Fender 0971170521 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

Fender has been a leader in the guitar world since they were founded in 1946. Originally known for their iconic electric guitars like the Stratocaster and Telecaster, Fender has also become a major player in the acoustic guitar market over the past few decades.

The company's history in acoustic guitars dates back to the 1960s when they acquired the Guild Guitar Company, which was known for its high-quality acoustic guitars. In the 1990s, Fender introduced its first own Fender-branded acoustic guitars which were aimed at providing great quality and playability at accessible prices.

Over the years, Fender has continued to expand its acoustic guitar lineup, offering everything from affordable beginner models to pro-level instruments. They've become one of the top acoustic guitar brands, appealing to players of all levels with their diverse catalog of acoustic guitar shapes and styles.

Today, Fender acoustics are known for delivering great bang-for-your-buck. Even their lower-priced models utilize high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements that enhance their sound, playability and longevity. The Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar is an excellent example of Fender's commitment to providing quality and value in the acoustic guitar market.

Guitar Specs

The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar has a dreadnought body shape with a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The guitar measures 41 inches long by 16 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep. The 25.3" scale mahogany neck has a walnut fingerboard with 20 frets and a compensated synthetic bone saddle. The FA-115 comes strung with 12-53 gauge steel strings.

The laminated spruce top provides a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, while the laminated mahogany back and sides add warmth and emphasis on the low end. The walnut fingerboard and bridge offer crisp highs for articulation. The included die-cast chrome tuners provide accurate and stable tuning.

The Fender FA-115 is a great choice for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable, reliable acoustic guitar. The laminate construction makes it durable and able to withstand changes in temperature and humidity. The slim neck profile is comfortable for smaller hands, while the slightly wider nut width provides ample room for fingerpicking techniques. The onboard preamp boosts the guitar's acoustic output when plugged into an amplifier or PA system.

For guitarists looking to upgrade from a starter instrument, the Taylor F043016016000141000 is an excellent option in the mid-tier price range. Taylor is known for their high quality craftsmanship and tonewood selection. This particular model has a Grand Auditorium body shape with solid Sitka spruce top and layered rosewood back and sides. The combination of tonewoods produces a balanced, articulate tone with crisp highs and tight low end.

The Taylor F043016016000141000 features a 25.5" scale mahogany neck with 20 frets and an ebony fingerboard for smooth playability. The nut width measures 1 11/16", giving enough room for fingerstyle playing while still comfortable for strumming chords. The guitar has a gloss finish for beauty and protection. Upgraded appointments include small diamond fretboard inlays, Italian acrylic bar fretboard inlays, and chrome Taylor tuners.

For plugging in, the Taylor F043016016000141000 has an ES-B pickup system with volume and tone controls discretely mounted inside the soundhole. Players can expect amplified tones just as balanced and articulate as the unplugged acoustic sound. This guitar comes equipped with Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light gauge strings for bright, anti-rust tone. The premium features and craftsmanship make the Taylor F043016016000141000 a worthy upgrade for developing players.

Sound Quality

The Fender Acoustic Beginner Starter Pack comes with a dreadnought body style guitar that produces a balanced tone with good projection and sustain.

The top is made from laminated spruce which provides brightness and responsiveness. Spruce is a popular tonewood for the top of acoustic guitars due to its resonant properties that emphasize the treble tones. This gives the Fender acoustic a crisp, articulate sound.

The back and sides are made from laminated mahogany, which adds warmth and depth to the overall tone. Mahogany has a balanced tonal profile, providing good low-end presence without becoming too boomy or bass-heavy. This complements the spruce top nicely for a well-rounded acoustic voice.

The laminate woods may not offer the complex overtones of solid woods, but they still deliver pleasing resonance and sustain. The guitar projects well when strummed or picked, thanks to the large dreadnought body shape. Overall, the tonewood combination and construction result in a versatile, balanced acoustic tone suitable for various playing styles and genres.

While this Fender acoustic guitar provides good sound quality for a beginner-friendly price point, more advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a guitar with solid wood construction. The Martin 11DCX2E-03 is an example of a higher-end acoustic with solid spruce and mahogany tonewoods. The all-solid woods allow for richer, more complex tones and overtones. The Martin dreadnought produces warm, full bass and articulate treble notes with volume and projection that fills a room. While the Fender starter acoustic is decent for new players, the Martin 11DCX2E-03 offers the tonewood quality and craftsmanship desired by seasoned acoustic guitarists.

Playability

The Fender Acoustic Guitar's playability makes it a great choice for beginners. It features a C-shaped neck that is comfortable and easy to navigate, even for small hands. The action is set nice and low, so the strings are easy to press down without too much finger effort. This allows you to play for longer without fatigue.

The fretwork on the Fender Acoustic is well-done for an entry-level model. The frets are smoothly finished and nicely rounded, so you won't encounter any sharp edges. The fret height is consistent down the neck, minimizing buzzing or dead notes. Overall, the quality fretwork contributes to the guitar's great playability right out of the box.

Beginners will appreciate how easy this Fender is to play. The comfortable neck shape, low string action, and quality fretwork come together to provide a very playable instrument for starting out on acoustic guitar.

Hardware

The Fender FA-125 acoustic guitar features quality hardware that enables smooth tuning and great intonation.

Tuning Keys

The guitar comes equipped with chrome sealed gear tuning keys that hold tune reliably and allow for smooth and accurate tuning adjustments. The keys have an elegant aged pearloid button.

Bridge

It has a synthetic bone saddle and compensated synthetic bone nut that provide precise intonation across the fretboard. The material gives a smooth feel and keeps the guitar in tune.

Nut and Saddle

The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone, which has a smooth feel and keeps the strings securely in place. The compensated saddle ensures accurate intonation and reduces buzzing.

Comfort

The Fender Acoustic Guitar is designed with comfort in mind. It has a classic dreadnought body shape that sits nicely against the body when played seated. The body is made from laminated spruce, which helps reduce weight without sacrificing tone.

At around 9 lbs, this guitar has a nice lightweight feel that makes it easy to play for extended periods. The slim neck profile and smooth rosewood fingerboard also add to the overall comfort. The guitar's body shape and dimensions give it excellent balance as well, allowing it to sit evenly on a player's lap.

This is an ideal instrument in terms of ergonomics. The comfortable body, smart weight distribution and slim neck profile allow players to enjoy this guitar for hours without any strain.

Appearance

The Fender Acoustic Guitar has a classic, timeless look that will appeal to most players. It features a natural satin finish on the body and neck that gives it an understated yet attractive appearance.

The satin finish enhances the natural grain patterns and color variations in the solid spruce top. This gives each guitar a unique visual aesthetic. The mahogany back and sides provide an appealing contrast of reddish-brown hues against the lighter spruce top.

This beginner acoustic is currently only available with a natural wood finish. Fender does not offer any colorful finishes or variations for this particular model. The satin sheen allows you to see the true wood grain without an excessive glossy coating.

Overall, the Fender Acoustic has a refined yet organic look. While it may not have flashy appointments, its classic body shape and smooth satin finish give it an appealing natural beauty. The craftsmanship and attention to visual details make this an acoustic guitar that looks as good as it sounds.

Pros

The Fender Acoustic is praised for its impressive sound quality, playability, and great value.

Excellent Sound for the Price

The all-laminate wood construction provides a bright, balanced tone that projects well. Many reviewers comment that it sounds as good as more expensive starter acoustics from bigger brands. The tone is described as having good bass, lively mids, and crisp treble. It's a versatile guitar that works for strumming chords or fingerpicking.

Comfortable and Easy to Play

With its slim neck profile and low action, the Fender Acoustic is one of the most playable budget acoustics. It has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, providing a smooth feel. The smaller concert-style body size is comfortable for younger players or smaller-framed musicians. It's lightweight too, making it easy on your back during long practice sessions.

Surprising Value at This Price

For a guitar under $100, the Fender Acoustic punches far above its class. The all-laminate wood body and quality hardware like sealed chrome tuners make this a durable, reliable choice. It looks nice too with the iconic Fender headstock logo. Overall, it's an incredible value that outperforms many budget acoustics.

Cons

The Fender Acoustic Guitar is an excellent beginner instrument overall, but it does have a few minor drawbacks to consider:

• The action may be a little high for some players' preferences, making it slightly more difficult to press the strings down. This can cause hand fatigue, especially for younger students or those with smaller hands. It may require a professional setup to lower the action.

• The laminate wood construction, while durable, lacks some of the rich harmonics and resonance of a solid wood acoustic. The tone is not as warm or nuanced.

• The tuning pegs are basic and may have issues holding the strings in tune, particularly during aggressive strumming. Upgrading to higher quality machine heads could help with tuning stability.

• There is some fret buzz and rattle present when playing past the 12th fret or during hard strumming. This indicates the frets may need some polishing and leveling by a luthier.

• The plastic nut and saddle are cost-effective but they lack the vibration transfer of bone, resulting in some loss of sustain and tone. Replacing them with bone could enhance the sound.

• The included strings are very basic and prone to breaking. Upgrading to a better quality string set could improve tuning stability, tone, and playability.

• The thin gloss finish, while attractive, is prone to dings and scratches with heavy use. A thicker finish may hold up better over time.

Overall the Fender Acoustic Guitar is an excellent value for beginners, but it does require some tweaks and upgrades to maximize its potential sound and playability. The tone and components reflect its lower price point.

Conclusion

Overall, the Fender Acoustic Beginner Starter Pack is an excellent choice for aspiring guitarists looking for their first acoustic guitar. With its classic dreadnought body shape crafted from laminated spruce and mahogany, it produces a balanced tone that's ideal for playing chords and strumming songs.

The guitar's action and playability make it very beginner-friendly. The low string action allows easy fretting and barre chords, while the C-shaped neck profile provides a comfortable feel. This allows new players to practice and develop skills without fatiguing or frustrating their hands.

If you're a new guitarist drawn to the iconic Fender brand, this starter pack bundles the essentials like a gig bag, picks, an extra set of strings, digital tuner, strap, and an instructional DVD into an affordable package. While not a professional-grade instrument, it's perfect for kickstarting a lifelong passion for playing guitar. I highly recommend the Fender Acoustic Beginner Starter Pack for aspiring acoustic guitarists ready to start their musical journey.