Fender FA-125CE 0971113532 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender FA-125CE is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar that delivers classic Fender tone in a slim, comfortable body. Part of Fender's acoustic Beginner Pack series, the FA-125CE dreadnought cutaway is an ideal choice for new players looking for a well-constructed, easy-playing guitar.

While budget-friendly, the FA-125CE doesn't skimp on quality. It features a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and a cutaway body for easy upper fret access. The Fishman preamp provides plug-and-play convenience for amplifying your acoustic tone.

Overall, the FA-125CE combines playability, classic styling, and Fishman electronics into a perfect choice for beginning guitarists or anyone needing a quality affordable acoustic-electric. This review will cover all the details on the FA-125CE's construction, sound, and versatility.

Body & Neck

The FA-125CE features a dreadnought body shape with a solid Engelmann spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. The combination of spruce and mahogany produces a balanced and articulate tone.

The spruce top is responsive and articulate with good projection. It's also lightweight and helps keep the overall weight of the guitar down. The laminated mahogany back and sides add warmth and fullness to the tone. Mahogany is a popular tonewood choice known for its balanced sound across the frequency range.

The neck is also made from mahogany, adding to the tonal consistency. It has a smooth satin finish that makes it comfortable and fast to play. The 25.3" scale length and 1.72" nut width provide comfortable string tension for chord and lead playing. Overall the body and neck specs make this a great all-around acoustic-electric guitar.

Another excellent acoustic-electric guitar option to consider is the Luna Guitars WABI E FOLK. This model features a grand concert body shape made from solid mahogany, providing a rich, warm, and resonant tone. The mahogany is responsibly harvested, so you can feel good about the sustainability of the wood. The guitar has a nice balanced and full-bodied sound with good projection and dynamics.

The Luna WABI E FOLK has a mahogany neck with a walnut fingerboard and bridge. This adds to the warmth and smoothness of the tone. The neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile that accommodates various playing styles. The body is decorated with laser etchings of wabi-sabi designs, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of imperfect beauty. Overall it's a unique looking and great sounding acoustic-electric guitar.

Some other features of the Luna WABI E FOLK include the built-in preamp and tuner for amplified performance situations. It comes equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system that accurately captures the natural acoustic tone. Single coil noise cancelling allows for a clear amplified signal. The guitar has nice playability right out of the box, with low action and comfortable feel.

If you're looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar with solid wood construction, the Luna WABI E FOLK is an excellent choice. The mahogany body and neck provide a warm, balanced tone that works for various musical styles. And the unique aesthetics and responsible sourcing of wood make this a special instrument. Check it out if you want a great sounding and visually striking acoustic-electric guitar.

Electronics

The Fender FA-125CE features Fishman electronics, including a Fishman preamp system and built-in tuner to ensure amplified tones are balanced and feedback-free. The preamp has volume, bass, and treble controls to easily shape your amplified sound. There's also a built-in tuner that mutes the output while tuning, a very handy feature for quick on-stage tuning. The preamp and tuner perform well and make this an excellent choice for amplifying an acoustic-electric guitar in a live setting or for recording. The electronics won't disappoint.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar like the Fender FA-125CE, it's important to consider the quality of the onboard electronics. A good preamp and pickup system will accurately translate the natural acoustic tone into an amplified signal. The Fishman electronics on the FA-125CE are known to be high-quality and versatile. The preamp lets you shape your tone with bass, mid, and treble controls, while the built-in tuner is extremely convenient for live performance. Quality electronics are essential for any acoustic-electric guitar.

Another acoustic-electric model to consider is the Hadean EA-100 NA. This is an affordably priced acoustic-electric guitar with a solid spruce top and quality electronics. It features a bass, mid, and treble preamp for tone shaping, along with a built-in tuner. The pickup and preamp deliver a balanced amplified tone that accurately represents the natural acoustic sound. While not at the same premium level as the Fishman system on the Fender, the Hadean EA-100 NA still provides versatile acoustic-electric performance for the price. So this is another solid option to consider if you're shopping for an acoustic-electric on a budget.

When shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar, you'll want to try out the actual instrument to hear the amplified sound. Even guitars with similar electronics can sound quite different. Testing them yourself is the best way to determine if you like the amplified tone. How is the balance across the tonal spectrum? Does it accurately convey the nuances of your playing style and technique? Is there bothersome feedback when amplified loudly? These are key factors to listen for. If possible, try out the Fender FA-125CE and Hadean EA-100 NA side-by-side. This will allow you to directly compare the electronics and amplified sound.

In summary, quality electronics are a very important consideration when choosing an acoustic-electric guitar. The Fender FA-125CE comes equipped with versatile Fishman electronics that deliver excellent amplified tone. The Hadean EA-100 NA is a more affordable option with decent electronics as well. Trying guitars in person is recommended to hear the amplified sound. And good electronics, like those on the FA-125CE and EA-100 NA, will ensure your acoustic tone shines whether plugged in or unplugged.

Sound & Playability

The Fender FA-125CE delivers a balanced and clear tone that makes it enjoyable to play. The all-laminate construction with spruce top produces bright, punchy highs and warm low mids and lows that complement each other nicely.

Strumming reveals a richly resonant and full sound, while fingerpicking brings out the crisp highs with enough body from the low end. The dreadnought body shape projects the sound outward nicely, allowing you to fill a room without pushing the volume too hard.

The slim neck with smooth satin finish facilitates easy fretting and fast runs up and down the neck, while the shorter 25.3" scale length reduces tension, making intricate chording comfortable. Whether you're playing complex jazz chords or simple open chord rock, the FA-125CE makes playing for long periods effortless.

The cutaway provides easy access to the upper frets, expanding your tonal options. Overall, the FA-125CE strikes a great balance between resonate tone and comfortable playability.

Hardware

The Fender FA-125CE is equipped with quality hardware that enhances the playability and reliability of this acoustic-electric guitar.

The tuners are sealed, chrome die-cast machines that do a great job of holding the guitar in tune. The chrome material gives them a smooth feel when tuning and a polished, attractive appearance. Many players appreciate the look and performance of quality chrome tuners like these.

The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone, which has a tone and sustain that many guitarists prefer over plastic parts. The nut guides the strings smoothly into the tuners, promoting accurate tuning stability. The saddle provides the break point for the strings over the guitar body and has a big impact on resonance and sustain. The synthetic bone used by Fender offers excellent string transmission and eliminates many of the downsides of plastic parts.

The chrome hardware, synthetic bone nut and saddle all contribute to making the FA-125CE an acoustic-electric guitar that stays in tune, plays comfortably, and produces great amplified or unplugged tones. Players who want hardware that stands up to regular practice and performance will appreciate the quality components used on this guitar.

Pros

One of the main pros of the Fender FA-125CE acoustic-electric guitar is the quality of the materials used. Fender is known for making quality instruments with solid woods and high-end electronics, and the FA-125CE delivers.

• The laminated spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides provide a balanced and full-bodied tone. While not solid woods, the laminates are durable and reduce feedback.

• The fishman electronics include a built-in preamp and pickup that deliver excellent amplification and let you plug into an amp or PA system. The preamp has volume and tone controls right on the guitar.

• The neck is made of nato wood, which is similar to mahogany. It offers a smooth and comfortable playing feel. The slim taper neck profile is ideal for chord and lead playing.

Overall, the quality tonewoods, Fishman electronics, and comfortable neck make this an excellent value acoustic-electric guitar from Fender. You get pro features and playability without breaking the bank.

Cons

The Fender FA-125CE dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric guitar does have some downsides to consider.

• The laminated back and sides, rather than solid wood, affects the resonance and bass response. It won't have quite the same full, rich acoustic tone as a solid wood guitar.

• The built-in preamp and tuner are fairly basic, without any EQ controls. The electronics are decent for plugging in, but lack the features and customization of higher-end preamps.

• While suitable for beginners, the hardware and electronics may need upgrading for more advanced players. The machine heads and bridge pins are functional but not high-end.

• It's on the larger side for a dreadnought cutaway, which could be cumbersome for smaller players. The cutaway doesn't provide upper fret access as easily as some other models.

• The satin finish, while attractive, may show fingerprints and scratches more than a glossy finish over time. The neck may require more cleaning and maintenance.

• While it stays in tune nicely, the intonation may need adjustment out of the box. Plan for a proper setup and intonation upon receiving it.

Overall the cons are minor and reflect the accessible price point. Upgrading key components down the road can unlock more of this guitar's potential. It's an excellent entry-level cutaway acoustic-electric, if not a professional level instrument.

Who It's For

The Fender FA-125CE is a great choice for beginner and intermediate level players looking for an affordable, quality acoustic-electric guitar. The slim neck and lightweight body make it comfortable for smaller hands and extended practice sessions. The cutaway design also provides easy access to higher frets, expanding the guitar's playing range.

While not as fancy looking as more expensive models, the no-frills FA-125CE focuses on providing excellent tone and playability without breaking the bank. The Fishman preamp and pickup system offer clear plugged-in sound comparable to guitars costing twice as much. This makes the FA-125CE a smart buy for gigging musicians on a budget.

The included strings are light enough for comfortable fretting yet still deliver balanced acoustic resonance. Players transitioning from electric will appreciate the FA-125CE's slim neck and cutaway. Overall, it's a great all-around acoustic-electric for beginner adults or kids ready to upgrade from their first guitar. Intermediate players can keep the FA-125CE as a reliable stage and practice workhorse.

Alternatives

The Fender FA-125CE dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric is a quality entry-level guitar, but there are some other options in this price range to consider as well:

Yamaha FG800

The Yamaha FG800 is one of the best-selling acoustic guitars thanks to its affordable price and impressive sound. It has a solid spruce top, Nato back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The FG800 produces a balanced tone with clear mids and bright highs. The playability is very comfortable right out of the box. So for those looking for a great all-around acoustic guitar on a budget, the FG800 is an excellent choice.

Epiphone DR-100

Epiphone's DR-100 has a classic dreadnought body shape made of laminated mahogany. It delivers a balanced and resonant sound, though it's not quite as bright as a spruce top guitar. The hardware is chrome sealed tuners and a rosewood bridge. Overall, the DR-100 offers great bang for your buck if you want a full dreadnought sound without breaking the bank. It's a reliable workhorse acoustic.

So the Yamaha FG800 and Epiphone DR-100 provide two more options around the same price point as the Fender FA-125CE, with the Yamaha known for its playability and the Epiphone known for its classic dreadnought sound. Check them all out to find your ideal entry-level acoustic-electric.

Conclusion

The Fender FA-125CE dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric guitar represents a great entry-level option for those looking to upgrade from a beginner instrument or break into the world of acoustic-electrics. As you would expect from Fender, it delivers quality construction, playability and amplified sound at an accessible price point.

While it doesn't have premium appointments, the laminate wood body and neck still feel sturdy and resonant. The onboard electronics and tuner provide excellent plugged-in tones for the money. Overall, the FA-125CE punches above its weight class, offering newbies an affordable way to enjoy acoustic-electric performance from a trusted brand.

Experienced players may want to spend more for an all-solid wood model with richer unamplified sound. However, the FA-125CE is tough to beat in its price bracket if you desire Fender's familiar feel and sound without breaking the bank. For any style, from rock to country and beyond, it's a great entry-level acoustic-electric worthy of the Fender name.