#1932943 - 04/26/08 08:49 PM
Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
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Compact Diss
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Registered: 10/12/02
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Loc: MA
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I am seriously looking into the Highway One Series, I know someone here vouched for them a while back.
Right now I'm thinking of the HSS, just wondered if anyone has experience with them. I know it's a personal choice but I like to listen to opinions. I went through a stage of wanting a PRS but now I am heading more towards a Fender. I'm happy I don't have the money sitting around because I want to be sure before I invest in a better guitar.
Thoughts-Opinions...
Thanks!
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#1932946 - 04/26/08 09:02 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Compact Diss]
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Archie McLeod II
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Registered: 01/21/03
Posts: 176
Loc: Roanoke Rapids, NC
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Hey CD, I own three Strats-All HSS. Why? The main reason for me is that for all the great trademarks tones that the strat can produce and the feel of the 25.5 scale neck which is like butter, I absolutely hate the sound of that bridge pickup. In the best of hands, to me it sounds like someone scratching on a chalkboard. Not to mention that on most contemporary wiring schemes, it's not connected to a tone control. Two of my strats have a push-pull switch to split my bridge humbuckers (all are SD SH-11) for times when I need that 2nd position "Quack" or those rare cases when a project calls for that gawd awful single coil bridge sound. Just my oppinion. The strat always has been and still is one of the most versatile guitars anywhere for the money. Highway Ones are cool. Mex's are also if you are willing to sample (necks are nice) and the new American Standards are the "Cat's Pajamas". (For the working class musician)
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"Life Is Just A Game And They're Many Ways To Play.........All You Do Is Choose." Stanley Clark, 1976
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#1932948 - 04/26/08 09:03 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Compact Diss]
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Mike Gug
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Registered: 06/23/03
Posts: 1441
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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I ran two HWY 1 HSS's through thier paces pretty extensively for a friend who did end up purchasing that day. It was the very typical story. Two identical guitars (same color and everything) sounded different and played different. One was exceptional in sound and feel. The other very vanilla... very OK.
I was very jealous when she bought it. It had such a cool sound on the single coils. Mmmm. Very Strat-ie.
I liked the thinner finish. I like to think that I could tell the difference in sound due to the finish verus 1/8 inch of plastic coating (like mine). Unplugged was good too.
This was 8-10 months ago, and she still loves the guitar. It's her Number 1 and plays it frequently. No upgrades needed for a long time.
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Did he crumble any crackers?! ...oh, then it's a meal.
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#1932949 - 04/26/08 09:09 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Mike Gug]
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Compact Diss
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Registered: 10/12/02
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"that gawd awful single coil bridge sound"
Funny. I like having the option of something different than the three single coils. I think the HSS is the way to go-you guys got me wanting to run out and pick one up-all the stores are closed right now!
I'm in the early stages of making a decision, your thoughts are appreciated.
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#1932951 - 04/26/08 09:19 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Compact Diss]
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Zack Pomerleau
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Registered: 10/28/07
Posts: 372
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Hey man, if you can give out some extra money, check out the new Standards, they are actually really good! The pickups are so much better, in my opinion, than last years Standards, and the neck was nice, too. The colors don't impress me (I prefer Baby Blue, Surf Green, Vintage-y Stuff) but you might like them!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/F...itar?sku=515748
There is a link to them! I tried the Burst one, was sweet!!!
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#1933303 - 04/27/08 06:35 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Zack Pomerleau]
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koolkid
Platinum Member
Registered: 06/04/02
Posts: 1083
Loc: NY METRO
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do yourself a favor....invest some money and get a fend strat deluxe with the noiseless pickups..they feel and sound way better than the hwy 1 and the new standards
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#1933319 - 04/27/08 07:05 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: koolkid]
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guitarzan
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Registered: 02/26/02
Posts: 12746
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i have to disagree. the noiseless pickups are ok but they are not really the same. there is no clang like a traditional alnico single coil. noiseless are better at high gain mid tones but they really lack the true Strat character.
there is absolutely no difference between the neck of my highway 1 and my buds deluxe with noiseless. and the 60th anniversary model another friend has is the same in feel as my highway one. they all have the 22 fret rounded edge neck. as for being annoying in the bridge position the highway one single coils are alnico 3 which is not as harsh. mine crunches nicely too. but that being said i do eventually plan on dropping in a bucker, cause i want total versatility for moments when i need more crunch.
i want to be clear that there isn't anything wrong with noiseless but they aren't better just different.
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#1933320 - 04/27/08 07:06 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Compact Diss]
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mdrs
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9119
Loc: rural PA
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Hey Joe,
My son (who lives in Bean Town...) has a MIM Fender Strat HSS. We got it dirt cheap...something like $200 on eBay. I put a ??Dimebag Darrel?? humbucker in it that he bought for it. It rocks. Hard to beat, for the price.
I put a Seymor Duncan stacked bucker in the bridge position of the Koa Strat that I made.....it, too, rocks!!
Both are great guitars.
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#1933322 - 04/27/08 07:12 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: mdrs]
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guitarzan
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Registered: 02/26/02
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which Duncan?
how hard does it rock Doc? i am curious about keeping the pickguard untouched even though a bucker hole isn't a problem for me.
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#1933326 - 04/27/08 07:22 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: guitarzan]
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mdrs
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Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9119
Loc: rural PA
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I don't remember, Zan! I'll have to look it up........
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#1933337 - 04/27/08 07:45 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: mdrs]
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guitarzan
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Registered: 02/26/02
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thanks. i never get tired of that guitar. 
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#1933338 - 04/27/08 07:48 PM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: guitarzan]
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mdrs
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Registered: 06/15/06
Posts: 9119
Loc: rural PA
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Thanks, Zan. Me neither!!
That stacked bucker still sounds Strat-ish....but, growls easier. 
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#1933408 - 04/28/08 04:15 AM
Re: Anyone own a Fender Strat, HSS?
[Re: Dave da Dude]
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Compact Diss
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Registered: 10/12/02
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Thanks for all the info everyone...work...hmmm..maybe I will have to put in a bunch of ovetime in the coming weeks...I could make this buy a little quicker...
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