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Average Price: $979

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Discover the perfect blend of tradition and innovation with the Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar. This American-made classic takes the iconic Telecaster design and injects it with fresh energy, making it an ideal companion for both vintage enthusiasts and modern players alike. Featuring jumbo frets that offer effortless playability, this guitar is built for those who love to bend and slide with precision. Its vintage-style pickups deliver that unmistakable Tele twang with a touch of warmth, ensuring it cuts through any mix with clarity.

The Highway One Telecaster boasts a sleek satin lacquer finish that not only looks stunning but also allows the wood to resonate more freely, enhancing its natural tone. The 3-saddle bridge adds to its retro charm and provides that classic Tele sustain that players crave. Whether you're strumming chords or picking out intricate solos, this guitar offers a rich, dynamic sound that stays true to its roots while giving you the freedom to explore new musical landscapes.

Perfect for the gigging musician or studio artist, the Highway One Telecaster is a reliable workhorse that won't break the bank. Its no-frills design makes it a straightforward choice for those who value quality craftsmanship and authentic sound.

Key Features:

  • American-made Telecaster design
  • Jumbo frets for smooth playability
  • Vintage-style pickups for classic Tele tone
  • Satin lacquer finish for enhanced resonance
  • 3-saddle bridge for traditional sustain and feel
  • Ideal for both live performances and studio recordings

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Highway One Telecaster
Finish 3-Color Sunburst, Daphne Blue, Flat Black, Honey Blonde Transparent, Midnight Wine Transparent
Year 2006 - 2011
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape T-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Yellow
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Model Family Fender Telecaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender Highway One

FAQs

What kind of neck profile does the Fender Highway One Telecaster have?

The Fender Highway One Telecaster features a modern "C" shape neck profile, which is designed for comfortable playability and fast action, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

What type of pickups are used in the Fender Highway One Telecaster?

The Highway One Telecaster is equipped with two single-coil pickups, providing the classic Telecaster twang and bright, articulate tones ideal for genres like country, rock, and blues.

Is the Fender Highway One Telecaster suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Fender Highway One Telecaster is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile tonal range, making it an excellent choice for players looking to explore various music styles.

What is the finish of the Fender Highway One Telecaster, and how does it affect the sound?

The Highway One Telecaster features a satin lacquer finish, which allows the wood to resonate more freely, enhancing the guitar's natural sustain and tonal clarity.

Can the Fender Highway One Telecaster handle high-gain settings?

While primarily designed for clean and mid-gain tones, the Highway One Telecaster can handle higher gain settings, though it excels in producing clear, bright tones often associated with cleaner genres.

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Fender Highway One Telecaster

Video thumbnail for Fender Highway One Telecaster by N Stuff Music

Fender Highway One Telecaster

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for 2004 Fender Telecaster Highway One Guitar Review Scott Grove by Groovy Music Lessons

2004 Fender Telecaster Highway One Guitar Review Scott Grove

Groovy Music Lessons

Groovy Music Lessons

Video thumbnail for Fender Highway One Telecaster Guitar Demo by drowninginguitars

Fender Highway One Telecaster Guitar Demo

drowninginguitars

drowninginguitars

Video thumbnail for FENDER HIGHWAY ONE TELECASTER by KRAZEEIZATION

FENDER HIGHWAY ONE TELECASTER

KRAZEEIZATION

KRAZEEIZATION

Video thumbnail for Fender Highway One Telecaster 2006 Daphne Blue by 2tu Guitars

Fender Highway One Telecaster 2006 Daphne Blue

2tu Guitars

2tu Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender USA Highway One Telecaster  3ToneSunburst by brusheight

Fender USA Highway One Telecaster 3ToneSunburst

brusheight

brusheight

Video thumbnail for Fender Highway One Tele - The guitar that wouldn’t stay away! by KRAZEEIZATION

Fender Highway One Tele - The guitar that wouldn’t stay away!

KRAZEEIZATION

KRAZEEIZATION

Video thumbnail for Fender Highway One VS American Special - Telecaster Battle! by KRAZEEIZATION

Fender Highway One VS American Special - Telecaster Battle!

KRAZEEIZATION

KRAZEEIZATION

Video thumbnail for Highway One Telecaster (2003) Reviewed by Guitars and Music

Highway One Telecaster (2003) Reviewed

Guitars and Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Affordable alternative to more expensive American Telecasters

  • Nitrocellulose finish ages beautifully, offering a unique aesthetic

  • Comfortable neck with a modern fretboard radius and jumbo frets

  • Versatile pickups suitable for various styles from clean tones to rock

  • Vintage style hardware with an ash body for classic appeal

  • Dependable and solid feel, ready to play out of the box

  • Offers a genuine American-made Telecaster experience

  • Great quality for the price with a distinctive relic look

CONS

  • Matte lacquer finish may not appeal to everyone

  • Stock pickups may require upgrading for traditional Tele sounds

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar.

Build quality

  • The Highway One Telecaster features a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish, leading to natural wear over time, especially on the body’s edges.

    Source
  • It's noted that the Highway One series initially had a stigma as the "cheap" USA-made option, but perceptions have improved due to its solid build and tone quality.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • This model from 2009 is equipped with Deluxe Drive pickups, contributing to its unique tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • The Greasebucket tone circuit is a standout feature, offering a unique tonal quality that sets the Highway One Telecaster apart from other models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar’s finish allows it to wear in comfortably, making it ideal for players who appreciate a naturally aged aesthetic.

    Source
  • Highway One Telecasters are favored for their aging process, making them ideal for players seeking a naturally worn aesthetic reminiscent of vintage guitars.

    Source
  • The Highway One Telecaster pairs well with amps like the Supro Blues King 12 and the DSL40CR, enhancing its tonal versatility across genres.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • $700 is considered a fair price for a Highway One Telecaster, with current market values typically ranging from $700 to $900.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that real wear on the body is common, due to the thin finish, enhancing its vintage appeal.

    Source
  • Owners report that the satin nitrocellulose finish on Highway One Telecasters contributes significantly to their "road worn" look after about two years of regular gigging.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The honey blonde color of the Highway One Telecaster is often compared to Jimmy Page's '59 Telecaster, minus the iconic mirrors or dragon artwork.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Highway One Telecaster review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Fender's Highway One Telecaster is a solid entry-level USA-made guitar offering players noteworthy upgrades without a price hike. At £599, it delivers classic Telecaster tones with a twist, thanks to its improved nitrocellulose finish and upgraded electronics including hotter single-coil pickups and the versatile Greasebucket tone circuit. While it's not perfect—minor construction issues like a repeated screw hole were noted—the guitar's tonal range and playability make it a compelling choice for blues, country, and pop musicians. It's a must-try for those seeking an authentic American Fender experience.

positive
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 38 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jamesonlane

This has been my number one guitar for the last seven years. It might be number one forever.

I bought this guitar in 2011 for $700 brand new. Since my purchase, this thing has seen many stages and played thousands of songs. The pickups are on pointe and will not be upgraded in the future. The bridge has that classic Tele twang; The neck is warm, yet clear. Fender really got it right with the neck on this guitar. It has a satin finish, along with the body. There is no stickiness, and every note is reached easily and well-pronounced. Over the years, it has seen lots of wear and tear. It is aging to perfection. If you play rock and roll, country, pop, jazz, blues, or whatever, this guitar might be your new best friend. Although they have been discontinued (and they are much different than the American Special), you can find them on REVERB for a reasonable price.

dezb1

Classic straight ahead tele

Been my main guitar for 13 years, its everythung a Tele should be maple neck, nitro finish like it was in the beginning

jacktrouble

Nice

heavily relic'd and modded... but a very distinctive guitar

pandacup

Great sounding instrument

Love the guitar, love the looks, I just don't like the width of the jumbo frets. Sounds great as well. Has an American feel to it but at a lower price.

H

Definition of a diverse, work horse.

Malleable to anything needed. The most dependable and solid feeling guitar in personal opinion.

V

Great tone, great feel, solid player

Excellent guitar. Virtually ready to go whenever with no issues!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jack White uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The Raconteurs

...
Verified via YouTube

The Fender Highway One Tele is Jack White's guitar of choice in the video for Freedom At 21. A good look at the headstock can be had at 1:13 into the video. Some good shots of the entire guitar can be seen starting at 1:44. A look at the body at 2:08 reveals single coil pickups are being used, which resemble those on a stock Telecaster.

See how Myles Kennedy uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Myles Kennedy

Singer, Guitarist

Alter Bridge

...
Verified via Photo

The IG URL linked is a picture of Myles playing a sunburst telecaster at a live show in the Manchester Arena. In the comments, Myles replies to @mattsguitarshop and says "yes sir. A Fender Highway One I found on eBay that I ended up writing a lot of the new record with." This was in December 2019, so he was referring to the 'Walk the Sky' album. He also uses a reliced (or legitimately old?) black tele of unverified manufacture during that tour, as seen on various videos, including https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugPiJmbXVb8 - he plays it for the majority of the show, but for timestamp purposes: 1:31:05.

See how Pete Doherty uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Pete Doherty

Guitarist, Singer

The Libertines

...
Verified via YouTube

Pete used this for around half his songs in a recent gig at Albert hall in Manchester.

See how Gem Archer uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Gem Archer

Guitarist

Oasis

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:31 in this video, Gem can be seen using a Telecaster for "Wonderwall".

See how Daniel Caesar uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Daniel Caesar

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Google

Early in his career, Daniel Caesar is seen playing a blue Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar.

See how Elvis Kuehn uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Elvis Kuehn

Singer, Guitarist

FIDLAR

...
Verified via YouTube

Used for slide on this performance of "Why Generation" on KEXP

See how James Blunt uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

James Blunt

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

James Blunt can be seen playing a Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar tuned down to Eb in a photo from Warnerartists.

See how Brian Venable uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Brian Venable

Guitarist

Lucero

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0.54 in this rig rundown Brian talks about his Highway One Tele.

See how Tom Peters uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Tom Peters

Guitarist

Alpha Male Tea Party

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1.22 he discusses this guitar

See how Josh Boyken uses Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar

Josh Boyken

Guitarist

...
Verified via Facebook

Josh Boyken was seen playing a Fender Highway One Telecaster during a live performance, as documented on Chasing The Pacific's Facebook page.

Album Usage

The Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Highway One Telecaster Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
thiswillhavetodo

thiswillhavetodo

Gear IQ 553

george_nikas

george_nikas

Gear IQ 88

janis_aslanidis

janis_aslanidis

Gear IQ 177

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