Fender CD-60SCE 0961590221 FGPAC2 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CD-60SCE is an affordable dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar that delivers classic Fender tone and playability. Part of Fender's popular Classic Design series, the CD-60SCE features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The cutaway dreadnought body provides comfortable access to the upper frets while retaining the full, balanced tone that dreadnought guitars are known for.

The CD-60SCE comes equipped with a Fishman preamp system that includes an undersaddle pickup and built-in tuner for amplifying your acoustic tone cleanly and accurately. Overall, the Fender CD-60SCE is a great option for players looking for an easy to play acoustic-electric at a budget-friendly price point.

Construction & Playability

The CD-60SCE features solid mahogany construction on the top, back, and sides. Mahogany produces a balanced, well-rounded tone that projects nicely. The top is laminated instead of solid wood, which helps keep costs down. The workmanship is excellent for the price, with clean binding and no visible flaws.

The neck is also made of mahogany with a smooth satin finish. The fretboard is rosewood, a warm sounding tonewood that complements the mahogany body. The bridge is made of quality synthetic bone material. Together, these tonewoods produce a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum.

The action is set well from the factory, with medium string height that makes chording comfortable while still allowing room for dynamics when strumming or fingerpicking. The guitar stays relatively in tune across the fretboard, thanks to precision intonation from the synthetic bone nut and saddle. While not as resonant as a high-end acoustic, the CD-60SCE has good acoustic projection suitable for practice and smaller performances.

If you're looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar with solid construction and balanced tone, be sure to check out the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684. This nylon-string classical guitar produces a rich, warm sound thanks to its solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The mahogany neck provides stability and resonance. The under-saddle piezo pickup accurately conveys the nuances of the guitar's natural tone when plugged in. Ideal for fingerstyle playing, the wider nut width provides ample room for expressive vibrato and comfortable fingering. The gold tuners keep the guitar in tune through extended practice or performance sessions. If you want an acoustic-electric classical guitar with pro-level construction and tone at an accessible price point, check out the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684.

Electronics & Pickups

The Fender CD-60SCE features an onboard Fishman® PresysTM preamp system with an undersaddle pickup. The minimalistic control panel includes volume, tone, and onboard tuner, providing easy access to dialing in your amplified sound. The undersaddle pickup captures the true acoustic tone of the CD-60SCE. The sound is very balanced across the tonal spectrum, with clear yet warm highs, pronounced mids, and full low-end response. The pickup is able to nicely convey the nuances of fingerstyle playing. While the amplified tone leans more towards an uncolored, transparent reproduction of the natural acoustic sound, the tone controls provide some option to shape the EQ if desired.

The PresysTM preamp helps produce a very clean amplified tone across various gain levels. Noise is minimal even at high gain settings. The onboard tuner also performs very accurately for convenient tuning on the go. Overall the electronics and pickup configuration make this a very gig-worthy acoustic-electric at this price point. Another great option for an acoustic-electric guitar to consider is the Jameson Guitars 21714538. This model features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, providing a balanced and articulate tone. The slim neck profile makes it comfortable for playing chords and single note runs. It comes equipped with a built-in preamp and tuner for plugging into an amplifier or PA system.

The Jameson 21714538 has a nice even response across the tonal range, with clear trebles, a strong midrange, and good bass reproduction. The onboard electronics help produce a very natural amplified acoustic tone. This guitar represents an excellent value in its price range, with quality tonewoods, electronics, and thoughtful appointments. Between the Fender CD-60SCE and Jameson 21714538, guitarists have two great options for affordable acoustic-electric guitars ready for stage use right out of the box.

When shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the tonewood combination, neck profile, electronics, and overall playability. Solid wood tops like spruce or cedar generally provide better resonance and volume compared to laminate tops. Tonewoods like mahogany, rosewood, and maple each contribute to a different tonal flavor. Preamp and pickup configurations also vary, with some aiming for a more natural tone while others offer more tonal shaping options. Testing different models in person is recommended to get a feel for the playability and sound. Considering budget and intended use can help narrow down the options.

Sound & Tone

The Fender CD-60SCE produces a bright, balanced acoustic tone with impressive projection thanks to its solid spruce top. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and fullness to the sound. It has excellent sustain that allows chords and individual notes to ring out.

When plugged in, the CD-60SCE maintains its balanced tone. Through a clean amp, it produces rich lows, clear mids, and crisp highs. The Fishman electronics and pickup accurately convey the guitar's natural acoustic sound. You can shape the EQ more to your liking by utilizing the built-in tuner's tone controls.

The CD-60SCE handles heavier gain well too. It has enough midrange punch to cut through a mix. The crystal-clear highs maintain definition even at higher volumes, avoiding muddiness. There's also enough low-end body for rock rhythms or blues leads. Overall, the CD-60SCE is a very versatile acoustic-electric that sounds great across different genres and amplifiers.

Hardware

The CD-60SCE features quality hardware that complements its design and playability nicely.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has chrome sealed-gear tuning machines that do a good job of holding the strings in tune. The tuning pegs turn smoothly and feel solid. Overall the tuners perform well and are a step above the basic tuners you'd expect in this price range.

Bridge Pins

The bridge pins are made from synthetic bone which gives a pleasing tone and resonance. The pins are ridged for a good grip when restringing. The synthetic pins are an upgrade over cheaper plastic pins.

Strap Buttons

The CD-60SCE comes equipped with two strap buttons - one at the bottom bout and one at the heel of the neck joint. The strap buttons are integrated well into the body and feel sturdy and secure. The positioning allows the guitar to sit comfortably with a strap.

Comfort & Playability

The CD-60SCE features a slim C-shape neck profile that is comfortable and easy to play, even for smaller hands. The neck width at the nut is 1.69 inches, which provides a good balance between comfortable fretting and room for fingerstyle playing.

The body shape is also designed for comfort - it's contoured and scaled down compared to a jumbo body, making it lightweight and well balanced. Upper fret access is excellent thanks to the cutaway. You can easily reach up to the 19th fret and beyond.

The smooth satin neck finish allows for fast, slick runs up and down the neck. Overall, the CD-60SCE is a very playable and comfortable acoustic-electric guitar suitable for extended practice sessions and live performances. The ergonomic neck and body shape make it accessible for most players.

Pros

• Solid top design offers great acoustic sound and projection. The solid spruce top is responsive and resonant, allowing the guitar to be loud enough for jamming unplugged.

• Easy playability straight out of the box. The neck has a slim taper for comfort and the action is set nice and low, making it very beginner friendly.

• Onboard electronics sound natural. The Fishman preamp and pickup system captures the acoustic tone nicely and sounds more natural than cheaper piezos. Provides good plugged-in sounds.

• Attractive price point. Fender quality at an affordable price under $200 makes this a great value. Comparable guitars often cost much more.

Cons

• The tuners can be stiff and difficult to turn at first. It may take some time to break them in before they smoothly hold tune.

• The nut and saddle are made of plastic rather than bone. While adequate, these material choices affect tone and sustain slightly. Upgrading to bone may improve resonance.

• The neck joint is a simpler bolt-on style rather than a more complex mortise and tenon joint. This can affect resonance and tone transfer from the neck into the body.

• The preamp controls are quite basic with just volume and tone knobs. Those wanting more tone shaping options may need to use outboard EQ. The onboard preamp can't offer much tonal variance.

Alternatives

The Fender CD-60SCE is a great entry-level acoustic-electric guitar, but there are some comparable models worth considering as alternatives:

Yamaha FGX800C

The Yamaha FGX800C is another top beginner acoustic-electric guitar. It has a solid Sitka spruce top paired with Nato back and sides. The neck is rosewood with a smooth satin finish. It comes equipped with a System65 pickup and preamp system for plugging in. Overall it has a balanced tone across lows, mids, and highs. An affordable alternative option.

Epiphone Hummingbird PRO

For those wanting a bit more premium features, the Epiphone Hummingbird PRO packs a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It has a slim taper neck for easy playability. The Shadow ePerformer preamp and pickup system provides excellent amplified tones. Overall a great mid-range priced acoustic-electric with gorgeous visual aesthetics.

Taylor Big Baby Taylor

As a travel-friendly option, the Taylor Big Baby Taylor is a high quality 15/16th size acoustic-electric. It boasts a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele laminate back and sides. The neck width is slim for comfort and portability. It comes equipped with Taylor's ES-B pickup system. Provides big Taylor tone in a scaled-down package.

Summary

The Fender CD-60SCE is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class. It features a handsome, comfortable dreadnought body made of laminated mahogany with a spruce top. The neck has a smooth satin finish that promotes fast, comfortable playing across its full 25.3" scale.

Electronics consist of a Fishman preamp and pickup that deliver a balanced, natural tone when plugged in. While not as rich as more expensive models, the CD-60SCE's sound is impressive for the price. It's versatile enough for any genre, from rock to folk to country.

The hardware is reliable, staying in tune well even during aggressive strumming. Intonation up the neck is also quite good. The bundled gig bag provides adequate protection for travel and storage.

The CD-60SCE's stellar blend of quality and value make it ideal for new players or anyone needing a gig-worthy acoustic on a budget. While the tone woods aren't exotic, Fender did an outstanding job elevating a humble set of specs into a remarkable instrument.

Final Verdict: 4/5 stars

Ideal Buyer: Beginners, intermediate players, and working musicians needing an affordable stage/studio acoustic.