Fender CD-60S 970110006 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender CD-60S is an affordable, entry-level dreadnought acoustic guitar that punches above its weight. Part of Fender's Classic Design series, the CD-60S offers great bang-for-buck with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides.

While it doesn't have the most complex tones or premium appointments, the CD-60S has impressed many with its resonant sound, easy playability, and quality construction. It's a reliable, well-rounded acoustic that's ideal for new players or those on a budget.

The CD-60S may lack some bells and whistles, but it nails the basics - solid woods, easy action, and balanced tone. For the price, it's hard to find an acoustic with better sound and playability. The CD-60S makes a great first guitar or backup option.

Build Quality

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar features a solid spruce top, which is known for its rich, complex overtones that get better with age. It has laminated mahogany back and sides, which provide a balanced tone.

The materials used in the CD-60S are decent for the price point. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a nice balanced and rich tone. The guitar seems sturdy and well-constructed overall. People have been pleasantly surprised with the quality given the affordable price point.

The workmanship on the CD-60S is quite good, especially considering its entry-level price range. The fit and finish is better than most acoustics in this range. The joints are clean and the binding is neat. The guitar feels solidly built and projects well acoustically. The tuners stay in tune nicely and overall it’s a well-made instrument.

The Fender CD-60S offers good construction quality for a budget-friendly acoustic guitar. It's made with solid spruce top wood and laminated mahogany back and sides. The materials produce a balanced, rich tone. The workmanship is impressive for the low price range. Joints are clean, binding is neat, and it feels sturdy. It stays in tune well. Overall, people find it to be a nicely made instrument.

Another good acoustic guitar option in a similar price range is the Squier SA-150. Like the CD-60S, it offers good materials and construction for an affordable cost. The SA-150 has a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, chrome hardware, and a natural satin finish. Owners describe it as having good sound quality for the price. It produces balanced warm tones. The hardware stays in tune well. The construction quality is impressive for a budget model. It has clean craftsmanship and feels solidly built. Overall, the Squier SA-150 is another good quality, affordable acoustic guitar choice to consider alongside the Fender CD-60S.

Sound Quality

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar produces a balanced, warm sound that projects well. The combination of laminated spruce top wood and laminated mahogany back and sides provides richness in the low end, brightness in the high end, and good sustain across the tonal spectrum.

The spruce top is known for its crisp, articulate highs and excellent projection. Meanwhile, mahogany contributes some warmth and sweetness in the midrange and low end. Together, they create a versatile and balanced acoustic tone.

Sustain is also noteworthy on the CD-60S. The bridge and nut are made from synthetic bone which helps transfer string vibrations efficiently. This allows notes to ring out longer before decaying. While not as sustain-rich as an all-solid wood guitar, the laminate woods still provide enough resonance for pleasing sustain.

The dreadnought body further boosts projection and volume output. Its large size and deep body produce loud, full-bodied acoustics that fill a room. Overall, the Fender CD-60S delivers quality tonewoods and construction for a satisfying acoustic guitar sound across various styles and genres.

The Fender CD-60S provides great bang for your buck if you're looking for a well-built, good sounding acoustic guitar on a budget. It produces warm, balanced tone and respectable sustain thanks to its laminated spruce and mahogany construction. The large dreadnought body projects the sound loudly, making this an ideal guitar for singing and playing for an audience. While it may not have the complex overtones of a solid wood instrument, the CD-60S still delivers quality acoustics for its affordable price point. This makes it a great choice for beginners, intermediate players, and working musicians in need of a reliable, durable acoustic guitar.

If you like the Fender sound but want something even more affordable, check out the Fender FA-125 FS01. This is Fender's most budget-friendly acoustic guitar option. It features a laminated spruce top, laminated basswood back and sides, and a slim neck profile ideal for smaller hands. The tone is bright and focused, with good articulation on the high end. While not as loud or rich sounding as the CD-60S, the FA-125 FS01 provides impressive value at its lower price point. It's great for new players and makes a very portable, lightweight acoustic for travel or practice. If you're just starting out and want the Fender name on a very inexpensive acoustic, the FA-125 FS01 is worth considering.

Both the CD-60S and FA-125 FS01 show Fender's commitment to making quality, affordable acoustic guitars. The CD-60S brings you closer to a pro-level instrument with its solid top and all-mahogany construction. But the FA-125 FS01 still impresses with its bright, focused tone considering its ultra-budget friendly price. Fender has done an excellent job translating their expertise with electric guitars into the acoustic world. For guitarists wanting reliable, consistent sound without breaking the bank, Fender's acoustic lineup delivers in spades.

Playability

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar features a very playable neck and fretboard. The neck has a comfortable "C"-shaped profile that fits nicely in the hand. The string action is set low and buzz-free from the factory, making it easy to press the strings down without a lot of effort. The medium jumbo frets are finished smoothly and rounded on the ends, which helps avoid any sharp edges digging into your fingers during longer playing sessions.

The nut width of 1.687" (43mm) gives a good amount of room for fingerstyle playing while still feeling compact for chord shapes and lead lines. The satin finished neck also promotes effortless sliding up and down the rosewood fretboard. Overall the Fender CD-60S offers excellent playability right out of the box, with a fast neck and low action that make this an inviting instrument for new players and veterans alike.

Hardware

The CD-60S has chrome sealed gear tuners that provide smooth and accurate tuning. The tuners are lightweight and have black plastic buttons.

It features a rosewood bridge with a compensated saddle for proper intonation up and down the neck. The bridge pins are also made from rosewood. Overall, the hardware is decent quality for this price range.

The tuners hold tune well and the compensated saddle helps improve the guitar's intonation. The hardware works well and complements the instrument nicely without being overly fancy.

Electronics

The Fender CD-60S features reliable electronics that help capture the warm, resonant tone of this acoustic guitar. It is equipped with a Fishman pickup system with a preamp and integrated tuner, providing excellent plugged-in performance.

The pickup utilizes a combination of an under-saddle transducer and soundboard sensors to accurately translate the guitar's acoustic resonance into an electronic signal. This gives it a very natural and balanced amplified tone without excessive piezo quack or thinness.

The preamp includes simple bass, midrange, and treble controls to help shape your amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner that conveniently mutes the output for silent tuning on stage. The tuner is easy to read and highly accurate, making the tuning process frustration-free.

Overall, the electronics suite on the CD-60S is straightforward but very functional. It produces good amplified acoustic tone without coloring your guitar's inherent sound. The onboard tuner is also a handy addition.

Comfort

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar features a comfortable and playable shape with a nice weight balance. The classic dreadnought body has a spacious lower bout that rests nicely against your body when seated. At just over 7 pounds, it has a light enough weight for extended playing sessions without causing fatigue. The body depth is 4.3 inches, which provides good projection and volume while still feeling slim in your arms. The overall proportions, from the waist to the shoulders, make this an easy guitar to hold in various playing positions. Whether seated or standing, you can comfortably maneuver the CD-60S. The smooth satin finish on the back and sides allows your arm to glide easily during strumming. The curved body edges don't dig into your ribs or forearm. The slim C-shaped neck profile makes chording comfortable even for those with smaller hands. Overall, the CD-60S dreadnought provides a nice fit and feel for players of all sizes and styles.

Versatility

The Fender CD-60S dreadnought acoustic guitar is a very versatile instrument that can handle a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. Despite its affordability, it has the features to keep up with more demanding players.

The strong yet balanced tone of the CD-60S makes it a great choice for strumming chords and flatpicking melodies in genres like folk, country, pop, rock, and singer-songwriter styles. It has enough warmth, sustain, and articulation to bring out the character in fingerstyle playing as well. The all-mahogany construction gives it a rounded, darker voice that works well for jazz and blues. It can also hold its own when jamming with others thanks to the punchy low end and clear treble notes that project nicely.

Whether you're looking to write campfire songs, play coffee shop gigs, or busk in the subway, the CD-60S is versatile enough to rise to the occasion. Its classic dreadnought shape and comfortable neck also mean it's easy to play for long periods of time. For beginners, the versatility provides an opportunity to explore many styles on one quality instrument. For more advanced players, the CD-60S makes a great affordable backup option.

Great Value for the Price

The Fender CD-60S offers excellent value for money given its quality and features. At around $200, it's very competitively priced compared to other dreadnought acoustics in this range from major brands. You would expect to pay significantly more for a solid top, laminate mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and die-cast tuners. The all-mahogany body produces a balanced, warm tone that punches above its class. While the electronics and strings are nothing special, they perform adequately for a guitar at this price point. Considering the quality materials, construction and classic dreadnought sound, the CD-60S represents one of the best acoustic guitar values today. It's ideal for new players or those on a budget looking for the quintessential affordable Fender.

Summary

The Fender CD-60S is an excellent entry-level dreadnought acoustic guitar that punches above its weight class. It offers impressive sound and playability at an affordable price point.

Pros:

• Warm, balanced tone that belies its price
• Easy playability with comfortable neck and string action
• Attractive, classic dreadnought body shape
• Quality hardware and electronics for the price
• Versatile for all styles, from strumming to fingerpicking

Cons:

• Laminated wood construction, not solid wood
• Electronics and tuners are serviceable but basic
• Not as complex tone as premium models

The CD-60S is ideal for beginner and intermediate level players looking for their first serious acoustic, or a quality affordable backup guitar. Its classic dreadnought sound projects well and the comfortable neck will help build skills. While not as finely crafted as pricier models, it's impressive for a sub-$200 acoustic. I'd recommend the CD-60S to anyone wanting a very playable, nice sounding first acoustic on a budget. It makes acoustic guitar approachable and rewarding for students while still satisfying more advanced players.