The Fender CD-60 is an affordable entry-level dreadnought acoustic guitar made by Fender, one of the most well-known brands in the guitar world. As part of Fender's Classic Design series, the CD-60 aims to deliver great playability and classic acoustic tone at a budget-friendly price point. This makes it an appealing choice for beginner and intermediate level players looking for a well-built, reliable acoustic guitar for practice, jamming and gigging.

The CD-60 features a classic dreadnought body shape with a solid laminate spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, emphasizing crisp treble and rich low end. The guitar has a 25.3” scale maple neck and rosewood fretboard for smooth playability. Other appointments include a compensated saddle, synthetic bone nut and chrome enclosed tuning machines. Overall, the CD-60 provides great bang-for-your-buck, giving players Fender quality and sound without breaking the bank.

Body Style and Construction

The Fender CD-60 features a traditional dreadnought body shape, which provides a full, balanced tone with plenty of bass, loud volume, and good projection. The dreadnought design originated in the early 20th century and has since become arguably the most popular acoustic guitar body style.

From a construction standpoint, the CD-60 has a laminated spruce top paired with laminated mahogany back and sides. The use of laminated woods helps keep costs down while still providing decent tonal characteristics. The top, back, and sides are all bound with white ABS plastic binding for a tidy finish.

Overall, the CD-60's dreadnought platform offers an excellent all-around option in terms of looks, comfort, playability, and balanced tone. The construction utilizes both traditional and more affordable methods to create a reliable workhorse acoustic guitar. The Fender CD-60 is a great choice for beginners and intermediate players looking for a well-built, easy-playing acoustic guitar with classic styling and balanced tone. With its laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, dreadnought body shape, and smooth satin finish, the CD-60 delivers warm, balanced tone in an affordable package.

For guitarists wanting a quality acoustic guitar without breaking the bank, be sure to check out the Fender 971757022. This budget-friendly model features a classic dreadnought body made of laminated woods to keep costs down. It has a nice satin finish and comfortable neck that promotes easy playability. While it may not have the complex overtones of a solid wood acoustic, the 971757022 still produces plenty of volume with decent projection thanks to its large dreadnought body. The tone is balanced across the tonal spectrum, making this guitar suitable for strumming chords or fingerpicking. Considering its affordable price tag, the 971757022 offers great bang for your buck if you're a beginner or casual player who wants a reliable, good-sounding acoustic guitar without spending too much money. It's definitely worth checking out this model if you want classic Fender style without breaking the bank.

Tonewoods

The Fender CD-60 features a solid spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a balanced tone that is characteristic of many dreadnought style acoustic guitars.

The solid spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate note separation. Spruce is a popular top wood choice due to its responsive and resonant properties. It produces a wide tonal range with a lot of "sparkle" in the treble frequencies.

The mahogany back and sides add warmth while enhancing the bass and low mids. Mahogany is a very musical wood that contributes to a rich, full-bodied tone. The mahogany compliments the bright spruce top nicely, creating an acoustic guitar that is well-rounded in its frequency response.

Many guitarists prefer the blend of spruce and mahogany because it handles both fingerpicking and strumming very well. The tonal balance allows for versatility when playing different styles of music. The woods also mature nicely over time, resulting in an instrument that opens up more with age.

The combination of spruce and mahogany makes the CD-60 a great choice for players who want classic acoustic guitar tones in an affordable package. The tonewoods provide a solid tonal foundation to build upon.

Neck and Fretboard

The Fender CD-60 features a maple neck and rosewood fretboard that provide the balanced tone and playability that Fender acoustics are known for. The maple neck offers stability and sustain while contributing to the guitar's overall bright, articulate tone. It has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, comfortable playing up and down the neck.

The rosewood fretboard complements the maple neck well. Rosewood has a warm, rounded tone that adds depth to the guitar's sound. It also has a smooth surface and modest grip for fast playing across the 20 frets. The width at the nut measures 1 11/16 inches, providing enough room for intricate chords and single note runs while still playable for those with smaller hands. The fretwork from the factory is nicely done with no sharp edges along the side of the neck.

Overall the neck and fretboard allow for versatile playing styles and contribute to the CD-60's excellent playability right out of the box. The combination of tonewoods and quality construction make this an exceptionally playable instrument in its price range.

The Fender CD-60 is an affordable dreadnought acoustic guitar with classic tonewoods and quality craftsmanship. It features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for balanced, full-bodied acoustic tones. The maple neck and rosewood fretboard provide smooth playability right out of the box. Many players appreciate the versatile sound and feel of the CD-60. It handles both fingerstyle playing and energetic strumming very well. The guitar has the solid acoustic tonewoods and quality components that Fender is known for in a budget-friendly package. For more details on this model, check out the Fender 0378301565 listing.

Hardware

The Fender CD-60 comes equipped with chrome die-cast tuning machines that hold tuning reliably. The chrome hardware has a bright shimmer that complements the natural finish. The guitar features a hardtail bridge for solid intonation and optimal energy transfer between the strings and body. The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone which provides a smooth feel during playing. While some players may prefer open geared tuners or higher end hardware, the chrome pieces on the CD-60 are decent quality for the price point. Overall, the hardware is functional and matches the aesthetic of this entry-level dreadnought.

Sound and Tone

The Fender CD-60SCE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar produces a balanced tone that is both warm and bright. The solid spruce top contributes to a clear and articulate high end, with crisp treble notes that ring out with clarity. At the same time, the mahogany back and sides add some richness and body to the midrange and bass frequencies. This combination results in a nicely balanced tone profile that works well for both lead playing and rhythm accompaniment.

The CD-60SCE is capable of some lively high-end shimmer when strummed, which helps bring out complex fingerstyle parts. But it also has enough low end to provide a solid foundation on chord strumming. Notes up and down the neck have good definition, allowing you to hear the nuances in your playing technique. The electronics and preamp help maintain the guitar's acoustic sound and dynamics when plugging into an amplifier or PA system. Overall, the CD-60SCE has a versatile sound quality that can handle an array of musical genres and playing styles.

Playability

The Fender CD-60 offers an excellent playing experience that both beginners and experts can appreciate. The action on this guitar is set up very nicely right out of the box, with comfortable string height and spacing that makes chords and lead playing smooth and enjoyable.

The CD-60's neck has a C-shaped profile that fits comfortably in the hand. It's easy to wrap your thumb around for chords and scale runs. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for smooth sliding up and down the fretboard during solos and riffs without feeling sticky.

Overall, the CD-60 provides a very playable acoustic guitar experience. It's comfortable to hold and easy to fret notes and chords up and down the neck. Both rhythm and lead playing come naturally on this guitar. The accessible neck and low action help make this a great choice for new players, while still offering the smooth feel that more advanced guitarists will appreciate.

Versatility

The Fender CD-60S is a versatile acoustic guitar suitable for a variety of musical genres and playing styles. Its dreadnought body produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, allowing it to adapt well to different styles of music.

The CD-60S works great for strumming chords and provides clear note articulation for fingerpicking styles. Its all-mahogany construction gives it a slightly warmer, darker tone that pairs nicely with folk, country, blues, classic rock, and pop. The guitar has enough projection to hold its own in a jam session or open mic night, making it a good choice for aspiring performers.

Some players even use the CD-60S for hard rock and heavy metal, demonstrating its capacity for gain and distortion. The guitar has the dynamic range to go from soft, intimate passages to aggressive strumming. Overall, the Fender CD-60S is a flexible acoustic guitar that can handle an array of music genres and playing techniques.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Warm, balanced tone: The CD-60 has an impressive tone for a guitar in this price range, with warm, balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce clear trebles, punchy mids, and full low end.

• Easy playability: The CD-60's neck has a smooth satin finish that makes it very playable and comfortable. The action is set low and the shorter 24.75" scale length reduces tension, making it easier for beginners to press down the strings.

• Excellent value: For an all-solid wood guitar under $200, the CD-60 offers fantastic value. The quality of materials and construction is very good considering the affordable price point. It's an ideal first guitar or budget-friendly option.

Cons

• The tuners can be stiff and slippery, making tuning less smooth and stable. Upgrading to higher quality tuners may help tuning performance.

• The factory strings are heavy gauge and can be difficult for beginners to fret. Putting on a lighter set of strings can improve playability.

• There is some buzzing on the lower frets. A professional setup can help improve this, but it may be an ongoing issue.

Summary

The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought is an excellent entry-level acoustic guitar that punches above its weight. Its all-mahogany construction gives it a balanced, mellow tone that works well for various music genres. The neck has a comfortable modern C profile that facilitates intricate chording and single-note playing. While not as loud as more expensive models, the CD-60 has decent projection suitable for jamming with friends or busking.

Overall, the Fender CD-60 Dreadnought is highly recommended for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic. More advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a solid wood model like the Yamaha FG800 for better tone and volume. However, the CD-60 is very good value for money and makes an ideal first guitar or travel/beater instrument.