"Every author has a story to tell and every story deserves to be told."

Words from local guitar fanatic Gary Davies who has just spent almost five years researching, interviewing, writing, and traveling internationally, to produce a beautifully crafted and detailed homage to the legendary make of guitar.

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.

Michael Stevens, Co-founder of the Fender Custom Shop

Gary, who was originally planning to enjoy a quiet retirement in Hatt, explains,

“This is a passion project that has occupied virtually every minute of my life since 2014. The book is also receiving highly complimentary reviews from the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation employees and from readers.”

Gary also designed and typeset the large format book (with no real experience in that area), took quite a few photos, and financed the whole project.

He explains how the project evolved.

“Early on during the research process, this book developed from an idea for a basic Anniversary Strat guide, to a comprehensive instrument record and story book. Scores of US-built anniversary model Stratocaster guitars have been identified and many of the past and present Fender employees who worked on them have been interviewed in detail. 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 favourite projects.”

A must read for those who love their guitars.

“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

“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, the charismatic owner of Stevens Electrical Instruments who co-founded the Fender Custom Shop.

Gary Davies