Willis Music Oxmoor Product Profile
Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster HSS
Made in USA, solid Alder body w/ satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish, “C” profile Maple neck with rolled edges, Rosewood fingerboard w/ jumbo fretwire, 2 Alnico magnet single coil pickups, 1 Alnico magnet humbucker pickup, new “Greasebucket” tone circuit, oversize 70’s-style headstock.
When Fender introduced the original Highway 1 series several years ago it didn’t make the splash they were hoping for. Everyone seemed to think the combination of a lower price USA Strat and real lacquer finish was a winner except the people shopping for a new guitar. After compiling requests and suggestions for several years Fender has reintroduced this model with considerable upgrades and finally found the success they expected from the line.
Right off the bat this neck feels dramatically better. By incorporating the rolled edge feel found on the Custom Shop Relic series this new Highway plays like you’ve owned it for 10 years. A noticeable improvement that immediately shows Fender took their revision seriously. That upgrade is joined by jumbo thickness fretwire which makes bends buttery smooth. This neck is a pleasure to play.
Next up were the electronics, and again a home run is the result. Fender dumped the brash ceramic magnet pickups used on the originals and replaced them with pickups using Alnico (Aluminum, Nickel, Cobalt) magnets for a smooth rich sound. It makes you wonder why it took years for this to happen, but I’m just glad it did. These single coils sound fabulous. They’ve got the “bark” of old 60’s models with the output of modern models. Alone or combined they deliver great tones. That said, the Humbucker is the attraction here. This pickup sounds gigantic clean or dirty and puts the Highway 1 firmly into the game for a player wanting great vintage and current sounds. This pickup doesn’t add distortion; just wide open output.
The last major change is the addition of the Greasebucket tone circuit. This new tone control came from a Custom Shop collaboration with ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons and allows the player dial down highs without causing the muddiness it’s usually associated with. Outstanding clarity and totally useful.
This is a major step up from the original Highway 1 models, and whether you lean towards straight country, gritty blues or shredding metal this guitar can make it happen.
Reviewed by: Mike McAfee
Contact reviewer at: oxmoorstore@willis-music.com
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About the Contributor:
Manager Mike McAfee is a 13 year plus Willis veteran who has hand picked each employee on his floor because they excel in providing a superior experience to every customer. The confidence, knowledge and courtesy you encounter lives up to an environment tailored for each department of their store. The home-like piano experience alone is worth a visit, and no other store in town carries the stock or selection of Willis’ Oxmoor location. Please accept Mike’s personal invitation to see first hand how hard we’ll work to make sure you’ll always come back home to Willis Music at Oxmoor Center.
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