This was all over the gear feeds yesterday - Fender announced the new Highway (Mexico) acoustics.
Two models are currently available, the Dreadnought...
... & Parlor. Both are offered in either a solid spruce or mahogany top. Both are listed for USD999.
Is this something new & game-changing? If we look closer, the Highways are actually an iteration of the Acoustasonic design. In the interest of something 'new' that would act as a sale enticement, the body's depth are a little thicker than the Acoustasonic making it more acoustic as opposed to an acoustic that is trapped in an electric form factor. The bolt-on design here is also different from the Acoustasonics which adhered to the solid body bolt-on design. Again, this aesthetic consideration makes the Highway more acoustic in looks. If you look at the pickup, it's an acoustic unit, not an under-saddle type. These, among other things, gave the Highway a good / strong acoustic aesthetic.
I'm personally interested in these instruments as these are the answer for electric players who detest handling a struggle-inducing standard size acoustic. However, giving it a Highway label is a little misleading as this name was used for the most affordable USA-made Fender solid body guitars (circa 2001), the Highway 1 Series. However, this could be the manufacturer's way of preparing the guitar world for a Highway 1 come-back... as a Mexican model this time. Maybe the most affordable Mexican model. On that note, I really hope it won't happen. 😅
Pics: Fender
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