Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $2,267

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Celebrate four decades of sonic heritage with the Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster. This limited-edition masterpiece is a nod to the iconic 1954 model that revolutionized electric guitar design. Crafted for both collectors and performers, this Stratocaster features a select ash body that resonates with a rich, full-bodied tone. Its gradual V-shape maple neck ensures a comfortable and authentic playing experience reminiscent of the original models, while the warm '54 Vintage single-coil pickups deliver that classic, bell-like clarity Fender enthusiasts crave.

The instrument's aesthetic is just as captivating as its sound. Finished in a nitrocellulose two-tone sunburst, this Stratocaster exudes vintage charm with a modern twist. The commemorative neckplate adds a special touch, making each performance feel like a tribute to Fender's illustrious history. Whether you're hitting the stage or recording in the studio, this guitar offers unparalleled versatility and style.

Key Features:

  • Select ash body for robust, resonant sound
  • Gradual V-shape maple neck for comfortable playability
  • Warm '54 Vintage single-coil pickups for classic tone
  • Nitrocellulose two-tone sunburst finish
  • Commemorative neckplate for an added touch of history

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster.

Value and pricing

  • $900 is considered a low-end price for a 40th Anniversary Strat, comparable to new MIM Player models but with potential for better long-term value retention.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report consistent tuning stability with the floating tremolo on the 1994 model, highlighting its reliability in maintaining pitch.

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  • The 1994 40th Anniversary Stratocaster is praised for its crisp and bright sound, which appeals to those seeking a classic Strat tone.

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  • After upgrading to the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickups, one owner described the guitar as "amazing" and superior in quality to comparable price range models.

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Build quality

  • The 40th Anniversary Stratocaster is noted for its smooth fretboard and beautifully dressed frets, providing a superior tactile experience compared to lower-tier models.

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  • The satin finish on the guitar is noted as being uncommon among budget models, adding to its perceived value.

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Mods and upgrades

  • An owner replaced the stock pickups with Seymour Duncan SSL-5s, significantly enhancing the guitar's tone.

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Features and functionality

  • The 40th Anniversary model features a full-sized body, accommodating standard Fender tremolo block upgrades, unlike the smaller-bodied Affinity and Bullet models.

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  • The pickguard has a copper-like appearance, which complements the roasted maple neck and aged chrome hardware.

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Comparisons

  • The 40th Anniversary Stratocaster is likened to the Classic Vibe series, with better necks and hardware quality than the Affinity line.

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  • The roasted maple neck is particularly appreciated, setting it apart from other models like the Classic Vibe Strat.

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  • The 40th Anniversary Stratocaster is considered aesthetically superior in the Sonic Blue color, with the pickguard's subtle copper hue as a standout feature.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The D string buzzes due to hitting a fret, suggesting a need for professional setup to resolve string height inconsistencies and tremolo stiffness.

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Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jtheis

good guitar (chris)

(chris's guitar) blue 40th anniversary mexi-strat, with locking tuners,a floating bridge, and a maple neck with a walnut stripe down the neck, never goes out of tune.

darrenclewes

1994 and still going strong

Great guitar, again replaced the stock pickups with vintage output warman pickups. Always been my dropped d standard guitar and has a slightly darker sound than the red strat (which is always in drop c standard) I prefer the block saddles to the new edition bend steel saddles.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Eric Clapton uses Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Christies

Eric Clapton used the Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster at home, as noted in a listing by Christie's.

See how Lee Anderton uses Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster

Lee Anderton

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video the captain shows off the guitars he has in his collection. one of the guitars he owns is a 40th Anniversary strat. this guitar was made in 2004 to celebrate 40 years of the stratocaster. this model was reliced slightly in production by the master bulders at fender. Lee had it reliced even more by the techs at Andertons. he had this done after realizing how much he likes reliced guitars. the only other bit of moding the guitar has is a 5 way switch. The guitar originally came with a 3 way switch rather than a 5way

See how Shaun Verreault uses Fender 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster

Shaun Verreault

Singer, Guitarist

Wide Mouth Mason

...
Verified via YouTube

Sole guitar used to record "No Bad Days" and appeared frequently on tour of that album

Album Usage

The Fender 40th Anniversary Edition 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 40th Anniversary Edition Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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noizman

noizman

Gear IQ 169

centric_engineering

centric_engineering

Gear IQ 1293

centric_engineering

centric_engineering

Gear IQ 1293

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