Fender: American Special

Fender's American Special sits above the Highway 1 series, before the American Standard offerings. These guitars are what the Highway 1 series should be, given some touch-ups which do not sum up to exceed the American Standard units in terms of pricing. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to handle these guitars as a... em... pre-purchase scrutiny.

QC
The American Special has top notch production assurances written all over it; no contest here in light of the standard set. In fact, the Fender team already got it right with the Highway 1 series, the American Special shouldn't depart from that successful formula. Unlike the Highway 1s, the Special's body has a gloss overcoat. While many of us would think this is a 'better' manifestation in terms of finish, it is actually a different finish & not necessarily a grade above the Highway 1 version.

Tone
Some of us were left disgruntled after trying the Highway 1 offerings due to its flavourless, non-American pickups (despite sounding above average) & this is where the American Special make its mark heard. The Texas Special single coils may not be everybody's aural preference but it's the deserving pickups in this guitar; lots of sparkly cleans (pepper some chorus there & hear the chimes) & then some with drive/ distortion.

PS: Thanks Mike @ SV for the invitation & enduring my nonsensical noodling for more than an hour...