I’ve got a 2007 in Daphne’s blue with a maple neck. I’ve modded it with Tone rider pickups, locking tuners, new saddles. It’s the only one I’d never sell. Bought it the day my Dad died.
I have a 2011 that looks identical to this. One of the best playing guitars Fender has done. These were the perfect workhorse for the common man. Entry level into the American line, nitro finish, jumbo frets, hot pickups, and a fat 70s head stock..absolutely killer. I prefer these over the earlier versions of HW1.
If this guitar was small headstock and those earlier pickups but with the rest of the spec from this second version it would be my perfect Strat. But fender have always been very very clever like that. Structure there line up to make you end up at custom shop eventually even if you dont think you will haha
@@Paul-D yeah, they’re two pretty different Strats. I like the jumbo frets and finish on the 2nd Highway One but I think the first iteration is really popular too. I notice they tend to sell for a little higher price than Highway One #2. Both are awesome guitars and, I would say, future collectible guitars. Great video
I purchased a used HW1 Strat from 2002 in crimson red about 3 years ago. Since then I've had it set up, re-fretted, rewired with Bare knuckle pickups and it's now become one of my main guitars.
Ahh nice! One of the sets thats been on my mind to try. Tried sooo many this year and thr 57 62 set are still my all rounder favourites. But theres so many other good ones
You dont know me. Its a video of a guitar i chose to buy to stock my shop at the time (as most of my earlier vids were). Not something i was obligated to sell for someone else. Theres a difference.
I have the same guitar, it’s a 2010 in black but with a maple fretboard. And you’re not wrong, the necks feel fabulous, and I say that as the owner of bunches of much pricier Strats. Like you, I love the 57/62 pups and have those in my ‘62 Hot Rod, but I do love the hotter pups in this guitar also…very similar to Texas Specials, they just need to be dialed in correctly to sound their best. As far as I know, black is the rarest color of these particular Strats. Mine very much looks a la’ Gilmour. Great review, thanks ✌️
I think theres some real Gems in the earlier various models in both US and MIM and it's almost like Fender deliberately funnelled there line up now to make the more discerning player only have custom shop as a choice haha. I didnt realise black was a rarer colour either in these. Cheers for stopping by
I have a 2007 FSR (50's Strat 2-tone SB) with a maple neck, nitro finish, smaller headstock, and a one-ply pickguard. I bought this used guitar roughly ten years ago. Recently, I found out there are only 150 made. I also discovered that it's equipped with CS 54' pickups, which might've been a mod, but they sound great and add to the 50's vibe. I agree there's something special about the neck and the contours of the HW1s that make them super comfortable and enjoyable to play. Thanks for sharing!
Just rediscovered my cherry red Highway 1 Strat. Bought for £500 probably about 10 or so years ago! I was finding it went out of tune a lot with the original tuners and the tremolo bar, so I upgraded to locking tuners in 2018. Stays in tune and plays beautifully now.
Yea for sure, I sold this one for £850 over a year ago and they'll go up bit more. But exactly - why sell it if it works and you have a connection to it!
Have had a large headstock, sunburst highway one strat since 2007. If I remember correctly uts stamped Feb 07. Loved this guitar for a long time and then played vintage frets. Much prefer vintage tall frets rather than the super jumbo frets the highway came with. Maybe I'll replace them sometime. It has aged very beautifully with paint sinking and wear marks around the forearm
You didn't mention the PU specs: neck and middle (reverse polarity btw) - both 9k; Bridge is 11k. Have had mine since new in 2008, wouldn't change anything (or it sort of defeats the object to me - it's a totally different beast to my other strats).
Great review. I just picked up an early 2000s black SE Strat and it is actually an amazing value for the grip. It has the same thin slick clearcoat on the neck and everything is full size. It's actually the same spec as my white Squier 50th anniversary Strat. Not a bit shabby for a Made In China instrument. All I did was set it up and dropped a Mojo Dijon capacitor in it. Cheers!
I have one exactly the same as that, once you get used to the big frets, it really sings out. I dont think you want crazy low action on it though the strings need a little space to move.
@@Paul-D Thank you. My Highway 1 is that guitar I use for my Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Blonde unboxing. th-cam.com/video/jN1Wwf5ts2A/w-d-xo.htmlsi=S7_rlEPj0R2CIl_4
I have a theory over the years fender have cleverly set up the models to funnel you to customshop if you want ALL your perfect specs on 1 guitar. Like the old roadworn, Mexico built, Nitro finish is classic colours, 60s contours and neck, rosewood AND medium jumbos. To get that exact spec today, its customshop only.
Hi I have tghe same one with maple fretboard...plays like butter. I've peeled tje finish as i didn' like the satin black and painted with clear nitro. I've swapped pickups for custom 57/62 and the result is unbeliable for what it costed...
Yeah....it's a monster....i've kept this one and soldt my american deluxe and standard (just because the feel of the flamed/birds eye maple neck and jumbo frets)...i needed just one strat (and money....😢)
Awesome review. From what I've been hearing, those Fender Highway One Stratocaster electric guitars were the best models. Sadly, I never owned one but I heard that they were the best. However, I have a 2010 Fender American Special Stratocaster electric guitar and it has some similar features like the one that you got there such as the fat 1970s headstock. I don't know if this is true but I had also heard that the Fender American Special Stratocaster models were associated with those Fender Highway One Stratocaster models in some ways. In 2019, those two Fender Stratocaster models were replaced with the all new Fender American Performer Stratocaster models and so on. It is very saddening that those Fender Highway One Stratocaster models were discontinued but it would be great if the Fender company can bring them back into the market. Otherwise, thanks for the review.
Aw i had one of the 2008 big headstock ones. Was a great guitar, sold it to get a 2010 American Standard at the time, as i detested the big headstock! But, in all honesty it was as good as the American Standard. At the time about £450! You got a hell of a lot of guitar for that money.
I have a 2004 but it’s a shame they put they stupid fat headstocks on them. In face the big headstock has deterred me from buying the 2006-2010 HW-1, Specials and Performer Strats. By the way the 2002-2006 have medium jumbo frets, not vintage tall or narrow. I’ve 2005 and 2007 HW-1 Teles also. I like the Jumbos.
Could be the range had some inconsistencies during its run wouldnt be the first time haha. Specially with the earlier mij stuff spec varies all over the place.
I just had to say that the Highway one strats from 2004 - 2006 are the best strats you can buy . I have owned every variant of strats and the only one I always return to is the highway one . Ive ended up only collecting these gems.
I’ve got a 2007 in Daphne’s blue with a maple neck. I’ve modded it with Tone rider pickups, locking tuners, new saddles. It’s the only one I’d never sell. Bought it the day my Dad died.
Ive tried a few of the tonerider pickups, good to know there still a decent price and very nice pickups
I just got tuned in to Toneriders...
I have a 2011 that looks identical to this. One of the best playing guitars Fender has done. These were the perfect workhorse for the common man. Entry level into the American line, nitro finish, jumbo frets, hot pickups, and a fat 70s head stock..absolutely killer. I prefer these over the earlier versions of HW1.
Mad how different the guitar market is now to when these came out!
Great guitars. I have 3 of them, one earlier type and a 2006 and 2007. Good info. Thanks for making this video
If this guitar was small headstock and those earlier pickups but with the rest of the spec from this second version it would be my perfect Strat. But fender have always been very very clever like that. Structure there line up to make you end up at custom shop eventually even if you dont think you will haha
@@Paul-D yeah, they’re two pretty different Strats. I like the jumbo frets and finish on the 2nd Highway One but I think the first iteration is really popular too. I notice they tend to sell for a little higher price than Highway One #2. Both are awesome guitars and, I would say, future collectible guitars. Great video
I purchased a used HW1 Strat from 2002 in crimson red about 3 years ago. Since then I've had it set up, re-fretted, rewired with Bare knuckle pickups and it's now become one of my main guitars.
Awesome what bareknuckle one you go for?
Ive only tried the mothers milks
@@Paul-D I went with the Slow hand set which are awesome. Quite modern sounding.
Ahh nice! One of the sets thats been on my mind to try. Tried sooo many this year and thr 57 62 set are still my all rounder favourites. But theres so many other good ones
Fantastic review. I just picked up a Light blue one today for a very reasonable price.You gave me some great info on this guitar..Thank you!
Glad I could help!
OMG. I just sat through 11 minutes of hearing how good this thing is and realised at the end that it was a sales pitch.
You dont know me. Its a video of a guitar i chose to buy to stock my shop at the time (as most of my earlier vids were). Not something i was obligated to sell for someone else. Theres a difference.
Fair call mate. Didn’t realise you had a shop. Good videos btw :)
I have the same guitar, it’s a 2010 in black but with a maple fretboard. And you’re not wrong, the necks feel fabulous, and I say that as the owner of bunches of much pricier Strats. Like you, I love the 57/62 pups and have those in my ‘62 Hot Rod, but I do love the hotter pups in this guitar also…very similar to Texas Specials, they just need to be dialed in correctly to sound their best. As far as I know, black is the rarest color of these particular Strats. Mine very much looks a la’ Gilmour. Great review, thanks ✌️
I think theres some real Gems in the earlier various models in both US and MIM and it's almost like Fender deliberately funnelled there line up now to make the more discerning player only have custom shop as a choice haha. I didnt realise black was a rarer colour either in these. Cheers for stopping by
I believe the Daphne Blue is the rarest of all colors in the highway 1.
I have a 2007 FSR (50's Strat 2-tone SB) with a maple neck, nitro finish, smaller headstock, and a one-ply pickguard. I bought this used guitar roughly ten years ago. Recently, I found out there are only 150 made. I also discovered that it's equipped with CS 54' pickups, which might've been a mod, but they sound great and add to the 50's vibe. I agree there's something special about the neck and the contours of the HW1s that make them super comfortable and enjoyable to play. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! I bet your glad to have it with how fender have gone on to price/structure their models now!
Yeah, I just wish I had kept my 65 Super Reverb RI, but it's not an ideal practice at home amp.@@Paul-D
its a LOUD beast, but an awesome amp for sure
I have the Highway One upgraded Telecaster. The thin nitro finish has aged so well and the jumbo frets are killer.
id like to try the HWY1 teles
Just rediscovered my cherry red Highway 1 Strat. Bought for £500 probably about 10 or so years ago! I was finding it went out of tune a lot with the original tuners and the tremolo bar, so I upgraded to locking tuners in 2018. Stays in tune and plays beautifully now.
Nice! Pretty uncommon colour to find that one nowadays
That's good to hear. I suspect it's probably worth more than £500 now - not that I would ever sell it!@@Paul-D
Yea for sure, I sold this one for £850 over a year ago and they'll go up bit more. But exactly - why sell it if it works and you have a connection to it!
I'm also just about to upgrade to a Free-Way 10 Way Blade Switch. Apparently, it makes the Strat even more versatile and fun to play.
Have had a large headstock, sunburst highway one strat since 2007. If I remember correctly uts stamped Feb 07. Loved this guitar for a long time and then played vintage frets. Much prefer vintage tall frets rather than the super jumbo frets the highway came with. Maybe I'll replace them sometime.
It has aged very beautifully with paint sinking and wear marks around the forearm
I wish i preferred vintage frets 😭 so many guitars i want come with them but just prefer the medium / jumbo
You didn't mention the PU specs: neck and middle (reverse polarity btw) - both 9k; Bridge is 11k. Have had mine since new in 2008, wouldn't change anything (or it sort of defeats the object to me - it's a totally different beast to my other strats).
It's only when you watch these retrospectives that you realise what a complicated mess they've made of naming schemes over the years 🤣
Yeh your not wrong there haha, I suppose it could be worse like Ibanez naming everything the RG321HGORI-B LOL
No. If you want to see what a complicated mess the naming schemes are- just look at today’s current catalog.
Thanks for this. Got my eye on one and wanted some info. Much appreciated.
If its the right price go for it 🤟
I have a Hwy1 from 07 (HSS). But the pickups were too hot for my liking so I installed a set of Custom Shop 54s. Now it feels and sounds great.
Yeh there too hot compared to my favourite Fender 57/62 pups
Pretty sure the singles on 2006- Highway Ones are overwound alnico 3s.
@@oldmanmerc hot singles and atomic humbucker.
I have a 08 in sunburst. Did a video a few months ago on it. I'm going to change the pickups just don't get along with them. Nice review!
Ill have a look 🤘
Great review. I just picked up an early 2000s black SE Strat and it is actually an amazing value for the grip. It has the same thin slick clearcoat on the neck and everything is full size. It's actually the same spec as my white Squier 50th anniversary Strat. Not a bit shabby for a Made In China instrument. All I did was set it up and dropped a Mojo Dijon capacitor in it. Cheers!
Its nice when you get a find like that and it turns out great haha
Just picked one up (2010 HSS) at the local pawn shop for$400 with a hard case. Great guitar, I love the jumbo frets!
Nice find!!! They are selling for around £850 here quite easily.
I have one exactly the same as that, once you get used to the big frets, it really sings out. I dont think you want crazy low action on it though the strings need a little space to move.
Mine's the 2004 model that I bought new and I still got it. I don't gig much with it but it's still my go to for practice and trying new songs
Nice one, got some history with that guitar now for sure
@@Paul-D Thank you. My Highway 1 is that guitar I use for my Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb Blonde unboxing.
th-cam.com/video/jN1Wwf5ts2A/w-d-xo.htmlsi=S7_rlEPj0R2CIl_4
Ill check it out cheers
Never understood why they dropped that Series?
I have a theory over the years fender have cleverly set up the models to funnel you to customshop if you want ALL your perfect specs on 1 guitar.
Like the old roadworn, Mexico built, Nitro finish is classic colours, 60s contours and neck, rosewood AND medium jumbos. To get that exact spec today, its customshop only.
@@Paul-D Yes, its a pitty. Way too Overpriced now.........................
Hi I have tghe same one with maple fretboard...plays like butter.
I've peeled tje finish as i didn' like the satin black and painted with clear nitro. I've swapped pickups for custom 57/62 and the result is unbeliable for what it costed...
yup 57/62 are my favourite pickups bet that thing sounds awesome
Yeah....it's a monster....i've kept this one and soldt my american deluxe and standard (just because the feel of the flamed/birds eye maple neck and jumbo frets)...i needed just one strat (and money....😢)
I hear you, recently sold of a bunch of stuff id rather of just been able to have but needed some back up funds not extra gear haha.
Awesome review. From what I've been hearing, those Fender Highway One Stratocaster electric guitars were the best models. Sadly, I never owned one but I heard that they were the best. However, I have a 2010 Fender American Special Stratocaster electric guitar and it has some similar features like the one that you got there such as the fat 1970s headstock. I don't know if this is true but I had also heard that the Fender American Special Stratocaster models were associated with those Fender Highway One Stratocaster models in some ways. In 2019, those two Fender Stratocaster models were replaced with the all new Fender American Performer Stratocaster models and so on. It is very saddening that those Fender Highway One Stratocaster models were discontinued but it would be great if the Fender company can bring them back into the market. Otherwise, thanks for the review.
In todays market with these specs the guitar would have to be close to £2,000. It would never have the value for money it once stood for 😪
Just bought one with a maple neck. Can’t wait for it to get here lol
Nice one hope it turns up all good 🤘
Aw i had one of the 2008 big headstock ones. Was a great guitar, sold it to get a 2010 American Standard at the time, as i detested the big headstock! But, in all honesty it was as good as the American Standard. At the time about £450! You got a hell of a lot of guitar for that money.
450 was the retail then?? Wow how times change eh!
Love this, thank you. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
My partner and I have been watching you for a long time now, watching your shop and channel grow. We are big fans 👍 Thank you for all your work.
Really appreciate that thanks :D
Hey there, how is the neck profile? slim or fat
Id say totally what you expect from a modern C. Not tiny like a squire and not massive like a 50s tele
I crave for this guitar..
You still have it? How much you looking for?
Yh its on my website 🤘
I only play large headstock strats , the real strats
Real Strats? Strange way to see it haha.
Theyre the tots
I have a 2004 but it’s a shame they put they stupid fat headstocks on them. In face the big headstock has deterred me from buying the 2006-2010 HW-1, Specials and Performer Strats.
By the way the 2002-2006 have medium jumbo frets, not vintage tall or narrow.
I’ve 2005 and 2007 HW-1 Teles also. I like the Jumbos.
Hmmm thats strange ive had 2 earlier small headstock HW1s that had vintage style frets and certainly not mediums 🤷♂️
@@Paul-D I guess you’re not wrong. May have been a few produced at the start.
Could be the range had some inconsistencies during its run wouldnt be the first time haha. Specially with the earlier mij stuff spec varies all over the place.
@@Paul-D Fender has enough red herrings to keep a detective happy for years! Fascinating history. Superb instruments.
Jumbo frets nuff said.
I just had to say that the Highway one strats from 2004 - 2006 are the best strats you can buy . I have owned every variant of strats and the only one I always return to is the highway one . Ive ended up only collecting these gems.
A fender custom shop straight off the shelf would annihilate a highway one in every single aspect, lol. You ppl say weird stuff.