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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 10, 2006 19:15:40 GMT -7
What is a US Highway1 Telecaaster and how is it different from an American Standard Tele?
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Post by johngourlay on Oct 10, 2006 23:30:44 GMT -7
The Fender website has all the specs and you can download the owners manual. I think the Highway tele has an S1 switching system. Not sure what it does but I've heard people rave about the S1 thing.
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Post by zdogma on Oct 11, 2006 5:59:57 GMT -7
I have one of each. I bought the highway 1 because I had a really nice set of pickups that needed a home The highway 1 teles are pretty nice, but they don't have a hard case, and the hardware and pickups are just average (both are pretty good on the usa tele). The finish is flat on the hwy 1, which I kind of like. My USA standard finish is gloss, but I find mine chips pretty easily. If you already have a hardcase, and plan on upgrading things anyway, I think the HWY1 is a good deal. The price difference is enough for a set of good boutique tele pickups (this has been discussed ad nauseum in previous threads) I like the amalfitanos a lot and the lollars for a more vintage sound.
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 11, 2006 7:02:37 GMT -7
zdogma, Does that hwy1 have a vintage style bridge?
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Post by dock66 on Oct 11, 2006 7:35:46 GMT -7
zdogma, Does that hwy1 have a vintage style bridge? I beleive they all come with vintage style bridge ;D dock66
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 11, 2006 9:33:24 GMT -7
So the HW1 is basically an American Tele with a plain finish and "not as good as a STD" hardware and pups.
I was just looking for the 30,000ft overview... don't need all the specs. Just need to decide if I want to bid on one.
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Post by Matt H. on Oct 11, 2006 9:42:04 GMT -7
Paul You want a matt-o-caster, Don't you? The new "MA Highway Rt 1 toll booth custom" is destined to be an instant classic. Don't settle for one of those cheap Fender copies-- I just came in from coating the new foundation w/tar. What a mess! It took me about 20 minutes just to wash my hands. No one's home but me, so I think I'll entertain the neighborhood with some loud guitar playing during my lunch-break.. Oh what fun! ;D
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Post by kruzty on Oct 11, 2006 9:51:31 GMT -7
I've heard the neck work isn't quite as good as the American series, but I haven't played the new Highway 1s, so I can't say for sure. If that is the case, go for the American - I really like that neck!
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neil
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by neil on Oct 11, 2006 11:37:31 GMT -7
Highway 1's don't have the s1 switching, not sure where that came from!
As above, they're basically slightly downgraded US teles, mainly the pups, the finish, and it has a vintage 3 barrel bridge. I actually prefer the finish. It's matt and it chips and wears very easily (you can pick it off with a finger nail!) but telecasters look better battered. The bridge is lovely, solid as a rock, and I've never had intonation probs. the pickups are ok, I found mine a bit too bright so I've swapped them.
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Post by johngourlay on Oct 11, 2006 11:51:55 GMT -7
That was me, total nonsense. I checked the Fender website!
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 12, 2006 17:25:07 GMT -7
I appreciate all the input... one more question (I hate to do this...) What is a California Series and how is that different from a US Standard?
Fender makes way too many models of the same guitar which makes purchasing on ebay very difficult.
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Post by guitarstan on Oct 12, 2006 18:39:08 GMT -7
I appreciate all the input... one more question (I hate to do this...) What is a California Series and how is that different from a US Standard? Fender makes way too many models of the same guitar which makes purchasing on ebay very difficult. Hey Paul, That is precisely why I can't buy a Fender on ebay, it's like listening to Mozart .... "too many damn notes"... I simply cannot comprehend. And I'm not paying $10,000 for a relic, sorry. Of course, I am old and decrepit, my mind is fading and I don't like too many choices. I like "good", "better" and "best".
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 12, 2006 22:30:58 GMT -7
The Highway One series was marketing to attract the crowd that liked the idea of an American made instrument at a budget price. I checked with the people at Fender and this is the case, despite what whoever says. It's built cheaper to sell cheaper. Comes out of Corona, California, vintage style bridges, not great hardware, PU's are the ones they put in the Mexican models, and they've cut corners on everything from fit and finish to the finsih itself. What you'll find on this forum and countless others is that the first thing folks do is change out the electronics. This is usually not cheap, as better stuff has to go in. Next is hardware, and then a proper set up or even a neck change. Your budget now is virtually shot. Here's half a clue. It comes with a gig bag. In his day, Leo wouldn't even SHIP a Fender without a hardshell case, neither would Gibson. This is what it's come down to. Marketing. If you want a nice Tele, and don't want to spend Custom Shop money on one, buy a CIJ or a MIJ ( Japanese ) Fit and finish, hardware, playability and even the PU's are better than the little pretenders coming out of Corona or Mexico. Same with Strats. The Japanese do an awesome job or recreation, and pay attention to detail. I'll draw some difference of opinion on this matter for sure, but that doesn't mean anything to me. I'm a former Fender dealer, and I'm telling you that today, marketing is absolutely everything. The hundreds of configurations of Fender guitars you talk about is just that. Marketing. Just something to remember! BTW...good Teles and Strats come out of Custom Shop at Fender. I give them high marks, as they have a lot of pride and credibility in their craft. Those, my friend, are very often worth taking home.
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Post by dock66 on Oct 13, 2006 7:31:34 GMT -7
Marketing strategies that's what Fender and Gibson have survived throughout the years.
dock66
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Post by guitarstan on Oct 13, 2006 9:25:16 GMT -7
The Highway One series was marketing to attract the crowd that liked the idea of an American made instrument at a budget price. I checked with the people at Fender and this is the case, despite what whoever says. It's built cheaper to sell cheaper. Comes out of Corona, California, vintage style bridges, not great hardware, PU's are the ones they put in the Mexican models, and they've cut corners on everything from fit and finish to the finsih itself. What you'll find on this forum and countless others is that the first thing folks do is change out the electronics. This is usually not cheap, as better stuff has to go in. Next is hardware, and then a proper set up or even a neck change. Your budget now is virtually shot. Here's half a clue. It comes with a gig bag. In his day, Leo wouldn't even SHIP a Fender without a hardshell case, neither would Gibson. This is what it's come down to. Marketing. If you want a nice Tele, and don't want to spend Custom Shop money on one, buy a CIJ or a MIJ ( Japanese ) Fit and finish, hardware, playability and even the PU's are better than the little pretenders coming out of Corona or Mexico. Same with Strats. The Japanese do an awesome job or recreation, and pay attention to detail. I'll draw some difference of opinion on this matter for sure, but that doesn't mean anything to me. I'm a former Fender dealer, and I'm telling you that today, marketing is absolutely everything. The hundreds of configurations of Fender guitars you talk about is just that. Marketing. Just something to remember! BTW...good Teles and Strats come out of Custom Shop at Fender. I give them high marks, as they have a lot of pride and credibility in their craft. Those, my friend, are very often worth taking home. +Karma for ya, thanks for the explanation! I needed that. Now I got GAS for another dang Fender Thanks Tele 1962.
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Post by hiftbso on Oct 13, 2006 13:21:16 GMT -7
I have a HWY 1 Texas Tele and like it very much. As a side note not al Hwy 1s have the vintage hardware, only the Hwy 1 "Texas" Tele does. The reg Hwy 1 has a modern bridge and tuners. The Texas Hwy 1 has the vintage brass bridge and the vintge tuners as well as vintage hot pick-ups. The Texas Hwy 1is like $100 more too. But if you like the vintage look like I do it is a great guitar for the price.
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Post by guitarstan on Oct 13, 2006 15:56:00 GMT -7
I have a HWY 1 Texas Tele and like it very much. As a side note not al Hwy 1s have the vintage hardware, only the Hwy 1 "Texas" Tele does. The reg Hwy 1 has a modern bridge and tuners. The Texas Hwy 1 has the vintage brass bridge and the vintge tuners as well as vintage hot pick-ups. The Texas Hwy 1is like $100 more too. But if you like the vintage look like I do it is a great guitar for the price. +Karma to you too hiftbso altho I don't know why ;D, cause you just gave me more GAS .
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Post by johnnyl on Oct 13, 2006 16:02:09 GMT -7
Question: are the USA Fenders made in Corona, CA considered "lower quality" than US Fenders of the past?
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Post by zdogma on Oct 14, 2006 16:36:49 GMT -7
I've played good ones and bad ones from every era, even the pre-cbs guitars I've played were hit and miss.
Mostly I agree with Curt, the Japanese Fenders were pretty nice, but I had a blue Japanese strat with a locking trem (1987?) that was one of the shittest guitars I ever owned.
Both of my current teles are great, both from Corona. I have modded them a bit, with a few hardware and electonics changes, but I liked then fine when they were stock. My only real complaint about them is the neck profile, which is a bit thin for my taste.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 14, 2006 18:43:57 GMT -7
Paul You want a matt-o-caster, Don't you? The new "MA Highway Rt 1 toll booth custom" is destined to be an instant classic. Don't settle for one of those cheap Fender copies-- I just came in from coating the new foundation w/tar. What a mess! It took me about 20 minutes just to wash my hands. No one's home but me, so I think I'll entertain the neighborhood with some loud guitar playing during my lunch-break.. Oh what fun! ;D Matt-o-casters are out of my price range!!! Plus I heard there is a long wait... Matt is busy building a house :-) But you never know... I would like one in Blue... same color as the Matt-O-Caster! ;-)
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 16, 2006 19:44:25 GMT -7
Thanks for your kindness guitarstan! The danger I always run here fellas is this one " Yea, but I've got one and I like it!" I';m never putting that down or arguing what a person likes or doesn't. When you see budget price tags, ask the right questions. " Why" is a good one to start with. I've just tried to help with some of the answer to that one! Sorry if I offend people by not bowing to some guitars that get mentioned here, but like I said, I'm a retired dealer and guitar tech, and don't have the patience to try and be popular. I just want to be straight and help
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Oct 17, 2006 7:06:00 GMT -7
Thanks guy's... I actually pulled the trigger on a 2005 American Standard Tele.
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neil
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by neil on Oct 19, 2006 1:33:45 GMT -7
I think you're right tele1962, although I love my highway 1 I did play a korean lite ash tele at the time i bought it. It was actually better finished than my highway, but I didn't really like the high gloss finish and the pearl fret inlays so I went with the highway. From what I've heard the highway teles can vary quite a lot in quality.
I think the main factor in any guitar however is how well it's set up and what pickups are in it. I remember breaking a string at a gig once and someone lent me a very expensive gibson les paul. It was an absolute dog - the action was sky high and the pickups squealed. I've also played really nice cheap guitars.
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Post by tele1962 on Oct 19, 2006 16:08:03 GMT -7
Neil, they vary in quality because they're punched out faster than dunkin' donuts! This will not be your last Tele, so enjoy it while it's with you
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