Fender Stratocaster Highway One | USA | 2006

Another pre-loved Fender Highway One Stratocaster in a striking matt Wine Red finish HSS from 2006; it is a standout American-made guitar that fuses vintage-inspired design with modern tweaks, proudly bearing the 60th Anniversary badge to celebrate Fender’s founding in 1946. Part of the second Highway One series (2006-2011), this model sports a striking Midnight Wine finish; often called Wine Red Transparent. A satin nitrocellulose lacquer that’s deliberately thin to let the alder body breathe and resonate, delivering a lively, natural tone. Ready for you to leave its mark on it.
 
As a 60th Anniversary edition, it features a diamond-shaped emblem on the back of the headstock engraved with “1946-2006,” marking six decades of Fender legacy.
 
This Strat’s HSS configuration deviates from the traditional SSS setup, and this particular example has been upgraded with a modified Kent Armstrong HPAO-1Z humbucker at the bridge position, replacing the stock Fender Atomic Humbucker. The Kent Armstrong HPAO-1Z is known for its rich, articulate tone with a bit more clarity and output than some vintage-style humbuckers, offering thick, powerful sounds ideal for rock, blues, or even heavier genres, while retaining a dynamic response. It’s paired with two Hot Single-Coil pickups (Alnico 3 magnets) in the middle and neck positions, delivering that classic Strat shimmer. The middle pickup is reverse-wound/reverse-polarity, providing hum-canceling in positions 2 and 4 on the 5-way switch. The Greasebucket tone circuit enhances control, letting you roll off highs without muddying the lows, managed via a master volume and two tone knobs—one for the neck pickup, one for the bridge humbucker. This setup yields a broad tonal range, from sparkling cleans to biting leads to robust, modified humbucker-driven grit.
 
The neck is maple with a modern “C” profile, finished in satin urethane for a fast, comfortable feel. It’s got a 25.5-inch scale length, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 22 jumbo frets—ideal for bends and speed. The fingerboard is a nice slab of rosewood. The large ‘70s-style headstock, complete with a bold black CBS-era Fender logo, adds a retro flair alongside the anniversary badge. Hardware includes a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, Fender/Ping cast/sealed tuners, and chrome accents, with a parchment pickguard, knobs, and pickup covers contrasting the dark finish.
 
Tonally, this guitar excels in versatility. The modified Kent Armstrong HPAO-1Z humbucker brings a refined yet muscular edge, distinct from the stock Atomic’s rawer punch, while the single-coils preserve that iconic Strat sparkle—think glassy cleans, punchy blues, or chunky rhythms with an upgraded twist. The 2006 Highway One series, including this 60th Anniversary model, earned praise in reviews (like MusicRadar’s 2008 take) for its hotter pickups and Greasebucket circuit, and this modded version adds a custom flavor. Players on forums like Audiofanzine have lauded the series as a modder’s dream, and this humbucker swap exemplifies that potential.
 
Built in Corona, California, this was Fender’s entry-level USA-made Strat in 2006, designed to wear in naturally with authentic play wear and that's part of its rugged appeal. The Midnight Wine finish, discontinued by 2009, makes it somewhat rare today, and the 60th Anniversary designation adds historical swagger. With the Kent Armstrong HPAO-1Z modification, it’s a unique take on a working musician’s guitar, blending Fender’s heritage with personalized flair.