Fender CC-60S 970150422 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CC-60S is an affordable, entry-level acoustic guitar that's great for beginners or players looking for a solid second guitar. Part of Fender's California Coast Series, it features a stylish, thin-line grand auditorium body made of mahogany with a satin finish. The smaller body shape is comfortable for younger players or those with smaller hands. While it doesn't produce the richest tones, the CC-60S delivers balanced, resonant sound thanks to its spruce top. It also comes equipped with high-quality die-cast tuning machines, a Walnut fingerboard and bridge, and a pickguard featuring the Fender logo. Overall, the CC-60S offers great bang for your buck if you're searching for a well-constructed, easy-playing steel-string with classic Fender styling.

Construction and Materials

The Fender CC-60S is an all-solid mahogany acoustic guitar. The top, back, and sides are all made from solid mahogany wood rather than a laminate or other synthetic materials. Mahogany is known for its warm, balanced tone that emphasizes the midrange frequencies. It provides a mellow sound compared to brighter tonewoods like maple. The all-solid mahogany construction gives the CC-60S a rich, full-bodied voice.

Many acoustic guitars in this price range will have laminate back and sides to cut costs, but the CC-60S uses solid wood throughout. This not only affects the tone, but also the aesthetics, giving the guitar an attractive, consistent wood grain pattern. The solid mahogany build makes the CC-60S punch above its weight in terms of sound quality. Players looking for an affordable, melodic sounding acoustic guitar will appreciate the all-mahogany construction.

The all-mahogany body isn't the only notable construction feature of the Fender CC-60S. It also has a mahogany neck with a walnut fingerboard and bridge. The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone. The CC-60S has 20 frets and a 25.3" scale length. It comes equipped with die-cast chrome tuners and includes Fender's F-branded strings. The body binding and rosette help give the guitar a more high-end look and feel.

Another acoustic guitar worth considering in this price range is the D'Angelico DAPLSOMAGDCP. It features solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The DAPLSOMAGDCP has a smooth, balanced tone thanks to its all-solid wood body. It has a natural satin finish that accentuates the wood grain. Details like the mother-of-pearl rosette and die-cast tuners give it an elegant appearance. The slim neck profile provides comfort during long practice sessions. While the Fender CC-60S and D'Angelico DAPLSOMAGDCP are different guitars, they both offer all-solid wood construction at an affordable price point.

Sound Quality

The Fender CC-60S has a warm, balanced tone that sounds great for playing folk, country, blues, and other fingerstyle genres. The mahogany top produces a mellow voice with smooth highs and tight lows. There's good projection and sustain across the tonal spectrum. Strumming and flatpicking both come through with richness and clarity. The guitar has impressive dynamic range, easily going from hushed phrases to aggressive rhythm work. Single notes and chords ring out with excellent presence. While not as boomy as spruce, the mahogany top pumps out plenty of volume while retaining musicality. The back and sides also contribute to the balanced voicing. There's enough crispness for articulation and shimmer without getting overly bright. Overall, the CC-60S delivers a versatile, vintage-inspired voice perfect for songwriters and acoustic guitarists.

The Yamaha FG820 (see our review here) is another great option for fingerstyle players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic guitar. This budget-friendly model may lack some bells and whistles, but it nails the basics with its solid Sitka spruce top and nato back and sides. The combo produces a bright, focused tone with nice sustain and resonance. There's enough crispness and cut to make melodies sing, yet still warmth and body for strumming. The mahogany neck contributes to a balanced tone. Notes ring out clearly and separation is impressive for a guitar in this price range. Many are impressed with the FG820's volume output and dynamic range. The guitar also stays articulate when digging in and can be played with a light touch. Overall, the Yamaha FG820 punches well above its weight with impressive materials and construction that allow it to produce studio-worthy tones at a beginner-friendly price.

Playability

The Fender CC-60S acoustic guitar features low action and comfortable playability overall. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for speedy runs up and down the fingerboard. The slim neck profile should be comfortable for most hand sizes. The 12" radius fingerboard also adds to the comfort when fretting chords and notes up high on the neck.

The low string action from the nut to the saddle reduces hand fatigue when fretting. You can play for longer periods without your hands getting tired thanks to the easy playability. The action can be adjusted easily from the truss rod in the neck, allowing you to customize it to your preference. Many users found the setup out of the box required minimal adjustment.

Between the low action, smooth neck, and comfortably contoured body, the CC-60S rates highly for its playability. It feels great right out of the box, and allows for lengthy practice or gigging sessions without hand strain or fatigue. The accessible neck encourages you to play to your full potential. Overall, Fender designed this guitar for optimal comfort and ease of play.

Hardware

The Fender CC-60S comes equipped with die-cast chrome tuners that help keep this guitar in tune beautifully. The chrome gives a nice pop of brightness against the all-mahogany construction.

The bridge is also chrome, which complements the tuners nicely. It's a synthetic bone saddle, which gives a smooth feel during strumming and picking.

The pickguard has an attractive tortoise pattern, which lends some visual flair. Tortoise shell pickguards pair nicely with natural mahogany finishes to give the guitar a vintage vibe.

The hardware is durable and well-made overall. The tuners in particular do a great job at holding tuning evenly across all six strings.

Electronics

The Fender CC-60S is an all-acoustic guitar, featuring no pickups or preamps. This is fairly standard for an acoustic in this price range, as electronics add cost. The lack of electronics means the CC-60S produces only an unplugged acoustic sound. This gives it a pure, organic tone, though it also means you can't amplify or modify the sound. The guitar will need to be played unamplified or mic'd up live. For many players, the natural acoustic sound is ideal. But those wanting effects or amplified volume will need to look at electro-acoustic models. Ultimately, the electronics are typical of an acoustic in this class. Players prioritizing a natural acoustic sound will appreciate the organic unplugged tone. Those wanting more versatility may wish it had pickups for amplification or recording.

Pros

The Fender CC-60S has a lot to offer considering its very reasonable price point. The all-mahogany body and neck provide quality tonewoods you would expect to see on more expensive models. This results in a beautifully balanced and warm overall tone.

The slim neck profile along with the comfortable body size make this an easy guitar for players of all levels to handle. It's very playable right out of the box. Both strumming and fingerpicking come naturally on the CC-60S.

The mahogany construction gives a rich low-end with pleasant highs. It's a versatile guitar well suited to a variety of musical genres and playing styles. Many customers remark how the CC-60S punches above its class in terms of tone and resonance.

Overall, the materials and design allow the CC-60S to produce great sound quality that belies its affordable price tag. This makes it an excellent choice as a first guitar or a reliable backup option.

Cons

The Fender CC-60S is a very basic, no-frills acoustic guitar. It lacks some features that more advanced players may want:

• No cutaway design - The CC-60S has a traditional dreadnought body shape without a cutaway. This can make it harder to access the upper frets. Players who need to solo up high may find this limiting.

• No electronics - There is no built-in pickup or preamp system. You cannot plug this acoustic-electric into an amp or PA system like you can with pricier acoustic-electric guitars. It's an entirely acoustic instrument.

• Simple appointments - Aside from the satin finish, this guitar lacks any special aesthetic appointments. The rosette, binding, inlays, and other trim pieces are very plain. Players who want a more ornate, decorated acoustic may be disappointed.

So while the Fender name gives it credibility, the CC-60S is clearly aimed at beginners and intermediate players who want an affordable, no-frills acoustic with a solid top. Players looking for electronics, fancy appointments, or premium tonewoods will need to consider pricier models. But for the money, it delivers quality construction and pleasing sound.

Who It's For

The Fender CC-60S is an excellent choice for beginning and intermediate acoustic guitar players, especially those interested in folk or country styles. Its smaller concert-style body and comfortable neck profile make it ideal for players with smaller hands or those who struggle to hold full-size dreadnought acoustics.

The mellow, focused tone suits strumming chords and fingerpicking, allowing players to explore basic accompaniment techniques. While not as loud or boomy as larger guitars, it has enough volume for playing solo or jamming with a couple friends. The onboard electronics also let players plug into an amp or PA system for more projection.

Overall, the Fender CC-60S hits a sweet spot of playability, practical features, and pleasing tone for newer players. It provides a high-quality instrument to learn on and stick with for years, without the premium price of an all-solid wood acoustic. For gigging musicians, it could also serve as a durable and dependable backup guitar.

Bottom Line

The Fender CC-60S Concert is a well-made affordable acoustic guitar with classic Fender tone and playability. It features a solid mahogany top, back, and sides paired with a mahogany neck for warm, balanced tone. The slim neck and low action make it an accessible instrument for beginners, while the upgraded compensated saddle provides intonation accuracy. Overall, it delivers characteristic Fender resonance and sustain at a budget price point, making it an excellent entry-level acoustic for players looking for traditional Fender craftsmanship and sound. Its classic styling, comfortable feel, and mellow voice make the CC-60S a great choice for new players and those wanting a quality affordable acoustic for practice and jam sessions.