2024 marked the platinum anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster, a significant milestone in the history of this guitar, as the world’s most famous electric guitar turned 70.

To celebrate the anniversary, ten artists — Nile Rodgers, Ari O’Neal, Tom Morello, Mateus Asato, Tyler Bryant, Rebecca Lovell, Simon Neil, REI, Tash Sultana, and Jimmie Vaughan — came together in the Fender’s campaign hero film, “Voodoo Child: Forever Ahead of Its Time.” ​
​The video offered a diverse take on Jimi Hendrix’s classic riff which smartly shows the breadth and depth of the Strat’s use in the hands of both classic and contemporary artists adding new life to one of its most legendary riffs, with a breakneck mix and rotating cast to hold your interest. 

The set design itself paid tribute to Jimi’s legendary Live in Maui performance, further enhancing the homage to the iconic history of the Stratocaster guitar.
​

Alongside the main marketing clip, Fender also filmed “Strat Sessions,” featuring Buddy Guy with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Yngwie Malmsteen. Strat Sessions aimed to capture the essence of each artist’s unique connection with the Fender Stratocaster.
From April 22 to June 22, Fender also introduced a 3 month-long giveaway celebration titled “Show Us Your Strat.” This campaign invited guitarists from the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia to share their personal Strat stories for a chance to win one of seventy 70th Anniversary Stratocaster guitars or design their dream Custom Shop Strat. 

Fender also released a book by Dave Hunter titled Fender “Stratocaster: 70 Years,” which delves into the comprehensive history of this iconic guitar, covering its groundbreaking and evolving features, the Custom Shop, and the legendary musicians closely associated with the Stratocaster. The book was richly illustrated with rare archival photos and vintage advertisements from Fender archives.

To celebrate the anniversary, many factory Stratocasters — such as the American Professional II, American Ultra, and the Player I and II models — manufactured in 2024 featured the 70th Anniversary logo on the back of the headstock. These regular production guitars should not be confused with the official anniversary Stratocasters released by Fender in the same year.

The headstock of a regular Stratocaster manufactured in 2024 sported the anniversary logo, although it was not an anniversary model

Although Fender kickstarted the celebrations in late 2023 with a new finish for the Player and American Professional II Stratocasters — the Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst — and by launching the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster, other four factory models and five Custom Shop anniversary models were released to pay homage to the brand’s flagship double-cut design.

Regarding the 2024 Anniversary Stratocasters, Andy Mooney said: “After 70 years, the Stratocaster guitar is the electric guitar most often played by today’s artists, on stage, in studio, and at home. Our goal with the Anniversary collection is to celebrate players at every level, from beginner to virtuoso, and recognize the far-reaching impact of this very special instrument.”
“These 70th Anniversary models encapsulate everything that a player, whether beginner or seasoned veteran, seeks in a Stratocaster,” said Justin Norvell EVP of Product. “Recognizing the Strat guitar’s history as more than just a guitar but as a tool for progress and sonic exploration, we equally prioritize the inclusion of features tailored to meet the player’s evolving needs. This blend of tradition and innovation not only celebrates the rich heritage of the Stratocaster but also signifies our ongoing commitment to being the torchbearer in the evolution of this beloved guitar — a responsibility we hold with the utmost reverence and dedication.”

On the left side, the 70th Anniversaty Player Stratocaster and, on the right side, the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster, both described below. In the center of the photo, the regular Player and American Professional II Strats in the special color 2-Tone Sunburst

Anniversary Factory Models

70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster

For the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster, Fender chose a flame maple top with a 4-ply Tortoise Shell pickguard to add a touch of elegance. They aimed to showcase the stunning woodgrain while paying homage to tradition with a new transparent burst finish. The goal was to create a finish that transitioned from a rich reddish burgundy to a warm amber center. After several rounds of spraying, Fender R&D achieved the final result: Comet Burst.
As the regular American Pro II Strat, the anniversary edition also featured the same upgraded 2-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block for increased sustain, and a push/pull switch on second tone control that added the neck pickup to the signal no matter what switch position you were using.
Unlike the regular version, the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster was equipped with locking tuners and boasted a trio of new 70th Anniversary V-Mod II Single-Coils by Fender’s pickup guru, Tim Shaw.
​

70th Anniversary American Ultra Stratocaster HSS

The 70th Anniversary American Ultra Stratocaster HSS finish was the result of the Fender paint department experimenting with paint that featured both flop and metallic flake. After countless rounds of testing, they perfected the formula and offered multiple color options. The Amethyst finish selected for the Anniversary model boasts a stunning prism-like effect that shifts between various shades of lavender and purple. In sunlight, it dazzled with brilliance.

The prism-like effect of the fisnish of the 70th Anniversary America Ultra Strat HSS

The Anniversary American Ultra model featured two unique elements not found on the regular American Ultra HSS Strat: a Quadra Tap humbucker instead of a Double Tap, and a Vintage/Hot voicing option. The Quadra Tap humbucker was a pickup that offered four distinct voicings, controlled by two S-1 switches. The volume S-1 switch split the humbucker into a noiseless single-coil-style pickup, while the second S-1 switch on the first tone knob toggled between vintage and hot voicings — whether in full humbucking or split mode.
​The 70th Anniversary Quadra Tap humbucker's vintage voicing produced less output than the Double Tap humbucker in the American Ultra HSS, while its hot voicing delivered a higher output than the American Ultra HSS Double Tap humbucker.
When the American Ultra HSS Double Tap humbucker is split, it is no longer noiseless (it became a true single-coil). In contrast, both split modes of the 70th Anniversary QuadraTap humbucker — Vintage and Hot — feature a Noiseless stack.
So, the best way to describe it is the 70th Anniversary Quadra Tap is a passive pickup with four voicings — Hot and Vintage humbucker modes, and Hot and Vintage Noiseless single-coil modes.
​

70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster

The ash-bodied 70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster in 2-Color Sunburst exuded vintage allure, featuring a 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage frets, mini-skirt knobs, a “football” pickup switch, and rounded edges on the pickup covers.
​The profile of the chunky 1-piece maple neck was called “1954 C,” although it felt more like a D shape. It was a welcome alternative to the divisive “V” profile found on the regular American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster or the slimmer, more standard “C” shapes common on many modern necks.

The ash body of the American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster

The saddles were stamped with “FENDER PAT.PEND.,” while the Kluson-style tuning machines were branded with “FENDER” along the centerline, resembling the Kluson “single-line” tuners used since mid-1956, rather than the vintage-correct Kluson “no-line” used in 1954. However, this minor inaccuracy can be overlooked.
It was equipped with a trio of 70th Anniversary 1954 Single-Coil Strat pickups, built around Alnico 3 magnets and pretty quiet.

70th Anniversary Player II Stratocaster

The Nebula Noir finish found on the 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster was another experimental color that could transform from black into a galaxy of red, blue, and purple stars when the light hit it just right.
At first, the sparkle in this color was subtler — just a faint touch of shimmer. However, Fender experts wanted the Anniversary model to truly stand out, so they experimented with different levels of saturation and finally developed this stunning finish. The white pearl pickguard and black plastic parts added a nice touch to the whole package.
The Anniversary Player boasted some additional tasty upgrades, such as a bone nut, a rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges, and a trio of Pure Vintage ’59 single coils.

Nebula Noir finish of the body of 70th Anniversary Player Stratocaster in detail

70th Anniversary Vintera II Stratocaster

For the large head 70th Anniversary Vintera II Stratocaster, Fender marketing chose the uncommon Antigua finish.

The antigua anniversary strat

In the late 1960s, Fender introduced the Coronado model as their hollow-body guitar option.  The Coronado II was a version of this instrument equipped with two pickups.
The guitar's double-bound body presented some production difficulties at the time, and Fender discovered that the bodies frequently showed minor scorch marks during the binding process. Instead of discarding the bodies, Fender created a finish that would conceal the scorch marks, the iconic Antigua finish.

The earliest examples of the Antigua finish differ significantly from later versions. The original finish featured a much darker edge burst with a more greenish-yellow center. In the late '70s, Fender revived the Antigua finish and applied it to various models, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Precision Bass. This later Antigua finish had a more grayish-green hue with a lighter edge burst.
Another cool detail from Fender was painting the pickguard to match the body.
The distinctive color of the paint, combined with Fender's decision to match the pickguards, makes these Antigua instruments truly unique and one of the most polarizing finishes Fender has ever offered.
The Antigua finish wasn’t applied to a large number of units, making it somewhat rare.

Custom Shop aNNIVERSARY mODELS

Limited Edition 70th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster

The Limited Edition 70th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster stripped the Fender flagship model down to its core elements, boasting a two-piece ash body with offset seams on the treble side and a one-piece quartersawn maple neck, shaped to a 07/54 Soft “V” modeled after an exceptional Strat neck from July 1954.

It was equipped with a trio of Custom Shop hand-wound ‘54 Strat single-coils wired to a classic '54 Strat wiring (without tone control for the bridge pickup) with wax paper cap, but a five-way switching.
Authentic first-year Strat details included a single-ply white pickguard and a back plate with serial-number, 1954-style ABS white pickup covers, and short skirt control knobs. 
A vintage compound-radius fingerboard (7.25” to 9.5”) with 21 medium vintage frets and a 1.625” bone nut made it more player-friendly.
This model is available in several versions, each offering varying levels of wear and tear, including Time Capsule, NOS, Deluxe Closet Classic, Relic, Journeyman Relic, Heavy Relic, and Super Heavy Relic, all in a Wide-Fade Two-Color Sunburst finish.

The Custom Shop 70th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster was available in different levels of wear (Photo Courtesy Chicago Music Exchange)

Limited Edition 1954 Hardtail Stratocaster DLX Closet Classic

For those who didn’t like floating bridges, the Fender Custom Shop also released a hardtail version known as the Limited Edition 1954 Hardtail Stratocaster DLX Closet Classic.
The tonewoods used were the same as in the previous model, and the only notable differences were the gold hardware, a strings-through-body hardtail with bent steel saddles, and additional color options beyond the Wide-Fade Two-Color Sunburst. These new options included Dirty White Blonde, Faded Aged Shell Pink, India Ivory, and Faded Aged Canary Yellow.
This guitar featured a two-piece ash body with an offset seam on the treble side, paired with the same 07/54 soft “V”-profile quartersawn maple neck. It also included a 7.25”-9.5” vintage compound radius fingerboard, a bone nut, and the familiar hand-wound ‘54 single-coil pickups.

Courtesy of Haggerty's Music

Limited Edition 1954 Roasted Stratocaster Journeyman Relic

The Limited Edition 1954 Roasted Stratocaster Journeyman Relic, elevated the vintage vibe, blending “1950s-inspired aesthetics with other premium features.” Notable details include a trio of Custom Shop Hand-Wound '54 Single-Coil Strat pickups, a gold anodized pickguard, ABS white pickup covers, and a Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo bridge.
In terms of construction, it mirrored the other models mentioned but featured a 07/54 soft “V”-shaped roasted one-piece maple neck and a classic 9.5” fingerboard radius rather than a compound radius.
The two-piece select ash body (with an offset seam on the treble side) was available in Natural Blonde, Desert Tan, Aged Black, Cimarron Red, Desert Sand, and Wide-Fade Chocolate 2-Color Sunburst.

Courtesy of Guitar Maverick

Limited Edition Fat 1954 Stratocaster Relic with Closet Classic Hardware

The Limited Edition Fat 1954 Stratocaster Relic with Closet Classic Hardware, by comparison, offered a standard relic treatment while offering a broader range of aesthetic options for those who wanted the ‘54 style without the traditional sunburst finish. This model was available in Aged White Blonde, Aged Black, Faded Aged Surf Green, and Aged Arctic White.
Otherwise, it maintained the classic ‘54 Strat features, though it had a modern twist with the first Tone pot controlling both the neck and middle single-coils, rather than just the neck pickup.
It also featured a trio of Custom Shop Fat ‘50s pickups, a 9.5” radius fingerboard, a 07/54 soft “V”-shaped quartersawn maple neck, a two-piece ash body, and vintage-inspired, era-accurate hardware.

Courtesy of Empire Music

Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Stratocaster NOS

With the Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Stratocaster NOS, Fender offered an “elevated” take to the standard two-tone sunburst template, instead delivering a contemporary Aged Bright Sapphire Metallic finish.

That was paired with a two-piece alder (not ash, notably) body, a 10/56 “V”-shaped one-piece 4A flame maple neck, and a 21-fret 9.5”-radius fingerboard with abalone dots.
​The guitar was equipped with a trio of Custom Shop hand-wound Fat ‘50s single-coils, which answer to a contemporary Vintage Modified Strat #2 with Tone Saver Bleed Wiring.
The gold hardware, including the vintage synchronized tremolo, pickup pole pieces, and vintage-style tuners, added a touch of elegance to the instrument, as well as the 11-hole single-ply pickguard, offered a blend of ‘50s and ‘60s styling.

Detail of the 70th Anniversary Stratocaster NOS. Even the pole pieces were gold.

Other "unofficial" anniversary models

In addition to the official Anniversary Stratocaster models released by Fender, some dealers took the opportunity to commission their own unique versions of the Anniversary Stratocaster, each featuring distinctive specifications that set them apart from the standard models. These dealer-ordered versions included a Nocaster Blonde with Black Pickguard Stratocaster, Hard-Tail versions in finishes such as White Blonde or Aztec Gold, or a Fat ‘50s version with a vintage-compound radiused fingerboard.

---

​​​MAIN SOURCES
- Fender Newsroom: Fender Press Releases & Products Updates
- Fender catalog​
- Interview with Fender Product Management Team (FPMT) posted on 18 Jul 2024 in Guitar Center site
- Interview with Justin Norvell by Matt Parker published 5 March 2024 on Guitar World
- Guitars inspection and photos