Authoritatively written and lavishly illustrated Fender Stratocaster ® 70 Years is the
officially licensed anniversary celebration of this legendary guitar. Ever present in the
music world the Fender Stratocaster® guitar is also an icon of popular culture its attractive
lines and innovative features as forward-looking today as they were when Leo Fender introduced
the guitar to the world in 1954 . In Fender Stratocaster ® 70 Years musician and guitar
historian Dave Hunter traces Stratocaster® guitars across seven decades and into the present
beginning with Leo Fender’s triumph of mid-century design originating in his modest shop in
Fullerton California. From there Hunter explores: Groundbreaking features of the new design
in the context of the contemporary guitar market and Fender’s existing Telecaster ® guitar.
The Stratocaster’s solidbody three-pickup configuration “tremolo” bridge bolt-on neck and
contoured body as well as the roles that country pickers played in the guitar’s early
development. Design improvements undertaken throughout the Stratocaster’s first decade such as
the introduction of a rosewood fingerboard and Custom Color options to complement the initial
Sunburst finish. CBS’s 1965 acquisition of Fender and its effects on company culture and the
Stratocaster as well as the 1985 acquisition of Fender spearheaded by a group of employees.
The creation of the Fender Custom Shop and that elite group’s relationship to the Stratocaster
over the years. Fender’s forward-thinking combination of vintage specs and materials with
modern features in Stratocaster guitars that offer classic styling and current conveniences.
Along the way Hunter contextualizes the evolving Stratocaster within the contemporary guitar
industry and shows the relationships that admired players throughout the decades have enjoyed
with this guitar including Jeff Beck Eric Clapton Dick Dale Jimi Hendrix Yngwie Malmsteen
Bonnie Raitt Stevie Ray Vaughan Buddy Guy and H.E.R.—to name a few! Illustrated throughout
with rare images from the Fender archives Fender Stratocaster 70 Years ® treats readers to
rare behind-the-scenes views of the shop floor and Custom Shop throughout the years studio
imagery of the guitars rare period advertising and brochures and performance images of Fender
players. Often imitated but never duplicated the Fender Stratocaster® remains a triumph of
design more than seven decades on. This is the official and definitive illustrated story of
this guitar—and a must-have for every guitar enthusiast.
