There are many reasons to feel excited about 2024’s imminent arrival, but for guitar fans there’s only one: the 70th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster. With the Strat’s status as (arguably) the most iconic electric guitar ever made, we expect Fender to have plenty of grand plans in place to celebrate this incredible milestone over the next 12 months or so. Happily, the famed luthier isn’t wasting any time, kicking things off early with a number of lust-worthy new additions to the Stratocaster range, including a pair of limited-edition guitars and a handsome anniversary colour option for established models.
Fender is starting the party in style with a pair of limited-edition 70th Anniversary instruments: the 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster and the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster. These two models represent dramatically different takes on the Strat in terms of aesthetic and hardware (and pricing too), but each is a Stratocaster down to its very bones.
70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster
The 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster is a thoroughly modern-looking take on the Strat. It features an immaculate Nebula Noir finish, modern “C” profile maple neck, and 9.5-inch radius rosewood fingerboard. According to Fender, the guitar’s Pure Vintage ’59 Single-Coil Strat Pickups offer “rich, articulate tones that fit any genre,” while the 2-Point Tremolo and ClassicGear Tuners provide the tuning stability needed “to explore endless sonic possibilities.” The 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster is also the more accessibly priced of the two new Strats with an RRP of AUD$1,799.
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70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster
For those looking for a more upmarket Strat experience, the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster is a seriously premium piece of kit. You’ll struggle to find a better-looking guitar in 2024 thanks to its alder body, stunning flame maple top and Comet Burst finish. It’s just beautiful. These looks are backed by the luxurious feel of a deep “C” neck with smooth rolled fingerboard edges, along with a “Super-Natural” satin finish and sculpted neck heel for a maximum comfort and easy access to the upper frets. This package is completed by the rich, dynamic tones of a trio of 70th Anniversary V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat pickups. For the privilege of playing such an elite instrument, you’ll have to part with AUD$3,699.
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2-Colour Sunburst Finish
In addition to these exciting new models, Fender is introducing a classic-looking new Anniversary 2-Colour Sunburst finish to its established Player Stratocaster and American Professional II Stratocaster lines. Each is available with both a maple and a rosewood fretboard, with Fender asking AUD$1,299 for the Player Strat and AUD$3,299 for the Professional II Strat.
While it’s hard for us to wrap our heads around the fact that it will have been seven decades next year since Fender’s revolutionary electric guitar first found its way into the hands of players, we’re very excited to see what Fender has in store. It’s difficult to quantify just what a seismic impact the Stratocaster has had on our global culture and the course of history throughout its existence. That might sound like an exaggeration, but if you really think about it, what would the world look like if Jimi Hendrix hadn’t fallen in love with the Strat and wielded it in the way he did? If that isn’t something worth throwing a year-long party for, we don’t know what is.
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