Electric Guitars, Basses and Mandolins
by Michael Stevens, Alpine, Texas

Gary Davies’ new book Anniversary Strat: Celebrating 40 Years of the Fender Commemorative Model Stratocaster showcases around 70 different US-built anniversary model Stratocaster guitars and features detailed interviews with many of the past and present Fender employees who worked on them.

The foreword is written by Michael Stevens and the book features an article about him, as well as several articles about the Custom Shop. According to Davies, the book evolved from an idea for a basic Anniversary Strat guide, to becoming a comprehensive instrument record and story book.

An extensively researched collection of stories about cool products and awesome people, ANNIVERSARY STRAT celebrates the diverse array of Fender commemorative model Stratocasters made in the USA. Part 1 chronicles these factory and Custom Shop guitars, and sheds light on how a few ended up in the hands of legendary players. More Custom Shop instruments are showcased in Part 2, as the personal stories of the master builders unfold and they reveal their favorite projects.

Ever since 1979, anniversary model guitars have been released by Fender to celebrate significant milestones in the company’s history. Consequently, an extensive range of commemorative instruments has shipped from the US factory and Custom Shop over the last forty years. Some distinctive and memorable Fender Strats have also been commissioned by third parties including publishers, motor industry manufacturers, entertainment organizations, and musical instrument stores, to celebrate their own noteworthy events.

“The meticulous collection of details is truly amazing… Gary has pulled off a fantastic project that I think will soon stand beside the other great books about this company called Fender.”

— MICHAEL STEVENS, Owner of Stevens Electrical Instruments and co-founder of the Fender Custom Shop

“The most comprehensive and detailed book on the history of the Anniversary Stratocaster, the elite Fender Custom Shop guitars, and the builders.”

— YURIY SHISHKOV, Principal master builder at the Fender Custom Shop

For more details, check out www.anniversarystrat.com