Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

Fender has been a leader in the guitar world for decades, known for their iconic electric guitars like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Though often associated with rock legends, Fender has also built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality acoustic guitars.

The Fender CD-60S is one of their most popular acoustic guitar models. As an entry-level dreadnought, it aims to bring Fender's recognizable tone and playability to aspiring musicians at an affordable price point. With a solid mahogany top and mahogany back and sides, the CD-60S seeks to deliver balanced warmth and definition.

This review will examine the key features and sound of the CD-60S, along with an overview of its pros and cons, to help you determine if this guitar fits your playing style and needs.

Overview

The CD-60S is an affordable dreadnought acoustic guitar from Fender's revamped USA-made acoustic series. It features a solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing, plus mahogany back and sides for balanced tone and sustain. The dreadnought body style produces a bold, resonant sound that projects well. The spruce top offers sweet and detailed highs, while the mahogany back and sides provide a warm low end and pleasing bass response. Together, they create a versatile and well-rounded tone. The CD-60S combines traditional design with modern playability, making it a great choice for new players and seasoned musicians alike.

When shopping for an acoustic guitar, it's important to consider the tonewoods used, as they have a significant impact on the overall sound. Spruce is a popular top wood thanks to its balanced tone, while mahogany backs and sides boost the low-end warmth. The CD-60S' combination of spruce and mahogany produces a versatile acoustic guitar tone. The dreadnought body further enhances projection and bass response. Fender designed the CD-60S to be an affordable yet quality acoustic guitar option for all player levels.

Fender isn't necessarily thought of as a major acoustic guitar brand, but their revamped USA-made acoustic series aims to change that perception. With the CD-60S, Fender offers an all-solid wood acoustic with their characteristic quality and attention to detail. From its traditional dreadnought body to its comfortable neck profile, the CD-60S focuses on playability and classic acoustic guitar tones. Its price makes it very competitively positioned against other big name acoustic guitar brands.

The CD-60S acoustic guitar is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable, quality acoustic. Its versatile solid wood construction allows it to handle various music genres with ease. Players will appreciate the comfortable neck, low action, and overall playability. As part of Fender's revitalized acoustic guitar lineup, the CD-60S delivers classic dreadnought tones at a budget-friendly price point. It's an excellent entry point into the world of Fender acoustics.

Other acoustic guitars to consider in this price range include the Ibanez GRGR131EXBKF. This acoustic-electric model features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, plus an Ibanez under-saddle pickup and tuner for plugging in. The slim neck profile and shorter 24.7" scale length enhance playability. Overall, the Ibanez GRGR131EXBKF offers versatile acoustic tones and stage-ready amplified performance at an affordable price.

When deciding between the Fender CD-60S and Ibanez GRGR131EXBKF, consider your needs as a player. The CD-60S is an all-acoustic dreadnought focused on unplugged playability and bold projection. The Ibanez model offers similar wood construction but in a stage-friendly acoustic-electric package with amplified tones. For an easy-playing, quality acoustic, the CD-60S is tough to beat. But the Ibanez GRGR131EXBKF adds versatility with its electronics and compact body size.

Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your budget and needs as a guitarist. The Fender CD-60S acoustic guitar delivers pro-quality dreadnought tones at an entry-level price point. Players looking for amplified versatility can check out the Ibanez GRGR131EXBKF acoustic-electric. But with either guitar, you're getting solid wood construction and great playability. For affordable acoustic guitars with quality construction, Fender and Ibanez are both solid options worth considering.

Sound Quality

The CD-60S punches above its weight class when it comes to sound. This dreadnought acoustic guitar produces a tone that's well-balanced across the tonal spectrum. The bass notes have enough punch to come through clearly without muddying up the mix. The mids are smooth and rich, which helps complex chords ring out. And the bright treble notes project nicely without sounding overly tinny or harsh.

The CD-60S also impresses with its volume and sustain. You can really dig into strumming or fingerpicking without losing clarity or volume. Notes ring out for a satisfying amount of time, especially considering the affordable price point. This guitar is capable of filling a room or accompanying vocals with its impressive projection. Overall, Fender managed to create a great sounding entry-level acoustic with the CD-60S.

While the CD-60S offers excellent sound for its price point, there are other affordable acoustics worth considering as well. The Pyle PGA500BR.5 is another budget-friendly dreadnought with impressive sound quality. It produces a balanced and resonant tone across the tonal spectrum. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a warm, full-bodied sound. The PGA500BR.5 also projects loudly enough for playing with others or busking. And it has decent sustain and intonation. While it may not match the Fender in terms of refinement, the Pyle offers great bang for your buck if you're shopping for an inexpensive acoustic.

When evaluating budget acoustics like the CD-60S and PGA500BR.5, you have to keep your expectations realistic. These are entry-level instruments aimed at beginners, not premium professional guitars. But within their price range, both models stand out for offering better than expected sound. While they may eventually leave you wanting more as your skills progress, they provide an affordable way to start playing acoustic guitar with decent tone. If you're a new player shopping for your first acoustic, the Fender CD-60S and Pyle PGA500BR.5 both deserve strong consideration thanks to their impressive sound quality.

Playability

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar features a slim, comfortable neck profile that promotes great playability. The neck has a smooth satin finish, making it very fast and easy to move around on.

Many beginner players find thick, clubby acoustic guitar necks difficult to grasp. But the CD-60S has a slimmer "Modern C" shaped neck, similar to an electric guitar. This makes chords and lead playing very comfortable.

The guitar also benefits from a low string action at the nut and bridge. This further enhances playability, allowing easy fretting and bending without buzzing. Players who struggle with high actions that require hard pressing will appreciate the buttery smooth playability of the CD-60S.

Between the slim neck, low action, and smooth satin finish, this guitar plays incredibly fast and easy right out of the box. The modern feel allows intricate techniques without the struggle, ideal for new players.

Hardware

The Fender CD-60S has premium hardware for an acoustic guitar at this price point. It features die-cast chrome tuning machines which provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. Many budget acoustics will cut costs with cheaper plastic tuners, but the CD-60S has pro-level chrome tuners usually found on more expensive models.

The compensated saddle is another nice hardware touch. This is engineered to intonate each string accurately along the fretboard, helping with proper intonation when playing up the neck. The compensated saddle results in better tuning across the strings and improved overall intonation.

Again, most budget acoustics won't pay attention to specialized parts like a compensated saddle. The hardware upgrades on the CD-60S help it play and sound like a more premium instrument.

Aesthetics

The Fender CD-60S has the classic dreadnought body shape that Fender is known for, with its recognizable square shoulders and wide waist. This traditional acoustic guitar silhouette projects a full, resonant tone and provides comfort during long practice or jam sessions.

Adding to its visual appeal is a warm tortoise pickguard that contrasts nicely against the natural gloss finish. Tortoise shell pickguards have an old-school vibe that complements the retro stylings. Whether on stage or around a campfire, the guitar's crisp yet familiar aesthetics give off a timeless, roots-music vibe. While not as ornate as Fender's high-end rosewood and spruce models, the CD-60S still retains some nice vintage design elements like the pickguard that make it visually distinctive.

Pros

The Fender CD-60S offers great value considering its price point. It punches above its weight with impressive volume and projection from the spruce top. The mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, warm tone that fills a room.

The slim neck profile and low action make this an easy playing, beginner-friendly guitar. It's comfortable right out of the box and doesn't require heavy hand strength or finger pressure to fret notes and chords cleanly. The fretwork from the factory is quite good with few sharp ends.

The guitar sounds, plays, and feels great for an affordable dreadnought. You would be hard pressed to find something drastically better unless stepping up to a significantly higher price range. The CD-60S provides a wonderful entry point into acoustic guitar playing.

Cons

The CD-60S, like many acoustic guitars in this price range, may benefit from a professional setup to realize its full potential. Out of the box, some users report issues with buzzing frets, high action, and poor intonation. A skilled guitar tech can address these with a proper setup and adjustment of the truss rod.

The onboard electronics are functional but leave some room for improvement. The preamp and tuner get the job done, but lack the sensitivity and tonal options of higher-end systems. The pickup and preamp may muddy the tone compared to the natural acoustic sound. Upgrading to an aftermarket pickup and preamp could take the CD-60S to the next level for amplified playing.

Who It’s For

The Fender CD-60S is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate level players looking for a quality, affordable acoustic guitar. Though it's one of Fender's most budget-friendly models, the CD-60S still delivers on tone and playability, making it a great option for newer players dipping their toes into acoustic guitars.

The slim neck and low action on the CD-60S facilitates playability for beginners who are still building finger strength and callouses. And the balanced tone provides a solid foundation to practice chords, scales, and songs. More advanced players will also appreciate the CD-60S as a highly playable beater guitar for songwriting sessions, jamming, or travel. Overall, it's a versatile acoustic that punches above its weight class in quality and performance for the price point.

Conclusion

The Fender CD-60S is an overall excellent entry-level acoustic guitar with Fender's signature balanced tone. While it may lack some bells and whistles of more expensive models, it delivers classic dreadnought sound and playability at an accessible price point.

The all-mahogany body and neck produce warm, balanced tones that work for various genres, from rock to country. Hardware is solid for an affordable model, with die-cast chrome tuners and a quality compensated saddle. While the action may be higher than ideal out of the box, a proper setup helps optimize playability.

Aesthetics are modest but attractive, with the recognizable Fender headstock logo. The dreadnought cutaway body shape is comfortable to play. An acoustic-electric version broadens its versatility.

For beginners or intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic with classic Fender sound, the CD-60S hits all the right notes. While the tonewoods and electronics may be basic, everything comes together into a package that punches above its price point.