New year, new guitars: Fender introduces the American Special Stratocaster. Designed as low-cost American-built guitar, it complements the Highway One series. Changes with respect to the Highway One Stratocaster are small: Gloss instead of flat finish and the popular Texas Special pickups, also used on the Road Worn series, but featuring the same ’70s styling with large headstock.

The model equipped with three single coils is available in two-tone sunburst and Candy Apple Red, maple fretboard only. The American Special is also available with a bridge humbucker. Color choices are then black and three-tone sunburst, with rosewood fretboard and black pickguard. Suggested prices are slightly higher than the Highway One’s.