Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week 25
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • As It Was preset
  • Don't Give Up
  • Ron Wood's drum secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Laney Lionheart Foundry Super60
Guitar Amps "There’s something incredibly satisfying about playing through this amp": Laney Lionheart Foundry Super 60 112 review
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Guitars Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
Fender Vintera II Road Worn 60s Telecaster
Guitars Fender’s Vintera II Road Worn series has Golden Era vibe, tone and feel with era-correct pickups and aged nitro finishes
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Electric Guitars Fender Ultra Luxe Vintage '60s Stratocaster review
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage Series
Guitars Fender mixes old-school mojo with 21st-century playability for the American Ultra Luxe Vintage range
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster Road Worn
Electric Guitars “It’s clear that the influence of the Custom Shop’s attention to detail is now making its way to the Mexican-made instruments”: Fender Limited Edition Vintera II Jazzmaster Road Worn review
Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut in Wychwood greenburst finish
Electric Guitars "For garage, punk, and rock styles, it’s got the tonal firepower on offer": Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut review
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
PRS SE Studio Standard
Electric Guitars "The SE Studio Standard not only looks amazing, but it also delivers an incredible playing experience that keeps you coming back for more": PRS SE Studio Standard review
Gretsch Electromatic CVT: The bolt-on double-cut assumes a familiar form to the Jack Antonoff signature model, and features dual humbuckers, a wraparound tailpiece, and some neat vintage finishes.
Guitars Like the Jack Antonoff signature Gretsch? Then you are going to love the CVT Electromatic
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 in 2025: Affordable electrics
Rick Graham is photographed in a dark setting with a warm stagelight in the background; he holds his new signature electric guitar, a shell-pink S-style with a reverse headstock
Artists Charvel and Rick Graham team up for Pro-Mod signature model with relic'd nitro cult colour finish
Strandberg Boden N2 Original
Electric Guitars "A versatile, brilliantly engineered machine that will have your back, no matter what the gig": Strandberg Boden N2 Original review
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
  1. Guitars
  2. Electric Guitars

In pictures: Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster unboxed

News
By Michael Brown ( Total Guitar ) published 24 April 2014

Meet the Strat that's as good as gold

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

60 DAYS OF STRAT: If you’ve been perusing the pages of MusicRadar lately, you may have noticed that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Stratocaster.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Fender has launched a number of commemorative models, but Squier has got in on the action, too, with its own affordable Classic Vibe version.

We’ve managed to get hold of one of these golden wonders, so here, we’ll take you through what makes this Strat so special…

For the full review of the Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster, check out Total Guitar issue 254, on sale 12 May.

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

This is one flashy guitar, all right. Squier calls this finish Aztec Gold – it’s certainly got the opulence factor

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

All the hardware is gold-plated – including the vintage-style Synchronized vibrato, and even the scratchplate screws

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

That’s a trio of custom vintage-style Strat single coils, which aim to evoke tones worthy of the model’s 50s vibe

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Whether it’s Fender or Squier, each anniversary instrument features a laser-engraved gold neckplate

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

You got it: gold machineheads adorn the headstock

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

60 years on, the Strat still has the power to excite

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
 
 
Fender Vintera II Road Worn 60s Telecaster
Fender’s Vintera II Road Worn series has Golden Era vibe, tone and feel with era-correct pickups and aged nitro finishes
 
 
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Fender Ultra Luxe Vintage '60s Stratocaster review
 
 
Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage Series
Fender mixes old-school mojo with 21st-century playability for the American Ultra Luxe Vintage range
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Fender Vintera II 50s Jazzmaster Road Worn
“It’s clear that the influence of the Custom Shop’s attention to detail is now making its way to the Mexican-made instruments”: Fender Limited Edition Vintera II Jazzmaster Road Worn review
 
 
Latest in Electric Guitars
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1959 Les Paul Custom: a the dual-pickup Custom was a lesser-spotted model in the Gibson catalogue in the '50s – they didn't make many of them. But Bonamassa presents us with one and this 'Black Beauty' is equipped with a Bigsby.
Epiphone raids Joe Bonamassa’s Nerdville archive for another reproduction of a vintage unicorn
 
 
The legendary luthier Ken Parker in his workshop with one of his groundbreaking archtop designs.
Ken Parker, the visionary luthier behind the Parker Fly, has died, aged 73
 
 
Korn's Brian 'Head' Welch and James 'Munky' Shaffer show off their new Ibanez signature 7-strings
Korn’s Head and Munky unveil new Ibanez 7-strings – and explain how it all comes back to Steve Vai
 
 
Dave Davis pictured on the left in black-and-white, circa 1964, playing a Guild semi-hollow and singing into the mic; Dave Davies pictured from behind, slashing a speaker to show us how he got the distorted tone on You Really Got Me.
“So, Dave, how do I slash the amp?”: Dave Davies picks up a razor and slashes a speaker on camera to demonstrate how he got the Kinks’ iconic proto-fuzz guitar tone
 
 
A still from KHDK's Instagram reel with the logo emblazoned over one of the stompbox company's new and as-yet-unannounced and unreleased electric guitar designs.
KHDK Electronics makes pedals for metal's biggest stars; now it's going to make electric guitars too
 
 
Latest in News
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
 
 
Apple M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch
Apple announces its new M5 chip and puts it in the MacBook Pro 14-inch, iPad Pro and Vision Pro headset
 
 
modx m
Yamaha's MODX M synth squeezes the power of the Montage M into a more affordable package
 
 
brian eno
"It felt fitting to broadcast it into the unknown, into dark matter": Brian Eno to beam his new album into space tonight
 
 
DJ Seth Troxler performs on stage during the Primavera Sound Festival at Distrito Anhembi on November 5, 2022
“It’s just too emotional”: Seth Troxler is offering €10 an hour to anyone willing to help him clean up his vinyl
 
 
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 20: Musician D'Angelo plays a private concert at a media event announcing updates to the music streaming application Spotify on May 20, 2015 in New York City. The latest updates include the ability to stream video content, podcasts and radio programs as well as original songs for the application. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Jacob Collier, Flea and many more pay tribute to D'Angelo
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...