HIGHWAY 1 STRAT - PLAIN JANE BEAUTY
Pros:
LOWER PRICE FOR AMERICAN QUALITY
Cons:
NO FANCY GLOSS FINISH,OLD STYLE BRIDGE MEXICAN ELECTRONICS
The Bottom Line:
An American made classic for a small price,and worth every cent and more !
|
|
Overall Rating:
|
 |
|
Author's Review
OH MY ! I just played a new "Highway 1 Stratocaster" by Fender.
For the uninitiated,this is a brand new model of American made Stratocaster . It is a plain Jane Strat. It comes with a nice lacquer satin finish in Some nice colors.
The basics are this:
Body: alder
Colors: Teal,Crimson Red,Honey Blonde (my Favorite) Saphire Blue,and Cocoa Brown. These are transparent colors.
Bridge:
Vintage style (like the Standard Strats have).
Pickups:
Mexican Electronics.
Tuners:
Staggered standard Fender Tuners(Schallers?).
Neck:
New American style necks with rolled edges and medium jumbo frets . available with maple or rosewood fretboards.
These guitars are a wonderful addition to the Strat family.
They feature the new (vintage) style contoured body . Which is immediately more comfortable,and easier to feel a part of. The recent Strats have suffered from a lack of real quality.These Strats are a return to the Strats I remember from the 60's. They have satin finishes which remind me of the Gibson's brilliant "Faded" series of SGs and Flying V guitars.
They look like they have been around a long time but well played and well taken care of.
Tone was even all the way across the strings and in all pickup positions(including the In between positions),and at all frets.
So this is what a Real Fender feels like ! The tone is the way I remember Strats of old sounding.Though the truth is the electronics are sadly form Mexico .
The vintage bridge was a red flag at once...But then I remembered reading that string breakage could easily be avoided by putting 3 in 1 oil at all contact points.And under the string trees. Or for a few bucks update the saddles. No biggie either way.Personally ,it gives it a real vintage vibe,and I like that too.
I prefer the rosewood necks..But then I am a died in the wool Gibson/Epiphone fan.Maple necks are brighter but I like the feel that rosewood gives. Kind of creamy,and warmer.Mellower sound too.
But These are nice guitars and for a song you can own one !
I have played the new American Strats and the same goes for them too. They are simply way overdue! And a real welcome to us musicians who can still remember!
In fact I just need to decide between the Honey Blonde,and the Crimson Red.
Check these out !
Welcome Back Fender. You're late ! we've been waiting for you to return ! Nice to see you made it.
