Fender CC-60SCE 970153006 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CC-60SCE is an affordable, entry-level acoustic-electric guitar from the legendary Fender brand. As part of Fender's California Series, the CC-60SCE offers solid spruce top construction paired with mahogany back and sides to produce a full, rich tone expected from a Fender guitar.

This concert-shaped guitar combines traditional looks with modern playability. The slim neck and low action make it an accessible choice for new players, while the classic Fender headstock and logo provide the iconic styling the brand is known for. Equipped with a Fishman preamp system, the CC-60SCE amplifies well while retaining the nuanced acoustic tone.

Overall, the Fender CC-60SCE hits a sweet spot between quality and affordability. For guitarists looking to go electric without breaking the bank, it packs impressive features and classic Fender vibe into a very wallet-friendly price point. This makes it a great choice for new players seeking their first acoustic-electric or those needing a solid stage and studio workhorse.

Physical Features

The Fender CC-60SCE dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar has a classic yet elegant look and feel. This guitar features a laminated mahogany top, back and sides. The top has a gloss natural finish that allows the wood's grain to shine through beautifully. The back and sides have a satin finish.

The dreadnought body shape produces a full, rich and well-balanced tone. It's a medium-to-large body size that's comfortable to hold and play. The cutaway allows easy access to the upper frets, making this a versatile guitar for both rhythm and lead playing.

Overall, the materials and construction give the CC-60SCE a very traditional look and sound, perfect for a wide range of musical styles. The natural gloss finish on the top is visually striking, while the satin back and sides provide smooth playability.

The CC-60SCE features a solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing, which provides strength and stability while allowing the top to vibrate freely. This results in excellent resonance, projection and sustain. The back and sides are made of laminated mahogany, which gives a balanced tone with clear mids and lows.

The neck is also made of mahogany with a smooth satin finish. It has a standard 25.3" scale length and a nut width of 1.69", making it comfortable for most playing styles. The rosewood fingerboard has 20 frets and dot inlays. Overall the neck has a slim, easy-to-play feel.

It comes equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp system with a built-in tuner, which makes plugging into an amplifier quick and easy. The preamp provides EQ controls for shaping your amplified tone. There's also a phase switch to help eliminate feedback.

If you're looking for a great all-around acoustic-electric that looks classy, sounds full and balanced, and is comfortable to play, the Fender FA-15 961170121 is an excellent choice to consider. It delivers traditional dreadnought sound and feel along with useful electronics for amplified situations.

Neck and Fretboard

The CC-60SCE features a mahogany neck with a walnut fingerboard. Mahogany is a popular neck wood known for its warm, balanced tone and good sustain. The walnut fingerboard offers a smooth feel and provides a nice contrast to the mahogany.

The neck has 20 frets, which is standard for a dreadnought acoustic guitar. 20 frets give you enough room to play lead lines up and down the neck while still leaving space for the body to resonate properly. The fretwork from the 1st to the 12th fret is very good, with fret ends nicely finished. The upper frets between 15-20 get a bit sharp on the edges but nothing too bothersome.

Overall the neck feels comfortable and playable, with a silky satin finish that allows smooth movement up and down the neck. The nut width measures 1.68 inches, giving a roomy feel that's ideal for fingerstyle playing. Players with smaller hands may want to try the neck in person first before buying.

If you're looking for an acoustic guitar with a different neck and fretboard construction, check out the Gretsch G2622T-P90 2807500588. This model features a nato neck with a laurel fingerboard for a slightly brighter, more articulate tone. The nut width is slightly narrower at 1.69", which some players may find more comfortable. The fretwork is also quite good, with smooth fret ends throughout the neck. The Gretsch has a different feel and voice compared to the mahogany/walnut combo of the CC-60SCE, so it's worth trying both to see which you prefer.

While the CC-60SCE has a comfortable neck for fingerstyle playing, the Gretsch G2622T-P90 presents another quality option with its nato/laurel neck and slightly narrower nut width. The tone and feel from the neck can significantly impact the overall playing experience, so it's wise to try different acoustic guitars in person to find the right neck profile for your needs if possible. Evaluating neck construction, materials, and dimensions will help you discover the ideal acoustic guitar for your playing style.

Hardware

The Fender CC-60SCE features quality hardware that enhances its playability and sound. It has a synthetic bone nut and saddle that provide precise string spacing and accurate intonation.

The bridge is made from sturdy rosewood which gives it a strong anchor point for the strings. It has a compensated design that helps improve the guitar's intonation when playing up the neck.

The tuners are open-gear with a chrome finish. They hold tune reliably and make re-stringing an easy process. The knobs have a smooth turning action that allows for accurate tuning adjustments.

There are strap buttons on the neck heel and base to securely attach a strap for standing up with the guitar. This allows you to play more dynamically without worrying about dropping the instrument.

The CC-60SCE has an onboard preamp and tuner for amplifying your acoustic tone. It uses a Fishman pickup that captures the guitar's natural sound. There are volume and tone controls to shape your amplified tone. The tuner makes it easy to keep the guitar in tune without additional accessories.

Overall, the hardware on the CC-60SCE is thoughtfully designed for an acoustic-electric guitar at this price range. The components all work together to enhance the playability and sound quality.

Sound and Tone

The Fender CC-60SCE produces a balanced, well-rounded acoustic tone that works nicely for various styles of music. The solid spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate note definition. There's good presence in the mids, allowing chords to ring out clearly. The mahogany back and sides add some warmth and resonance to the low end.

When plugged in, the CC-60SCE's undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp system delivers a very natural amplified tone. There's no harshness or quackiness often associated with piezo pickups. It's tuned to complement the guitar's inherent acoustic voice. The tone stays clear and balanced across the frequency range. Overall, it's a versatile acoustic-electric for playing live or recording directly to a PA or interface.

Playability

The CC-60SCE has solid playability, featuring a comfortable neck that promotes both chording and soloing. The action out of the box can be slightly high, but it's an easy adjustment at the bridge to bring it into perfect playability range for most players.

The neck shape, width and feel helps the CC-60SCE appeal to players with smaller hands while still accommodating most medium to larger hands comfortably. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret, providing good upper fret access.

The guitar's body size and weight distribution provides a nice balanced feel whether seated or standing. The cutaway allows easy reach to high notes on the fretboard while still retaining a full and robust overall tone.

This guitar feels natural to hold and play for long periods of time without fatigue. The playability makes it a versatile choice for both rhythm and lead playing across different genres.

Pros

• The Fender CC-60SCE has an impressive, full sound thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides construction. The tone is rich and warm, with good bass response and crisp treble tones.

• The cutaway body style provides excellent upper fret access, making it easy to play complex chords and melodies high up on the neck. This is a great feature for intermediate to advanced players.

• The slim neck profile is comfortable and playable, with a nice satin finish that allows for smooth, fast runs up and down the fretboard. The neck width is 1-11/16 inches, accommodating most playing styles.

• The Fishman electronics sound natural and faithfully reproduce the guitar's acoustic tone. The onboard preamp and tuner add convenience for plugging into an amp or PA system.

• This model combines classic Fender stylings and aesthetics with great build quality and components. It looks sharp and plays incredibly well for its reasonable price point.

Cons

The CC-60SCE is designed as an entry-level acoustic-electric, so there are some tradeoffs that come with its lower price point.

• The laminated top and synthetic bone nut and saddle affect the tone and resonance. While still decent, the guitar doesn't quite achieve the rich, complex sound of solid wood models.

• The electronics and preamp are also basic, without any EQ or tuner. The amplified sound can be a bit thin and lacks control over tone shaping.

• The tuners work adequately but can sometimes feel stiff or slip out of tune more easily than higher-end ones. Upgrading to better quality tuners could help with tuning stability.

• While comfortable for smaller hands, the narrower nut width and smaller body size could feel cramped for larger players. The thin neck profile also lacks some substance.

• The matte finish, while attractive, shows fingerprints and scratches more readily than a gloss finish. The fit and finish is good but not flawless.

Overall, the guitar delivers satisfactory performance given its accessible price point, but makes some compromises in materials, electronics, and hardware. Upgrades in certain areas could help it punch above its weight.

Alternatives

When looking for an affordable acoustic-electric guitar like the Fender CC-60SCE, here are some other models to consider in a similar price range:

Yamaha FG800

The Yamaha FG800 is one of the best-selling acoustic guitars thanks to its quality construction and sound at an accessible price point. It features a solid Sitka spruce top with a Nato neck and rosewood fretboard. The FG800 produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The playability is smooth and comfortable right out of the box.

Epiphone DR-100

The DR-100 from Epiphone delivers classic dreadnought tone thanks to its select spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard. The hardware includes chrome tuners and a rosewood bridge for bright resonance. The DR-100 plays easily with a slim taper neck and has electronics available for plugging in.

Takamine GD30CE-NAT

With a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the Takamine GD30CE-NAT generates a vibrant acoustic tone. The slim neck allows for comfortable fretting, while the built-in TK-40D preamp gives you natural amplified tones. This Takamine punches above its price point.

Ibanez PF15ECE

The Ibanez PF15ECE features a stunning flamed maple top, back, and sides paired with a mahogany neck. It produces a balanced and projective acoustic voice. The onboard Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp provides quality amplified tones. The PF15ECE offers great specs and aesthetics at an affordable price.

Conclusion

The Fender CC-60SCE acoustic-electric guitar provides solid value in an affordable package. This is a great entry-level guitar for beginners and novice players, with its comfortable neck, quality hardware, and balanced tone.

The slim neck profile and low action facilitate easier fretting and chord changes, making this guitar accessible for new players. The built-in Fishman preamp gives you plug-and-play functionality for amplified performances. While not as rich and complex as more expensive models, the mahogany and spruce construction produces a balanced tone that works for various styles.

The CC-60SCE punches above its weight class considering its budget-friendly price point. It's a reliable workhorse for practice, jamming, and coffee house gigs. Upgrading to higher-end strings can further improve the tone. The guitar feels durable and solidly crafted as well.

Overall, the Fender CC-60SCE is recommended for novice to intermediate level players looking for an affordable all-rounder acoustic-electric. It has everything you need to start playing and performing live shows, though more advanced guitarists would want to eventually upgrade. For those on a tight budget, the CC-60SCE delivers quality and playability beyond expectations.