Hi everyone, first post. Just wondering if you eagle eyed experts can lend me your opinions to this. Basically i'm debating getting a Mex strat, found this one (Quite cheap but the condition isnt great) And i don't know my arse from my elbow when it comes to what to look for.

http://img215.imageshack.us/i/91445596.jpg/

http://img5.imageshack.us/i/77480776.jpg/

http://img5.imageshack.us/i/77480776.jpg/

http://img5.imageshack.us/i/77480776.jpg/

Thanx

Looks like an authentic USA Highway one to me...although I don't remember them coming in that color.

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Looks like an authentic pre-upgrade (pre-2006) Highway One. They came in trans blue then and were finished in an acrylic lacquer, pretty rare for Fenders if you care about this kind of trivia.

How much are they asking if you dont mind me asking? They're fantastic instruments, I'd snap it up if its cheap (say, under 500).

Thanx for the replies! I'm glad you all think it's authentic, much of a step up from a mim standard? Yea it's pretty cheap, he wants about £300 so yea under $500. Obviously the finish is a bit crap - could look into a re finish. Any other tell tale sign of fakeness when i see it in the flesh?

Im pretty sure it isnt a refin. The Highway Ones have always had a delicate finish, so more dings than a standard finish should be expected. As for quality, Id say they are closer to an MIA Standard than a MIM Standard. In my limited experience they are pretty much on par with the more expensive US model.

I think if its a fake, it would probably be evident in the pics you provided, though Im sure far more knowleadgable sources will weigh in.

I'd say pull the trigger if it plays well and has no noticeable performance flaws. Its a great price if so.

Oh right cool thanx. I didn't mean if it was a refin, i was suggesting that i could do one. He is back on tuesday so will give it a blast then see what it's like. Thanks guys.

It's the real deal and has not been refinished. It's one of the HWY1s from before the '06 refit. I own a Black '06 HWY1 and love it.

The finish is Nitrocellulose and came in a few translucent colors like green, red and Sapphire blue. There was also Amber, Daphne Blue, Walnut, Ebony Transparent and 3-color-sunburst. There may have been other colors, but I'm not sure what they might be.

Also the HWY1s are considered American made guitars. They receive American serial numbers and say, "Made in American." I realized that some parts of the guitar are made in Mexico. According to Richard McDonald the HWY1s are "about 85% or more of the very successful Highway 1 is American made." - page 253 The Stratocaster Chronicles, 2004.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

Send the serial number to customer relations and they can tell you quite a bit about the guitar.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

Thanx guys

It is a autentic Highway One Stratocaster. A friend of my has this one, and it is grate!!!!

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