I have a Strat with the 60th anniversary emblem on the back of the neck next to the tuners. A silver, round plaque with "Fender 60" engraved and a diamond shape embedded as well/ That is the only 60th anniversary markings on it. What does this emblem designate about the guitar itself, if anything?

i think its just means it was made in 2006

You do not have an Anniversary model. All Fender instruments reveived this little metal disk in 2006.

I've been trying to get people to realize this for the past 5 years. So many guitars on ebay are listed as 50th or 60th Anniversary guitars and people are paying good money with the belief that they are buying something that they are not.

An honest to goodness "60th Anniversary" Strat has an actual diamond on the front of the head stock.

An honest to goodness "50th Anniversary" Strat has a special anniversary engraved neck plate, a siggle ply parchment pick guard and some other special features.

+1

Everything Fender built in 2006 received the "60" medallion -- even the amps.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Yep as Paris has said alll along but here are some pics.
The first is what to look for on the headstock and the second and third are the only two genuine 60th USA Anni strats I have seen. The std sunburst and the Sam Ash special.
Hope this helps someone!

It nice to sea others know the difference. I've even had music store guys try to tell me that I was wrong.

My 50th Anniversary Strat is awesome. Everything about this guitar is great. The 2-color sunburst body is flawless. The finish is very deep and the grain is rich and well defined. The neck is one of the best I've ever seen. I also liked that it has parchement parts.

The of the other intersting things about this guitar is that Fender chose a bright crushed gold lining that shimmers in the light. It looks odd by itself, but with the guitar inside it looks awesome.

Fender MIMs came in only one color and had a neck plate with the markings.

Thanks for all the good replies. I figured it was just an acknowledgement to the anniversary year since none of the limited edition markings were evident.
Another question...the bottom tone control has an indent at the 10 position , so that when you turn up to 10 you can feel it lock in. The other tone control does not do that. What is that all about?

Just picked up a new 60th Anniversary Tele...its the real deal. Will see how it plays.
Thanks again.

That bottom tone control is the "Delta Tone" (also known as a "no load" pot) - when it hits that detent at "10" it essentially takes the tone control out of the circuit. The other tone control is a normal tone pot. American Standard/American Series/"new" American Standards have been wired like this since sometime in either 1996 or maybe early 1997.

Thanks again.