All user reviews of 5/5 for the Fender Highway One Stratocaster [2006-2011]

I went to Guitar Center to purchase a small practice amp and found this blonde USA made strat on sale for their Green Tag sale at $370. I could not pass it up.

I honestly like everything on this guitar, I usually play Les Pauls, but this one has made me switch to Fender. It is light in weight, and the action after a professional setup is fantastic. It has an extremely fast neck and a great tremelo and good sustain. It sounds like a dream to me.

nothing, for $370 for an American Strat, you find a better deal.....

Made in the U.S.A. by Fender, say no more.

I would have paid twice as much for this guitar.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought the guitar at World Music in Nashville for $399. The people there are great.

The guitar was a demo model. It is in great condition, but I'm sure it had been on the showroom floor for a while.

This guitar is in transparent cocoa (it's not a really attractive color) with a maple fretboard.

An American-made Strat for $399!!! That's only about $50 more than a Mexi-Strat.

The guitar is in great condition. The people at World Music set the guitar up. No buzz, no rattles.

The most important thing is sound. And this puppy sounds great.

I don't really like the cocoa color. No big deal.

Fender cuts costs by using a thinner finish. But it does give the guitar a "vintage" look.

Perfect. I can't find any flaws. The neck is bolted in tight. The neck is smooth and comfortable.

I fully intended on buying an American Standard Strat. But when I saw the Highway One at $399, I could not justify paying $400 more.

Is the Highway One better than the American Standard? Probably not. The pickups are little harsh, but that adds to the "vintage vibe."

Is it better than the Mexi-Strats? I have played some good Mexican guitars, but these Highway One's have a smoother feel.

This is the best $399 I've ever spent on a guitar.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I had been playing the eletric guitar nearly a year now and the magic and intense feeling of power and fun that it gave me had not worn off. I had a Squier Standard and though satisfied seeing a fender made me green with envy. I was passionate for a fender U.S.A but knew that with the cheapest being around £800 it would be a long time before my chacne to purhase one arrived. This is when i saw the Highway Stratocaster, it was in bonners eastbourne and cost £599 i played it and couldnt put it down and next week is was mine to keep.

Well, if you want a Fender built guitar made in the U.S.A a classic vinatge style guitar it has to be a strat. The highway strat is the cheapest U.S.A built fender but by no means the worst. I play Eric Clapton and Blink 182 riffs with it and it suits them both briliantly. The quality of sounds is amazing; juicy, warm, mellow or twangy and bright. The Laquer finish which is what makes it so cheap gives it a class look. The best bit about the guitar though is the neck which fits so snuggly and perfectly your hands feel alive. Highly Recommended if you want Style, Class, Sound and the name.

Next to nothing, this is a brilliant buy and unusually for guitars you have gained high quality for a lesser amount of money. The only thing i noticed is that the tone knobs can be slighly loose and that the finish can dent easily but if you are careful it darkens slowly in time and once played on for about 4 months improves drasticlly.

The quality is a world above the mexican made fenders and a breath away from the standard series. The neck used for the neck is top knotch and all nuts and bolts firmly in place. You really get the feeling you are holding more than the amount you pay for it.

So to sum it up, if you want a guitar with character, thats a classic design for a cheaper price made by the best guitar company then this is tyour guitar. Whatever you play soon it'll become the olny guitar you want and can match i think even the deluxe series. An Amazing guitar the best Value for Money ever!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I wanted to buy a guitar which was versatile, good enough to keep for a lifetime, reliable and looked great. So I asked my guitar teacher what would be my best option? He said that there was a highway 1 strat on sale in Russel's music store in Cork city (Ireland) for 939 euro. I know that is a high price for a highway 1 but everything in Ireland is really expensive anyway. That was actually a reasonable price because another music shop was selling the exact same guitar for 1000 euro.

This guitar has everything I need. The 5 tones I have with the pickup selector switch is great! I can play anything from the likes of Chuck Berry to Ynguie Malmsteen.
When I got it first I was disappointed with the tremolo because the G string kept going out of tune. But to my delight I carefully put a small amount of oil on the nut and the strings now stay in tune with even the most stupidly outrageous whammy bar abuse!!

Only the fact that it cost so much. But it should be a lot cheaper if you dont live in Ireland.

Its a Fender strat made in U.S.A. Enough said!

This is a guitar which would suit anyone. It looks great, sounds great and feels even better to play. I would recommend it to any guitarist because it is so versiatile and such fun to play.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this piece of an American icon for the price tag of the usual $599.99. I have to say I love it, and I finally own a "strat" not a knockoff. The finish is smooth as butter (cocoa) and the maple neck is sweet, smooth, and playable. The 1st test I gave it was the usual string bend on various strings, and a little bar use ie: David Gilmour, and it stayed in tune !! The action needs to be lowered as with all guitars from the factory. The bar is a little long for my taste, but that's life, I am seeking David Gilmour's modified shorter trem arm, ex. and concert you see him in with Pink Floyd. All in all if you want a Fender, I recommend this one !

Satin lacquer finish, ability to stay in tune, over all Fender vintage tone, headstock that says "Made in U.S.A.", perfect size frets for bends, etc.

All the music stores that carry these just leave them hanging, collecting dust, not adjusting the action after they receive them for sale.

Made in the U.S.A. Enough said.

A beauty at a good deal. I really recommend this

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This guitar was purchased at Long and Mcquade in calgary for 829.00 canadian dollars.

The setup was perfect, the neck is smooth, silky and well made. the blue saphire finish looks great. The guitar stays in tune very well even with moderate to heavy tremolo use. the guitar sounds great througha tube amp.

can't really find any dislikes. the pickups could have soem extra winds in them to make them hotter and warmer. but you still get vintage tones through a nive old fender tube amp.

flawless. however, it took me a few hours to find the right fit. i always go for feel rather than looks. not all the guitars feel the same, so you have to be meticulous and dilligent to find the right fit for you.

i have many guitars (including a 1955 fender stratocaster which i have now retired). i'm very impressed that fender coudl make a no frills finish guitar and make a high quality instrument. i may even pick up the highway 1 telecaster now.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i got this guitar at matchetts music for £450.i got this guitar because i was getting an upgrade from my squier strat.

where do i start. well the look,mine's blue with a lacquer finish and a rosewood fretboard.i got set up in the shop.i also like the price its an american strat apart from the bridge,but i cant really tell the differance between the sound quality so its not worth paying £200 quid more for a bridge.

this is very minor,but this guitar is very easy to scratch because of the lacquer finish.but this very minor.apart from that no complaints

the construction of this guitar is excellant now we know why fender are number 1 for guitars.the quality is perfect not a single defect anywhere.

BUY tHIS GUITAR.you will not get any better for your money.this is the best guitar i have ever played.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got this guitar at musician's friend. They had the Cocoa finish overstocked so I got a great deal, only 399.99

Great quality and tone. Made in the USA. The finish looks like it will age very elegantly. Also the finish does not show many fingerprints like some of it's glossier cousins.

Action was a little high and the neck was off just a hair but I took it to my local guitar shop and got it set up quite nicely for around 15$ so I'm sure you could do the same.

Alder body with a laquer finish, translucent maple fretboard (23 frets-medium jumbo), strat single coil pickups

This guitar is great. I was wanting to buy a Fender strat and was looking at some of the asian models. This American beauty just kinda fell in my lap but i'm glad it did. Great value and good ol' Fender quality.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I went to Guitar Center one day and was shocked to see the spaghetti logo (American only) on a beautiful new strat for only $559.00. I've played many American Srats before, and knew right after I picked it up that this wasn't just a cheap version of the American. Five minutes later I threw down the cash and walked out a very happy man.


The neck on this guitar feels great.
It has medium jumbo frets which are my preferred size.
I like being able to see the wood grain under the paint job. I don't care for plastic looking guitars.
The pickups sound great. Alot of twang.


This isn't the most versatile guitar. The pickups are not designed for heavy distortion.
Other than that this guitar is the goods.

The Highway 1 uses a vintage vibrato unit, but I like to keep mine blocked so I couldn't tell you about its performance. Instead of a lacquer finish it uses a coat of glossy paint that lets you see the wood grain underneath. The body is made of Alder. The bridge pickup is very bright and twangy. The middle and neck pickups are a little fatter sounding than vintage pickups. All five settings sound good in their own way. Would be best suited for a bluesy crunch type of sound or for playing in clean. The neck on mine has a maple fingerboard, but I also saw one with a rosewood board. Extremely well built guitar. I also own a Mexican Standard and you can feel the superiority of this guitar right when you pick it up.


I urge anyone thinking about buying a Mexican Standard to save up $200 more and buy the Highway 1. You won't be sorry.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The Fender Stratocaster is the evolution of the original Fender telecaster guitar from tender music company. This guitar is basically the instrument that revolutionize and redefine rock 'n roll. It's a great sounding guitar and almost perfect instrument from start to finish. It has a great balance and crate feel and that's why it's been bleeding instruments and electric guitar for the last half century.

UTILIZATION

Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster Features:

* Color: 3-color Sunburst
* Body Type: Solidbody electric.
* Finish: Satin nitrocellulose lacquer.
* Neck Wood: Maple.
* Neck Shape: Modern "C" shape with 9.5-inch radius.
* Body Wood: Solid alder.
* Machine Heads: Fender / Ping standard cast / sealed tuners.
* Fingerboard: Rosewood.
* No. of Frets: 22.
* Position Markers: Dot inlays.
* Pickups: Three vintage style single coils with staggered polepieces and Alnico magnets.
* Controls: Master volume, two tone.
* Bridge/Tailpiece: Vintage style synchronized tremolo.
* Pickup Switching: Five-position blade switch.
* Hardware: Chrome.
* Case: Deluxe Gig Bag included
* Scale Length: 25.5 inches.

SOUNDS

The tone of this guitar is fantastic. Especially when you couple it with a nice heavy amplifier such as a Mesa boogie or a Marshall amplifier. You get a great singing sustain in tone that is very blossoming and fruitful. It has a great earthy tone that mixes well and pretty much any style of music you can imagine. There really isn't a style music that this guitar can't fit in unless you're talking about heavily dropped tuned metal guitar sounds. Other than that is get the guitar can pretty much do just about anything. It's extremely versatile and overall just a perfect instrument. I really like the sound of these guitars primarily with the Marshall amplifier but pretty much any amplifier that you have this guitar will bring out the best and I gear.

OVERALL OPINION

You can find his guitars for right around $730 new on the online retailers and in most retailer guitar shops. You can also find them used pretty easily as well. I suggest trying out a few in finding out which neck you prefer because the next can change from guitar to guitar as well as with each reissue and model number.

Deja everything said above ...

only difference from the config 'home, mine is now equipped with a Fender Texas Special set. mine has a maple neck one piece.

point somewhat limited: the satin varnish, which may not please the beginning it can be done very well in very little time.

ATTENTION my note taking into account the new set of micro!

UTILIZATION

Channel C very pleasant
access to acute very good (I met my first concern last night by a bend in a tone box in 22nd, and again it goes at home ...)

SOUNDS

So then ... What about sound level ... bin it is a stratum of good quality which gives us a very slamming his (one piece maple neck forces) in which acute deviend very round and bluesy as hell when you put on the handle ... medium position? medium, a compromise between these two positions. I used relatively few positions 2 and 4 that I found little interest from a real guitar with a double but the use has shown that they, too, very interesting colors (Little Wing??! ?) ....

ATTENTION my note taking into account the new set of micro!

OVERALL OPINION

Use for 4 months, a guitar that fits perfectly a style I like. she does not know everything, but what it does, it does very well ...

acquisition of a lightning strike during my blues, fatal to the portfolio

quality / price ratio monster (thank you king of the magical plan) 550 € with the new pickups ...

Without hesitation, I redeem the same if I had not already!!

- So, for entry-level Fender made in the United States, 22 jumbo frets (sisi!), 3 simple bob 'Alnico III, 1 Vol / 2 Tone, standard vibrato, slcteur 5 positions, insert jack on the table, and small novelty head round 70's style, contour handle "C" ...
I selected version "button maple". In short it is a strat 'but finally (somewhat) recasts.

I will put on the equipment a good 9 aprceque there really all that needs to be or should be!

UTILIZATION

The handle ... It's really him that I DCID. I, the anti-de-strat-old that-all-the-world-is-a-the-same!
The really say anything: Hyper easy to play, too comfortable and "inspiring" in style "thumb derrire / lgato / sweep / dive bomb" that "thumb over / rock 'n roll / bend / vibrato / Keith Richards. "I had that same Discoveries can be enjoyable to play chords.
And I was not expecting it!

This may be of the new frets (damage their finish'm not on my copy MODL) o this beautiful maple affects both gross and sweet!?
I put 9 (it is impossible to be perfect in all styles

SOUNDS

So, scratch that perfectly fits all the styles that I approach.

I plugged into an Ashdown Fallen Angel 60W head with 4X12 cab attached.

I must say that I have a little boost by changing the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail trs that met many of the stringed guitar and a four-SSSL "quarter pound" (same mark) when the "rail" has fallen behind.
And since I wonder if I will return to rear! It pais, warm, nuanced ... Rgal in a distortion / drive.
Ditto for the other mics I have always believed that the simple bob 'silent central to the intervention between 2 pretty "real" pickups neck / bridge.
No way! Here it is quite incisive when pushed into a corner, with a roundness less runny than the neck pickup and a cutting edge less garish than the bridge. Excellent also for rhythmic clarity or to simulate a sound (well I say simulated!).
The neck pickup when he can find all the sounds "fenderiens" on positions 1 and 2 (starting from top) c'st say excellent in blues, funky dlicieusement or fat injection in fuzz .

In résumé of trs beautiful clear, but may be the original bridge that I find "fiddle" and nasal tlcaster limited low-end, the crunch and a bit phnomnaux short for large distos (requires simple) but give out the same changes qd for there enough wood for the "body"!
So because of the seven original bridge.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it intensively for the past eight months and it really fills my expectations. Ms when he pushes me of Pantera at your fingertips!
I love its versatility, the report "pro" sound well balanced and always about the comfort gnral.
It is exactly what I wanted: arrter with small MODELS good for 2 years and spend versatile srieux (exit jackson series Pacher / strat japan / Gretsch Electromatic duojet: the H1 and replaces all! )

Just a BMOL the finish: frets with "chrome" is dcolle (but there is still a bright layer below !??), few smudges of glue also at the hoop. APRS dfonces the opening of the body are well done even when the tears too ... But none of the pleasure to hinder / playability Especially for the price: 666 (!) roro on thomann.

I think I do it again this election if I break it!
Otherwise I will continue my arsenal complter: les paul / ibanez rg ...

Model Name Highway One ™ Stratocaster ® (Upgrade)
Series Highway One ™ Series
Colors (300) 3-Color Sunburst,
Neck Maple, Modern "C" Shape,
(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Maple (p / n 011-1162), 9.5 "Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets 22 Jumbo Frets
Pickups 3 Hot Single-Coil Start ® Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets and Reverse Wound / Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup
Controls Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone ™ Greasebucket Circuit, (Rolls Off Highs Without Adding Bass)
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone ™ Greasebucket Circuit, (Rolls Off Highs Without Adding Bass)
Pickup Switching 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Machine Heads Fender ® / Ping ® Standard Cast / Sealed Tuning Machines
Chrome Hardware
Pickguard 3-Ply Parchment
Scale Length 25.5 "(648 mm)
Width at Nut 1.6875 "(43 mm)
Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Unique Features Body Finish,
Parchment Plastic Parts,
Large '70s Style Headstock Shape,
Large '70s Style Headstock Logo,
Original Body Shape,
"Original Contour Body" Decal on Headstock,
H / S / H Pickup Routing
Reverse Wound / Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup
Strings Fender ® Super Bullets ® 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042), p / n 073-3250-003

UTILIZATION

A little lighter than the United States Classic

Get started immediately! What a fender!

SOUNDS

Guitar Very BLUES! The sound is really superb!

OVERALL OPINION

The Highway One ™ are given to the style of the day in 2006! A '70s-inspired head, brand new alnico pickups, jumbo frets and new color combinations and plate microphones will take you to new horizons with modern performance and vintage look.

The Highway One ™ Stratocaster ® has new pickups that give a more powerful, more round and warm without sacrificing the brightness of the Fender ® sound. It also has a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish lets the body wood's natural tone. One of the new Fender ® the most exciting!

Fender Highway One stratocaster (upgraded) made in United States.
22 Jumbo frets.
Channel C '
3 pickups Fender Hot Alnico Single-Coil Start with studs spaced
Master Volume, Tone 1 (neck pickup) with circuit Greasebucket *, Tone 2 (bridge pickup) with circuit Greasebucket (* removes treble frequencies without adding bass).
5-way switch, reverse polarity middle pickup on, Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo, Fender Tuners / Ping Standard Oil bath, chrome hardware, 3-Ply pickguard plate Parchment, delivered in Deluxe Gig Bag, Yep ... the flycase c ' is too expensive for that price!

Well, after the description, venont the chatter on the scratching!
At first glance this stratum is very well finished, polished ultra-thin, easy to play (thank you jumbo frets), the body is quite light, I would say even a bit lighter than the strats "american standard Made in United States or other" me 2 strats that have 70's and 90's they weigh much more than this one highway is probably becaufe there is a layer of varnish, instead of 4 see 5 on US other models, but the grip however, is very pleasant.
The handle C 'typical of fender is a real treat for beginners and experienced.
You should know that the highway has a new one! easily recognized by its head late 60's early 70's much broader.
So ... you ask me, but how are home to sell us a Fender Stratocaster made in United States at less than 800 euros! ... And it's very simple, 90% of this skyscraper is the original United States The rest comes from factories abroad fender, giving the right to stamp the fender highway one of the Holy Grail "made in United States."
Everything that is mechanical, wiring, pick guard, and tremolo, are manufactured outside the United States, (cheaper) but the fender is hard or is that the materials are top quality! everything else (not least) is, Micros, wood (alder and maple) for violin, polished, fit and finish are from the US stocks and are fully directed, edited and adjusted in fender United States, this which gives an instrument of impeccable quality made in United States at low cost no frills! I see already the owners of Strata "american standard" that is beginning to get excited at the thought of paying nearly 35% more expensive to manufacture their mechanical etched fender and their four-layer coating made in United States ... Gasp ! (I did go!) But hey, it's 100% though ... United States ...
You still need somewhere to save the children!

UTILIZATION

What bothers me a bit in this whole story is that my two strats, and my les paul have magically found in the closet of this Diablotine returned to shop ... and I play with more I love it! and it costs half the price! looks like the other, nerd! ...
The handle is like a "highway" highway that speak English, it's slippery fast and smooth! Notes take the road without problem! jumbo frets are to compensate for possible "slippage"
I have a handle maple fingerboard (white) matter of preference, it can be rosewood (ie black).
Treble notes are easily accessible, it's still what makes a stratocaster is a stratocaster!
Ergonomics is the top, stratocaster ever! Weighing as I said a little light.
Place to demo his ...
I got on Marshall JCM900 tube to know what is a relic, but my head amp combined with its 4-cylinder Marshall cabinet that gives you a kick in the derch!
The acute type 100% clear fender are a real treat the first position and 5th position, there is no doubt it's a Start! crystal clear sound purists will enjoy at will! handle the microphone position is found warmer than usual for a stratum, and that's where it gets interresting for fans of the big round sound in saturated mode! and that's a big news! especially for a strat equipped with single coils! I know not what they put in their pesky microphones alnicos but the range of sounds is crazy, it goes all the big fat round his attack crunch clear saturated! while maintaining its 100% strat blues in normal mode, and that ladies and gentlemen, it's called VERSATILITY.

A micro bridge position that fart louder and more violently biting, it is also rather interested, thank you for thinking of fender our young people excited!
In short both in classic mode or saturated they know almost everything, the small flat have high saturations acute mode, it "frieze" a little, but nothing very serious, it is already so complete that many would villain to blame him for this small flaw ...
I sell all kinds of scratches and I can tell you that I was still bleuffé this new version of the highway one! the former being too bland for my taste.
Last little thing that is important! if you scratching your fully expressed it is important that it be accompanied with a good amp! there is no need to have a super scratch and play on a dung receiver who will eat all the sounds, it's like having a ferrari and you Rolling on gravel path! try the store on a super amp!
It always makes me laugh to see the guys change their microphones home believing that their guitars have no potatoes, no need to put seymour duncan and single or double coils of the 30 watts of poor manufacturing! the amp is as important as the guitar guys!

SOUNDS

My style of music varies, I like the big rock sound, AC / DC, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, old school yes, but I have over 20 years! and I can venture into sound bluesy, a strat bah so it made for that departing! ask Mr. Hendrix, Clapton or Knopfler!
My favorite amp is the JCM900 head of our English friends in Marshall!
The sounds of this little marvel are both crystalline fat, thou choize!
I would hate something about this skyscraper, but the store so I have that are "famous brands" at double the price of one, see triple that can not his ankle, which frankly would be inflated spit on the one!
You have to see over time if the violin holds up, I sold the one I and many guys they have never returned!
ah yes! one thing I can blame him! ha ha ha, and although the patent is much more fragile than the standard strats Quadruple layer ... but there are so many people who loves to see their old instruments as Kurt Cobain and Stevie Ray Vaughan that even that, it becomes an advantage! then ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it every day! and when I do not use most is that I am out of stock! it is clear that the brand to Leo (Fender) made a full house and for good reason! the price at the qualitée always very well together!
It is very clear that if you are able to read my blabla up here that I would recommend this skyscraper, it's just not fun for others, but you still have stopped selling the expensive guitars that sound and less Well ... becaufe a big rock star with his portrait on the flycase ... right? fender and actually go! I assure you, I have no action in fender! word! even my friends "gibson fanatics" are on the ass! is to tell you ...
If you have 800 euros (you still have to put them!) And well go for it is very clear that it is better than the widely! Before our friends make us a fender comemorative and we increase the price to make a object of worship!
You want to see live demo? bein here! http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=VqRtGWVp43E
or else! http://www.fender.com/highwayone/