Fender CD-60SCE 961536221 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Fender, with its iconic "spaghetti" headstock logo, has been one of the leading electric guitar brands for over 70 years. In recent decades, Fender has also become a major player in the acoustic guitar market. The Fender CD-60SCE is an affordable dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar aimed at entry-level players or those looking for a solid backup option.

The CD-60SCE has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It comes equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system, giving you the ability to plug into an amplifier or PA system. This dreadnought body style provides a full and rich tone, while the cutaway design allows easier access to the upper frets. Overall, the CD-60SCE offers great bang-for-your-buck as a starter acoustic-electric from a trusted brand like Fender.

Construction and Hardware

The Fender CD-60SCE features a solid dreadnought body made of laminated mahogany, providing a balanced and well-rounded tone. The neck is also made of laminated mahogany for stability and sustain. The fretboard is rosewood which contributes to a warm, mellow tone.

The CD-60SCE is equipped with a Fishman pickup system, including an undersaddle transducer and soundhole-mounted preamp with volume control, boost/cut EQ, tuner, and phase switch for shaping your amplified tone.

It has a rosewood bridge with compensated saddle for improved intonation, and die-cast chrome tuners designed for reliability and keeping the guitar in tune. The hardware is high quality for an acoustic in this price range.

Overall the construction and hardware of the CD-60SCE delivers an acoustic electric guitar that's built to last while also providing great amplified and unplugged sound. If you're looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar with professional features, the CD-60SCE is an excellent choice.

Another comparable acoustic-electric guitar to consider is the Kremona Fiesta FC. This nylon-string guitar has a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides for a rich, resonant tone. The thin neck and low action make it very playable. It comes equipped with a Kremona electronics system with a 3-band EQ and tuner for shaping your amplified sound.

The Fiesta FC has a spruce bracing system and quality Savarez strings for excellent tone and sustain. The bridge and nut are made of quality ebony. Chrome tuners keep it in tune well. Overall the Fiesta FC delivers a great amplified and unplugged classical guitar playing experience in an affordable package.

Both the Fender CD-60SCE and the Kremona Fiesta FC represent quality acoustic-electric guitars with features above their price points. The CD-60SCE offers a great steel-string playing and amplified experience, while the Fiesta FC provides a rich nylon-string classical tone with excellent electronics. Choose based on your preferred acoustic tone and playing style.

Sound Quality

The CD-60SCE produces a balanced, warm tone with good projection that's well suited for playing live. The solid spruce top provides nice sparkly highs and good volume. The mahogany back and sides add some warmth and fullness to the midrange, giving it a rich voice.

The bass response is punchy and defined. While not boomy, it provides adequate low-end support. The mids are balanced and articulate. And the highs have decent shimmer without being overly bright or harsh. The guitar projects well, easily filling a room without needing excessive volume.

It can go from shimmering highs on fingerpicked passages to warm, robust strumming. The versatile sound works well for a variety of styles, from strumming chords for singer-songwriters to flatpicking solos. The sound quality exceeds expectations for a guitar in this price range.

If you're looking for a great acoustic-electric guitar option, be sure to check out the Fender 0373301506. This model from Fender's acclaimed California Series features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for balanced tone and articulation. The slim neck profile is comfortable for both chords and solos. And the Fishman pickup/preamp system provides natural amplified tone.

The Fender 0373301506 combines traditional looks with modern playability. It's a versatile choice for players who want an acoustic-electric with authentic Fender vibe. From the iconic headstock logo to the premium appointments, this guitar delivers impressive value. The resonant solid wood construction and Fishman electronics let your tone shine whether playing acoustically or plugged in.

The slim neck with rolled fingerboard edges makes it comfortable for long practice or gigging sessions. The onboard tuner and easy-to-use controls provide convenient amplified performance capabilities. From the workmanship to the sound, the Fender 0373301506 exceeds expectations. It's a great choice for players who want classic Fender style in an acoustic-electric.

Playability

The CD-60SCE features a slim C-shaped mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard that provides excellent comfort and playability. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, fluid movements up and down the fretboard.

The neck profile is slim without feeling too thin, making it comfortable for most hand sizes. The fretwork from the 2nd to 12th frets is immaculate with smoothly finished fret ends that don't catch on your fingers during shifts and bends. The fretboard edges are nicely rolled for added comfort.

The body shape and slightly reduced scale length of the dreadnought design make this an easy guitar to hold in most playing positions. Whether sitting or standing, the CD-60SCE feels lightweight and balanced. The curved body contours fit comfortably against your body.

Overall, the neck profile, fretwork, and body shape of the CD-60SCE combine to create an acoustic-electric guitar that plays smoothly and provides hours of fatigue-free practice or performance. The comfort and ergonomics are difficult to beat in this price range.

Electronics and Effects

The Fender CD-60SCE comes equipped with an impressive onboard preamp and control system, providing flexibility and allowing you to shape your tone. It features a built-in tuner, so you can easily keep your guitar in tune without extra accessories.

The preamp powers a dual-pickup system utilizing a Fishman Sonitone soundhole pickup paired with a Sonicore under-saddle pickup. This combination captures the warm, resonant tone of the dreadnought body while also accurately detecting the strings' vibrations. With adjustable low and high EQ controls, you can boost low-end warmth or add crispness to the treble registers.

The preamp's volume and tone controls are within easy reach, allowing on-the-fly adjustments. There's also a discreet flexible tilt control for the built-in tuner, providing optimal viewing angles. For effects and looping, the guitar has a 1⁄4-inch output jack ready for your favorite pedals and external processors. The preamp gives you flexibility for amplifying your sound in different live and studio scenarios.

Overall, the electronics and controls offer versatility for shaping your tone, while the dual-pickup system captures the guitar's natural voice and playing dynamics. This gives you the freedom to craft your sound for any musical context.

Pros

• The CD-60SCE has a solid spruce top, which helps produce a balanced, warm tone. The mahogany back and sides also boost low end and richness.

• The slim neck and low action make this an easy guitar to play. It's comfortable for both fingerpicking and strumming. The shorter 24" scale length also helps with playability.

• The built-in Fishman preamp and tuner work very well. The EQ controls allow shaping the amplified tone, while the tuner makes staying in tune convenient.

• The guitar comes with nice extras like a padded gig bag, strings, picks, digital clip-on tuner, polishing cloth, and instructional DVD. This is great value for a sub-$300 acoustic-electric.

Cons

• The EQ lacks bass and treble controls, limiting your ability to shape the amplified tone.
• The lower frets can cause some fret buzz and sharp notes.
• The tuners feel cheap and may not hold tune as precisely.
• The body shape may not be as comfortable for some players compared to other dreadnought or concert style acoustics.
• The pickguard can rattle against the top in some cases and may need adjustment.
• The strings it comes with are light gauge and may not suit players who prefer heavier strings.
• The preamp and pickup lack some warmth or richness present in higher end systems.
• The control knobs for volume and tuner feel lightweight and plastic.
• The output jack feels loose in the jack plate on some units.

Who is it for?

The Fender CD-60SCE is a great choice for both beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable all-purpose acoustic-electric guitar. With its dreadnought body shape, V-shaped neck, and slim neck profile, it's comfortable for a wide range of playing styles from strumming chords to fingerpicking melodies.

The CD-60SCE works well for players who want to jam with friends or perform live, thanks to the built-in Fishman preamp and pickup system which delivers amplified tones cleanly and accurately. At the same time, its all-mahogany construction produces rich and resonant unplugged acoustic tones perfect for practice and home playing.

This dreadnought is an especially good fit for aspiring country, folk, pop, indie, and rock guitarists who want the flexibility to play both acoustic sets and plugged-in gigs. The Fishman pickup and preamp allow for versatility across genres and performance settings. The comfortable neck and body size also accommodate prolonged practice sessions across a range of techniques.

While the CD-60SCE may be entry-level for Fender, it exceeds expectations for playability and amplified sound in its price range. This makes it a smart choice for newer players who want great bang-for-buck as well as the ability to gig and record. More advanced musicians can also appreciate the quality and flexibility from this affordable Fender option.

Alternatives

There are a few comparable acoustic-electric guitars in this price range and style worth considering as alternatives to the Fender CD-60SCE:

Yamaha A1R

• All solid wood construction for warm, balanced tone
• System 70 S.R.T. piezo pickup and preamp system
• Laminated rosewood back and sides can seem less resonant

Epiphone AJ-100CE

• Solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides provide full sound
• Shadow ePerformer preamp with tuner and EQ
• Bolt-on neck rather than traditional dovetail joint

Washburn WD20SCE

• Solid wood top, back and sides for rich acoustic tone
• Fishman Presys preamp system with EQ
• Wide neck profile may not suit smaller hands

All three offer comparable build quality, electronics and sound at a similar price point to the CD-60SCE. Choosing between them comes down to individual playing style and preference.

Conclusion

The Fender CD-60SCE is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its price point. It features a resonant dreadnought body made from mahogany and spruce, producing a balanced and articulate sound. The slim neck and low action facilitate comfortable playing while the Fishman preamp gives you basic equalization control.

Overall, the CD-60SCE is highly recommended for any aspiring guitarist looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric. While the electronics and hardware are basic, they perform admirably and allow you to amplify your sound at gigs or practice sessions. The all-mahogany body generates a balanced tone that works well for various styles of music. For a sub-$300 acoustic-electric, the CD-60SCE is tough to beat.