2006 (Z6) serial #
Two string trees
22 fret neck
Satin three tone burst paint
60th button on headstock
??????????? what the heck is it ?

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

A few more shots

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

It's a Highway 1 Strat - the first version of these had the small headstock and vintage-style decal like the American Series of the same time frame. You can tell it's a Highway 1 by the 6-screw trem and the two string trees on the headstock.

Fender changed to the large headstock/70s-style decal on the second version which came out about mid-year 2006.

Just about all Fenders made in 2006 got that "60th Anniversary of Fender" medallion on the back of the headstock - the possible exception being the American Vintage models.

I was sure the change came mid year 05 that is why I asked

The American special came about the same time didn't it ???
I though maybe they might have had a satin finish.

It does have the larger jumbo frets, took a minute to get used to them !

And it does not have a delta tone AKA grease bucket circuit, no detent on the bridge tone control, that kinda threw me also, did the HWY1 ever come without that circuit ?

I had a 2002 first HWY 1 when they came out, one of the best playing necks ever !!!

Thanks for your input !

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

here it sits next to my 50th Anniversary LE

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

No, the American Specials came out in 2010 - and they do not have the satin finished body but they do have the jumbo frets.



Actually the Delta Tone and the Greasebucket circuits are different; the Greasebucket doesn't use the no-load tone control; the Delta Tone does.

Thanks again !

I was the Hwy-1 guy for a while, till the wife got me the 50th deluxe and AMSE back in 2004.

I did love the neck on my original 02, whats funny is that this one feels identical to my AMSE 50th. the larger frets are not messing with me near as much as i thought they would, the former owner did string it with 10's and I stick with 9-42's and use Ernie Ball Rock N Roll nickel strings.

A bit of pickup height adjustment and a few set up tweaks and this guitar will be ready for anything. (maybe a set of Texas Specials) ????

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

@John C

A big advantage of the Greasebucket is the ability to gently roll off the highs without adding redundant lows in your tone.

With this feature your sound doesn't have the muddiness you'd expect from a traditional passive tone control.

Nice 50th Anniversary Am. Series. I have one as well that I love. I also have a black mark II Hwy 1. I'm using both of these guitars in church this morning. My only complaint about the 50th Anv. Strat is the the fact that the pickguard has yellowed to almost a tan color.

That's strange about the pick guard Paris ! the limited editions had the single ply Parchment guard, mine hasn't changed from what i can see, the neck has added alittle color from outdoor sun exposure.

I've been looking for another decent strat to keep me company while my 50th gets a new set of frets, she gets played every day and for the last nine years has been my #1 guitar.

I used shellac with an amber tint on the 50th special case and it looks like its from 1954
Sure wish Fender had used a vintage bridge on these AMSE LE 50th guitars !

My son and the preacher handle the guitar work at our Church.

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

Now I need a nice tweed case for the HWY-1

I was going to swap pickups, but I'm getting to really like the stock ones in the HWY

I will get rid of the stark white guard and other plastic pieces.

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

I agree that the the 6 point trem would have looked better, but the 2 point works really well. I feel like the 50th Anniv. is a vintage guitar that had been updated. The CS '54s sound amazing.

Take a look at the black deluxe case with orange interior and "Fender" logo on the outside. I just got one for my '79 Strat and it looks great.

As to the yellowing: unscrew the pickguard and pulled it out from under the last fret. You might see a difference.

Yep the pickups on the 50th are to die for !

I just did a complete setup and string change on the HWY-1 and it is now a super star on its own
22 frets, rolled edge, nice maple board, and some pretty sweet pickups too.
I expected cheap pots and a cheapo five way when i pulled the neck and pick guard, not so, very nice quality electronics under the hood too.

Just need to strip the body and shoot it Surf Green and it would be a forever strat !!!

PS Ernie Ball Rock N Roll Nickle strings are my all time favorite for strats !

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

''It's a Highway 1 Strat - the first version of these had the small headstock and vintage-style decal like the American Series of the same time frame. You can tell it's a Highway 1 by the 6-screw trem and the two string trees on the headstock.

Fender changed to the large headstock/70s-style decal on the second version which came out about mid-year 2006.

Just about all Fenders made in 2006 got that "60th Anniversary of Fender" medallion on the back of the headstock - the possible exception being the American Vintage models.'' John C

Totally agree.I also had one..And the body paint is nitro..A very thin layer...But the neck has poly finish....It is a fantastic guitar...

Ya I know about Fender and anniversary models

Every strat in 2004 had the 50th logo (USA strats) and so there is always people thinking they have the Limited edition anniversary strats when there just 2004 amse or deluxes.

Ya we have all come to the conclusion that it is a HWY-1
And a well preserved six year old guitar, not a scratch or dent any where and the frets still have finish on them (zero wear) !

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive