For those who aren’t aware, Squier recently released a brand new Stratocaster from the 40th Anniversary Series. I had the pleasure to test it out on my own, so I feel like I’m in a good spot to share some of my thoughts with you.
The truth is that this Stratocaster offers an amazing tone and an exceptional look. It is a great alternative to well-known and reputable models from the Classic Vibe Series.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what makes this guitar so special. Of course, there will be a sound demo too, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds. Hopefully, today’s article will help you to figure out if this model will be the right fit for you.
Specs & Pricing
Here’s a fact – it is the newest Strat announced by Fender earlier this year. The guitar features a lightweight nyatoh body, a comfortable C-shaped neck, vintage-style hardware with golden pickguard and three single-coil Fender-Alnico pickups.
Interestingly, Squier decided to put pearloid block inlays on the fretboard for this model. This is an unusual feature, because the vast majority Squier and Fender guitars offer dot inlays.
When it comes to tone, it’s really versatile – just like any other Stratocaster. Three single-coil pickups offer a wide range of sounds, so it’s suitable for most of genres of music. The guitar is very similar to the Classic Vibe Stratocaster, but it’s much more aesthetically pleasing. There is something really cool and elegant about this look.
What’s interesting, Squier released the 40th Anniversary Stratocaster in three different colors:
- Ruby Red Metallic
- Lake Placid Blue
- Sienna Sunburst
When it comes to pricing, it’s not that cheap. Nevertheless, that’s understandable – it’s a brand new model that compete with the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster. Still, I think that it’s definitely worth it, because it offers a really good quality and attention to detail.
I recorded a quick video review and sound demo for you to check out. If you think it’s helpful, consider subscribing to my channel – there are a lot of other gear reviews in there!
Who Is That Strat For?
Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is made specifically for passionate musicians who are looking for a reliable, great-sounding and beautifully made piece of gear.
What’s important, this is a really versatile guitar, so it can be used for a wide range of genres. Whether you’re into jazz, blues, rock or indie – it will be an excellent choice, that’s fore sure.
In addition, it can be used by both amateur and more advanced players. You can easily play gigs with that Strat or even record in the studio.
What about the disadvantages?
The main disadvantage of that axe is the price. Since it’s a brand new model announced just a few weeks ago, it’s significantly more expensive than the rest of the Stratocasters offered by Squier.
Quality issues are another thing that you may experience if you decide to get this guitar. But to be honest, this type of stuff occurs in all Squier guitars made in Indonesia and China. Their stock setup is usually poor and it requires a bit of adjusting. My Strat had problems with the buzzing B string, but it quickly went away after fixing.
Some people may say that this guitar is basically the same as the Classic Vibe Strat and I understand their point of view. Why pay more if you can get something similar at a much lower price?
Well, I think that this guitar is one-of-a-kind. I’ve seen a lot of Squier guitars in the past, but this is definitely one of their best-looking models. I guess that its elegant look is the main factor that makes it more expensive than the rest!
40th Anniversary Strat vs Classic Vibe Strat
In comparison with the Classic Vibe Series, the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster seems to be really similar.
Both guitars feature the same Fender-Alnico single-coil pickups and vintage-style hardware. Nevertheless, the 40th Anniversary Series is more unique, because it offers a really unique aesthetic with golden pickguard.
When it comes to tone, it’s also really similar – mainly because of the Fender-Alnico pickups. Of course, just like all other Stratocasters, both 40th Anniversary and Classic Vibe Strats are very versatile.
Still, it is worth mentioning that the necks of these guitars offer a different feel. Both of these models have a gloss finish, which some guitarists consider as sticky. Nevertheless, I think that the neck of the 40th Anniversary guitar is less sticky than the Classic Vibe guitar. I compared it on my Jazzmasters and the difference was quite significant.
So if you don’t like necks with gloss finish, I think that the neck of Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster will be a much better choice for you.
About The 40th Anniversary Series
40th Anniversary Series was announced by Fender earlier this year. The company celebrates 40 years of making guitars with the Squier logo, so they decided to create a limited edition series of guitars.
What’s important, Squier offers 40th Anniversary models of all guitar types – that includes Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jaguars and basses as well. Unfortunately, the company didn’t decide to release a 40th Anniversary Mustang.
The main characteristics of 40th Anniversary Series guitars are: pearloid block inlays, golden hardware, golden pickguards and vintage gloss finish.
If you’re interested, you can check out the full list of Squier 40th Anniversary guitars on the official website of Fender.
My Thoughts About This Series Of Guitars
Okay, we already established that the Strat from this series of guitars is pretty good, but what about the other guitars? To be honest, all of them feature pretty much the same quality, so they share the same issues.
The main problem with the 40th Anniversary guitars is their setup – most of the time they need a little bit of adjusting. I’ve seen it on Jazzmasters and Telecasters from this series too.
So generally, these guitars are fantastic and they look great, but you have to be aware that they may require some work (especially if you want to get the most of them.
For those who are interested, make sure to check out my YouTube channel – all video reviews of these guitars are in there! Here’s the Jazzmaster video.
FAQ
Where is the 40th Anniversary Strat made?
The 40th Anniversary Strat is currently manufactured in Indonesia.
Are Squier guitars worth it?
Squier guitars are absolutely worth! They’re inexpensive and they feature similar quality to Mexican-made Fenders. That says a lot, right?
Summary
As you can see, this new Squier Strat is a really unique guitar. Although it’s really similar to the Classic Vibe Strat, it seems that it’s will be a great choice for a lot of guitarists.
What do you think about that Stratocaster? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear what you think!
If you like the new Squier guitars, you should also definitely check out my review of Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster. I recorded a video review too, so you’ll be able to see and hear how it sounds.
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