gfred611 Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Just curious...any owners of the above guitars...what do you like or dislike about them? "Sometimes it's easier to buy gear than to practice..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfred611 Posted May 17, 2004 Author Share Posted May 17, 2004 ...and yes, I've gone through and "searched" this topic, but still curious about the likes and dislikes...if any "Sometimes it's easier to buy gear than to practice..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 First, let me say that I never liked any of the Strats that I've tried from about the mid '80's to current times. Second, let me say that I am extremely biased because of my experience that I'm about to tell. I went into a local music shop and tried Mex Strats (so, so) and American Strats (okay, but expensive. Then I tried the Highway 1, GREAT IMHO it had better action and tone than the American made Strat, and I liked the neck better. I immediately put it on layaway, and finally when I picked it up (a year later!), it STILL sounded great IMHO, the American Strat MIGHT be as good, but I don't think better, and the price difference is considerable. Dave the Highway 1 Dude Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lone Chicken Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I bought an '03 Fender Standard Strat (sunburst, with rosewood fretboard) last fall. Since I've not played a US Hwy.1 Strat, I'm not able to compare the two. However, I feel that my Standard Strat compares favorably with a '63 Strat (which was also sunburst and with a rosewood fretboard) that I owned back in the late 70's and early 80's--my Standard Strat plays every bit as smooth and actually sounds a little better. I'm sure that the Highway Strats (and the other American-made Strats) probably play a little better than the Standards, particularly with the "rolled edges" fretboards that I have heard nothing but good things about. But I am quite happy with my Standard Strat, and I am also happy that I didn't have to go deep in debt in order to, after a wait of 21 years, be a "Strat-man" once again. Robert J. ("Bob") Welch III "If you were the only person who ever lived, God still would have sent Jesus His only Son to die on the cross for YOU, because that is how much HE LOVES YOU!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyBlues Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 This subject seems to pop up pretty often, and rightly so. There are so many flavors of Strats that there's no set "rule" as to which is better, but from my limited experience, you get what you pay for. What it always boils down too is playing as many as you can and discovering what works best for you. What can you budget allow? If 400 bucks is max, then a Mexican Strat is probably what you'll get, but don't rule out Squires either, lots of folks love them too. I can tell you this much, I have a Mexican Strat and a recently purchased (GAS!) American Deluxe and there's no comparison. Still like the MIM strat, but the American just feels and plays s-o-o-o much nicer. Just my opinion. I was born at night but I wasn't born last night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Try the Highway 1 Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njrocker Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I played a million of both. basically, the only difference is the bridge and the finish. I can't stand the "vintage" style bridge(highway), and I don't like the satin finish(highway), so, I got the standard. To explain why I don't like the "vintage" bridge, as opposed to the newer stainless bridge: the new bridge stays in tune CONSIDERABLY better, and is more secure(the saddles don't move up and down), and sustains CONSIDERABLY longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njrocker Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Oh wait. Never mind. Stupid, stupid. I thought you were talking about AMERICAN standards. Since we're talkin Mexican, I can't tell the difference between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfred611 Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 hmmm... interesting opinions guys...thanks! However, what did you guys think of the sounds? Let me elaborate. I was shopping for a new guitar for an upcoming gig, and I tried both a Standard Strat and the Ibanez Artcore AS73. When plugged into a Marshall amp, the Standard sounded thin compared to the Artcore...which came blaring out of the amp. Needless to say, I bought the Artcore that day. However, I want a Strat....and cannot distiguish the difference....if any, between the Standard and the Highway 1....sound/pickup wise. Any thoughts? "Sometimes it's easier to buy gear than to practice..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 gfred611, However, I want a Strat....and cannot distiguish the difference....if any, between the Standard and the Highway 1....sound/pickup wise. If you can't tell the difference (I can't either, but I liked the Highway 1 action better), and the Highway 1 costs half as much ..... What's the question!? Oops! Hold it. I've got it wrong. I was comparing the American to the Highway 1. The "Standard" (MIM) did not sound as good (unplugged) to me as the Highway 1. I didn't play the MIM plugged in 'cause I didn't like the unplugged sound (a good indicator of the "plugged in" sound) or the action. Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baronedo Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 The Highway 1 Strat is much nicer than a Mexican Standard Strat. I do agree with an earlier respondent and prefer the American Standard bridge to the "Vintage" style bridge on the Highway No. 1. My main complaint is that the stamped vintage saddles are brutal on strings with frequent breakage. The American Standard bridge is also smoother and more reliable. It's too bad that Fender didn't include an Amer. Std. bridge on the Highway 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Originally posted by Lancer: The Highway 1 Strat is much nicer than a Mexican Standard Strat. I do agree with an earlier respondent and prefer the American Standard bridge to the "Vintage" style bridge on the Highway No. 1. My main complaint is that the stamped vintage saddles are brutal on strings with frequent breakage. The American Standard bridge is also smoother and more reliable. It's too bad that Fender didn't include an Amer. Std. bridge on the Highway 1.True, but on the Lite Ash Strats, it's setup exactly like an American Standard. To keep the price low, it's only made in a natural finish. The Seymour Duncans are worth the price of admission, though. I'd still change the tuners to Schaller locking ones, a tremsetter, and a graphite nut for tuning stability. And, of course, Jim Dunlop dual design strap locks for onstage mayhem! Check it out: http://www.fender.com/new_repository/fender_guitars/images/0265002_md.jpg sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeleCarlos Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 Hwy!'s are old chevys, meant to be modded. So get the Hwy1, get decent saddles or a nice replacement bridge (there are lots out there) and your pickup of choice. Rather have my "customized" Hwy1 over the Amrcn Std. Granted I already own a 1989 Amrcn Std. I'm shooting for the Hwy1 Tele... I'll modd it later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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