Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Acoustic Guitar Full Combo is a high-quality acoustic guitar designed for beginner to intermediate players looking for a versatile instrument they can grow with. It comes as a full package including the guitar, gig bag, tuner, strings, picks, strap, electronic tuner, instructional DVD, polishing cloth, and photo chord book. This bundle provides everything a developing guitarist needs to start playing right out of the box.

The full-sized dreadnought body produces a balanced tone well-suited to many music genres. The laminate spruce top and mahogany back and sides give it a bright, vibrant sound that projects well. The slim neck and low action facilitate comfortable playing while the cutaway provides easy access to upper frets. An onboard preamp with tuner allows plugging into an amplifier or PA system. This is a well-constructed, good sounding acoustic electric guitar equipped for practice, performance, and lifelong music enjoyment.

Construction and Materials

The Fender Acoustic Guitar Combo Deluxe features a classic dreadnought body shape made from laminated spruce on top with laminated mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a balanced tone with clear highs from the spruce and warm low end from the mahogany.

The guitar has a C-shaped neck made from maple, topped with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability. The hardware includes a compensated bone saddle and synthetic bone nut to improve intonation.

The body binding features classic multi-ply purfling, and the mahogany neck has a matte finish. Overall the guitar has a gloss polyurethane finish for protection and enhanced looks. The materials used are designed to deliver an authentic acoustic guitar tone and playing experience.

When choosing an acoustic guitar, it's important to consider the construction and materials used, as these factors greatly impact the sound and playability. Many guitarists prefer a solid wood top, like solid spruce or cedar, paired with layered back and sides made from mahogany or rosewood. The Fender Acoustic Guitar Combo Deluxe uses laminated woods which can provide good sound at a more affordable price point. Models like the Yamaha APX600 BL use layered nato back and sides with a solid sitka spruce top for excellent tone and articulation.

The neck wood is also an important factor, with mahogany, maple, and rosewood being common choices. Rosewood and ebony fingerboards are prized for their hardness and durability. Nut and saddle materials like bone and tusq can improve resonance and sustain. Gloss finishes look attractive but some prefer an open pore satin finish for a more natural feel during play. Ultimately personal preference, playing style, and budget will determine the best acoustic guitar construction and materials for each guitarist.

When researching acoustic guitars, reading reviews and demoing various models can help narrow the choices down. Consider the tonewood combination, neck profile, fretboard material, nut and saddle type, and overall workmanship. Testing the guitar in person and listening closely to the unique voice that the construction and materials impart is advisable. This can help find the right acoustic to match musical needs and fit within budget constraints. With so many great options available, an ideal acoustic guitar is within reach for all players.

Sound and Tone

The Fender FA-125S acoustic guitar produces a bright, crisp tone with good sustain and projection thanks to its all-laminate spruce top. The smaller concert-style body helps emphasize the treble frequencies, giving this an overall balanced and articulate voice.

While not as warm or full as a solid wood guitar, the laminate construction prevents cracking or splitting. So the FA-125S maintains its clear, vibrant tone regardless of climate conditions. The synthetic bone nut and saddle also contribute to a focused, resonant sound.

This Fender acoustic is an ideal choice for fingerpicking styles and solo performers who want their notes to sing out and cut through the mix. The lightweight build allows for extended practice and stage use without listener fatigue. While not the richest or most nuanced acoustic tone, the FA-125S delivers an excellent balanced sound and musical voice.

The Martin 11D10E-01 is another popular acoustic guitar known for its rich, complex tone. This all-solid wood guitar features a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Together, these tonewoods produce a warm, full-bodied sound with excellent bass response and sparkling highs.

The modified low-oval neck shape provides comfort and playability. The ebony fingerboard and bridge enhance note definition and sustain. Overall, the 11D10E-01 generates a refined yet organic acoustic guitar tone. The solid wood construction will mature and open up more over time, providing years of resonant, nuanced tone.

While the Fender FA-125S offers a bright and focused sound, the Martin 11D10E-01 provides more depth and complexity. The all-solid wood body resonates with lush overtones and harmonics. This makes the Martin 11D10E-01 a versatile acoustic that handles both strumming chords and intricate fingerstyle well. Its vintage-inspired aesthetic also gives it a classic, timeless appeal.

So in summary, the Fender has a crisp, articulate sound perfect for cutting through a mix while the Martin offers a richer, more nuanced tone for fingerstyle playing. Choose the Fender for projection and the Martin for warmth and resonance. Check out the Martin 11D10E-01 here to explore this iconic acoustic guitar's specifications and hear its impressive sound.

Playability

The playability of the Acoustic Guitar Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX is one of its standout features. This guitar has a comfortable C-shaped neck profile that provides a smooth and enjoyable playing feel. The neck width measures 1.6875" at the nut, which is a standard width that most players will find very playable.

The string action on this guitar is set low and fast right out of the box. There is little to no fret buzz across the fretboard, even when playing more aggressively. This allows for easy forming of chords and single note runs without having to press the strings down hard. The low action is made possible by the high quality fretwork, with each fret evenly crowned and smoothly finished.

Overall, the playability of this acoustic guitar makes it a joy to play. From the comfortable neck shape to the fast low action and quality fretwork, this guitar feels great in the hands and allows players to easily access the entire fretboard with minimal effort. For many players, the smooth playability may be one of the top reasons to choose this guitar.

Electronics and Controls

The Fender Acoustasonic comes equipped with Fender's Advanced Body Sensor pickup system and preamp. This system utilizes a 3-element under-saddle piezo pickup combined with an internal body sensor to capture a natural acoustic tone with the nuances of an electro-acoustic.

The preamp has an Acoustic Engine designed specifically for the Acoustasonic that enables blending between the electric and acoustic voices. There are 5 pre-defined voicings to easily switch between American and Adirondack steel string acoustic tones, mahogany dreadnought, rosewood dreadnought, and mahogany jumbo. An additional top-mounted blend knob allows continuous blending between the electric and acoustic sounds.

The preamp also includes 3-band EQ with dedicated bass, mid, and treble controls to allow shaping your personalized tone. The simple control layout makes dialing in your ideal acoustic, electric, or blended sound quick and intuitive. From bright, crisp steel string tones to deep, warm dreadnought voicings, this preamp and electronic system aims to deliver flexible acoustic performance for any playing style or musical genre.

Accessories

The Fender Acoustic Guitar Pack comes with several useful accessories beyond just the guitar itself. Inside the bundle, you'll find:

• Gig bag - A padded gig bag is included to protect and safely transport your guitar. The bag has backpack-style straps, exterior storage pockets, and an adjustable shoulder strap.

• Digital tuner - Fender includes their standard chromatic clip-on tuner which attaches to the guitar's headstock. This allows quick and accurate tuning.

• Strings - The bundle comes with an extra set of Fender 80/20 Bronze acoustic strings, giving you a backup set when needed.

• Instructional content - The package includes video lessons from Fender covering guitar basics, chord changes, strumming patterns, and popular songs. This content is great for beginners.

• Assorted picks - Several celluloid guitar picks of varying thickness are included to accommodate different playing styles.

• Polishing cloth - A soft cloth for wiping down and polishing the guitar is provided. This helps keep the instrument looking its best.

• Quick start guide - A short instruction manual covers tuning, changing strings, and basic care recommendations.

Pros

Rich, Balanced Tone

One of the biggest pros of the Fender Acoustic is its rich, balanced tone that projects well. The combination of the solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides produces a full sound across the frequency range, with sparkling highs, strong mids, and deep low end.

Easy Playability

The Fender is an easy guitar to play thanks to its comfortable C-shaped neck, low action, and smooth satin finish. It has a thin, fast neck profile that makes it effortless to play chords and riffs up and down the neck. The action is set nice and low from the factory, making fretting notes and chords a breeze.

Onboard Electronics

The built-in Fishman electronics with tuner allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system. The Fishman Presys preamp and pickup system accurately reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic tone when amplified. The tuner is a handy extra feature for keeping the guitar in tune.

Cons

• The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar is an entry-level model, so it lacks some of the premium appointments and high-end features of more expensive guitars. The top is laminated rather than solid wood, which can affect resonance and tone.

• The electronics and preamp are fairly basic, without any EQ controls or tuner. This limits the ability to shape your amplified tone. The pickup and preamp also don't provide the most natural acoustic sound when plugged in.

• While the neck is comfortable, it doesn't have quite the buttery smooth feel of a solid wood neck. And the hardware, tuners, bridge, etc are functional but not high-end.

• The fit and finish is good for the price, but not flawless. There may be some rough edges from the mass production process. Attention to detail is not at the level of hand-crafted models.

• It's not the most lightweight or travel-friendly guitar, with its dreadnought body shape. The included gig bag provides decent protection but not as much as a hardshell case.

• While it provides good bang for the buck, the CD-60S lacks the rich, nuanced tone and premium build quality of Fender's more expensive USA-made acoustic guitars. It reflects some cost-cutting measures expected at this price point.

Comparable Options

When looking for an acoustic-electric guitar in the price range of the Fender Paramount PM-3, there are several comparable models to consider from other top guitar manufacturers:

Taylor 314ce

The Taylor 314ce is a mid-priced Grand Auditorium shaped acoustic-electric made with solid Sitka spruce top and layered walnut back and sides. It produces a balanced, articulate tone perfect for fingerstyle playing. The V-Class bracing and Expression System 2 electronics provide excellent amplification and response. Players love the Taylor neck profile and fast feel.

Martin D-18

The Martin D-18 is an all solid wood dreadnought acoustic-electric with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has a rich, deep, and punchy tone perfect for strumming. Features include vintage-style appointments, a Modified low oval neck for comfort, and Fishman Matrix VT Enhance electronics. The D-18 combines excellent craftsmanship with Martin's signature dreadnought sound.

Yamaha A5R

The Yamaha A5R is an acoustic-electric with a solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It has a slightly smaller body depth than a dreadnought, producing balanced tone across all registers. The SRT pickup system provides natural amplified tone. Yamaha is known for quality construction and playability at an accessible price point.

Guild D-240E

From a storied American guitar company, the Guild D-240E is an all-solid wood dreadnought with Sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It features an easy-playing slim-profile mahogany neck and Fishman Sonitone electronics. Guild is revered for its crisp, rich acoustic tone that projects beautifully.

Conclusion

The Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster is an innovative hybrid acoustic-electric guitar that delivers impressive tonal versatility. Its unique construction pairs a Stratocaster-style solid body with an acoustic resonator. This allows players to explore electric, acoustic, and blended tones from one instrument.

Overall, the Acoustasonic Stratocaster's flexible sound options, quality materials, comfortable playability, and useful accessories make it an excellent investment for guitarists who want the best of both worlds. While the price tag is quite high, you get your money's worth in terms of tone, build quality, and innovation.

For guitarists seeking maximum tonal flexibility in one instrument, the Acoustasonic Stratocaster is easy to recommend. It expands the creative possibilities thanks to its smart acoustic and electric pairing. The ability to easily switch between acoustic and electric modes via the 5-way switch is a major advantage.

The guitar sounds and plays superbly, despite some minor drawbacks like the lack of a tone control knob. As long as you're comfortable with the price, this is an inspired modern take on the Stratocaster that delivers impressive acoustic tones alongside iconic electric tones. It's a forward-thinking guitar suited for players who like exploring different sounds and pushing the boundaries of what an electric guitar can do.