Hey all!

So I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up my first American Strat tonight. I currently own a 1980s HM Strat and it's pretty awesome but I've been dying to own an actual American Strat for years lol.

The thing is, I'm a firm believer that if something seems too good to be true it usually is. The guitar is a 2008 Brown Sunburst Standard Strat with Rosewood Fretboard and the price is really too good to be true. I've seen pictures, ran the serial number and everything seems to be legit.

Now, I'm no pro at spotting fakes so I figured I'd register here and post the pics I've got and hopefully one of you fine people could take a look and see what you think .

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time.

Hi and welcome to the forum,

it´s a Highway One so be sure to check the prices before buying it.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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Good luck! Keep us posted!

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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No doubt! Remember, the Highway 1's have a vintage six point tremolo instead of the newer two point and no microtilt adjustment. Should be a dull finish on the body. Most of them were 70's headstocks, but the 1st year was a pre-CBS smaller one.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


facebook.com/313DBC

+ 1 on the Highway One. Should be cheaper than an American Standard. Lots of people who own these really like them.

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Wow, thanks for the quick replies! I really appreciate the help . I'm curious about what gave away the fact that it's a Highway One so easily to you guys heh.

What gave it away as a Highway 1? The large 70s-style headstock with the 70s-style decal and two string trees (American Series/American Standard Strats have only used a single string tree since 2000), the not-quite-glossy finish (Highway 1's come with a matte finish but it gets a bit "glossier" if you polish it up), and the 6-screw trem bridge are dead givaways.

Fender also makes a guitar with similar physical features called the American Special; however, they currently do not make the American Special with 3 single coils and the rosewood fingerboard.

It looks like the current owner purchased some type of aftermarket hard case for the guitar you're looking at - Highway 1s usually come with a gig bag.

Awesome, thanks for the extra info. Like I said I'm no real Strat expert, just love them a whole lot lol.

I'll keep you guys posted if I can get to it before someone else does! Apparently he's got a few people interested, but that's what they all say right?

Thanks again!

The fact that it was a 2008 and had the large 70s headstock with a 70s style logo, and the fact that the body had a matte finish instead of a glossy finish.

So, process of elimination. The only non-Squier guitars that Fender made with a big headstock in '08 would be the MIM 70s Classic; the Highway One; and the USA-made American Vintage 70s Strat. Your guitar is made in the USA, which rules out the 70s Classic MIM. The matte finish rules out the possibility of it being an American Vintage 70s, since those have a very glossy poly finish. Therefore...it's gotta be a Highway One.

Simple, right? ;-D

That case looks very similar to an Epiphone Firebird case. Those things are HUGE. So make sure you question him about shipping before you bite the bullet.

It is a real 2008 Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster. I absolutely love my 2007 Highway 1. How cheap is the price? It should be between 5 and 6 hundred US dollars. Anything more than that I would hold my money. Based on the pics I would say closer to 5 hundred than 6 hundred.

Knowing the difference:

1. As mentioned in 2007 there were no American Specials.
2. Matte "Nitro" finish as opposed to shiney "Poly" finish
3. Large 70's headstock with 2 string trees (American Specials and Highway 1's) as opposed to the smaller headstock with 1 string tree.
4. 6 point tremolo as opposed the 2 point tremolo on the American Standards/Deluxes
5. American Specials do not currently make a Rosewood fretboard with SSS configuration.
6. The case that guitar is in is not a Fender hard shell case of any type.

If I did not own one, I probably would not have been able to go into that much detail.

Overall it looks like a nice guitar. As medtioned above, I absolutely love mine. If you are more into distortion oriented music styles, the Highway 1 takes distortion very well. I know for me I put in a Dimarzio SD in my bridge because I wanted a little more umph while playing.

As far as an 80's HM Strat...I love those as well. In the 80's I bought a Squier HM and recently bought another one to replace it. The Fender HM was supposed to be better, so yours should still be an awesome guitar. I love pulling out my old Squier and blowing people away with that guitar.

I for one would love to see pics of the Fender HM if you could.

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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

UPDATE lol

So, I ended up going to take a look at it last night and... it played beautifully . I'm in love haha. I quickly paid the dude ($500 Canadian with the case) and ran home.

About the HM... She's been my workhorse for many many years, and it shows (I'm the first owner). I love that guitar, I'll post pics of both together once I get home from work for ya rkreisher.

Now, I just gotta get rid of my cheapo solid state Fender amp and get a real amp lmao.

Thanks again everyone!

Sounds like you got a killer deal. Congrats on the guitar.

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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

Wow... Sorry for the delay.

Here's a picture of both the new Strat and my HM Strat. FYI I'm no photographer haha.

She looks sweet my friend!! Congratulations and enjoy!!