Fender 0970943137 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Fender has been a leader in the guitar world since Leo Fender founded the company in 1946. Though best known for their iconic electric guitars like the Telecaster and Stratocaster, Fender has also built a reputation for making high quality acoustic guitars over the decades.

Their acoustic lines include popular models like the Malibu, Redondo, and Newporter series. Fender acoustics are appreciated for their classic styling, solid construction, and balanced tone that works well for a variety of musical genres.

The Newporter has been a staple of Fender's acoustic offerings since the 1960s. It embodies Fender's aim of creating great sounding, easy playing, and visually appealing acoustic guitars perfect for guitarists at any experience level.

Overview

The Fender Newporter Classic is an acoustic-electric guitar model from Fender's California Series. This guitar has a compact auditorium body shape made of solid spruce on top and mahogany back and sides.

Some key features and specs:

• Model Name/Number: Fender Newporter Classic
• Body shape: Compact auditorium
• Top wood: Solid Sitka spruce
• Back & sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Walnut
• Scale length: 25.3”
• Nut width: 1.69”
• Electronics: Fishman Presys preamp with onboard tuner

The Newporter Classic combines traditional acoustic sound and feel with plugged-in versatility, making it a great choice for players looking for an acoustic-electric in this price range. Another popular acoustic-electric model to consider is the GROTE LPYS-006. This is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar with a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and built-in EQ and tuner. It has a dreadnought body shape that projects loud acoustic tone and also plugs in nicely. The GROTE LPYS-006 is a good option for beginner and intermediate players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric guitar on a budget.

When choosing between the Fender Newporter Classic and the GROTE LPYS-006, there are a few key differences to consider. The Newporter has a compact body shape compared to the larger dreadnought shape of the GROTE. It also has an all-solid wood construction using Sitka spruce and mahogany, while the GROTE has laminated woods. This can affect the resonance and acoustic sound projection. The Newporter likely has better overall build quality and electronics as a Fender guitar. However, the GROTE costs significantly less, so it may be a better value proposition for some players. The tonewoods and construction methods used will impact the sound profile, so testing them out in person can help decide which is the better fit for your needs and budget.

Body & Neck

The body of the Fender Newporter Classic is made from laminated spruce, which provides a balanced and articulate tone. The top has a smooth satin finish.

It has a classic dreadnought body shape, which produces a full and deep bass response. The body depth is 4.375" and the lower bout width is 16". This gives it a comfortable feel whether playing seated or standing.

The neck is constructed from maple and has a 25.3" scale length. It has a smooth "C"-shaped profile that is very comfortable to play. The fingerboard is also maple and has a radius of 12". The nut width of 1.688" gives ample room for chord shapes and fingerstyle playing.

The neck joint allows easy access to the upper frets. Overall the body and neck specs make this an acoustic that is enjoyable to play for long periods. The tonewoods and construction deliver balanced and articulate tones.

The Fender Newporter Classic is a high quality acoustic guitar with a classic dreadnought body shape. It produces a balanced tone with articulate bass and crisp treble response. The neck is very playable with a comfortable profile. Overall it is designed to be an enjoyable guitar to play for extended periods. It represents an excellent value in its price range.

Another quality acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar to consider is the Martin 11D12E. Martin is known for their excellent acoustic guitars, and the 11D12E combines their craftsmanship with modern appointments. It has a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides tonewood combination that produces clear, balanced tones. The neck is also mahogany which contributes to the warm, rich voice. An Fishman Sonitone electronics system provides natural amplified tones.

Like the Fender Newporter Classic, the Martin 11D12E has a traditional dreadnought body for full bass and volume. It also has a comfortable neck profile and slim taper heel for easy upper fret access. So both guitars deliver on playability and classic acoustic guitar tones. The Martin may have a slight edge in build quality and woods selection. But the Fender offers great bang-for-the-buck. So either acoustic would make an excellent choice.

Electronics

The electronics on the Fender Newporter Classic are designed to accurately reproduce the guitar's acoustic tone when plugged in. It features an under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp system with a built-in tuner and EQ.

• The undersaddle piezo pickup is located under the bridge. It detects the vibrations of the guitar and converts them into an electric signal to plug into an amplifier or PA system. This pickup style captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone.

• The preamp and tuner are housed in a small control panel located just inside the soundhole. The preamp boosts and shapes the pickup's signal, providing EQ control over bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. It has a built-in chromatic tuner that makes tuning fast and easy, even in noisy environments.

• The preamp's control panel provides a volume knob, bass and treble controls, a mid contour switch, and the tuner display. This gives you the ability to tweak the amplified tone to suit your needs, adding warmth or brightening up the signal. The mid contour switch targets the midrange frequencies, helping reduce muddiness.

Overall, the electronics package on the Fender Newporter lets you easily amplify your acoustic tone with control over the EQ and tuning. The under-saddle piezo and preamp system combination aims to accurately convey the guitar's natural acoustic sound.

Sound & Playability

The Newporter Classic has a well-balanced tone that works well for a variety of musical styles. The solid spruce top provides good volume and dynamics, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and sweetness. It has the balanced sound Fender is known for, not too bright or too bassy.

The slim neck has a comfortable modern C profile that most players will find very playable. The shorter 24" scale length helps make chording a breeze. The action is set low and smooth right out of the box. Combined with the smooth satin finish on the back of the neck, it's a very comfortable guitar to play for long periods. The body is also a comfortable size and shape.

The Newporter feels solidly built yet remains lightweight enough for prolonged playing sessions. Between the quality materials, comfortable neck, and great setup, this is an acoustic electric that excels in both sound and playability. It's suitable for everything from practice to performance.

Hardware

The Fender Newporter comes equipped with quality hardware to provide stability, tuning accuracy, and smooth playability.

The bridge is a synthetic bone saddle with a compensated design that improves intonation across the strings. It provides a solid foundation for the strings and transfers vibration efficiently.

The tuners are open-geared chrome tuners with vintage styling. They hold tune reliably while allowing for smooth tuning adjustments. The tuning ratio is 18:1 for precise fine-tuning capability.

Other hardware includes a tortoise pickguard and chrome Input jack plate that match the classic vibe. There are also strap buttons for adding a guitar strap.

The hardware works together seamlessly to deliver great performance while complementing the aesthetics of this elegant acoustic-electric guitar. Players will appreciate the tuning stability, resonance, and ease of adjustments.

Pros

• The Fender Newporter has a solid spruce top that gives it a crisp, balanced tone. The spruce provides clarity in the high end and warmth in the low end.

• It features a slim, comfortable "C"-shaped mahogany neck that makes it easy to play. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for smooth shifting up and down the fretboard.

• The Newporter has an onboard Fishman preamp system that includes a built-in tuner, tone controls, and USB output. This makes it easy to plug into an amp or PA system for amplified performances.

• The smaller concert body size and comfortable armrest bevel make this an ideal acoustic-electric for stage use. It's lightweight, durable, and easy to handle when standing and performing.

Cons of the Fender Newporter Acoustic-Electric Guitar

• The Newporter's laminated wood construction can result in a less full and rich acoustic tone compared to solid wood guitars. The laminate makes it less resonant overall.

• The pickups and preamp are fairly basic for an acoustic-electric in this price range. The EQ controls are minimal, so you have less tonal shaping options.

• Some users report fret buzz and sharp fret ends on the Newporter straight out of the box. It may require a professional setup or fretwork.

• The satin finish on the neck can feel sticky and slow, making it harder to play fast lead lines. The finish may require some playing in over time to feel smoother.

Competitors

The Fender Newporter Classic competes with other affordable, entry-level acoustic-electric models like:

Yamaha FGX800C

• The Yamaha FGX800C has a solid spruce top and nato back and sides, with a slightly smaller dreadnought body than the Newporter. It has an acoustic pickup system with a simple volume control.

• The Yamaha is known for its bright, balanced tone that punches above its price. The playability and intonation are very good for a budget model. The hardware and electronics are decent.

• The FGX800C is slightly less expensive than the Newporter Classic. It lacks the rosewood fingerboard and bridge of the Fender. The Yamaha may not have quite as much projection and bass response.

Epiphone AJ-100CE

• With its spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Epiphone AJ-100CE has a balanced, warm tone. The hardware includes chrome tuners and a rosewood bridge.

• The guitar has a Shadow ePerformer preamp and NanoFlex pickup system. Controls are basic: volume and tone knobs. The neck is slim and comfortable.

• The AJ-100CE has a smaller, more travel-friendly body size than the Newporter. It is very light and easy to play. The Fender may edge out the Epiphone for volume and bass.

Conclusion

The Fender Newporter Classic is an excellent choice for players looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar with classic styling. Its spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, warm tone that works well for various musical styles. The slim C-shaped neck promotes comfortable playability, while the Fishman electronics accurately reproduce the Newporter's natural acoustic sound when plugged in.

Some drawbacks are the lack of a cutaway for upper fret access and limited finish options. However, the Newporter Classic's traditional design focuses on delivering an authentic all-mahogany acoustic guitar experience perfect for rhythm playing and solo performances.

Overall, the Fender Newporter Classic offers great value by combining excellent acoustic tone and playability with useful plugged-in capabilities. For players wanting a traditional looking acoustic-electric with rich, resonant sound, the Newporter Classic is easy to recommend. Its quality construction and comfortable feel make it a guitar that could serve players well for many years.