Fender Highway 1 Strat

usa 2002 21frets standard stat 1v 2t knobs all specs in reviews below

play blues and some c rock type stuff play vox amps this guitar doesnt sound bad it just doesnt sound good either i was thinking it would sound better than my mim tele and it doesnt even touch it im going to trade this for a 69 tele thinline maybe or some sort of tele type guitar they cant be beat

it was set up fine for me i like low action and the neck is very nice even though im not used to it everything was fine

it would withstand all of the road abuse you threw at it i wouldnt go to any gig wo a back up

been playing for 15years give or take own tele and too much stuff to list

Here's a brief summary; more info can be found at www.fender.com

Made in 2002 USA, it's a 2000 American strat without staggard tuners, the Delt Tone Pickup System, 2-point sych bridge, and hard case. The Highway 1 body's finish is subtle enough to allow wood grain to be visible, and the neck finish is Polyurethane, not oil treated. Available in 5 different colors with maple or rosewood fret boards. Essentially, it's a modern Strat that hasn't forgotten its roots. My model is maple and Cocoa (looks sophisticated)

Rating of 9 only because it comes with a gig bag and not a hard case.

Sound is not all that hot (or in other words, it is not high output). This can be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. If your looking for a vintage sound, you will be extremely happy. It's strat sound is well balanced and well defined. If you play in a overdriven environment, expect a little noise or hum. If you like push your amp or like screaming distortion, the pick ups may seem warm yet thin.

Without requarding the hardware, it sounds good even before plugging in. The guitar is very resonant while maintaining brightness and the neck is heavier than non-USA made. In Fender literature, I remeber reading a discription with the word 'twang' in it. But I hear more brightness than twang.

The guitar feels really good. I'm used to Fender Strats and felt right at home with this guitar. The rolled edges and polyurethane give it a soft and durable quality. A top quality neck. Good neck hardware, too (tuners, strig guides, frets).

I had to set the neck and intonation for my playing style. Something I expect to do for any guitar I would buy. My touch is not soft, which is what it seemed to be set for when I first played it.

Rating of 10 beacause of the quality of the neck. I choose this guitar mainly because of the neck quality, feel, and sense of durability.

Vary reliable and durable...kinda seems to be the theme of this review.

I have not much opinion on the customer support. Never used it. But the website is good and presents plenty of information on the different models and products.

I give this guitar a high recomendation, especially if you prefer to use pickups from a third-party vendor. Since it is cheaper in cost than the American Strat, you can use the money you save to buy high-rate pickups while still retaining the American Strat feel.

I will mention the features that this offers over the current strats available. "Vintage-Staggerd" pickups (look and sound identical to the pickups found in the Mexican Standards), 22 fret neck, American Made, Fender/Ping sealed tuners, vintage tremolo, satin matte poly finish, alder wood, three-ply pickguard, medium jumbo frets, the neck plate does NOT say made in Corona, CA; it is blank.

Sounded middy like a strat should, but the pickups are a less-than-par version of the Delta-Tones found in the American Series line. The tone is definately between a Mexican Standard and an American Series. I play through a Marshall TSL602 and Peavey Bandit II.

The neck pocket had a significant gap, and when I returned the guitar three days later to find a better built (QC-ed) model, I found two other HW1 Strats with horrible gaps in the neck pocket. The fret ends were not filed properly and became painful when running your hand up and down the fretboard. I can't believe the faulty QC on these guitars out at Fender America.

Had it for three days and returned it due to inferior parts and Quality COntrol issues. This is essentially a Mexican Strat with US electronic components and a US neck at a US price. Fender is making a large profit on this cheaply made guitar at $599.00.

N/A

Not worth the money. You should wither save some dough and go for a carefully selected Mexican Strat, or spend a few more bucks for an Amercan Series. i am really upset at Fender for conning consumers into thinking this is a worthy US model. It is a cheap Strat assembled quickly with low-cost parts.

A pre-CBS vintage reissue Strat made in the USA. Alcino pickups, vintage body style, flat finish. This wouldn't be the kind of Strat I would get if I was trying to get THE pure vintage strat feel, but for the money, and the fact that this is a USA strat, this is a good quality Strat. When I first played mine the strings were a little high from the neck, I brought it home and tweaked around with it until I got it down low good. I had to straighten the neck up a bit and I was ready to play. Good overall, as with every guitar, tweak it to fit your needs.

Very good sustain, obviously not as good as a 10000 dollar Strat, but it is exceptional.

Through a Super Reverb, she sounds awesome. Through a Frontman, it sounds like crap. It all depends on your taste of sound, skill level, and your amp. Don't blame the guitar for bad sound. Rarely are the pickups to blame.

The action needed a little work, but it was easy to mod and its great now. The finish is cool looking. Although I could just refinish any Strat with a flat finish to give it this look. I'm giving it a 9 because I had to work on the action after I bought it. Once you do that though, it's great.

Stevie Ray Vaughan's strat lasted for his whole career. (Although it was getting fragile through the last summer of his life) A strat is a strat. Hard as a rock.

Fender and the store I bought it from are great.

Great Value, great sound, great feel, great Strat. For 500 dollars a USA Strat is a good deal

2002 Fender Highway 1 Strat, made in USA, 22 frets, satin (flat) transparent turqoise (or is it aqua? well, it's green, at any rate), rosewood fretboard, three alnico strat pickups, vintage style bridge/vibrato arm, typical strat.

I never liked strats, until now. I had two mexican-made strats before this, but I didn't care for them. They sounded pretty close to the american-made ones, and they were far better than the Squiers, but they were just missing something. I guess it's the ceramic magnets that they put in the mexican-made ones. Whatever the case, this Highway 1 sounds like a strat should. This is the classic strat sound that I've always heard, but could never get. For those who say they don't sound as good as the standard American-mades with the regular finish, I say "bullocks". I played a standard American strat right before this one, through the same Deluxe Reverb, and I couldn't tell the difference. In fact, this one sounded a little bit clearer to me. I've never been crazy about rosewood fretboards, in general. The rosewood supposedly sounds a little darker than a maple fretboard. Well yeah, maybe a little bit, but I think that's a good thing. This guitar can still scream, but when played gently on the combined pickups settings through a Fender tube amp, it could make a grown man cry. What a beautiful sound.

The main selling point of this guitar is the cheaper finish and price. I have to say that I don't miss having the regular paint finish. This finish is much smoother, and very comfortable for playing. You have to be a little more careful with this one, though, because if you bump it, there's not as much finish to protect it and you could have an ugly mark in the wood. The action and playability are great, just what you'd expect from a strat. I have to say that I wasn't really crazy about rosewood fretboards on strats before, but this one is really nice.

You have to be a little more careful with this one, given the thin finish, but that aside, I think this is one extremely well-built guitar. I have total confidence in the hardware and electronics. Look how many strats from the 50's and 60's are still around. That should say something about the quality.

Haven't had to deal with them, and from what's been said in the other reviews, I hope I don't have to. I'd say if you have a problem, take it to an authorized Fender dealer and let them do the work on it. They're usually pretty good about doing warranty work.

Great guitar for the money. If you want and American-made strat, but don't want to pay $900-1000 for one, this is your ticket. You can get the same American-made quality and sound for almost half the price. I think Fender really has a winner here.

2002 Fender Strat U.S. Highway 1 (US made), Satin Laquer finish, Mod C neck shape 22 medium jumbo frets, solid alder body with maple neck. 3 pick-up - 5 pos selector switch (Fender standards).

This guitar sings.....I don't know what guitars the critics of this unit use but if they think this guitar sounds bad I would suggest an ear exam and perhaps some guitar lessons....(perhaps finding a life too....who takes the time to review a product you played for 10 minutes and didn't buy....) This guitar follows the long tradition of strats and is no exception. If anything it will quickly become a collectable item due to its unique nature. The guitar has an incredible range of sound due to the traditional Strat set up and adding effects as well as a capable amp makes the experience for a experienced guitarist a pleasure.

Action varies as each guitar made is a unique item. The construction process lends itself to this; even though they are really "mass produced". Several tried at the store had different set-ups....Go to the store and try them all....pick the one you like to play.
Great finish!!....Unique. Flawless workmanship.

How many bad Strats have you heard about?....If it's good enough for Clapton and Cray then it's good enough for me even though this one is thousands less....

Never had to deal with them. Here's a secret....buy from a reputable guitar store, they'll take care you.

This guitar is rock-solid!! It sounds great. I have read with great interest the various reviews both here and on other sites. Most, if not all, have been very positive!! and it is my opinion well deserved. The most distinct thing is that those that have played it, liked it and bought it wrote great reviews, while those that played it, and didn't like it, wrote a poor review.....Again....I don't know what guitars the critics of this unit use but if they think this guitar sounds bad I would suggest an ear exam and perhaps some guitar lessons....(perhaps finding a life too....who takes the time to review a product you played for 10 - 20 minutes and didn't buy....) Guitar buying is something that you need to spend sometime doing; it's enjoyable too. The auditioning process is a very important one, especially when your buying a guitar that costs a fair bit of money. In the end, if you buy this guitar because it had a great balance of style and sound, sound being the most important aspect, then you made a good choice....because this is the guitar you liked and thought sounded the best....The price is just a pleasant surprise!!!!....Enjoy the timeless and incredible Fender tradition.....and in this case value.....;)!!

This is a 2002 American made strat. 22 frets. One volume, 2 tone (one controls the neck pickup, the other controls the middle), 3 vintage single coils, maple neck, vintage fender trem bridge, ping tuners, jumbo frets, gig bag included.

I mostly play hard rock, sometimes I'll go with heavy metal or classic rock. I play this with a Fender solid state stage 112 SE. This amp really does a good job on the "mid shift," with this mid shift you can really control how "twangy" or how "quack" you want the sound be. I also connect it with a Boss ME-33, Digitech GNX-2 and a Metal Zone(sometimes). But it a waste if you use this guitar with the metal zone, cos it just boost up everything and you can hardly hear the unique tone of this guitar. Maybe its because of the low output vintage pickups, it goes really nice with medium overdrive/distortion. ME-33 really does a nice job on this. The noice supressor It sounds wicked on all positions. The clean tone of it is kicking ass. I usually play it with chorus/phaser.

The factory set-up was okay. The action of each string is un-even. Inontation is perfect. All the hardware and finishing are excellent. They also set the bridge floating. The isn't much tuning problem unless I go too violent with the trem. The paint job..., well, somebody doesn't like the lacquer finish but paint job has never been an issue to me so...

This baby will withstand live playing for sure, and I don't thing there's any American strat can't. But still I would never play a gig without a backup. The lacquer finish looks like it easier to wear off than others with gloss finish. For the hardware, well, all I can say is that you can't compare this with the deluxe series.

Not sure abou this, cos I never really need it. It has a lifetime warranty.

I've been playing for 5 years. I also own an Ibanez RG 570 and a Fender Big Apple Strat. My concerns of this guitar before I bought it is the tuning machines quality and the pickups. The tuners so far are great, but I will replace the pickups with lace sensors soon. If any of you get bored with the muddy and bassy humbuckers guitar, and limited, this one is a good one to start with. You can always change the pickups and other hardware later.

2002, USA Hwy 1 Strat (paid $830 cad at L&M, Toronto)
Everything is perfect, except for the paint finish that comes off when you're playing/wearing the guitar! This explains the lower cost, along with inexpensive gig bag. In one year the guitar will look well worn (circa 1950 vintage, at least). Other than the paint finish (which by the way, gives a nice warm vintage tone when using the neck pick-ups) and gig bag, the guitar sounds and plays excellent. So don't panic if the paint comes off, it starts sounding better as more of the paint bio-degrades. I wonder if Fender is willing to recall for paint defects?? Rated 8 today may be a 10 in 12 months!

Suits the sound well as my second guitar for Blues/Rock.
Use a Peavey Classic 50 4/10, with delay, reverb and tremelo.
With any amp it's noisey when turned up high.

Good action (high) facilitate easy bending.
Had to have the guitar re-set at store (minor adjusments).

Yes, except the finish of course.

Always the best

Playing for a very long time, let's see, about 35 years.

Ah, 2002. Good year for guitars I suppose. Especially early August. This American Beauty was made then, and outfitted with a pickguard around the 15 of August. Twenty two frets, not that I use that extra one, but it's nifty. Sturdy, solid Alder body with a great grain to it that really shows up nice in light through the transparent finish. Humbucker, single, single routing, and avery clean, precise rout at that, with conductive paint within. The usual two tones and a volume, five way switch, and three very bridge, crystal clear single coils. Fender markets them as American Specials, though I think they're the US Standards, sans the Delta Tone. The neck is maple, rosewood fretboard. The good ole' vintage tremolo is in place, and not going anywhere. At the other side of the strings lie six cast sealed tuners with Fender on each. A gig bag was included, but this beauty needs a case. It may not be terribly innovative, but its got everything where it needs it.

In a word. Jazz. Through a Hot Rod Deville, or even a Solid State Peavey, this guitar cries just like the two thousand dollar custom shop jobs. Very bright and clear (my bandmates are always telling me to cut some treble!) it has everything it needs to cut through the mix. But with any good single coil, it brings feedback on command, as well as harmonics. If there's one thing I dislike, it's the bridge pickup being a bit thin. It may be replaced with something with a bit more balls later on.

Wow. Double wow. Transparent Teal satin lacquer finish on here. And oh is it ever pretty. Low maintenence as well, it doesn't get smudgy, no sir. However, it's prone to scratches, and small chips as well. Definitely not a finish for the neat freak of the bunch. I've yet to touch the pickup settings, they're just where I want them, a little higher on the treble side, but the bass end is still very present. The single thing about this guitar that actually bothers me, and only a little, is the bridge. Not the bridge itself, no, but Fender managed to mount just a tiny, tiny bit to the left, resulting in the low E string a little closer to the edge of the board than is sometimes preferred. It doesn't affect the sound however, and when I get that far down on the neck, I tend to use alternate voicings anyway. I actually raised the action on it, becase I like a little height, but it was excellent to start.

I put up the rest of my guitars for sale today. Reliable at a gig? You know it. Guarenteed to stay perty? Probably not. The finish is scratched pretty easily, and I assume it's rather thin. However, I like that. It'll gain that old worn out look faster, ooooooh, niftiness.

I'm my own support.

I haven't even played the guitar for two years, so I'm in the novice zone. But in that time I've made myself intimately familiar with the ins and outs of guitars, and when it comes to a Stratocaster...I can tell you most anything you want to know. If this guitar were to come to a bad ending, I would most certainly replace it with another of the same type. I suppose, if there's something I love most about it, is its unique finish. I've received many, many compliments about it from bandmates, friends, family, and instructors.

If you want a bright, clear sound with a great feel to the guitar over all, and don't want to get into the thousands, this IS the guitar. The first time I saw this guitar in an article online, I was resolved. When I saw it at the store, I bought it. Every Strat player should at least try one of these, compare it to the higher end models. It's worth more than how much you pay for it.

2003 Cocoa (creamed on white) rosewood neck, white Pick Guard - Nice Look. I played a red one for an hour then the salesman took the white one out of the box. It was set up with the strings a little higher - plus I have a lot of RED things. So I played the white one and then bought it. Every thing was set up right - go figure?
Nice neck - the frets are mediums not jumbos. The sealed tuners were a nice touch for the price. Fender is always coming up with strage tuners - these a simple and they work.

A little hot. As other reviews have said - Tex/mex Calif. side of hot. Could be the finish. I liked it - I bought the sucker, so I better like it!! 5 position switch - nice "between sound" to get the "Robert Cray" twang with some edge. Not to give it a "Superficial, glowing reviews..." it's got a great sound - I've been a profesional bass player for 30 years and heard A LOT of strats right by my side - a '59 and a '62 as well as SRV editons and some other "custom shop" stuff(the cooler looking the guitar the shitier the player - most of the time) . This rates as a profesional guitar. Hey - they did put FENDER on it and made a big deal about it being "made in USA". IT lives up to the rep!!

Nice action. Like I said - it was set up a tad higher so you can get under the strings to bend 'em. What do I know - I'm a bass player anyway - so the action is not an issue for me.
Little girl Guitar players worry about "action" - Don't Like it?? Fix it!!!
Every thing was adjusted properly after I tuned it up a half step to std pitch (for the price - that was a shock!!). I know - I know, all strat guys love it down a half(Like Hendrix & Stevi Ray). I think they send them out of the factory like that so they play EASY so you'll buy 'em -

Fender - American made - we shall see???
I have a 65 J bass and a odd Presision Elite II from 86 - both are intestructable and stay in tune like a mutha.

What the fuck is that for???

Fender - American made - I heard that the Mex Strats were ok - but I went with USA. In 20 years will it be worth $200 more due to that??? or do I just like to see USA on the headstock - who knows.
It sounds great - I should have bought two. One to keep with all the tags on as an investment - beter that my a 401k which is been reduce to a 101k.!!!!HA
Play - Play - and then play - oh yea - get paid no and then!!!