Fender 971160121 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender FA-15 is an affordable, full-scale dreadnought acoustic guitar aimed at beginners and students. As part of Fender's Folk Series, the FA-15 offers classic styling and conventional build in an entry-level instrument. This is a great option for those looking to buy their first acoustic or any player on a budget.

The FA-15 features a laminated spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides. It has a 25.3” scale neck made of nato wood with a walnut fingerboard and bridge. The guitar comes strung with Fender FT-3G phosphor bronze strings gauged .012 to .052. Overall, the FA-15 provides a balanced tone with defined bass and crisp treble, perfect for strumming chords or picking melodies.

While it doesn't offer premium appointments, the FA-15 gives beginners a playable, full-sized acoustic with Fender's trusted build quality. For new players or parents looking to buy a child their first guitar, the FA-15 is an excellent choice in the sub-$200 price range. Its conventional shape and spec make for an accessible introduction to acoustic guitars.

Body Style and Design

The Fender FA-15 acoustic guitar features the classic dreadnought body style, known for its full and booming sound projection. This is one of the most popular acoustic guitar shapes and provides a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.

The top of the FA-15 is made of laminated spruce, which is a common and affordable choice for entry-level acoustic guitars. Spruce is lightweight and responsive, allowing the top to freely vibrate and produce volume and sustain. It delivers balanced tone and articulation.

The back and sides are made of mahogany, which provides a slightly warmer, darker sound compared to maple. Mahogany adds depth and richness to the overall tonal profile. The combination of spruce top and mahogany back and sides makes this an excellent choice for various playing styles and genres.

The FA-15 has a nice satin finish that lets the woods resonate freely. The dreadnought shape produces a bold and resonant acoustic guitar well-suited for rhythm playing and accompaniment. The dreadnought body style has been popular for decades and can be seen on iconic models like the Martin D-28 and Gibson Hummingbird.

While the Fender FA-15 utilizes traditional construction methods and materials, some acoustic guitars explore alternative shapes and builds. For example, the GEWA PS510170 uses an orchestra model body style. This is smaller and more delicate than a dreadnought, providing excellent articulation and balance. The solid spruce top and flamed maple back and sides make this a gorgeous instrument as well.

The wide lower bout and narrower waist of the orchestra model give it a refined, elegant aesthetic. Sonically, this style excels at delicate fingerpicking and controlled strumming. The GEWA PS510170 produces warmth and sweetness with excellent note separation. Players looking for more intimacy and nuance may prefer the orchestra shape over a bolder dreadnought.

While the Fender FA-15 and GEWA PS510170 differ in construction and body styles, they both offer quality craftsmanship at reasonable prices. The dreadnought is known for projection and versatility, while the orchestra model provides articulation and balance. Evaluating body shapes and materials is an integral part of finding your ideal acoustic guitar tone and response.

Sound and Tone

The FA-15 dreadnought acoustic guitar produces a balanced, warm tone with emphasis on the low end thanks to its laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The combination of spruce and mahogany creates a rich, rounded sound with plenty of bass and low-mid presence.

Strumming chords on the FA-15 results in a very full, resonant sound. Each note sustains nicely. The mahogany body helps bring out the low end, while the spruce top provides crispness and articulation in the mids and highs. There's a good balance across the tonal spectrum.

The guitar projects well when played, easily filling a room with its bold acoustic voice. The tone is punchy when strummed hard, but also pleasing when played with a delicate fingerstyle touch. From low bass lines to singing treble melodies, the FA-15 handles it all while maintaining its signature warm, balanced character.

The Fender 0373453550 is another excellent dreadnought acoustic guitar that produces a well-balanced tone. It has a solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing, plus mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination generates a rich, full-bodied sound with great projection. The mahogany contributes to the guitar's warm, earthy tones, while the spruce provides sparkling highs and excellent note separation.

When strumming, the 0373453550 has a bold, resonant voice that really fills up a room. Chords ring out with sustain and character. There's plenty of bass and low-mid punch thanks to the mahogany, but also shimmering highs from the spruce top. Fingerstyle playing is also rewarding on this guitar. Notes have a clear, defined quality and there's good dynamic range as you vary your attack. The balance across the tonal spectrum allows the 0373453550 to handle many musical styles with aplomb.

In summary, the Fender 0373453550 dreadnought acoustic guitar lives up to the Fender name by producing a rich, versatile sound. With its quality tonewood construction of solid spruce and mahogany, this guitar generates a bold, balanced tone profile. Everything from delicate fingerpicking to aggressive strumming is handled beautifully. For a dreadnought acoustic with classic looks and great sound, check out the Fender 0373453550.

Playability

The Fender FA-15N acoustic guitar features a slim, comfortable neck profile that makes it very playable, especially for beginners. The action (string height) is set nice and low at the nut and saddle, making it quite easy to press the strings down without excessive finger effort. This really helps new players who are still building up hand strength and dexterity.

The nylon strings have a softer feel compared to steel strings, reducing finger soreness and fatigue. The narrower neck and slimmer nut width allow for quick, nimble playing with easier fretting and chord changes. While advanced players may want more room to dig in, the FA-15N's beginner-friendly ergonomics aid in early development and enjoyment. Overall the instrument provides a very smooth and accessible playing experience right out of the box.

Hardware

The Fender FA-15N Acoustic Guitar comes equipped with quality hardware that enhances its playability and functionality.

The headstock features vintage-style Fender chrome tuners that keep the strings tuned accurately. The tuners are open-geared for easy turning and smooth tuning adjustments.

The compensated synthetic bone saddle improves intonation by accounting for the different string thickness and tension across the strings. This helps produce accurate notes and chords when playing up the neck.

The stylish tortoise pickguard protects the body from pick scratches during strumming while adding to the guitar's classic, vintage vibe.

Overall, the hardware complements the FA-15N's design and allows for comfortable playability and reliable tuning stability. The high-quality parts enhance the guitar's sound, functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Electronics

The Fender FA-15N has quality electronics thanks to its Fishman preamp and built-in tuner. This ensures excellent amplified acoustic tone and makes it easy to tune the guitar before playing.

The Fishman preamp includes volume, bass, middle, and treble controls which provide a great degree of tonal control when plugging the guitar into an amp or PA system. Guitarists can shape their amplified tone to fit their preferences and the needs of each performance scenario.

The built-in tuner allows quick and convenient tuning at the touch of a button. Rather than needing a separate tuner pedal or app, the tuner is integrated into the guitar itself. This is extremely handy when grabbing the guitar and playing on the go or making quick tuning adjustments during band practice or live performance.

Overall, the electronics elevate the FA-15N above most beginner level acoustics in its price range. Having pro-level Fishman components makes this a great choice for amplifying and tuning the guitar with ease.

Pros

The Fender FA-15N offers quite a few pros given its beginner-friendly price point. The all-laminate construction utilizes quality materials to provide great playability and balanced tone.

• The spruce top and basswood back and sides produce a balanced and clear acoustic sound. While not as rich as solid wood, the laminate materials allow Fender to construct an affordable instrument that sounds good for the price.

• The slim neck profile with smooth satin finish makes the FA-15N very easy and comfortable to play, even for beginner guitarists with smaller hands.

• The FA-15N delivers a bright, balanced tone that's suitable for strumming chords or fingerpicking melodies. While not as complex as a high-end acoustic, the guitar's tone is impressive considering the affordable price tag.

• The materials and construction make the FA-15N quite durable and able to withstand the bumps and knocks of a beginner learning to play.

Overall, the Fender FA-15N exceeds expectations for a budget-friendly beginner acoustic, with quality materials providing balanced tone and easy playability.

Cons

The Fender FA-15N has a few minor drawbacks that some guitarists may not like.

• The electronics and amplification are fairly basic for an acoustic-electric guitar in this price range. The preamp doesn't provide a lot of tonal shaping or equalization options. Some players feel the onboard electronics lack projection and volume compared to higher-end acoustic-electrics.

• The pickups and preamp reproduce the acoustic tone well, but don't offer much tonal enhancement. Those looking for more sophisticated electronics may want to consider other models.

• The volume and tone controls are mounted in the soundhole rather than on the side of the guitar. While accessible, some players prefer having external knobs.

• The midrange frequencies can sound a bit subdued when amplified. The lack of EQ adjustment makes it difficult to brighten up the amplified sound.

• The intonation out of the box may need minor adjustments for optimum playability up the neck. Some owners report the guitar being slightly out of tune on higher frets.

Ideal For

The Fender FA-15N is an ideal acoustic guitar for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable and quality instrument. Though it's priced low, the FA-15N delivers impressive tone and playability that will appeal to new players and keep up with those who stick with the instrument.

The smaller concert body style makes the FA-15N comfortable for younger beginners and smaller-framed players. The short scale neck is equally beginner-friendly, making it easier to fret and form chords especially for those with smaller hands. Despite its ease of play, the guitar still produces balanced and resonant tones expected of a full-sized instrument.

With its laminate spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the FA-15N gives an impressive voice for a guitar at this price point. The tone is bright and focused, with enough low-end punch to handle strumming and flatpicking. While not as complex sounding as a high-end solid wood guitar, the FA-15N provides very usable acoustic tones for practice, jam sessions, and live performance.

The FA-15N is built to be a workhorse beginner's guitar that can stand up to regular practice and play sessions. The all-laminate construction makes it durable and resistant to cracks and warping. The dual-action truss rod allows easy neck adjustments over time. Players who stick with it can count on this guitar to last well after the beginner phase, serving as a reliable backup or travel instrument.

Conclusion

The Fender FA-15N is an excellent entry-level acoustic guitar that punches above its weight class. Despite the affordable price tag, it offers impressive tone and playability that will appeal to beginners and casual players.

The slim neck and comfortable body style make it very easy to hold and play for long periods. The laminated spruce top produces a balanced, bright sound with good projection. While the hardware and electronics are fairly basic, they perform well for a guitar in this price range.

Overall, the Fender FA-15N is a great value for those looking to buy their first acoustic or a spare guitar for travel or practice. The quality exceeds expectations considering the affordable price point. Beginners will find it comfortable to learn on, while more advanced players may use it as a fun, inexpensive beater guitar. For the money, it's hard to find an acoustic with better tone and playability.