Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition Review

Are you looking for a top-notch guitar without breaking the bank? Then you’ll love the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition!

This limited-edition guitar has sold over 10,000 units, making it a fan favorite. With a finely contoured Strat body and unique tonewoods, it’s a collector’s delight.

The Alnico V pickups and a 5-way switch give you a range of sonic options. Plus, the golden hardware, excellent playability, and great suitability make this guitar a must-have for any player.

Get ready to rock out with the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition!

Key Takeaways

  • Highly customizable design with a range of pickup options
  • Lightweight tonewoods and sleek design for high portability
  • Attention to detail and improved build quality in the 40th Anniversary edition
  • Suitable for intermediate players, beginners on a budget, and traveling musicians

Pricing

Although it’s not top-notch in this price range, the 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Stratocaster is still a great value for its features and build quality. Its pricing is a main superstar, offering a high-quality design, construction, and playability that’s hard to find at such an affordable price.

It’s a desirable model for non-professional players in 2022, and offers excellent value for money when compared to other guitars in its category. The gold-plated hardware is a nice touch, but may not be the highest quality.

Nevertheless, Squier has done a great job of providing a highly customizable Stratocaster that will meet the needs of a variety of players.

Woodwork & Design

You’ll drool over the finely contoured Strat body crafted in classic Fender tradition, complete with a unique choice of tonewoods and nyatoh body for lightweight. The maple neck and Indian laurel fingerboard provide smoothness and the lightweight tonewood selection make it highly portable.

Elegant block inlays and neck binding add to the suave design, while the gold-plated hardware lends a luxurious look. Not the highest quality in its price range, but the attention to detail and smooth fret edges demonstrate Squier’s dedication to quality.

The Strat honors the tradition of the legendary guitar, and the 95 fretboard radius will please vintage enthusiasts. Get ready for dream tones and endless hours of playability.

Electronics & Pickups

Equipped with Alnico V pickups and a 5-way pickup switch, the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition offers a wide range of sonic textures. The three single-coil pickups provide plenty of vintage tone options, while the 5-way switch allows for customization.

Although a humbucker in the bridge would have been a nice addition for high-gain players, this guitar still offers plenty of options. The pickups are responsive and have a smoothness that appeals to vintage guitar enthusiasts.

With these pickups, you can achieve depth and clarity, even when you crank up the amplifier. They retain their tone and offer versatility for players of all skill levels.

Hardware & Build Quality

Continuing from the electronics and pickups, the hardware and build quality of the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is drool-worthy with its gold-plated design. Attention to detail is evident in the craftsmanship with smooth fret edges and ironed out rough areas.

The hardware quality may not be top-notch, but Squier has done a great job in ensuring a great product at an affordable price. The sleek look of the gold plated components adds to the overall design and makes it a truly commemorative piece.

Despite the lightweight tonewood selection, the build quality has been improved to provide a good experience for those looking for a vintage feel. The high-quality craftsmanship of the 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Stratocaster is a testament to Squier’s dedication to quality.

Playability & Suitability

With its 95 fretboard radius, C-shaped neck, vintage-style synchronized tremolo, and non-floating bridge setup, the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is ready to honor the tradition of the Strat and Squier. This model is suitable for multiple genres, from classic rock, pop, and jazz to lo-fi, and is geared towards intermediate players and travelers.

There’s potential for professionals to invest in this model, and it’s also a great choice for beginners on a budget. Pros include the expressiveness of the C-shaped neck and dive bombs with the vintage-style tremolo, while cons may include 60 cycle hum problems for metal and high-gain genres.

All in all, this model offers a great playability and suitability experience, with its Pros and Cons targeting a wide range of target audiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is an impressive guitar with a great pricing point. It’s highly customizable with the 5-way pickup switches and a range of tonewoods, including lightweight nyatoh.

The sleek gold-plated hardware adds a touch of sophistication, while the C-shaped neck offers exceptional playability. The traditional Strat pickup configuration, vintage-style synchronized tremolo, and non-floating bridge setup provide vintage guitar enthusiasts with dream tones.

This model is suitable for intermediate to professional players, as well as beginners within budget. Squier’s dedication to quality is evident, and the 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is the perfect choice for those who want a classic Stratocaster with modern features.

Conclusion

Overall, the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition is an impressive, high-quality guitar at an affordable price.

Its unique tonewoods, Alnico V pickups, and golden hardware make it a great choice for any player, from beginners to experienced pros.

Plus, its playability and suitability make it an excellent option for travelling musicians.

If you’re looking for a great sounding, well-built guitar, this is definitely one to consider.

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