Fender is marking seven decades of the Stratocaster with a guitar that goes well beyond the usual anniversary decal-and-certificate treatment. The 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster takes the already-excellent Am Pro II platform and adds a flame maple top, a unique Comet Burst finish, and a specially voiced set of anniversary pickups — all for $1,999. It’s a limited run, made in Corona, California, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
If you’ve been eyeing the standard American Professional II ($1,699) but wanted something with a little more visual punch and tonal refinement, this is Fender giving you exactly that excuse to spend the extra $300.
Bottom Line: The 70th Anniversary Am Pro II Strat is the best-looking American-made Fender under $2,000 right now — and the upgraded pickups and trem block make it more than just a pretty face.
What’s New on the 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Alder with flame maple top, Comet Burst finish |
| Neck | Maple, Deep “C” profile, Super-Natural satin finish, sculpted neck heel |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood, 9.5″ radius, 22 narrow-tall frets, rolled edges |
| Nut | Bone, 1.685″ (42.8mm) |
| Pickups | 70th Anniversary V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat (Alnico II neck, Alnico III middle, Alnico V bridge) |
| Controls | Master Volume, Tone 1 (neck/middle), Tone 2 with push-push neck-on switch |
| Bridge | 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with cold-rolled steel block |
| Tuners | Fender Deluxe Locking |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Finish Options | Comet Burst (exclusive to this model) |
| Street Price | $1,999 USD |
| Country of Origin | USA (Corona, CA) |
The headline feature is the flame maple top over an alder body in Fender’s exclusive Comet Burst finish — a deep three-tone sunburst that lets the figuring in the maple pop without looking like a Les Paul. It’s a tortoiseshell pickguard pairing that screams vintage class, and Fender nailed it here.
Under the hood, the 70th Anniversary V-Mod II pickups use a staggered Alnico magnet formula — Alnico II in the neck for warmth, Alnico III in the middle for clarity with less pull on the strings, and Alnico V in the bridge for the bite you need when you dig in. This is the same concept as the standard Am Pro II V-Mod IIs but with a voicing Fender says is specific to this anniversary run. Whether that’s marketing or meaningful depends on your ears, but the mixed-Alnico approach has always been one of the best things about the Am Pro II line.
The cold-rolled steel tremolo block is an upgrade over the standard zinc block on the regular Am Pro II. Steel blocks are a well-documented sustain and resonance improvement — it’s one of the first mods most Strat players make, and Fender’s including it from the factory here. The push-push switch on the second tone knob activates the neck pickup in positions 1 and 2, giving you seven usable pickup combinations instead of five. That neck-and-bridge quack is worth the price of admission alone for a lot of players.
For another take on the Fender formula, check out the Fender American Professional Classic HSS Stratocaster.
Who Is the 70th Anniversary Am Pro II Stratocaster For?
This guitar slots in between the standard American Professional II ($1,699) and the American Ultra ($2,099). If you’re a gigging player who wants a US-made Strat that looks special without crossing into Custom Shop territory, this is your guitar. The flame maple top makes it a stage standout, and the locking tuners plus the upgraded steel trem block mean you can actually use the whammy bar without going out of tune every three songs.
For blues and classic rock players, the mixed-Alnico pickup set is hard to beat. The neck position gives you that glassy, rounded Strat tone that SRV fans chase, while the bridge has enough output to push a cranked Fender amp into singing sustain without sounding thin. If you play in a cover band and need cleans that shimmer and drive that cuts, the push-push neck-on feature in the bridge position adds a fatness that’s genuinely useful live.
If you’re cross-shopping the American Ultra Stratocaster, the Ultra gives you the modern D neck profile, noiseless pickups, and the S-1 switching system — but the Ultra’s noiseless pickups lack some of the raw single-coil character that these V-Mod IIs deliver. If you want traditional Strat tone with premium features, the 70th Anniversary wins. If you want a more modern, hi-fi Strat, go Ultra.
For another take on the Fender formula, check out the Fender Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar LTD.
✓ PROS
- Flame maple top with exclusive Comet Burst finish — a genuine head-turner on stage
- Cold-rolled steel trem block from the factory (usually a $50+ aftermarket mod)
- Mixed Alnico V-Mod II pickups deliver classic Strat tone with position-specific voicing
- Push-push neck-on switch gives seven usable pickup combos
- Bone nut, rolled fretboard edges, and locking tuners — the details are right
✗ CONS
- Only one finish option — if Comet Burst isn’t your thing, you’re out of luck
- $300 premium over the standard Am Pro II for cosmetic and incremental upgrades
- Limited run means resale will either spike or you’ll never find one to try before buying
How Does It Compare to the Standard American Professional II Stratocaster?
The standard Am Pro II at $1,699 is already one of the best production Strats Fender makes. So what does the extra $300 get you? Visually, the flame maple top and Comet Burst finish — that alone is worth it for players who care about aesthetics. Hardware-wise, you get the cold-rolled steel trem block, which is a legitimate tonal upgrade that improves sustain and resonance. The pickups are voiced slightly differently for this anniversary model, though the difference is subtle.
What you don’t get for the extra money: no additional finish options, no case candy beyond the standard Am Pro II package, and no different neck profile or fretwork. The core playing experience is identical — same Deep C neck, same 9.5″ radius, same narrow-tall frets. If you’re buying purely on playability and don’t care about looks, save the $300 and get the standard Am Pro II in your preferred color.
Compared to the Player II Stratocaster at $899, the jump to this 70th Anniversary model is significant: USA vs. Mexico manufacturing, bone nut vs. synthetic, locking tuners, the steel trem block, and substantially better pickups. If your budget can stretch to $1,999, you’re getting a professional-grade instrument that won’t need any aftermarket upgrades.
For a competing option, the Squier Sonic Stratocaster 2026 targets a similar player at a comparable price point.
First Impressions and What Players Are Saying
Early reactions on forums and social media have been overwhelmingly positive about the Comet Burst finish — players are calling it one of the best-looking production Strats Fender has released in years. The flame maple figuring varies from guitar to guitar (as it always does), so if you’re buying online, try to see photos of the specific serial number you’re getting.
Some players have noted that $1,999 puts this dangerously close to used American Ultra territory, and that’s a fair point. The counter-argument is that the 70th Anniversary model’s traditional single-coil character and limited-edition status give it something the Ultra doesn’t — and if you prefer V-Mod IIs over Noiseless pickups, this is the better guitar for you.
The push-push neck-on switch has been a hit with players who already use this feature on the standard Am Pro II. It’s one of those “why didn’t they always do this” additions that makes the five-way switch feel limiting on every other Strat.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the PRS SE Ed Sheeran Cosmic Splash Limited Edition.
Pricing and Availability
The Fender 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster is available now at a street price of $1,999 USD. It’s a limited production run — Fender hasn’t announced exact numbers, but dealers are treating it as a while-supplies-last model. You can find it at major retailers including Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend, and authorized Fender dealers. It ships with Fender’s molded hardshell case.
Is the Fender 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster worth it?
If you’re already considering a standard Am Pro II, the 70th Anniversary version is worth the $300 upcharge for the flame maple top, cold-rolled steel trem block, and limited-edition status. The trem block alone is a meaningful tonal upgrade. If you’re on a tighter budget, the standard Am Pro II at $1,699 plays identically.
What’s the difference between the 70th Anniversary and the standard American Professional II Stratocaster?
The 70th Anniversary adds a flame maple top with exclusive Comet Burst finish, a cold-rolled steel tremolo block (vs. zinc on the standard), and anniversary-specific V-Mod II pickup voicing. The neck profile, fretwork, and overall construction are identical to the standard Am Pro II.
If this model catches your eye, the Fender FINNEAS Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is also worth checking out.
What pickups does the 70th Anniversary Am Pro II Stratocaster use?
It uses 70th Anniversary V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat pickups with a mixed Alnico formula: Alnico II in the neck for warmth, Alnico III in the middle for clarity, and Alnico V in the bridge for bite and output. A push-push switch on the second tone knob adds the neck pickup in positions 1 and 2 for seven total combinations.
Is the Fender 70th Anniversary Stratocaster a limited edition?
Yes, it’s a limited production run. Fender hasn’t disclosed exact numbers, but it’s available only while supplies last. The exclusive Comet Burst finish and 70th Anniversary designation won’t be repeated, making it a potential collector’s piece as well as a player-grade instrument.
Where is the Fender 70th Anniversary Am Pro II Stratocaster made?
It’s made in Fender’s Corona, California factory — the same facility that produces all American Professional and American Ultra instruments. This is a USA-made guitar with full American Professional II build quality and QC standards.
The 70th Anniversary American Professional II Stratocaster sits in a sweet spot in Fender’s American lineup — more special than the standard Am Pro II, more traditional than the Ultra, and more accessible than anything from the Custom Shop. If you want a flame-topped, US-made Strat with premium hardware and classic single-coil tone, this is the one to grab before they’re gone. Players who don’t need the limited-edition factor should save $300 on the standard Am Pro II — it’s the same guitar underneath.