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Description

The Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster is a celebration of timeless design and musical innovation. This limited-edition guitar pays homage to a rich legacy while offering players a fresh experience with its distinctive Silver Stratocaster finish. Crafted with a contoured alder body, this guitar is designed for both style and comfort, ensuring ease of play for hours on end. The classic maple "C" profile neck provides a smooth and familiar feel that Strat enthusiasts will appreciate.

Equipped with traditional Strat single-coil pickups, the 25th Anniversary Stratocaster delivers the bright, articulate tones that have defined countless genres. The master volume, dual tone knobs, and five-way pickup switch offer versatile sound shaping, making it perfect for everything from blues to rock. A commemorative neckplate and an "Anniversary" graphic on the body make this guitar not just an instrument, but a collector's piece that stands out in any collection.

Whether you're crafting new melodies or revisiting classic riffs, the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster is a tribute to the past and a bridge to the future, ensuring your music resonates with authenticity and character.

Key Features:

  • Contoured alder double cutaway body in Silver Stratocaster finish
  • Maple "C" profile neck with maple fretboard
  • Strat single-coil pickups
  • Master volume, dual tone knobs, five-way pickup switch
  • Commemorative neckplate and "Anniversary" graphic on body

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model 25th Anniversary Stratocaster
Finish Silver Metallic, White Pearlescent
Year 1979 - 1980
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Silver, White
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple
Model Family Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What makes the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster unique compared to other Stratocasters?

The Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster features a distinctive Silver Metallic finish and was produced in limited numbers between 1979 and 1980, making it a collectible piece. It retains the classic Stratocaster design with an SSS pickup configuration and a maple fretboard, offering a blend of vintage aesthetics and iconic Fender tones.

How does the pickup configuration of the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster affect its sound?

The Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster features an SSS (single-coil, single-coil, single-coil) pickup configuration, which provides bright, clear tones characteristic of classic Stratocasters. This setup is versatile for genres like rock, blues, and funk, delivering the signature chime and quack Stratocasters are known for.

Is the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster is a high-quality instrument with collectible value, its classic Stratocaster design makes it playable for beginners. However, due to its vintage status and value, it may be better suited for collectors or experienced players looking for a unique piece.

What type of wood is used in the construction of the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster?

The Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster features an alder body and a maple neck and fretboard. Alder is known for its balanced tone with strong mids and excellent sustain, while maple adds clarity and brightness to the sound.

Does the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster is equipped with a tremolo bridge, allowing players to achieve pitch modulation effects and enhancing the guitar's expressive capabilities.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

These Rare Strats Have Been Sealed Since 1979! | NOS 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

Video thumbnail for These Rare Strats Have Been Sealed Since 1979! | NOS 25th Anniversary Stratocaster by The Trogly's Guitar Show

These Rare Strats Have Been Sealed Since 1979! | NOS 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for 1979 Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1979 Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for A Unique Surprise on this 70s Strat! | 1979 25th Anniversary Stratocaster Silver Review + Demo by The Trogly's Guitar Show

A Unique Surprise on this 70s Strat! | 1979 25th Anniversary Stratocaster Silver Review + Demo

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for 1979 Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary, Part1 by GregsGuitars

1979 Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary, Part1

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Vintage 1979 Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster Electric Guitar Porsche Silver by Morrell Music Company

Vintage 1979 Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster Electric Guitar Porsche Silver

Morrell Music Company

Morrell Music Company

Video thumbnail for Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary 1979 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg &Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary 1979 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg &Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary 1979 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg & Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Stratocaster 25th Anniversary 1979 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg & Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster 1979 gear demo by Max Guitar B.V.

Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster 1979 gear demo

Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar B.V.

Video thumbnail for 1979 25th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster and a 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue: Match Made in Heaven? by Nick Sandy

1979 25th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster and a 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue: Match Made in Heaven?

Nick Sandy

Nick Sandy

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional pickup quality, producing clear and versatile tones

  • Features a rare and collectible 4-bolt neck design

  • High playability with smooth action

  • Holds value well, seen as a future classic

  • Unique and distinctive aesthetics with anniversary logo

  • Skinny neck provides a comfortable alternative for players used to thicker necks

CONS

  • Heavier than many other electric guitars

  • Finish prone to discoloration over time

  • Large headstock may not appeal to everyone

  • Some found the 3-bolt neck design to lack stability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster.

Build quality

  • The water-based finish on early models disintegrates quickly; Porsche Silver tends to fade to a green/golden hue over time.

    Source
  • The ash body contributes to a heavier weight, approximately 4-5 kg, which is heavier than typical Strats but comparable to 70s models.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The neck pickup is notably loud, even when almost flush with the pickguard, providing a powerful output compared to other guitars.

    Source
  • The original "ashtray" bridge cover, often lost, is a unique feature that some owners wish modern guitars would include.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find the neck of the 25th Anniversary Stratocaster exceptional for playability, making it one of the best playing guitars they've had.

    Source
  • The "ANNIVERSARY" print on the body is a divisive feature; some appreciate its charm, while others are glad it was discontinued in later models.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the sentimental value and legacy of the guitar, often associating it with personal memories and history.

    Source

Other

  • The larger headstock from the 70s era is a distinctive feature that stands out in the design of the guitar.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
ellisbass

Amazing tone and quality.

It's my favorite guitar, when I played it for the first time, I loved the tone.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Rory Gallagher uses Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

Rory Gallagher

Guitarist, Singer

Taste

...
Verified via The Official Site of Rory Gallagher

Featured in a page on Gallagher's official website. It was notably used on Jinx.

Fender representatives Don Johnston and Larry Newman presented Rory with a brand new Pearl White 25th Anniversary Strat in New York in November 1979.

They thought I couldn’t afford a nice and clean guitar, and they were slightly embarrassed by the finish (of the 1961 Stratocaster) so they gave me a lovely white Anniversary Strat – which I used in the studio a lot. It has a great sound, but the odd thing is that nowadays the people are no longer offended by the look of the old guitars, because Adrian Belew has this old battered one, and late Stevie Ray Vaughan had a sunburst Strat with all the finish gone. But it was very nice of them to give me the white Strat. I must play it on stage now, and it’s began to loose some of the finish – the white shine.

Rory Gallagher – Interview (Strat Masters)

The guitar was produced by Fender in 1979 as a limited run to celebrate the 25th year of production. The Strat featured a four-bolt maple neck with a large headstock and Sperzel tuners, standard Strat synchronized tremolo and three single-coil pickups. The first batch of 500 guitars was sprayed in a white finish that happened to turn yellow over-time, so Fender quickly changed it to a custom silver paint which was used on the rest of the 10,000 guitars which were produced under this line. Rory’s guitar was serial number #000004

Rory used this guitar mainly in the studio, more precisely on the album “Jinx”. Although he does not use a tremolo arm on his main Strat, the Anniversary Stratocaster tremolo was used in the studio by taking out two of the five springs from the back. Upon receiving the guitar he also removed the finish from the back of the neck and re-fretted it with larger frets to better fit his style of playing.

I was honored to receive a Strat from the Fender Company and I used it to record some of the tracks on ‘Jinx.’ But the first thing I did was to remove all the finish off the neck and put in some heavy frets. I also removed the middle tone pot – so it operates like a Telecaster.

February 1985 issue of Guitarist

See how Ariel Pozzo uses Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

Ariel Pozzo

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Ariel bought this guitar years ago, he stated the next about it "Esta es la guitarra que yo veía cuando pegaba la nariz al espejo en la tienda de guitarras cerca de mi casa cuando era chico". See min 9:52.

See how Paul Chapman uses Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

Paul Chapman

Guitarist

UFO

...
Verified via Facebook

Paul Chapman is shown with a Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster in a photo shared on his Facebook page.

See how Mark Day uses Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster

Mark Day

Guitarist

Happy Mondays

...
Verified via Photoshelter

At The Sunday Sessions in Scotland 2018, Mark Day of Happy Mondays played a Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster, customized with a Floyd Rose tremolo and a locking nut, as documented by Stuart Westwood Photography.

Album Usage

The Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender 25th Anniversary Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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