The first version of the Highway 1 was launched in 2002, but doesn't appear in Fender's Frontline of that year. They appear in Arbiters UK price list in 2002. The price at the time was £600. This was replaced in 2006/7 by version 2. The American Special was launched in 2010, but not as a direct replacement the highway 1 continued to be available for another year or so.
For a short time only the SSS was available the HSS was launched in 2003. The Single coils are the normal classic pickups
the Humbucker is an Atomic 11. Both had Medium Jumbo Frets, standard cast tuners and modern C neck.
| SS 011-1100 and 1102 | HSS 011-1700 | |
| Body | Alder with Satin Acrylic Lacquer Finish | Alder with Satin Acrylic Lacquer Finish |
| Neck | Maple Modern C Satin Polyurethane Finish | Maple Modern C Satin Polyurethane Finish |
| Fretboard | Maple or Rosewood 9.5" radius 22 Medium Jumbo frets | Rosewood 22 Medium Jumbo Frets 9.5" radius |
| Headstock | Small 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc | Large 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc |
| Tuners | Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines | Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines |
| Pickups | 3 Vintage Style Single-Coil Strat Pickups with Staggered Pole Pieces, Alnico Magnets White covers | Fender Atomic Black Bobbin HB uncovered and 2 Vintage Style Single-Coil Strat Pickups with Staggered Pole Pieces, Alnico Magnets White covers |
| Controls | 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits* Standard 5 way switching | 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits* Standard 5 way switching |
| Nut | 43mm | 43mm |
| Hardware | Chrome | Chrome |
| Bridge | Vintage Style Sync Trem | Vintage Style Sync Trem |
| Pickguard | 3 ply white 11 hole modern style | 3 ply white 11 hole modern style |
| Neckplate | Blank No microtilt | Blank No microtilt |
| Year | SSS | HSS |
| 2002 | Sapphire Blue, Crimson Red, Ebony, Teal Green or Honey Blonde | N/A |
| 2003 | Sapphire Blue, Crimson Red, Ebony, Teal Green or Honey Blonde | Amber, Walnut or Ebony |
| 2004 | Sapphire Blue, Crimson Red, 3 Colour Sunburst, Teal Green or Honey Blonde | Amber, Walnut or Ebony |
| 2005 | Sapphire Blue, Crimson Red, or Honey Blonde | Amber, Walnut or Ebony |
| 2006 | Sapphire Blue, Crimson Red, 3 Colour Sunburst or Honey Blonde | Amber, Walnut or Ebony |
In 2002/3 some Highway 1s were made in cocoa brown, but this isn't shown in any catalogue.
This version was launched in 2006 and first appears in the 2007 Frontline. The most obvious cosmetic difference was that the SSS now has a 70s style large headstock. There were other differences too the pickups and frets have been changed. It is worth noting that V1 had the Vintage 56mm Spacing and Mounting while the V2 (and American Special) had the Hybrid 56mm mounting with 52mm string spacing.
| SSS 011-1160 and 1162 | HSS 011-1760 | |
| Body | Alder with Satin Nitro Finish | Alder with Satin Nitro Finish |
| Neck | Maple Modern C Satin Polyurethane Finish | Maple Modern C Satin Polyurethane Finish |
| Fretboard | Maple or Rosewood 9.5" radius 22 Jumbo frets | Rosewood 22 Jumbo Frets 9.5" radius |
| Headstock | Large 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc | Large 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc |
| Tuners | Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines | Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines |
| Pickups | 3 Hot Single-Coil Strat Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets and Reverse Wound/Reverse Polarity Middle Pickup White covers | Fender Atomic Black Bobbin HB uncovered and 2 Hot Single-Coil Strat Pickups with Alnico 3 Magnets All black |
| Controls | 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits* Standard 5 way switching | 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits* Standard 5 way switching |
| Nut | 43mm | 43mm |
| Hardware | Chrome | Chrome |
| Bridge | Vintage Style Sync Trem | Vintage Style Sync Trem |
| Pickguard | 3 ply parchment 11 hole modern style | 3 ply parchment 11 hole modern style |
| Neckplate | Blank no microtilt | Blank no microtilt |
| SSS | HSS | |
| 2007 | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black, Daphne Blue, Blonde or Midnight Wine | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black or Midnight Wine |
| 2008 | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black, Blonde or Midnight Wine | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black or Midnight Wine |
| 2009 | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black, Blonde or Midnight Wine | 3 Colour Sunburst, Black or Midnight Wine |
| 2010 | 3 Colour Sunburst, or Black | 3 Colour Sunburst, or Black |
| 2011 | 3 Colour Sunburst, or Black | 3 Colour Sunburst, or Black |
Launched in 2010 appearing in the Frontline of that year alongside the Highway 1s. SSS and HSS models were available. The SSS was launched with a Maple fretboard a Rosewood alternative was available from 2016. The HSS was the reverse Rosewood at launch Maple option from 2016. First models had a Gloss Urethane finish later ones Satin Polyurethane on both the body and neck. Model no longer available in 2019 there is a model called American Performer which is the modern equivalent but with the new Fender Yosemite alnico 4 pickups and an extra option to have neck always on giving a couple of extra options similar to the way Burns have always done.
| SSS 011-5600 and 5602 | HSS 011-5700 and 5702 | |
| Body | Alder | Alder |
| Neck | Maple Modern C | Maple Modern C |
| Fretboard | Maple or Rosewood 9.5" radius 22 Jumbo frets | Maple or Rosewood 22 Jumbo Frets 9.5" radius |
| Headstock | Large 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc | Large 2 string trees see pictures for logo etc |
| Tuners | Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines | Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines |
| Pickups | 3 Staggered Texas Specials White covers | Fender Atomic HB uncovered and 2 Texas Special Single-Coil All black |
| Controls | White 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits Standard 5 way switching | Black 1 Volume and 2 Tone both with Greasebucket circuits Standard 5 way switching |
| Nut | 43mm synthetic bone | 43mm synthetic bone |
| Hardware | Chrome | Chrome |
| Bridge | Vintage Style Sync Trem | Vintage Style Sync Trem |
| Pickguard | 3 ply parchment, black or mint green 11 hole modern style | 3 ply parchment, black or Mint Green 11 hole modern style |
| Neckplate | Blank no microtilt | Blank no microtilt |
Colours
At launch in 2010 the SSS was offered in Candy Apple Red or 2 Colour Sunburst and The HSS in 3 Colour Sunburst
or Black. In 2013 Surf Green was addded to the SSS and Candy Apple Red to the HSS. For some reason in 2015 both Sunbursts were
temporarily dropped.
In January 2017
I can only speak for what is available in the UK which is that both models now have options of Rosewood or Maple boards in
convoluted combinations which are:
The SSS 2 Colour Sunburst with Maple or Rosewood, Sonic Blue with Rosewood or Olympic White with Maple.
The HSS 3 Colour Sunburst with Maple or Rosewood, Black with Maple or Olympic White with Rosewood
Pricing
In January 2017 these are showing a recommended price in the UK of £939 although they
are being sold at around £850 by Thomann, this compares to the new American Professional at £1399.
The American Special was discontinued around the end of 2018
A word about available colours
I have shown what colours were available at different times for Highway 1s and American Specials if you see one in
other colours it doesn't mean it isn't genuine, there are lots of FSRs and short runs of colours which never appear
in catalogues.