Highway 1 Vs American Standard Vs American Series

[Indie_Kid]

Hi all I really want to get a new telecaster but I'm really unsure as to which to get, I want a sunburst finish with a maple neck. The three options I see are the highway 1, American Standard, American Series. I was reading a review recently about the new american standard, and within the review it said the highway 1 was highly recommended, to me saying that in a review about another guitar is a big issue. One of the issues about the highway 1 is the finish as it wears down quickly apparently. This could be cool but I'm undecided about this "feature". The new standard is taking over from the american series so there price will be reduced. What are your thoughts to these guitars?
Im into radiohead, smashing pumpkins, foo fighters etc. I currently have a mim '72 custom

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Indie_Kid

Hi all I really want to get a new telecaster but I'm really unsure as to which to get, I want a sunburst finish with a maple neck. The three options I see are the highway 1, American Standard, American Series. I was reading a review recently about the new american standard, and within the review it said the highway 1 was highly recommended, to me saying that in a review about another guitar is a big issue. One of the issues about the highway 1 is the finish as it wears down quickly apparently. This could be cool but I'm undecided about this "feature". The new standard is taking over from the american series so there price will be reduced. What are your thoughts to these guitars?
Im into radiohead, smashing pumpkins, foo fighters etc. I currently have a mim '72 custom

I have and love my Hwy 1 w/maple neck, but it's the honey blonde where I think it looks better with the matte finish than the sunburst in matte. I may be terribly biased there though because I own a sunburst with gloss in a different guitar that's also ash with pretty wood showing through.

As for the guitar. I just played the new Am Stds and the Tele is much more dressed up than a Hwy 1 but it wasn't a night and day difference in terms of play and I also quite like the tone of my late model (the "upgrade" or "grease bucket") version. So for me, I'd upgrade if you want sunburst, but try Hwy 1s if you want a great value.

I thought the neck finish (lacquer) seemed thick and the rosewood fingerboards seemed too processed or almost fake on the hand full of new Am. Std. Teles and Strats at my local GC store. That may be something others would love because I have and am used to the Am. Deluxe and Hwy 1 models that preceded them.

Good luck.

[Indie_Kid]

Cheers, I know I'm going to have to head to the local guitar shop for some serious research. Going back to the finish, a slightly glossier sunburst finish does look better, I noticed that in the guitar shop when the 2 were next to each other, thats where this need for a new guitar came from! It's cheaper to get the right guitar first time instead of trading in guitars or wishing you bought the other one.etc.

[boris bubbanov]

First, you need to try out the pickups in each of these models and see if they can do all the things you want them to, including perhaps a few things you can't do with the 72 Custom.

I bought 2 of the 'Upgrade' Highway Ones and I find the overwound Alnico 3 pickups not to my liking at all, much better guitar with a set of Keystones added. Secondly, the 'Upgrade' (which is what you likely will be offered) has frets far larger than your Custom, and again I prefer a more Custom sized fret. The nitro finish can be polished out as little or as much as you like, it is durable enough if kept away from open cell foam and other reactive substances. I have an earlier generation Highway One Tele, much better in stock form.

As for Am Series Teles, I have a few of them. They're really good guitars, however the neck girth is less than I like, less than your Custom, and your Custom is already on the thin side; I like a fatter neck. Their big drawback is the 'Modern' dimensions bridge assembly; hard to transplant the vintage bridge your Custom has on here, I've done 2 swaps, not easy. I prefer the vintage bridge like you already have.

The Am Std for 2008 is a very mild update, very similar to the Am Se. I like the new saddles and plate, just not enough to buy one. The clear ash finish is delightful, otherwise the difference is not impressive.

If you like your Custom, you should look to a vintage specs model like the AV range, or a Baja or 50's Classic Tele, I'd say.

[Vizcaster]

Fret size could be the deal breaker with the '06 upgrade Highway One, something to keep in mind when you play. Can you hear the difference in tone between the square saddles and the stamped ones? You'll definitely hear a difference in the pickups and tone controls and then go with your heart (damn the budget).

[nhojie]

i also have a black hi-way one tele.better check the pick-ups on the those tele specially the neck position.i find it a little bit mushy so i replaced them with a texas special then upgraded with bone nut and very much liked now!

[Blues Hurler]

Don't forget the Hywy 1 Texas Tele. It's a nice package.