Highway One prices

ActionFletch · June 5th, 2009, 12:48 AM

Gday guys

I enquired today at two Aussie shops regarding a sunburst Hwy 1 strat and they both quoted me for $1800 (US$1450) - my favourite shop had a honey hwy 1 in stock for $1300 (US$1050)...

Is this about right? So i`m up for an extra $500AU if i want my sunburst???

StratmanNick · June 5th, 2009, 02:15 AM

OOooh, sounds steep.

Yesterday was out with band member, looking at a new Strat for him. He seemed very taken with the Highway1. Price here was £499 which I think is very reasonable.

ActionFletch · June 5th, 2009, 02:50 AM

Was it sunburst or other? 499 quid is about the same as the normal colour price here.

Strat-Man-Do · June 5th, 2009, 06:08 AM

The Sunburst price is the same as any other finish here. At least it has been. I believe the price's are crazy right now for "NEW". And would seriously consider buying a HWY-1 a year old or so. I bought my Texas Tele HWY-1 this way in Sunburst with a Fender/SKB ohsc, all original and as close to minty as possible for $500.

My Daphne Blue HWY-1/Rosewood I bought last year 08. It also came with a Fender/SKB case and cost me $699. with S+H.

The Strat was new and price's have gone up since. But I still think that with out economy and the state of Fender I would wait on the new a bit and concentrate on Used. The used market is as well priced as I have seen it in years. Great time to pick up a used Strat.

ActionFletch · June 5th, 2009, 06:11 AM

Thanks man, it does seem too much (although a USA strat at that price here is ok)

I think i`ll hunt down the second hand ebay Sydney market for something to turn up!

Orbit · June 5th, 2009, 06:14 AM

Yes, I'd have to agree, unless your paycheck is fat one and you don't have to worry about it.
It does seem like the used ones are actually cheaper now than befoire the new prices went into effect, not sure why. (according to ebay trends anyway)

adaptable · June 5th, 2009, 09:12 AM

You should see what the duty is to import one in, because they are selling for $700 new, any color here in the states...which is less than $875 AUD (and qualifies for lower import duties):

When buying over the internet

I just got back from Sydney 2 weeks ago. If you were looking a month ago, I could have brought one to you as a "gift".

StratmanNick · June 6th, 2009, 01:53 AM

Hi Fletch, the colour my bandmate was looking at was the Honey finish, which he didn't like and was the only HW1 in the shop. Guy in the shop said sunburst was at no extra cost and that they looked great in BLUE which appealed to my friend. This rang alarm bells as I didn't remember them coming in blue. Sure enough, checked Fenders website and no Highway1s in blue.

Good luck, hope you get what you want for a price that you're happy with

Orbit · June 6th, 2009, 07:31 AM

actually, the HW1 comes in Daphne Blue, or it used to, anyway.

Daphne Blue HW1

Strat-Man-Do · June 6th, 2009, 07:45 AM

They have bounced around the past few years with the Blue finish. Started as Sapphire and then to Daphne. The Sapphire is a very nice finish though I believe that was around 04-05 before the 06-07 upgrades.

The Sunburst is NICE with the Thin finish. I've seen it buff out very nicely and gives a older aged look that is sweet. Anyway Good Luck Bro, its tough trying to make the US Strat move from Australia.

Bundini · June 7th, 2009, 06:47 PM

Oh man you Aussies and Brits must get raped by import taxes? Fender just upped the prices on HW1s from $750 to $950 USD. Can you escape duty by shoppin on ebay?

Tell your respective PM's that they are discriminating against your country's artists. You need a level playing field with the US!!! Sounds like Gordon Brown is in trouble enough.

BTW, I replaced my HW1 pups with Australia's Tonerider pu's. They are THE BEST pups. Thanks to Andrew Cunningham and all my mates downunder!

Boris Bubbanov · June 7th, 2009, 08:14 PM

There's a new old stock Daphne Blue Highway One Strat at George's Guitar Emporium on 17/92 ( near FL 436 ) on the North side of Orlando, FL, asking price is $ 699 - no visible damage and they might accept less.

ActionFletch · June 7th, 2009, 08:59 PM

My local dealer is getting a sunburst in at a Much reduced price! Over the phone i mentioned how the price was high and that i`ll probably look for a second hand one, the price instantly dropped by $500!!! Funny aint it?

sarNz · June 7th, 2009, 11:52 PM

yeah, wow that's crazy. they used to be $600 brand new in like 03, but then they upgraded them and the price I believe was about $900. Seems like you're doing alright!

ActionFletch · June 14th, 2009, 11:42 PM

Got a phone call, and an hour later i walked away with this for our agreed price of $1300 ($1050 US or 640GBP)...

And here`s me, happy with my latest Fender...

Sexy eh?

I really like the grain and the nitro finish and the cheesy headstock, its exactly what i wanted. Haven`t had much playtime but i was surprised not to even notice the jumbo frets compared to my US standard!
Gotta sell my Gibson now!!!!

Bundini · June 16th, 2009, 12:20 AM

SCORE!
What I do right off the bad is sand down the bone white neck and refinish with vintage amber nitro. Then put on some of those Aussie Tonerider pups and that HW! will kick most other higher priced strats out of the way.

ActionFletch · June 16th, 2009, 01:08 AM

Thanks, i`ll keep that advice in mind if i ever decide to tinker with it. I`m thinking i may replace the nut - but a member here has mentioned that a bit of lip balm in the grooves helps eliminate that annoying ping sound when bending up a tone, so i`ll try that first.