Fender USA Telecaster v Highway one telecaster

Ronnie Robinson · Post by **Ronnie Robinson** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:08 am

Im thinking of buying one of the above telecasters can anyone tell me the pros and cons of each , maybe you ve compared or have owned both - which is your favorite . No need to mention the difference in price .

irish_admiral · Post by **irish_admiral** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:04 am

I think with two Teles this similar it really comes down to personal preference. No doubt you've looked at all the specs... all you need to do now is pick them both up and see which you feel happier playing.

SRV · Post by **SRV** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:36 am

I agree. It all comes down to preference now. They are both great sounding teles, and you just have to play them each and decide based on feel. If you're curious, I would take the USA, but it's solid preference.

Controlo · Post by **Controlo** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:27 pm

i think the highway 1's are great guitars but personally, i'm gonna get one of the new american standards. after seeing the new tinted necks, i can't go back to the pale looking necks anymore. i also like the new bridge a lot better than the old american standards. either way you can't go wrong though. i've played both guitars numerous times and they're great .

breakfast · Post by **breakfast** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:54 pm

I believe that the Highway One for the majority of the production is made in Mexico and then they manage to do enough work back in the US for it to be called "American".

Also, the hardware is superior in the USA tele.

I looked at these a year or 2 ago but I can't confirm for 100% that this is still true.

howdy-doo · Post by **howdy-doo** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:15 pm

im not sure whether it was just the strat highway one, but i read a review of a h-1 in a magazine and it said that the bridge is slightly off centre, so id check that before buying one

rrrajo · Post by **rrrajo** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:58 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by breakfast
 I believe that the Highway One for the majority of the production is made in Mexico and then they manage to do enough work back in the US for it to be called "American".

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They literally come up the Highway from Mexico to US. I believe they polish the frets and some other finishing touches here in the States.

Bluz57 · Post by **Bluz57** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:54 pm

The only thing I don't like about the Hwy Ones is the finish.Other than that they are a real bargain .

neonrust · Post by **neonrust** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:00 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bluz57
 The only thing I don't like about the Hwy Ones is the finish.Other than that they are a real bargain .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't mind it, I actually like it, but if you press your fingernail into it it will leave a mark.....it's very fragile and not for everyone.

TheOrangeJuicer · Post by **TheOrangeJuicer** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:01 pm

I don't think that's the case, Jimi. The guitars are made in the USA, Corona facility AFAIK. In fact, even the bodies and necks for the Standard series, which are Mexican made, are made in the USA facility.

In the case of the Mexican made, Standard Series guitars, the parts are finished and then assembled there in Mexico. They make the majority of the electronics in Mexico.

In the case of the USA made, Highway One Series guitars, the USA facility does everything involving the neck and body. They save some money by using faster drying, lower cost, satin paint. They also save some by using cheaper electronics, which are made in the Mexican facility and perhaps the bridge is as well (although the tremolo block on my Hwy 1 Strat seemed heavier than that on a Mexican). Finally, they ship the guitars with gig bags as they do the Mexican guitars.

The American Serires guitars are all USA made and include all USA made parts, from what I can tell. I suppose they could source fret wire or even the tuning machines from another country, but they are of a higher quality than used on the Mexican or Korean guitars from the feel of them. More attention to detail for the design and higher quality woods are used for the bodies of the USA guitars. The American, Hwy 1, and Mexican necks are all made from the same maple blanks but I would assume that the Custom Shop gets its pick of them and the USA models next. Lastly, the USA models and some special addition guitars come with hard shell cases and typically a strap, cord, and some polish.

Bluz57 · Post by **Bluz57** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:05 pm

The thing I have noticed about the MIM Fenders , is they are heavy.Usually a lesser grade of wood on most of them.

greyvents · Post by **greyvents** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:12 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by howdy-doo
 im not sure whether it was just the strat highway one, but i read a review of a h-1 in a magazine and it said that the bridge is slightly off centre, so id check that before buying one
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

i recall that being said...believe you're right that it was regarding the rosewood h1 strat they were reviewing. guess its a QC control issue.

neonrust · Post by **neonrust** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:15 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by greyvents
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by howdy-doo
 im not sure whether it was just the strat highway one, but i read a review of a h-1 in a magazine and it said that the bridge is slightly off centre, so id check that before buying one
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

i recall that being said...believe you're right that it was regarding the rosewood h1 strat they were reviewing. guess its a QC control issue.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmmmm.....I have 2 and they are fine...I think?haha!

Any Idea where this article might be located?

howdy-doo · Post by **howdy-doo** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:18 pm

im not sure which issue but i think it was in one of the guitarist magazine reviews

neonrust · Post by **neonrust** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:20 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by howdy-doo
 im not sure which issue but i think it was in one of the guitarist magazine reviews
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks HD....I'll do some research and see what I can find.

Fender USA Telecaster v Highway one telecaster

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