70 Years of the Fender’s Stratocaster, The Guitar That Changed Artists’ Lives Around The World

Photo: Bonnie Raitt (Getty Images)

Fender is celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the most popular electric guitar of all time: the Stratocaster. 

• 10  revolutionary artists - Nile Rodgers, Ari O’Neal, Tom Morello, Mateus Asato, Tyler Bryant, Rebecca Lovell, Simon Neil, REI, Tash Sultana and Jimmie Vaughan - coming together in the brand’s campaign Hero Film, “Voodoo Child: Forever Ahead of Its Time;” a powerful testament to the Stratocaster’s enduring significance as a musical pioneer and the perfect homage to one of its most legendary riffs
• Additional content series’, including 'Strat® Sessions' whichhighlight musicians' unique connections with the iconic Strat®, and 'Icons of the Strat®' which honors legendary players
• From April 22-June 22, 'Show Us Your Strat®' invites the community to share stories for a chance to win exclusive guitars, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the iconic Stratocaster®.

Elsewhere for the anniversary, Fender is launching a series of Limited Edition Stratocasters and Fender Custom Shop models:

• The 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster® features a dazzling Nebula Noir finish along with a modern “C”-profile maple neck, 9.5” radius rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges, and Pure Vintage ‘59 Single-Coil Strat® pickups that offer rich, articulate tones perfect for any genre.

• The 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster® exudes elegance and class with a stunning flame maple top with Comet Burst finish. Standout features include a deep “C”-neck with smooth rolled fingerboard edges, sculpted neck heel that provides a comfortable feel and easy access to the upper register, 70th Anniversary V-Mod II single-coil Strat® pickups that deliver dynamic and expressive tones, and locking tuners.

• The 70th Anniversary Vintera® II Antigua Stratocaster® features an iconic Antigua finish with a hand painted matching pickguard. This model has a “U” shape maple neck based on a classic ‘70s profile, 7.25” radius rosewood fingerboard with vintage-tall frets, and a trio of 70th Anniversary Vintage-Style ‘70s Single-Coil Strat® pickups that deliver the perfect blend of warmth and bite. 

• The 70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster® in 2-Color Sunburst radiates vintage charm with a 7.25” radius fingerboard equipped with vintage frets and 70th Anniversary 1954 Single-Coil Strat® pickups that conjure authentic tones that sparkle and bark. Also featured is a single-ply pickguard with period correct pickup covers, switch tip and knobs.

• The 70th Anniversary American Ultra Stratocaster® HSS is an incredible sight to behold with its pearly iridescent Amethyst finish. The unique roasted maple neck with  “Modern D” profile, Ultra rolled fingerboard edges, speedy 10”-14” compound-radius fingerboard and 22 medium-jumbo frets offers effortless playability, along with the 70th Anniversary Ultra Noiseless^TM Strat® pickups and 70th Anniversary Ultra Quadra Tap^TM Humbucker that provide endless tonal possibilities. 

Fender Custom Shop Models:

• The Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Stratocaster® contains distinctively elevated features from the golden era of the Stratocaster®. Its two-piece select alder body delivers lively resonance and well-balanced tone and is decked out in gold hardware as well as an NOS lacquer finished striking Bright Sapphire Metallic.

• The Limited Edition 70th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster® wears a gorgeous Wide Fade Two-Color Sunburst lacquer finish and features a number of Custom Shop treatments with varying degrees of wear including Time Capsule, NOS, Deluxe Closet Classic, Relic®, Journeyman Relic®, Heavy Relic® and Super Heavy Relic. Its two-piece select ash body (with offset seam on the treble side) resonates with singing highs, sweet midrange and tight lows.

• The Limited Edition Fat 1954 Stratocaster® Relic® with Closet Classic Hardware has a two-piece select ash body that resonates with singing highs, sweet midrange and tight lows, clad in a ravishing Relic® lacquer finish in Wide Fade Two-Color Sunburst, Aged White Blonde, Aged Black and Super-Faded Aged Surf Green, and features slightly oxidized Closet Classic hardware for an authentically worn-in look.

• The Limited Edition 1954 Roasted Stratocaster® Journeyman Relic® wears a sensational Journeyman Relic® lacquer finish in Wide Fade Chocolate Two-Color Sunburst, Natural Blonde, ’55 Desert Tan, Aged Black, Cimarron Red and Aged Desert Sand. The two-piece select ash body (with offset seam on the treble side) resonates with singing highs, sweet midrange and tight lows.

• The Limited Edition 1954 Hardtail Stratocaster® DLX Closet Classic contains a two-piece select ash body (with offset seam on the treble side) produces lively resonance with singing highs, sweet midrange and tight lows, with sparkling gold hardware and wrapped in a gorgeous Deluxe Closet Classic lacquer finish in Two-Color Sunburst, Dirty White Blonde, Super/Super Faded Aged Shell Pink, India Ivory and Faded Aged Canary Yellow.