Fender CD-140SCE 0970213332 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CD-140SCE is an affordable dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar from the legendary Fender brand. Fender has been crafting high-quality guitars since 1946 and is known for its iconic electric guitars like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. More recently, Fender has made a push into the acoustic guitar market with its California Series and CD Series of acoustic instruments aimed at entry-level and intermediate players.

The CD-140SCE dreadnought is an ideal choice for new guitarists or players looking for a dependable, easy-playing acoustic with basic electronics. It features a classic dreadnought body shape with laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides, delivering balanced tone and projection. The built-in Fishman electronics make it stage-ready right out of the box. Overall, it's a quality all-around acoustic for the money from a trusted brand.

Construction

The CD-140SCE features an all-mahogany body with a solid spruce top. Mahogany is a tonewood that produces a warm, balanced sound with good resonance. The solid spruce top adds crispness and clarity to the tone.

The build quality on the CD-140SCE is excellent, as expected from Fender's Mexican-built Classic Design series. The guitar has clean craftsmanship, with no visible glue marks or unsightly flaws in the wood grain. The neck joint and bridge are securely attached.

Overall, the materials and construction are designed to produce a great sounding dreadnought acoustic that should last for many years. Fender cut no corners and used good quality tonewoods that underscore the guitar's full, rich voice. The guitar's excellent playability is also aided by the solid build.

The Yamaha FG800 VT is another excellent dreadnought acoustic guitar option worth considering. With a solid spruce top and Nato back and sides, it produces a balanced tone with good projection and sustain. The neck is comfortable and playable with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Overall construction quality is very good for an affordable acoustic. See our full review of the Yamaha FG800 VT for more details.

When comparing build quality between the Fender CD-140SCE and Yamaha FG800 VT, they are quite comparable for their respective price points. The Fender may have a slight edge when examining things up close, but they both use solid woods and have clean craftsmanship. The Yamaha is more affordable, but some cost cutting is evident in the laminated Nato back and sides versus the mahogany on the Fender.

Playability is excellent on both models. They have comfortable neck shapes and fingerboard woods that make them a joy to play. Intonation and action setup was good out of the box on the samples we tested. Both models are great choices for new players looking for a well-made dreadnought acoustic. More advanced players will appreciate their quality and tone as well.

When it comes to aesthetics, the Yamaha FG800 VT has a slightly more modern and understated look. The Fender has more traditional dreadnought styling with its tortoiseshell pickguard and binding. Those who like a vintage vibe may prefer the Fender, while others find the Yamaha more attractive. It's largely subjective and a matter of personal taste.

In terms of durability, both acoustics are built to last. Their all-solid wood construction means they should age well, as long as they are cared for properly. The spruce tops will open up more over time, enhancing tone and volume. Overall longevity is excellent for both models, easily lasting decades with regular maintenance.

To summarize, the Fender CD-140SCE and Yamaha FG800 VT are both excellently constructed dreadnought acoustics using quality tonewoods. The Fender is a bit more upscale and ornate, while the Yamaha aims for simplicity and value. But they are comparable instruments that sound, play, and look fantastic for their respective price points. Either model makes for a great choice.

Sound

The CD-140SCE produces a balanced, warm tone with good projection thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce top allows it to be responsive and dynamic, while the mahogany body adds warmth and sweetness. It's a nice blend of brightness and bass.

The dreadnought body shape helps provide a loud, full voice that fills a room well. There is decent sustain, allowing notes to ring out clearly. Strummed rhythm parts are very robust on this guitar. It has enough presence to cut through a mix or jam session.

Fingerpickers will appreciate the balanced tone. The notes are clear with good note separation. The bass response is tight and focused. Treble notes have sparkle but aren't overly brittle. There is enough warmth to handle intricate fingerstyle lines smoothly.

The onboard preamp and tuner allow you plug this acoustic-electric into an amplifier or PA system while maintaining the nice natural acoustic tone. It remains clear and balanced when amplified. The EQ controls give you some tonal shaping options as well.

If you're looking for a quality, affordable acoustic-electric guitar, be sure to check out the Pyle PGA820BR. This dreadnought guitar has a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides for a balanced tone. The body is bound with 4-ply binding for a nice look. It comes equipped with a built-in preamp and tuner for plugging into an amp or PA system. The guitar projects well acoustically, with good volume and dynamics. When plugged in, the tone remains natural and clear. The PGA820BR is a great choice for beginners looking for their first acoustic-electric or gigging musicians in need of an affordable, reliable stage guitar. At under $100, it provides excellent value.

The PGA820BR has a classic dreadnought body shape that produces loud, deep acoustic resonance. It's comfortable to play thanks to the contoured body and smooth satin finish on the neck. The 20-fret rosewood fingerboard has dot inlays for easy positioning. It has a 25.59" scale length and 1.68" nut width for familiar feel. The chrome die-cast tuners keep the guitar in tune well.

This guitar comes equipped with a built-in preamp and tuner for plugging into an external amp or PA system. The preamp has tone and volume controls for dialing in your amplified sound. There's also an LED indicator for the tuner, making it easy to tune up on stage. The piezo pickup captures your playing accurately. From quiet fingerstyle to aggressive strumming, the PGA820BR amplifies your sound with clarity and balance.

Overall, the Pyle PGA820BR is an excellent choice for a first acoustic-electric or a reliable gigging guitar. It has great acoustic projection and balanced amplified tone. The smooth neck and comfortable body make it very playable. An integrated preamp and tuner provide convenience. Best of all, it comes at a super affordable price, providing amazing value for the money. Check it out if you're looking for quality on a budget.

Playability

The Fender CD-140SCE dreadnought acoustic guitar features a C-shaped neck profile that provides a comfortable and familiar feel for most players. The neck width measures 1.687" at the nut, wide enough for comfortable fretting but not too wide for players with smaller hands.

The action on this guitar is set fairly low out of the box, making it easy and enjoyable to play right away. The soft V-shaped neck allows smooth, fast transitions up and down the fretboard. The low action does not create any fret buzz or dead notes. Players looking for an acoustic guitar that plays easily right out of the case will appreciate the buttery feel of the CD-140SCE.

The fretboard is made of walnut and has 20 medium jumbo frets. The nut width and string spacing make complex chords easy to play. The frets have a modern narrow & tall profile that allows for more space between strings and are smoothly finished on the edges for comfort during longer practice or play sessions. The rosewood bridge and synthetic bone nut also contribute to the great playability of this guitar.

Overall, the Fender CD-140SCE provides very comfortable playability perfect for both beginners and more advanced players looking for an acoustic with fast action and an enjoyable playing feel. The quality construction facilitates intricate fretting and makes this a great choice as a "player's" dreadnought guitar at this price point.

Hardware

The Fender CD-140SCE features quality hardware that enables it to produce a balanced tone with good intonation.

The guitar has chrome die-cast tuning machines that hold tune reliably. They have an elegant design that complements the overall look of the guitar. The tuners are responsive and make tuning a breeze.

It comes equipped with a synthetic bone nut and saddle. Together they provide precise intonation across the neck and help transfer vibrations efficiently.

The onboard Fishman Isys III system gives you natural amplified tones. It consists of an undersaddle pickup and preamp with volume and tone controls. The pickup reproduces the guitar's organic sound without coloration. The preamp has a built-in tuner and EQ for shaping your amplified tone.

Overall, the hardware components on this Fender acoustic guitar are high-quality. They allow you to stay in tune, get optimal intonation, and amplify your sound with ease. The electronics capture the true acoustic tone accurately.

Aesthetics

The Fender CD-140SCE has a classic, elegant look with its dreadnought body shape. The all-laminate construction gives the guitar a polished and refined aesthetic.

The CD-140SCE comes in several attractive finish options, including natural, black, sunburst and cherry burst. The sunburst and cherry burst models offer an eye-catching multi-colored look.

The guitar has clean white binding around the body that gives it a handsome, finished appearance. The binding provides a nice accent, separating the spruce top from the mahogany back and sides.

Overall, the Fender CD-140SCE has timeless visual appeal. While the use of laminates detracts slightly from a premium look, the guitar still has an attractive, refined style suitable for any setting. The range of color options adds to the versatility and lets players choose the best look for their needs. The body binding is an especially classy touch.

Accessories

The Fender CD-140SCE comes with a few useful accessories to help you get started playing right away.

Gig Bag

It includes a lightweight nylon gig bag to protect the guitar during transport and storage. The padded gig bag has backpack straps, making it easy to carry the guitar hands-free. The bag features extra storage pockets and cushioning to keep the guitar safe.

Picks

Fender includes a variety of pick thicknesses and styles so you can find the right pick feel for your playing style. The sample pack has thin, medium, and heavy picks in black and shell material.

Strings

The guitar comes strung with Fender Duratone strings, but the company also includes an extra set of their coated 80/20 bronze acoustic strings. The coated strings help extend the life of the strings.

Tuner

Fender bundles a clip-on chromatic tuner with the guitar. The tuner clips onto the headstock and clearly displays the note you are playing, making tuning quick and convenient.

Pros

• Solid build quality with a laminated spruce top: The Fender CD-140SCE has great build quality for its price point, featuring a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides. Its durable construction means the guitar can withstand some bumps and knocks and keep on playing. It will feel solid in your hands during performances.

• Rich, balanced tone: The CD-140SCE produces a pleasing, well-balanced tone that many owners describe as having nice warmth and richness for a guitar in this price range. The combination of spruce and mahogany offers a balanced sonic profile suitable for different styles of playing. The sound will satisfy beginning and intermediate players.

• Easy playability: With its slim neck profile and low action out of the box, the CD-140SCE is comfortable and easy to play, even for beginners. The neck width and string tension make it accessible for smaller hands, so players with less experience should find the CD-140SCE easy to handle and enjoyable to practice on for extended periods without fatigue.

• Quality electronics with built-in tuner: The onboard Fishman preamp and pickup system produce quality amplified tone without breaking up or sounding thin. The tuner helps keep the guitar in tune without needing any external accessories. The electronics add great versatility, allowing the Fender CD-140SCE to be plugged in for performances or recording situations.

Cons

Though the Fender CD-140SCE delivers quality at its price point, there are a few downsides:

• The action of this guitar can be a bit high out of the box and may require a professional setup. This can make pressing down the strings more difficult, particularly for beginners.

• The neck has a bit more bulk than some prefer, especially up near the body. Those with smaller hands may find it challenging to forma full F chord shape.

• The top is solid spruce, but the back and sides are laminated mahogany rather than solid wood. This can impact resonance and fullness of tone.

• While the electronics allow for amplification, the onboard preamp and tuner are fairly basic. The tone from the pickup and preamp is decent, but lacks the rich nuance of higher-end acoustic-electric guitars.

Summary

The Fender CD-140SCE is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class. With its durable laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, easy-to-play neck, and built-in Fishman electronics, it delivers impressive sound and versatility for the price point.

Overall, the CD-140SCE is highly recommended for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric that can handle practice, jamming, live gigs, and recording situations. Players report that it sounds as good plugged in as it does unplugged, with great amplification and effects integration.

The Yamaha FG800 and Epiphone DR-100 are comparable entry-level dreadnought models, but the CD-140SCE edges them out slightly with its electronics and craftsmanship. However, all three models make excellent starter guitars. For those with a bit more to spend, the CD-140SCE can be seen as a budget alternative to American-made Fender acoustics like the CD-60SCE at nearly half the cost.

In summary, if you want a high-quality dreadnought acoustic-electric that covers all the basics for less than $300, the CD-140SCE is a reliable choice. It's built to last, sounds fantastic amplified or unplugged, and gives players room to grow and progress their skills over the years.