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Post subject: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 3:47 am
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So I've decided to look into a new strat. Haven't really "followed" the new models for a few years. I see this American Special series, do a little research & general consensus is that it replaced the Highway one series.

If I remember right, bodies & necks of the Hwy1 were constructed in Mexico, then shipped to North of the border where they were finished & assembled.

Is that the case with the American Special? I ask because the Specials come with 22 fret necks, which I thought was an American thing (that could have changed as well, like I said it's been a while).


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:46 am
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You can pretty much say that the American Special did replace the Highway 1 series. I don't believe that you were correct about the Highway 1 bodies and necks being from the Ensenada factory; I believe you are thinking of the old California Series from 1997/98 where the parts went back and forth across the border. That being said the Highway 1s did use some of the hardware found on the MIMs - like they used the same bridges as the MIM Classic series, and back when Fender was still using Schaller tuners on the American Series/American Standard models these used the Ping tuners found on MIM Standards (Fender now uses Ping tuners on all models that have the sealed-type tuner).


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:22 am
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This topic reminds me of an older thread:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=40437&start=0

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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:43 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
This topic reminds me of an older thread:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=40437&start=0


I actually read that thread as part of my google search yesterday. Didn't answer either of my questions, so I thought I'd start a new thread.


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 12:20 pm
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Thunderkyss wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
This topic reminds me of an older thread:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=40437&start=0


I actually read that thread as part of my google search yesterday. Didn't answer either of my questions, so I thought I'd start a new thread.


From what I can recall:

In May/2005, the "greasebucket circuit" was incorporated allowing the roll-off of the tone control without adding bass. This upgrade did not feature a reverse wound/reverese polarity middle single coil pickup.

About May/2006, the headstock was changed to the larger style and the frets were changed to Jumbo frets. This upgrade also included a reverse wound/reverse polarity pickup for hum cancelling in positions 2 and 4.

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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:37 am
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So I went to the local Guitar Center to check out an American Special. Nice.

But... I also ran into a Classic Player's 60s & now I'm conflicted.

I've always liked Rosewood fingerboards, because SRV liked Rosewood fingerboards, but... my whole, "Time to buy another strat." thing was really spurned by a maple fingerboard.

I've always preferred the two point trem.

21 fret necks piss me off.

I love the '70s headstock & the jumbo frets.

Both necks feel good, different, but good. More substance to the American Special, but I kinda like the flatter Classic 60s.

I really liked the finish on the Classic Player. Looks & feels more natural.

Acoustically, the Classic Player projected more.... was louder, but the Special had more character.

Didn't care for the pick-ups in either. The Classic Player's were fine, the Special's a bit obnoxious.

Luckily I ran out of time. Had to run out of there... probably would have bought both.


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:09 am
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Thunderkyss wrote:
Luckily I ran out of time. Had to run out of there... probably would have bought both.


If you have the cabbage, buy both. Also, keep in mind that the amp you play them through in the shop may or may not be the same sound as whatever amp you are using. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:16 pm
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Thunderkyss wrote:
So I've decided to look into a new strat. Haven't really "followed" the new models for a few years. I see this American Special series, do a little research & general consensus is that it replaced the Highway one series.

If I remember right, bodies & necks of the Hwy1 were constructed in Mexico, then shipped to North of the border where they were finished & assembled.

Is that the case with the American Special? I ask because the Specials come with 22 fret necks, which I thought was an American thing (that could have changed as well, like I said it's been a while).


The Am Spl replaces the highway One only in the sense that it is a US-made Strat for under $1000.

Nothing on the Am Spl was made in Mexico... they are made and assembled in Corona. The pups are US Custom Shop Texas Specials. Also, they have gloss-urethane finish... not polyester and not the matte-finish like the Highway Ones had.

They do have the classic six-point trem and a 70's large headstock (which I really like!) Greasebucket tone circuit, not Delta tone circuit. Blank neckplate whereas US Standards and Deluxes have the Fender "F" etching.

Like the Highway One, they only come with a gig bag... no hard case.

They do have 22 jumbo frets. Many of the newer MIMs now have 22 frets too. As of now, the SSS models are only maple fretboard. The HSS models are only rosewood fretboard.

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:28 pm
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Tiger J wrote:
The Am Spl replaces the highway One only in the sense that it is a US-made Strat for under $1000.

Nothing on the Am Spl was made in Mexico...


Thanks for the info Tiger J


FYI, I pulled the trigger (BIN) on an American Special Hand Stained Honey Burst. Price was too good. I was actually looking for a Hwy1 with the 70s neck, because I liked the stain finish. Saw this one & decided I'd give it a looksee. If I don't care for the finish, I can sell it & most likely get what I paid for it. (I say that all the time, but truth is I don't sell nothing. I'm like a black hole for gear).

Anyway, should be here in a few days.

Thanks all who replied.


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Post subject: Re: American Special, the new Highway 1?
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 8:25 am
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Well, I've had it for a little more than a week now.

Image

It's pretty much what I wanted. The Satin finish (though not as matte as the highway ones), the '70s neck, vintage trem.

The only thing I'm not "totally" digging is the thin profile "C" shape neck. I was really hoping it would be chunkier.

I'm not saying my Foto-flame is a better guitar by any stretch, but this American Special helps me appreciate how good the Foto-flame truly is.

Image

Big difference in sound, with the chunkier kneck & rosewood fingerboard, but still a damn good guitar.


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