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ANNIVERSARY STRAT
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE FENDER COMMEMORATIVE MODEL STRATOCASTER
The Guitars
The ANNIVERSARY STRAT book is almost sold out now and there are less than 100 copies of the original 1,954 books remaining. So for those who may miss out on a copy, here is very brief taster of what is covered in the 20 chapters that form Part 1 of my ANNIVERSARY STRAT book (A4 size large format, 340 pages, 174 photographs). Of course a lot more detailed information and images can be found in the actual book. By the way, there are 25 additional chapters about the Fender people who design and build the guitars in Part 2 of the book.
Best wishes and rock on!
Gary Davies
Author & Publisher of ANNIVERSARY STRAT
July 2022
For more information about the author (me) click HERE to visit my personal website.
Click on any photo to see a larger version.
Chapter 1 - 25th Anniversary Stratocaster
These first Fender guitars to be issued in a Limited Edition Anniversary Series carry a six-digit serial number prefixed with 25, and are numbered sequentially. Consequently, the numbering system offered a potential range of between 250000 and 259999. . .
. . . Even though the bodies of the first five-hundred or more Anniversary Strats that shipped from the factory were painted in what was officially named Pearl White, that wasn’t the original plan. From the outset the intention was for the anniversary guitar bodies to be painted silver. . .
. . . While the vast majority of anniversary models are owned by regular mortals, at least a few of these commemorative instruments have found their way into the skillful hands of some legendary artists. Even the late, great Rory Gallagher owned and played a 25th Anniversary Stratocaster. Fender representatives Don Johnston and Larry Newman presented Rory with a Pearl White version when the Irishman performed in New York during November 1979.
. . . Even though the bodies of the first five-hundred or more Anniversary Strats that shipped from the factory were painted in what was officially named Pearl White, that wasn’t the original plan. From the outset the intention was for the anniversary guitar bodies to be painted silver. . .
. . . While the vast majority of anniversary models are owned by regular mortals, at least a few of these commemorative instruments have found their way into the skillful hands of some legendary artists. Even the late, great Rory Gallagher owned and played a 25th Anniversary Stratocaster. Fender representatives Don Johnston and Larry Newman presented Rory with a Pearl White version when the Irishman performed in New York during November 1979.
Chapter 2 - 35th Anniversary Stratocaster
The desire to build a special instrument resulted in the selection and use of some exotic tonewoods. However, the unusual specification of this guitar isn’t purely external, because various internal electronic components also set this anniversary model apart from others.
Every 35th Anniversary Strat incorporates Fender’s midrange boost control and TBX tone control, and boasts three Silver Fender Lace Sensor pickups. A mini two-position mid-boost on/off switch is located between the two tone knobs; it allows the player to switch between active and passive modes. When the so-called emergency switch is used to select the passive mode, the volume knob is bypassed. . .
. . . Perhaps because they appeal to collectors and there aren’t too many of them these anniversary models aren’t often seen on stage (although Travis Tritt has been photographed on stage with a particularly attractive quilt top 35th Anniversary Strat).
Every 35th Anniversary Strat incorporates Fender’s midrange boost control and TBX tone control, and boasts three Silver Fender Lace Sensor pickups. A mini two-position mid-boost on/off switch is located between the two tone knobs; it allows the player to switch between active and passive modes. When the so-called emergency switch is used to select the passive mode, the volume knob is bypassed. . .
. . . Perhaps because they appeal to collectors and there aren’t too many of them these anniversary models aren’t often seen on stage (although Travis Tritt has been photographed on stage with a particularly attractive quilt top 35th Anniversary Strat).
Chapter 3 - 90th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Stratocaster
After the design for the layout and style of engraving was approved it was passed on to engravers Ron Chacey and Louis Alegre.
Ron Chacey is a highly respected and self-taught engraver who has worked on various Fender Custom Shop projects. He reckons he may have engraved about a hundred of the Harley bodies, and explains the difference between the two styles was that Louis “used a liner engraver to do wriggle lines, which looked very nice close up.” Because Ron used “deep bright cuts with heavy wriggle lines as filler” he says his engraving on those instruments was a little more flashy, and therefore could be seen more clearly at a distance.
While Louis Alegre may not have engraved the majority of Harley Strat bodies, the work the skilled engraver undertook for high-end jewelry stores and the projects he worked on for the Fender Custom Shop were always greatly appreciated. Besides applying his skills to the US Olympic Ceremony torch in 1984, Louis also engraved the SRV Strat pickguards and trumpets for the bands Sol de México, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Ron Chacey is a highly respected and self-taught engraver who has worked on various Fender Custom Shop projects. He reckons he may have engraved about a hundred of the Harley bodies, and explains the difference between the two styles was that Louis “used a liner engraver to do wriggle lines, which looked very nice close up.” Because Ron used “deep bright cuts with heavy wriggle lines as filler” he says his engraving on those instruments was a little more flashy, and therefore could be seen more clearly at a distance.
While Louis Alegre may not have engraved the majority of Harley Strat bodies, the work the skilled engraver undertook for high-end jewelry stores and the projects he worked on for the Fender Custom Shop were always greatly appreciated. Besides applying his skills to the US Olympic Ceremony torch in 1984, Louis also engraved the SRV Strat pickguards and trumpets for the bands Sol de México, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Chapter 4 - 40th Anniversary Playboy Stratocaster
Pamelina H went on to hand-paint and sign each one of the one hundred and seventy-five Playboy Marilyn Monroe Strats. At first glance all the Marilyns may look identical but as a combination of airbrush and paintbrush techniques were used, on careful inspection some slight variations are revealed.
The Californian artist thinks she was “painting Marilyn” for almost a full year. There is no way to tell how long it took to paint each one because Pamelina would “do them ten at a time.” Basically she would spray one color on all the pieces, go back and spray another color and then begin adding the finer details on each. Painting the same thing over and over was tiring and exhausting, so Pamelina would take on a couple of other projects whenever they’d come along to break things up. She would work on the guitars in her studio at home but also became a part of the Fender “family“ as a result of her frequent visits.
The Californian artist thinks she was “painting Marilyn” for almost a full year. There is no way to tell how long it took to paint each one because Pamelina would “do them ten at a time.” Basically she would spray one color on all the pieces, go back and spray another color and then begin adding the finer details on each. Painting the same thing over and over was tiring and exhausting, so Pamelina would take on a couple of other projects whenever they’d come along to break things up. She would work on the guitars in her studio at home but also became a part of the Fender “family“ as a result of her frequent visits.
Chapter 5 - 40th Anniversary Diamond Dealer Limited Edition Series Stratocaster
Ultimately, it was Ron Chacey who hand-engraved all the 40th Anniversary Diamond Dealer pickguards. . .
. . . While the official run of Diamond Dealer Anniversary Strats amounted to one hundred and fifty pieces, Ron confirms he actually engraved one hundred and seventy-four pickguards. The engraver also recalls he produced a further three “special” versions of the pickguard; one of those special pieces was for himself and the other two were for “people within Fender.” The pickguard on Ron’s personal 40th Anniversary Strat is unique, and he explains the engraving on his is “a bit fancier” than the normal version. Another reason why Ron’s own Diamond Dealer Strat is different from all the others is because it carries the serial number RC01, which of course incorporates his initials. Evidence of Ron’s superlative hand-engraving skills can also been seen on the bodies of the Harley-Davidson, and Aloha Strats, and also on “quite a few” one-off custom builds.
. . . While the official run of Diamond Dealer Anniversary Strats amounted to one hundred and fifty pieces, Ron confirms he actually engraved one hundred and seventy-four pickguards. The engraver also recalls he produced a further three “special” versions of the pickguard; one of those special pieces was for himself and the other two were for “people within Fender.” The pickguard on Ron’s personal 40th Anniversary Strat is unique, and he explains the engraving on his is “a bit fancier” than the normal version. Another reason why Ron’s own Diamond Dealer Strat is different from all the others is because it carries the serial number RC01, which of course incorporates his initials. Evidence of Ron’s superlative hand-engraving skills can also been seen on the bodies of the Harley-Davidson, and Aloha Strats, and also on “quite a few” one-off custom builds.
Chapter 6 - 1954 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Stratocaster
Priced at $1,849.99 and only available during 1994, this limited run version in two-tone Sunburst was significantly more expensive than the typical factory model of the day. While the retail price was high for a factory Strat in the 1990s, there are plenty of reasons why this guitar was more costly to make than a regular factory-built instrument. A select ash body was specified and the attractively grained and painted body was also given that non-standard (at least as far as the factory was concerned) nitrocellulose finish. The research and development process, plus various other non-standard touches on the guitar would also have increased the cost of manufacture. This model came fully protected within a standard black hardshell case that sports a 40th Anniversary plaque on the exterior. Inside the molded case was an abundance of accessories and ephemera including a vintage-style strap and cable, copies of the 1954 catalog and the original advertisement for the Strat, an owner’s information sheet, and even a reproduction of the original introductory letter to Fender dealers from Don Randall. If the copies of the original documentation were not quite enough to mentally transport the owners back in time to 1954, the replica of the original brown 1950s poodle case that was also included as part of the bumper package might have done the trick.
Chapter 7 - 50th Anniversary Eric Clapton Stratocaster Signature Model
While other Fender instruments would later be produced with similarly adorned bodies, for various reasons none would ever precisely match the piece made especially for Eric. Owned by the acclaimed British guitarist from 1996 until 2004, the bespoke 50th Anniversary Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model is fitted with a four-bolt neck plate engraved with Fender 50th Anniversary and the serial number EC1. The Strat’s two-piece alder body is coated in twenty-three karat gold leaf and protected by a clear polyester finish. Unsurprisingly the choice of hardware including that special commemorative neck plate was gold, and naturally the classy one-piece neck was formed from the most carefully selected flame maple. Logically for a working guitar with a twenty-two fret neck the truss rod adjustment is located on the headstock, and the blade switch is the more modern and versatile five-position version. On the other hand, in keeping with the mid-1950s contoured body this Strat gained a few vintage-style elements including the tuners, although as Mark Kendrick explains the headstock profile and body perimeter of EC1 “were not vintage correct.” Mark also admits he was never one for master builder signature decals and points out, “None of the guitars I built for Eric (or any artist prior to 1998) had signature decals.”
Chapter 8 - 50th Anniversary Relic Stratocaster Limited Edition
During 1996 the Custom Shop produced a limited edition run of two hundred 50th Anniversary Relic Stratocasters. Unlike many of the anniversary models that celebrate the birth of the Strat, this particular run commemorated the formation of the company established by Leo Fender in 1946. Introduced in January ’96 and discontinued a year later, this Custom Shop Diamond Dealer Limited Edition Series model also has the distinction of being the first Fender anniversary guitar to have been aged. . .
. . . As befits a guitar designed to celebrate a golden anniversary, the alder body of the 50th Anniversary Relic Stratocaster Limited Edition is finished in Aztec Gold. Matching aged gold hardware includes a vintage-style tremolo bridge with ashtray cover, and vintage Kluson tuning keys. The soft V shape highly figured one-piece neck is crafted from limited edition grade birdseye maple.
. . . As befits a guitar designed to celebrate a golden anniversary, the alder body of the 50th Anniversary Relic Stratocaster Limited Edition is finished in Aztec Gold. Matching aged gold hardware includes a vintage-style tremolo bridge with ashtray cover, and vintage Kluson tuning keys. The soft V shape highly figured one-piece neck is crafted from limited edition grade birdseye maple.
Chapter 9 - 75th Anniversary Disney Stratocaster
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE PHOTOS OF THIS AMAZING GUITAR IN THE BOOK, BUT I DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION FROM DISNEY TO SHOW THE COPYRIGHTED IMAGES ON THIS WEBSITE
Mickey Mouse features prominently on the front of the 75th Anniversary Disney Strat’s uniquely carved and painted alder body, and there’s no doubt he’s enjoying the limelight. Carved in relief and illuminated by the glow of the open book he’s standing on, Mickey is joined by other popular Disney characters including Dumbo, Pinocchio, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Mufasa from The Lion King, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Custom Shop master artisan George Amicay undertook the skilled carving and inlay work, while the magical imagery was created by Disney artist Chris Schnabel. Both George and Chris added their signatures to the one-of-a-kind piece that doesn’t utilize a pickguard for obvious reasons. A three-dimensional Tinker Bell carved from mother of pearl hovers on the tip of the headstock; with a wave of her magic wand the feisty little character casts a sprinkling of fairy dust (aka pixie dust) across the front of the headstock, and all the way along what is said to be a one-piece maple neck hiding under all that artwork.
Mickey Mouse features prominently on the front of the 75th Anniversary Disney Strat’s uniquely carved and painted alder body, and there’s no doubt he’s enjoying the limelight. Carved in relief and illuminated by the glow of the open book he’s standing on, Mickey is joined by other popular Disney characters including Dumbo, Pinocchio, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Mufasa from The Lion King, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Custom Shop master artisan George Amicay undertook the skilled carving and inlay work, while the magical imagery was created by Disney artist Chris Schnabel. Both George and Chris added their signatures to the one-of-a-kind piece that doesn’t utilize a pickguard for obvious reasons. A three-dimensional Tinker Bell carved from mother of pearl hovers on the tip of the headstock; with a wave of her magic wand the feisty little character casts a sprinkling of fairy dust (aka pixie dust) across the front of the headstock, and all the way along what is said to be a one-piece maple neck hiding under all that artwork.
Chapter 10 - 35th Anniversary Mustang Stratocaster
This Custom Shop project commemorated thirty-five years of the American sports car that made its debut on April 17, 1964. Even though the early Ford Mustangs were manufactured alongside other ‘64 Fords before the start of the 1965 production year, they were marketed as ‘65 models. As a result, those earliest examples of the Mustang that rolled out of the Ford factory are known as the 1964½ model. As part of the anniversary celebrations the Fender Custom Shop produced a run of thirty-five Mustang Strats under the Limited Edition Series banner, and Ford came up with what was modestly described in the official media release at the time as a souped-up Mustang GT convertible. In fact, the metallic silver automobile was highly customized by Classic Design Concepts. As the Strat incorporated components from the car, Ford returned the compliment by integrating certain elements of the anniversary model guitar within the convertible’s design. Twenty of the thirty-five Custom Shop Strats immediately found homes with Ford executives. The remaining fifteen guitars went to lucky concert-goers at each stop of the Mustang Rhythm of the Road tour, and one extremely fortunate member of the audience won the custom Mustang GT convertible.
Chapter 11 - 50th Anniversary 1954 Master Built Stratocaster
In addition to ensuring the necessary tooling and machinery was in place to build accurate replicas of those early Strats, difficult decisions needed to be made about some of the key elements of the early instruments that were not entirely consistent back in the day. The variation in the bodies and especially in the necks from one original ’54 Strat to another meant there would need to be an agreement on the final specification of the anniversary model.
While all the master builders would be called upon to build some 50th Anniversary Strats during 2004, it was Chris Fleming who led the build. This was his first Fender Custom Shop project after returning from a spell at Guild, and it became an interesting though somewhat demanding challenge to say the least. It was the lead builder’s job together with George Blanda, to go through the original guitars that had been made available and give them a thorough inspection. When recalling others who were involved and also their approach to the challenge Chris explains, “Dan Smith and Mike Eldred were running the Custom Shop together at the time. So we decided to go to town and get as close as we could to the original.” As far as the research was concerned George Blanda did most of the investigations into the pickup covers and control knobs. They also had an original pickguard analyzed to get the right combination of styrene in the plastic to give it the right feel. As Chris points out the analysis was extended to every aspect of the instrument including the electronic components, “We also did a lot of research on the pickups, so those were pretty unique at that time.” Looking back to the early days of the project Chris recalls, “I got it started in ‘03 obviously, to have it ready for release in 2004.” In the initial stages Chris focused on the builder-related issues, while George Blanda undertook a lot of the research.
While all the master builders would be called upon to build some 50th Anniversary Strats during 2004, it was Chris Fleming who led the build. This was his first Fender Custom Shop project after returning from a spell at Guild, and it became an interesting though somewhat demanding challenge to say the least. It was the lead builder’s job together with George Blanda, to go through the original guitars that had been made available and give them a thorough inspection. When recalling others who were involved and also their approach to the challenge Chris explains, “Dan Smith and Mike Eldred were running the Custom Shop together at the time. So we decided to go to town and get as close as we could to the original.” As far as the research was concerned George Blanda did most of the investigations into the pickup covers and control knobs. They also had an original pickguard analyzed to get the right combination of styrene in the plastic to give it the right feel. As Chris points out the analysis was extended to every aspect of the instrument including the electronic components, “We also did a lot of research on the pickups, so those were pretty unique at that time.” Looking back to the early days of the project Chris recalls, “I got it started in ‘03 obviously, to have it ready for release in 2004.” In the initial stages Chris focused on the builder-related issues, while George Blanda undertook a lot of the research.
Chapter 12 - 50th Anniversary American Series & Deluxe Stratocasters
It was no surprise that Fender pulled out all the stops to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Stratocaster in 2004. Although the Custom Shop Master Built 1954 was the flagship product, such a top of the line instrument was clearly above the budget of many buyers. Of course as usual Fender had the situation covered, and a range of commemorative model Strats was pro- duced at various price points. Once the Master Built project was under way Mike Tonn explains he was able to focus his attention elsewhere, “I moved forward with the decision-making on the American Standard version of the 1954, the American Deluxe version, and the golden 50th Anniversary version made in Mexico that we would release in the summer of 2004.” . . .
. . . While it aimed to attract potential owners with some popular vintage-style features, the 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster was also designed to appeal to what Fender describes as the modern player. Carrying a price tag of $1,499.99 the Series version was only available between January 15 and December 31, 2004. . .
. . . Keen as always to supply instruments that meet the needs and preferences of a range of players, Fender offered potential buyers various commemorative model options throughout 2004. Priced at $1,713.99 the 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster was available in both right-handed and left-handed versions. Like the American Series Anniversary Strat the Deluxe is a factory-built Limited Release model, which means no specific production numbers were stated and the guitars were only built for a specific period of time. In common with its Series sibling, officially this model was only available between January 15 and December 31, 2004.
. . . While it aimed to attract potential owners with some popular vintage-style features, the 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster was also designed to appeal to what Fender describes as the modern player. Carrying a price tag of $1,499.99 the Series version was only available between January 15 and December 31, 2004. . .
. . . Keen as always to supply instruments that meet the needs and preferences of a range of players, Fender offered potential buyers various commemorative model options throughout 2004. Priced at $1,713.99 the 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster was available in both right-handed and left-handed versions. Like the American Series Anniversary Strat the Deluxe is a factory-built Limited Release model, which means no specific production numbers were stated and the guitars were only built for a specific period of time. In common with its Series sibling, officially this model was only available between January 15 and December 31, 2004.
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