Fender vs Jackson?

[k65h]

I just found this interesting that Fender is once again offering a superstrat.

U.S. Special Highway 1 Showmaster HSS Floyd Rose
Product #511257

I just dont see why they would make superstrat guitars to go up against Jacksons. Since they now own them.

Kent

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Very good looking indeed. Are they neck thru or bolt on? Just the thing to indulge my Greg Howe hero fanacies.

[SARJ]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

I was kinda shocked to see Fender do this too. The only thing I can think of as to why they did it is because there are those who prefer the feel of a Fender bolt on over say a Jackson SL1. Another point is that if you were a diehard bolt on guy Jackson offers a USA bolt on DK1. The This new Fender kinda slams it in the price department even though they are both built in the USA. One thing is for sure, it's no match for a Jackson. It's cool that it's there for those who have wanted Fender to do it.

[Lordofgain]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Hell I would be happy if they offered it left handed, I just might have to get one to indulge my Iron Maiden fantasies!

[Banjowarrior]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

The Showmaster has been a Custom Shop model for quite a while. I think they made some Squiers under that name as well.

[RacerX]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Just slap a Charvel logo on the h/s
Voila! You got your hallowed Strat-head!
[img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[PowerTube]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Strathead fans will probably be interested in this. I actually kinda like it myself, along with the Fat Strat Floyd Rose models.

[jr73]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

i played a Custom shop showmaster, it played better than any DK1 if it wasnt for the vintage trem & $1700 price i would have seriously considered it. honestly i think it played & had better fit & finish than my Wayne

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

This 2 humbucker one looks great! Now I'm seriously thinking of getting one and throwing some Dimarzios in there. Still no answer on if it's neck thru though, but considering it's fender I'm gonna guess not.

[PowerTube]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Originally posted by ChickenScratch:
This 2 humbucker one looks great! Now I'm seriously thinking of getting one and throwing some Dimarzios in there. Still no answer on if it's neck thru though, but considering it's fender I'm gonna guess not.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, none of these are neck-thru, but there are a few different models. Some with a real Floyd, some with licensed copies, and so on. They range in price from about $400.00 through $1000.00+.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

The Highway 1 series are "technically" USA guitars. They start life like all Fender USA and Mexico guitars with the body and neck being roughly shaped in Corona California. I believe what sets them apart from the Mexico guitars is they are sent back to the US after being hand sanded and fretted. They are then finished here, fret dressed here, then assembled here. Much of the hardware is Ping import parts often found on the Mexico and Asian lines. The finish on the body is simply sprayed on with no wetsanding or buffing. It is a satin finish with a bit of an orange peel look (the orange peel varies from guitar to guitar) to reduce production costs.

Fender has made USA/Import hybrids many times in the past. The first time was around '81 with the "Bullet" guitars. The first year they were made in Korea and assembled and set up here, so they were able to use "Made in USA" logo's on them. Eventually that line became a true USA made guitar as Korea was sending them a high number of inferior necks and bodies. Fender tried it again in the 90's with the "USA Squier" made from Mexico components and the "American Traditional Stratocaster" which was made the same way. I think fender ended up having to have more USA work done to the guitars to be able to label them "made in USA" which brought us the Highway 1 series.

[Kamo]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

I think the one with 2 hums would look better with a headstock that matched the body finish.

[shreddermon]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Pretty cool axes, but I thought these were imports? Anyon know for sure? There's a 2 hum version, too:

http://www.fender.com/misc/winternam...11900_306.html

[JimmyApollo]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

Musician's Foe says they're USA, though I wouldn't use that as your standard of truth.

[ April 03, 2003, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: JimmyApollo ]

[GWARGHOUL]

Re: Fender vs Jackson?

You're forgetting about the California series of the late 90's.
They basiclaly did the same stuff, tho....except they had higher qaulity hardware than the hybrid attempts of the past.