Description
PRELOVED Fender Highway Series Parlor Spruce
Excellent preloved condition. Includes Fender gig bag. Previous owner artwork has been added to the rear of the headstock.
The Fender Highway Series Parlor is one of Fender's more interesting modern acoustic designs, combining a compact parlor body with an unusually slim 2.25-inch depth, solid Sitka spruce top, chambered mahogany body and Fishman Fluence electronics.
The result sits somewhere between the feel of an electric guitar and the response of an acoustic. It's slim and comfortable against the body, has a shorter 24.75-inch scale, and is particularly easy to transition to if you spend most of your time playing electric guitar.
This example presents in excellent overall condition and includes a Fender gig bag. The previous owner has added some artwork to the rear of the headstock, so please see our photos for the exact appearance.
A Very Different Kind of Acoustic
At just 2.25 inches deep, the Highway Series is considerably thinner than a conventional acoustic guitar.
Fender hasn't simply made a standard acoustic shallower. The body uses a chambered mahogany construction with a solid spruce top and tapered floating X-bracing, designed as a complete system around the reduced body depth.
The Parlor version keeps the overall dimensions compact as well, making this an exceptionally comfortable guitar for seated playing, performing or anyone who finds a full-depth acoustic cumbersome.
Solid Sitka Spruce Top
The solid Sitka spruce top gives the guitar a clear, responsive attack, while the chambered mahogany body adds warmth and body to the sound.
Being such a shallow instrument, it isn't intended to sound exactly like a traditional full-depth parlor or dreadnought. The Highway has its own character, particularly when plugged in, and that's really the point.
It's an acoustic-electric designed from the outset with amplified performance in mind.
Fishman Fluence Acoustic Electronics
Plugged in, the Highway Series uses a specially designed Fishman Fluence Acoustic system.
The all-analog electronics are designed to capture the acoustic character of the instrument while offering the consistency and feedback resistance needed for live performance.
Controls are kept deliberately simple with Volume and Contour, so you can shape the plugged-in sound without having a large preamp panel cut into the side of the guitar.
For gigs, rehearsals or recording direct, this is a big part of what makes the Highway Series appealing.
Familiar Feel for Electric Guitar Players
The Highway Series feels noticeably different from many traditional acoustics.
Its C-profile mahogany neck, 24.75-inch scale, 12-inch fingerboard radius and 20 Narrow Tall frets give it a modern, familiar playing feel.
The shorter scale reduces string tension slightly compared with Fender's familiar 25.5-inch electric scale, while the slim body sits much closer to you.
If you're primarily an electric guitarist who has never quite felt at home on a bulky acoustic, this is well worth trying.
Excellent Preloved Condition
This particular Fender Highway Series Parlor presents in excellent overall condition.
There is one obvious cosmetic modification worth pointing out. A previous owner has added artwork to the rear of the headstock.
This does not affect the operation or playability of the guitar, but it is part of this individual instrument and should be considered when purchasing. Please have a close look through our photos for the exact appearance and overall condition.
A Fender gig bag is included.
Key Features & Specifications
- Fender Highway Series Parlor
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Chambered mahogany back and sides
- Parlor body shape
- 2.25" / 57mm body depth
- Tapered floating X-bracing
- Satin polyester body finish
- Mahogany neck
- Bolt-on neck construction
- C neck profile
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 12" fingerboard radius
- 24.75" / 629mm scale length
- 20 Narrow Tall frets
- Graph Tech TUSQ nut
- 1.6875" / 42.86mm nut width
- Modern Viking bridge
- Fishman Fluence Acoustic electronics
- Volume and Contour controls
- Fender ClassicGear tuners
- Made in Mexico
- Fender gig bag included
- Excellent overall preloved condition
- Previous owner artwork added to rear of headstock
What Does It Sound Like?
The Highway Parlor has a clear, immediate and focused acoustic voice rather than the big low-end response you'd expect from a full-depth dreadnought.
Its smaller body works nicely for fingerstyle playing, lighter strumming and singer-songwriter applications where you don't necessarily need a huge acoustic sound filling every bit of space.
Plug it in and the design makes even more sense.
The Fishman Fluence system gives you a practical amplified sound without needing to put a microphone in front of the guitar, making the Highway particularly well suited to live performance.
Who Is It For?
The Highway Series Parlor is a great option for players who want an acoustic-electric that doesn't feel like a conventional acoustic.
It's particularly worth considering for:
- Electric guitarists wanting an easy transition to acoustic
- Singer-songwriters
- Gigging acoustic players
- Players who prefer smaller-bodied guitars
- Anyone who finds traditional full-depth acoustics uncomfortable
- Players who primarily intend to use their acoustic plugged in
It's also an interesting alternative to Fender's Acoustasonic range. The Highway is still fundamentally an acoustic guitar, but its slim body and stage-focused design give it some of the same crossover appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fender Highway Parlor a full-size guitar?
Yes. Although the body is compact and only 2.25 inches deep, this isn't a miniature or 3/4-size guitar. It uses a 24.75-inch scale length and feels like a proper full-size instrument.
Is the top solid timber?
Yes. This version has a solid Sitka spruce top.
Is it thinner than a normal acoustic guitar?
Considerably. The body is only 2.25 inches / 57mm deep, which is one of the defining features of the Highway Series.
Is it good for electric guitar players?
Very much so. The slim body, C-profile neck, 12-inch radius, Narrow Tall frets and shorter 24.75-inch scale make it feel relatively familiar to someone coming from an electric guitar.
What pickup system does it use?
It features a Fishman Fluence Acoustic pickup system with Volume and Contour controls.
Where is the Fender Highway Series made?
The Highway Series is made in Mexico.
Does this guitar come with a bag?
Yes. This preloved example includes a Fender gig bag.
What's the artwork on the headstock?
A previous owner has added custom artwork to the rear of the headstock. It is a cosmetic modification rather than factory decoration. Please see the listing photos for exactly what has been added.
Our Take
The Fender Highway Series Parlor is interesting because Fender hasn't simply tried to make another traditional acoustic.
The 2.25-inch chambered body, short scale, modern neck and Fishman Fluence system make it particularly appealing for electric guitarists and gigging players who want an acoustic that's comfortable, easy to amplify and doesn't feel enormous when you pick it up.
This example is in excellent overall condition and includes a Fender gig bag. The previous owner artwork on the rear of the headstock gives this particular guitar a little individuality, but we've made sure it's clearly photographed so you know exactly what you're getting.
Visit us at Colemans Music in South Melbourne to see and play it, or shop online with fast shipping Australia-wide.
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