Check online for some used guitars, you may find somebody willing to trade for the HWY1.

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thanks for all the replys.
Sometimes the heart rules the brain, which is why I posted.
In this case I will keep the Hwy1.

I guess I was blinded by the sunburst, so I will pick up my Hwy1 give her a hug so she won't feel betrayed.

I am sure glad this forum is here, everyone is always looking out for each other.

thanks again for keeping me from making a dumb mistake.

While I agree with all the other posts in that that would be an awful deal value wise I will just throw this out for ya...

You could always sell the Highway One(which I own one myself and love) independently and likely get more than enough to cover the MIM(which I have owned in the past and btw the pickups are far different and not my personal fav's). These do sound quite different.

Obviously my advice would be to just keep the HWY 1 since you are happy with it except the finish.

This is a fantasy/iconic situation which I am familiar with...I have always wanted a Les Paul, but no matter how many I play I keep on with my Strat. (Also I always wanted a ford Mustang and have hated driving them everytime I've had the chance.) Maybe if someday I can try a 59 LP(or a 67 Mustang;)) my mind will change.

Value wise, at Long and McQuade here in Canada, a right handed HWY is $720 and a MIM std is $550...and that is a new MIM std which were significantlly upgraded in the 2007 model year.

"If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE