Posted it in a couple of other foruns, but what forum is better than this one for this?

So, I got a really good deal on a Highway One, what made me a little bit suspicious. The guitar looks ok, but the price was just too good... So, can you guys give me any info on it? It's been suggested it was refinished and that the electronics were changed. The electronics I really don't mind, if it's a refin, it's pretty good if you ask me, so no biggie, I just wanted to know more about it.

Pics:


Thanks in advance for your help!

I may be wrong but every 03 highway one I have handled didn't have the large headstock. but that may be a transition model. and that looks more like a metallic or candy apple red, so if it is a highway one I am pretty sure they weren't offered in that color.

_________________

If I remember right Fender put out the HSS big headstock HW1 Stratocaster in 2003. The SSS had still the small headstock. Later they changed all to the big headstock, don´t know the year right now.
Guitar looks ok, except the smaller tone pots (maybe they were changed).

Cheers,
Robin

_________________
_________________________________
http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
_________________________________

+1 Robinstrat. In 2003 the SSS did have the small headstock and the HSS had the big headstock at least thats what the Fender Frontline magazine from that year says. The guitar looks absolutly genuine to me!

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Thanks a lot for help! Do anybody can say anything about the paint job? Is it a refin? It's been suggested it is, but it really doesn't look like it.

Possibly just buffed, to shine up the factory satin finish.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

It looks like it was repainted, but the body and neck appear to be Fender. I do not know what the 2003 models look like under the hood, but my 2007 had foil on the back of the pick guard that went around the pickups as well. Regardless if the electronics are original or not, it is a nice looking guitar. How does it sound? Does it play nice?

As far as knowing it is a refinish, there is a black paint that can be seen around the grounding screw in the pickup cavity. Also it appears that whoever repainted took time to cover the bar code in the neck pickup cavity. You can see the black paint there as well.

_________________
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

Isn't the black paint just the shielding paint that Fender uses in the cavities? They leave a small amount of it exposed so the grounding screw can make contact.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

The entire cavity on my Highway 1 and my previous American Special (CAR) was all black. Yes it is for shielding.

_________________
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