OMG!!! Dude you totally rule!!! You are without a doubt the King of "The Hot Rod" Strats, the HSS!

Awesome looking guitar. I will post pics of mine, and address the playing tips to you as well when I get home to my computer.

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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

thanx dude! just got got back from guitar center and best buy checkin out some of their guitars! best buy had an all black HSS American Special for 800!

Here is my modified Highway 1. It started out as a SSS but turned into this:




This one is good for Metal, Blues, and Rock

Here is my American Special:




This one is good for lead work.


And for $h1t$ and giggles, my Blacktop:




A different tone for Blues, Rock, and older Metal.

With the Highway 1 and American Specials for that matter, they have taller/Fatter (jumbo) frets. The Blacktop has Medium-jumbo frets, which are not as tall as the HW1 and AS. You will not need to press down so hard to let the notesd ring out on the AS and HWY 1. As you might have already figured out, bending is a lot easier. On all my guitars I have my bridge flush with the body. I can dive, but not pull for whammy action. If you are having any tuning issues after tremolo use, this will help out. All my guitars have locking tuners. The Fender Deluxe "F" tuners are a direct fit for all these guitars, no drilling needed. The American Special and the Highway 1 both have black plastic, which neither had on them before. My Blacktop now has Telecaster chrome knobs (not pictured) now and I hope to have updated pics soon.

I just purchaced some recording software and a USB interface so I can record some tracks. I will post something as soon as I can figure this whole recording thing figured out.

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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

dude awesome guitars!! and thanx for the pics and the tips!! as i am a novice! but i love playin! i did invest in a full guitar "setup" at my local GC it cost like $70 but well well worth it! highly reccommend! the guy there i think his name was mike did an awesome job! whatta a difference! it incl l;owering the action as well as a full setup! really changed the playability of the guitar! these Hot Rod strats really rock! thanx again!