Fender 0970792134 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Villager 12-String is a premium acoustic-electric guitar with a distinctive 12-string configuration. As an acoustic-electric model, it can be played unplugged just like a traditional acoustic or plugged into an amplifier or PA system for amplified performances. The 12-string design sets it apart from standard 6-string acoustics, providing a fuller, richer sound by doubling up the three bass and three treble strings. This expanded sonic palette makes 12-string guitars a popular choice for certain styles of music, from 1960s rock to modern indie folk. Fender has crafted the Villager 12-String to deliver the quintessential jangly, chorusing sound that players expect from a quality 12-string guitar. With its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this instrument produces a beautifully resonant and well-balanced acoustic tone. The slim neck and smooth satin finish make it an easy and comfortable guitar to play. Plugged in, the Fishman electronics accurately convey its authentic unplugged sound. The Villager 12-String provides excellent build quality and classic aesthetics in a reasonably priced 12-string acoustic-electric.

Body Style and Construction

The Fender Villager 12-string has a classic dreadnought body shape that produces a balanced, resonant tone. It is constructed with a laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The laminated spruce top features "X"-style bracing that provides stability and enhances the guitar's resonance. Spruce is a popular tonewood for acoustic tops, providing clarity and articulation. The mahogany back and sides offer a balanced mid-range tone, emphasizing low-end and high-end frequencies from the spruce top.

Mahogany is a sturdy, dense tonewood that brings out warmer overtones in an acoustic guitar. Together, the spruce and mahogany body construction delivers the Villager 12-string's balanced, well-rounded tone across the tonal spectrum. The X-bracing gives it the projection and dynamics expected from a dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar while maintaining structural integrity.

The dreadnought body style offers a versatile and balanced tone. This iconic acoustic guitar shape projects sound powerfully while still delivering nuanced articulation. Many famous acoustic guitars utilize the dreadnought design, including models made by Martin, Taylor, and Gibson. The large body generates volume and resonance while the wide lower bout provides strong bass response. Dreadnoughts like the Fender Villager 12-string are popular for their versatility across many musical genres.

Another quality acoustic-electric guitar with a dreadnought body is the Epiphone PRO-1 EAPCANCH1. This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides, also a common tonewood combination. The mahogany neck has a SlimTaper "D" profile that is comfortable to play. It comes equipped with a Shadow ePerformer preamp system that includes a built-in tuner. The Shadow preamp delivers amplified tones optimized for performing. The PRO-1 EAPCANCH1 produces warm, balanced acoustic tones and makes an excellent choice for an all-solid-wood acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar.

Neck and Fingerboard

The Fender Villager 12-string acoustic-electric guitar features a slim, comfortable maple neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard. Rosewood is a popular and attractive fingerboard material prized for its durability and rich tone. The neck has a standard scale length of 25.3", providing familiar feel and playability for most players. The smooth satin neck finish allows for fast, slick runs up and down the fretboard. The slender "Modern C" neck profile will appeal to players looking for a slimmer, more contoured neck that still feels substantial enough for strumming and chording. Overall, the neck and fingerboard offer a nice balance of modern playability and classic acoustic tone.

The neck shape and width can have a big impact on how comfortable and playable a 12-string acoustic-electric guitar feels. Many players find slimmer, more contoured neck profiles allow their fretting hand to move around the fretboard with less effort and strain, especially when navigating the doubled courses on a 12-string. The width at the nut is also important - if it's too narrow, the strings can feel cramped and clumsy to fret. The Fender Villager has a nut width of 1.69", which provides a good balance of room between the courses while still feeling compact enough for smaller hands. This nut width is comparable to other quality 12-string acoustics like the Grote GTL-101.

When it comes to materials, maple is a strong, dense wood that offers stability and sustain in guitar necks. It has a bright, crisp tone that many players feel helps the notes pop and ring out. Rosewood is appreciated for its rich overtones, attractive appearance, and durability. It also has natural oils that resist wear over years of playing. Together, the maple neck and rosewood fingerboard create a balanced acoustic voice. The 25.3" scale length provides familiar tension and feel for strumming chords up and down the neck. Overall, the Fender Villager 12-string hits a sweet spot between vintage acoustic tone and smooth modern playability.

Electronics

The Fender Villager 12 String features Fishman's Isys III active on-board preamp system, which provides a natural acoustic tone with enhanced lows, rich mids, and crisp highs. The system combines an undersaddle transducer with an internal mic, allowing you to blend between the two sound sources to find your ideal tone.

There's also a built-in chromatic tuner, which makes it quick and convenient to keep the 12 strings in tune. The tuner can be easily accessed by holding down a button on the upper bout.

The preamp includes volume and tone controls that are intuitively placed by the upper bout. Volume controls the overall output, while tone shapes the EQ. There's also a phase switch to help eliminate unwanted feedback.

The preamp is powered by a 20V preamp battery. A low battery LED indicator let's you know when it's time to swap out the battery. The preamp can also be powered via the XLR output for plugging into PA systems.

Overall, the electronics package is straightforward yet flexible, providing acoustic amplification and shaping right onboard the guitar. The blend between undersaddle pickup and mic allows you to craft your ideal amplified 12-string sound.

Hardware

The Fender Villager 12-String features chrome hardware appointments for a bright and polished look. The tuning machines are open-geared chrome tuners, which provide smooth and accurate tuning while complementing the instrument's aesthetic.

The bridge is also chrome, with a fixed design that delivers solid intonation across all 12 strings. The saddle and nut are both engineered bone, which offers precise string spacing and optimal transfer of vibrations.

Some key details that enhance the Villager 12-String's appearance include the pearloid rosette and binding. The rosette provides a classy decorative touch around the soundhole, while the body binding gives a smooth, finished edge. Both the rosette and binding have an iridescent quality, reflecting light across the spruce top.

Overall, the hardware and ornamental appointments on the Villager 12-String are thoughtfully designed to deliver functionality, comfort and an attractive visual flair. The chrome and pearloid touches add to the guitar's vintage appeal.

Sound and Playability

The Fender Villager 12-String has a well-balanced warm tone with clear, ringing high notes. The solid spruce top produces vibrant acoustic resonance with plenty of volume. Beneath the gloss finish, the basswood back and sides offer a smooth, balanced midrange response. While not as crisp and articulate as higher-end rosewood or mahogany models, the tone is still pleasantly rich and full-bodied.

When plugged in, the onboard Fishman electronics provide a natural acoustic sound reproduction. The volume is loud enough for performing with a full band. The EQ controls allow shaping the tone to cut through a mix. The pickup captures the nuance of your playing dynamics nicely.

The Villager feels comfortable to play, with a slim neck profile that makes fretting and strumming easy. The shorter 24.75” scale length reduces string tension, allowing effortless bending on the rosewood fretboard. The smooth satin finish on the back of the neck promotes fast playing by eliminating stickiness. While the action is set a little high from the factory, it can be easily adjusted to preference. Overall, the Villager is one of the most playable and accessible 12-string models in its price range.

Pros

The Fender Villager 12-String combines quality Fender craftsmanship and impressive sound in an attractive, easy-to-play package. As expected from Fender, the all-laminate mahogany construction produces rich, balanced acoustic tone and projection that fills the room. The slim neck and low action facilitate intricate fingerpicking while the wider string spacing makes playing smooth and comfortable.

The Fishman electronics and built-in tuner provide plugged-in versatility for live performance or recording situations. The undersaddle piezo pickup accurately conveys the Villager's crisp, bright acoustics through an amplifier or PA. The preamp includes a volume control and tone shaping to dial in your amplified tone. With the Fishman preamp and tuner onboard, the Villager transitions seamlessly from acoustic solo practice to plugged-in jam sessions.

Cons

The Fender Villager 12-String does come with some drawbacks compared to other 12-string acoustic-electric guitars.

• Higher cost than similar 12-strings - The Fender Villager 12-string has an MSRP around $400, making it more expensive than many other solid top 12-string guitars like the Epiphone DR-212 and Yamaha FGX800C. While the Fender name commands a slight premium, players on a tight budget may want to consider cheaper alternatives.

• Not as rich sounding as solid wood models - The Villager 12-string uses a laminated spruce top rather than a solid wood top. While laminate tops are more durable and affordable, they don't resonate or sound as complex and full as their solid wood counterparts. Those wanting the richest possible 12-string tone may be better served by solid wood models like the Takamine GD30CE-12.

Comparable Options

The Fender Villager 12-String gives you classic 12-string jangle and chime, but there are some other great options in this price range worth considering as well.

Yamaha FG820-12 12-String

The Yamaha FG820-12 is another high quality 12-string acoustic-electric in the same price range as the Villager. It features a solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

The electronics include a System66 piezo pickup and preamp system which provides plug-and-play convenience for amplifying your 12-string tones. Many users praise the FG820-12 for its excellent playability right out of the box, with great intonation up the neck.

Takamine GD30CE-12 12-String

For those looking for a premium 12-string acoustic-electric, the Takamine GD30CE-12 is an excellent option. It has a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides. The slim mahogany neck and 12"-radius rosewood fingerboard combine for smooth playability.

The onboard CT4B II preamp gives you great amplified tones and allows easy plug-and-play live performance. The GD30CE-12 is praised for its full, balanced tone when strummed as well as crisp note definition when fingerpicked.

Summary

The Fender Villager 12-String is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality and affordable 12-string acoustic-electric guitar. Some of the key pros of this guitar are its classic Fender headstock design, smooth playability, and Fishman electronics which provide great plugged-in tones. The major downsides are that it may not have the highest level build and wood quality compared to more expensive 12-strings.

Overall, this guitar shines for its playability right out of the box and classic aesthetics. The Villager 12-String is ideal for guitarists who want that jangly 12-string sound for strumming and fingerpicking, especially in genres like folk, rock, country and blues. Players looking for a well-constructed and easy playing 12-string without breaking the bank will find a lot to love with the Villager. While it may not stack up against premium models for wood selection and craftsmanship, it delivers quality Fender sound and playability at a reasonable price point.