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Post subject: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:02 am
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I just picked up a beat to hell Highway One strat in desperate need of a paint job. It's also possibly a perfect candidate to have a Floyd Rose installed on since I wont be destroying anything too sacred. This is my third USA strat and my previous two I kept perfectly stock so this one doesn't have to be. The neck feels and sounds great so I'm glad. I was worried when I saw this pictures this thing would be a pile of junk but fortunately for me it's not.

So... I disassembled it last night and took pictures. I want to know/ensure this is a Fender body and has fender parts. I am also curious about the grease bucket electronics I keep hearing about. They did upgrade this guitar and put in Noiseless pickups which to me is kind of cool but originally my idea was to make it a HSS w/Floyd. All Black. Black body, black pickup assembly, possibly a black EMG or if nothing else black pickups, with a black Floyd.

Then I thought... paint it white and keep it as is. white on white. Noiseless works for me since I play hi(ish)-gain hard rock covers and the tone of them seemed cool to me and without the noise. Love single coils so these pickups might be the right compromise between tone and noise.

Also how do these highway one tremolos compare to an American Standards tremolo (not the new ones but the previous generations that were more square) and would one fit right onto this guitar with no modifications? Assuming I don't go with a Floyd.

I've read some threads on painting the guitar myself but something like a Floyd installation I'd obviously have professionally done. Let me know if I am doing something stupid by even considering that. I've always liked the looks of a Floyd on a strat but I want it done right. I always prefer factory installations over not. Kind of open to ideas. I am hoping to hear it's at least 100% Fender and not some squire body or something.

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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:51 am
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WOW - for once someone asks a question with good pics included.

As you say, the pickups aren't original - but someone put in the Noiseless "Deluxe level" pups to a "below Standard" priced guitar, so I consider that an upgrade. Plus, if you need to higain, get one more OD pedal instead of a pup change.
In general, I really dig the looks (in spite that I'm not a fan of artificial relics, and I don't believe that guitar got all that wear from playing).
I don't know what your other Strats are, but I wouldn't do very much to this one - it doesn't seem to need any new paint coat :wink:

The tremolo: IMHO&E(xperience), with a good set up even the cheapest Squier trems function properly. In the "US" Highway One class: sure, the one you got will be OK.
If you absolutely want to "upgrade", the use of a good pro is a good choice.

Specs here: viewtopic.php?t=32348
Wiring diagram with part numbers here: http://support.fender.com/service_diagr ... A_SISD.pdf


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 1:36 pm
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Thank you! I would never have been able to find that! Really appreciated! So it's a honey blonde? hmm just like I like my girls. More than a few people have now said to leave it as is and go with the aging.

Appreciate the diagrams and other info a lot. thank you again. I really do like the guitar. Probably good I took it apart to clean it up. it was a mess in ways. high action, neck tension off, and although I didn't check the intonation with the tuner it seems like the saddles are just about all the way back. I think i'll keep this original since it mostly seems to be. good news actually.


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 1:43 pm
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Ckerian wrote:
Thank you! I would never have been able to find that! Really appreciated! So it's a honey blonde? hmm just like I like my girls. More than a few people have now said to leave it as is and go with the aging.

Appreciate the diagrams and other info a lot. thank you again. I really do like the guitar. Probably good I took it apart to clean it up. it was a mess in ways. high action, neck tension off, and although I didn't check the intonation with the tuner it seems like the saddles are just about all the way back. Check neck bow first



I think i'll keep this original since it mostly seems to be. good news actually.


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:38 am
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Thank you! A bow would explain the additional length!


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:10 am
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Ckerian wrote:
Thank you! A bow would explain the additional length!



Yes , neck must be the first thing to check and adjust .

Take your time and turn truss rod nut 1/8 turn at time and wait at least one hour to be sure the neck have finish to move and before you do another 1/8 turn.
After you think neck is OK wait 12 to 24 hour and check . If it has same mesurements you are done


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:40 am
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After 1st day sanding

ImageAfter 1st day sanding by christopher kerian

[img][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5733/21714262083_4e96f7fa7e_k.jpg[/img]After 1st day sanding by christopher kerian


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:42 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Ckerian wrote:
Thank you! A bow would explain the additional length!



Yes , neck must be the first thing to check and adjust .

Take your time and turn truss rod nut 1/8 turn at time and wait at least one hour to be sure the neck have finish to move and before you do another 1/8 turn.
After you think neck is OK wait 12 to 24 hour and check . If it has same mesurements you are done


sounds good. I'll re-assemble it once I'm done sanding and get the trus rod adjusted. It had .09's on it when I got it and I use .10's so it's definitely going to take an adjustment or two. i'll be sure to let it settle in as you suggested.


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:45 am
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Do the full setup routine, and in the order given in the Strat Setup Guide
When I have a guitar, which has run out of adjustment space, on my workbench, I start by measuring what the scale (string) lenght really is (the "Intonation - roughing it out" part on the guide) and also check the neck angle (sometimes it's just loose screws, sometimes a wrong shim, sometimes a guitar needs a shim).
Relief/truss rod adjusting after that.


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:56 am
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If neck is wrong with a bow, the scale will be wrong .

1-I fix the neck first .

2- If I can't have the right action with saddles height screw , I adjust neck angle ( with shim or micro tilt screw)

3- With those adjustments well done, you where able to have the right intonation


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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:13 pm
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These small peghead first version HWY 1's are some very nice guitars, never played one of these necks I didn't just love. I think these were some of the first guitars with rolled edges and they play like butter when set up well. I am always looking for a nice blonde one with a maple neck.

Since the blonde body is so worn and you are looking to paint it, why not go with something a little more fun than black or white? Try and find a guy who does automotive painting and see if they won't do something for you cheap for you. Many times you can find one, who enjoys doing something different and will go the extra mile for ya. Just a thought. Enjoy the guitar

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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:33 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
These small peghead first version HWY 1's are some very nice guitars, never played one of these necks I didn't just love. I think these were some of the first guitars with rolled edges and they play like butter when set up well. I am always looking for a nice blonde one with a maple neck.

Since the blonde body is so worn and you are looking to paint it, why not go with something a little more fun than black or white? Try and find a guy who does automotive painting and see if they won't do something for you cheap for you. Many times you can find one, who enjoys doing something different and will go the extra mile for ya. Just a thought. Enjoy the guitar


+1

That lumber is nicely figured and would look great under a 2TSB or a transparent Mary Kay finish.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:54 pm
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Thanks everyone for giving me ideas and information. That setup guide will be way helpful! There was a shim in the neck when I took it apart so I'll follow the guide and start from scratch. Good to know there's solutions to these types of problems.

Yes I do LOVE the look and feel of these guitars. I miss my 40th Fender anniversary maple and blonde strat. I had to let go of my 92 American standard (white on black pain with rosewood) so I am very excited to have a strat again. My Carvin and PRS CU24 are just different animals. That's the fun of it.

Funny you mentioned an auto painter. I posted a craigslist ad today looking for someone and that's just who contacted me. A guy that's all into custom painting. Wants to do a guitar and has great ideas for a custom job. Only wants $75 too (plus materials) so I am way excited. Bringing it to him Thursday.

So I went and got some courser sand paper and I hope I didn't go overboard although I started at 80 to get the paint off, 100 then 120 to smooth it out. My last run over it was at 150. Tomorrow I plan on hitting it with 200 then 220 grit paper and be done with it. I may have one more size of paper. Need to check the post I've been following to sand this thing. I think I need a tiny bit of wood filler for a spot with a tiny chip out of the wood. Assuming I want it perfect.

So why is part of this body discolored? I assume sweat because it was missing a coat of paint there? Should I keep sanding and work it out of it?

The auto painter guy is going to research painting a guitar which is kind of scary but I'm thinking he's looking to go above and beyond so I'm just going to let him do his thing. I'll even let him pick the color. Custom sounds good to me! White or black is kind of boring and if he wants to pour his soul into then hell yeah! Not sure what a mary kay finish is but sounds cool to me.

ImageIMG_3661 by christopher kerian, on Flickr

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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:32 am
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This is the Mary Kay finish......

Image

Transparent white over an ash body.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Does this 04 Highway One Strat have all the right parts?
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:23 am
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Be careful with the paint , it can kill the tone.


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