Squier’s Gold Edition series celebrates four decades of history with blinged-out models of all Fender’s classic guitars and basses. The 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Stratocaster comes with a limited-edition finish that will only be available in 2022. All the hardware — including the washers, pickguard, knobs, and tuners — comes decked out in a striking gold finish. This solidbody electric guitar also boasts a stunning bound Indian laurel neck with pearloid blocks, a late-'60s feature that Sweetwater guitarists find complements this guitar’s decked-out cosmetics. A trio of Fender-designed Alnico V single-coils gives this guitar a classic Strat quack, with round lows, full mids, and bell-like highs. Stunning looks, comfortable playability, and incredible sound: the Gold Edition series is a gold mine of 40 years of high-quality Squier instruments.