The Fender CN-60S is a concert-style acoustic guitar that packs impressive tone and playability into an accessible package. Part of Fender's California Series, the CN-60S features a solid spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces balanced tone with good projection that works well for various playing styles and genres. Despite the lower price point, the CN-60S delivers quality construction and resonant sound, making it a compelling choice for new and established players alike. With its comfortable feel, rich acoustic tone, and stylish looks, the CN-60S appeals to developing musicians who want a well-made instrument that can hold its own on stage and in the studio.

Appearance

The Fender CN-60S acoustic guitar has a stylish and elegant look with its gloss finish and beautiful crisp bindings. The guitar comes in two classic finish options - natural and sunburst.

The natural finish model features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, showcasing the traditional appearance of an acoustic guitar. The gloss finish adds a layer of protection and gives it an attractive shine. The body binding and rosette are done in crisp looking multi-ply material that complements the natural wood aesthetics.

For those seeking a more vibrant look, the sunburst finish bursts from dark brown in the center to orange hues around the edges for great visual appeal. The top is solid spruce, while the back and sides are laminated mahogany. Just like the natural model, the sunburst CN-60S has body binding and rosette done in clean multi-ply.

Overall, the CN-60S has a refined and stylish look fitting for the stage or studio. Players can choose between the traditional natural gloss finish or the visually striking sunburst gloss finish.

Body and Neck

The CN-60S has a dreadnought style body made of laminated spruce with a semi-gloss finish, providing balanced resonance and ample projection. The neck is also made of laminated spruce which complements the body nicely. One unique aspect of this guitar is the reduced body depth, making it a thinner and more comfortable fit compared to most dreadnoughts.

The neck has a standard 25.3” scale length with a nut width of 1.69”, 12” radius and 20 frets. It’s designed for comfortable playability. The neck joint allows excellent access to upper frets. The body and neck are crafted from multiple thin layers of tonewoods pressed together, providing strength and resonant tone while keeping costs affordable.

Overall the materials and construction of the CN-60S are well suited for a mellow, balanced dreadnought sound with comfortable playability. While not solid wood, the laminate spruce and reduced body size provide an enjoyable playing experience.

The Cordoba C3M is another quality acoustic guitar option worth considering. This nylon-string classical guitar produces a rich, warm tone thanks to its solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The mahogany neck provides stability and sustains notes nicely. With a 650mm scale length and 52mm nut width, the C3M has the traditional feel of a Spanish classical guitar. It comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings for excellent responsiveness. Players praise the C3M for its excellent build quality and resonant sound at an affordable price point. For those seeking a classical guitar with beautiful craftsmanship and balanced tone, be sure to check out the Cordoba C3M GUCLCOR-02679.

Sound & Tone

The Fender CN-60S produces a balanced, well-rounded sound that works well for various musical styles. The concert-style body shape produces a bright and focused tone, while the solid spruce top provides clarity and articulation.

The mahogany back and sides offer a nice blend of warmth and sweetness to complement the spruce top. This all-mahogany tonewood combination results in a guitar that is responsive across the tonal spectrum, with crisp highs, balanced mids, and tight low end.

The CN-60S projects well, allowing the notes to ring out with sustain. Strumming results in a full, resonant sound. The guitar has enough muscle for playing with a band, while retaining the nuanced warmth for fingerstyle playing. Overall, the CN-60S offers players a diverse canvas for musical expression.

The Fender CN-60S is an excellent choice for players looking for a versatile, well-made acoustic guitar. With its balanced tone and comfortable playability, it's a great option for beginners and more advanced players alike. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a rich, full sound across various genres and playing styles. It's easy to see why the CN-60S is one of Fender's most popular acoustic models.

If you're looking for an alternative acoustic guitar around the same price point as the Fender CN-60S, check out the Pyle PMGTRKT101. This is another entry-level acoustic guitar with solid build quality. It features a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, chrome die-cast tuning machines, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The guitar has a classic dreadnought body shape that produces a balanced, resonant tone.

Like the Fender CN-60S, the Pyle PMGTRKT101 is geared towards beginner and intermediate players. It provides warm, rich tones and good playability right out of the box. The guitar stays relatively in-tune and intonates well up and down the neck. While it may not have the same brand prestige as the Fender, the Pyle PMGTRKT101 is an excellent affordable option with comparable specs and sound.

Both the Fender CN-60S and Pyle PMGTRKT101 represent great value for those looking to buy their first acoustic guitar or upgrade from an entry-level instrument. The all-laminate wood construction makes them durable and resistant to climate changes. While the electronics and hardware may be basic, they get the job done on a budget. Consider checking out video reviews for both models to get a sense of the sound and playability.

At the end of the day, choice between the two comes down to personal preferences on aesthetics, brand reputation, and any small spec differences. The Fender likely edges out with better electronics and tuning machines. But the Pyle puts up a good fight with its impressive bare-bones specs for a very wallet-friendly price. Whichever you choose, both models make for a solid stepping stone on the path to acoustic guitar mastery.

Playability

The Fender CN-60S concert acoustic guitar has excellent playability overall for an acoustic in its price range. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box, making it very playable for both beginners and experienced players.

The fingerboard has 20 frets and a 25.3” scale length. It is made of walnut which provides a smooth feel. The neck profile is described by Fender as "Modern C". It has a standard C shape that is comfortable to hold and not too thick. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for fast, smooth transitions up and down the neck.

The wider nut width of 1.687” gives a nice roomy feel that makes it easy to fret chords and prevents your fingers from feeling cramped on the fretboard. The CN-60S provides very comfortable and enjoyable playability ideal for both rhythm and lead playing. It feels great in your hands whether standing up or sitting down.

Hardware

The Fender CN-60S features quality hardware that enables smooth and stable tuning and playability. The tuners are open-gear vintage-style tuners with butterbean buttons. They provide precise and accurate tuning and keep the guitar in tune well. The chrome tuners match the other hardware and look classy against the natural finish.

The bridge is made from quality rosewood and has a compensated saddle for proper string intonation. The design allows for easy adjustments of saddle height and neck relief. The white pins in the bridge provide clear visuals for string placement. Overall the hardware is well-made and functions smoothly during tuning and playing.

Electronics

The Fender CN-60S features Fender's Fishman Presys active electronics system with an undersaddle pickup and preamp. This system helps provide a balanced, rich tone across all six strings.

The preamp offers volume and tone controls, allowing you to shape your amplified sound. The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the tone knob lets you dial in more bass or more treble to suit your needs. The preamp requires a 9V battery.

Overall, the Fishman Presys electronics provide excellent plugged-in performance with natural acoustic sound and enough controls to fine-tune your tone, whether practicing with headphones or performing on stage. The undersaddle pickup combined with the preamp captures the CN-60S's balanced tone nicely.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The Fender CN-60S has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which gives it a nice balanced tone that's well-suited for various music genres. The mahogany body adds warmth and resonance.

• The neck has a smooth satin finish, 20 frets, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This combination is comfortable to play and gives clear notes.

• It has a rich and full sound. The bass notes are articulate without being too boomy. Treble notes ring out with clarity. It's impressive for this price range.

• The tuning machines work well at keeping the guitar in tune. The nut and saddle are set up properly for good intonation.

• Lightweight and comfortable to play with or without a strap thanks to the contoured body shape. The cutaway gives easy access to upper frets.

• Comes with a padded gig bag, so it's ready to take anywhere. The sunburst finish looks classy.

Cons

• While playable right out of the box, a professional setup could improve intonation and playability even further. The action may be a little high for some players.

• It may not have quite the volume and projection for playing with a full bluegrass band. Using a microphone helps amplify its voice.

• The bundled gig bag protects against bumps but offers limited padding. For airline travel or maximum protection, a hardshell case is recommended.

• The preamp is very basic with just a single tone knob. It lacks the EQ shaping options found on higher-end acoustic-electrics.

• The plastic nut and saddle are functional but upgrading to bone could slightly improve resonance and sustain.

Comparable Models

The CN-60S is part of Fender's affordable CN series of acoustic guitars designed primarily for beginners and intermediate players. Within this series, the CN-60S is comparable to other full-sized dreadnought models like the CN-140S.

Some other similar guitars that compete with the CN-60S in terms of class and price point include:

• Yamaha FG800 - Yamaha's entry-level solid top dreadnought. Slightly cheaper than the CN-60S but also slightly lower build quality. The FG800 has a solid spruce top compared to the CN-60S's laminate top.

• Epiphone DR-100 - Epiphone's budget dreadnought guitar. Similar laminate construction as the CN-60S but with a slightly different body shape. The DR-100 has a slimmer neck profile that some may find more comfortable.

• Jasmine S35 - An all-laminate dreadnought by Takamine's budget Jasmine brand. Has a wider nut width than the CN-60S which provides more room for fingerstyle playing. The S35 sounds bright and balanced.

• Ibanez PF15ECE - Ibanez take on the beginner dreadnought electro-acoustic. Slightly more expensive than the CN-60S but comes equipped with an onboard tuner and electronics that the Fender lacks. The PF15ECE has a stylish single-cutaway design.

The CN-60S can hold its own against others in this price range in terms of build, sound quality, and playability. It stacks up well as a solid all-round beginner dreadnought acoustic.

Conclusion

For an exceptionally crafted and rich-sounding guitar at an affordable price point, the Fender CN-60S Concert acoustic guitar is a superb option. This model nails the classic Fender build quality and tone, with crisp highs, balanced mids, and robust bass tones from its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The easy-to-play neck with 20 frets allows for versatility, while the cutaway provides access to higher notes.

The satin finish gives it a smooth feel and vintage appeal. While the lack of onboard electronics may limit plugged-in use, the CN-60S is an excellent choice for all levels of acoustic players looking for Fender's signature sound and style under $500. It's an all-around excellent instrument that looks, plays, and most importantly - sounds fantastic. This concert-style acoustic is highly recommended for guitarists who want Fender quality without breaking the bank.