to the Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar

The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar is an affordable, entry-level dreadnought acoustic aimed at beginners and hobbyists. As part of Fender's budget-focused FA series, the FA-115 delivers the classic Fender style and sound at a very wallet-friendly price point.

This guitar features a laminated spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides, producing a balanced and articulate tone that works well for all genres of music. The dreadnought body shape provides a full and rich bass, nice projection, and overall impressive volume that belies its low price tag. While the guitar's laminate wood construction means it lacks some richness compared to Fender's more expensive solid wood models, the FA-115 still delivers a pleasing sound with good playability right out of the box.

Overall, the Fender FA-115 is an excellent choice for new players looking for their first acoustic or those seeking an inexpensive beater guitar for travel or camping trips. While more advanced players will likely want to upgrade before too long, this guitar checks all the boxes for an entry-level instrument.

Appearance and Design

The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar has a classic dreadnought body shape that provides a balanced and powerful sound. The body is made of laminated spruce on top with laminated mahogany back and sides, giving it an elegant two-tone aesthetic.

The guitar comes in two contemporary satin finish options: Natural and Black. Both finishes allow the wood grain to show through nicely. The smooth satin finish is comfortable to play, whether seated or standing. While simple in appearance, the no-frills design gives this guitar a timeless and appealing look.

The Fender logo is displayed on the headstock, with a black pickguard adding some contrast on the Natural model. Chrome die-cast tuning machines provide a premium touch. Overall, the appearance hits the mark for a quality affordable acoustic guitar.

Tonewoods

The choice of wood has a big impact on the sound and tone of an acoustic guitar. The Fender FA-115 features solid spruce on the top. Spruce is a popular choice for guitar tops thanks to its balanced tone that emphasizes clarity and articulation. It produces good volume and projection, while still allowing the guitar's warmth to come through.

The back and sides are made of mahogany, which provides a nice richness and resonance to the FA-115's tone. Mahogany adds depth and body to the spruce top. Together these tonewoods give the FA-115 a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum, with crisp highs and full lows.

The neck is also crafted from mahogany. Using the same wood for the neck promotes consistency and enhances sustain and resonance. Overall the spruce and mahogany tonewoods give the FA-115 a versatile sound suitable for various playing styles and genres.

The Fender FA-115 is a great entry-level acoustic guitar, but players looking for a step up may want to consider the Ortega Guitars RCE125SN-L. This guitar features higher quality solid Sitka spruce on the top along with mahogany back and sides. The solid wood construction allows for better resonance and sustain. The RCE125SN-L also has an onboard preamp and tuner for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. The preamp lets you shape your amplified tone with bass, mid, and treble controls.

In terms of looks, the RCE125SN-L has a similar dreadnought shape but with rounded cutaways for easier access to upper frets. The finish options are also more striking, with a glossy Wine Red or Jet Black to turn heads. Other premium appointments include a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, pearl dot inlays, and chrome sealed tuners. While costing around twice as much as the FA-115, the Ortega RCE125SN-L represents an excellent value in the under $500 category. The solid wood build and electronics give it clear advantages in tone and versatility.

Both the Fender FA-115 and Ortega RCE125SN-L are great choices for acoustic guitarists on a budget. The FA-115 offers an affordable way to get into playing, with its laminate construction providing decent tone and durability. Players wanting more volume, resonance and stage-ready features will appreciate upgrading to the RCE125SN-L. With its solid spruce top and onboard electronics, it delivers pro-level sound in an affordable package.

For guitarists starting out, the smart choice is to go with a budget-friendly model like the FA-115 to learn on. Upgrading to a better quality solid wood instrument like the RCE125SN-L will be rewarding down the road as playing skills improve. The Ortega's musical voice and amplified capabilities will inspire practice and exploration of new styles. While paying a little more, the lifetime enjoyment and progression as a guitarist makes it a worthwhile investment.

Neck and Fretboard

The neck of the Fender FA-115 is made of mahogany and topped with a rosewood fretboard that gives it a rich, warm tone and resonance. It has a 25.3” scale length which provides great playing comfort while the 12” fretboard radius gives just enough curvature for easy chording and bends. The neck is slim and comfortable, with a natural finish similar to vintage instruments.

The rosewood fretboard contains 20 frets, with traditional dot position markers on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th and 19th frets. The fret ends are beautifully finished for a seamless playing experience. The synthetic bone nut helps retain tuning stability even with heavy strumming. Overall the neck is designed for playing comfort while providing the warmth and sustain from quality tonewoods.

The neck is a key component of any acoustic guitar, as it influences playability, intonation and tone. The mahogany neck on the Fender FA-115 provides a balanced tone, while the rosewood fretboard offers pleasing overtones and sustain. The slim profile neck allows easy playability for chord changes and soloing. The 25.3" scale length is considered "full scale" and provides great string tension and resonance. The radius fretboard allows comfortable chording without buzzing. Overall, Fender designed the neck for optimal playability and classic acoustic tone. If you're looking for another quality acoustic guitar, check out the Gosila TLO-190CEQ-N.

The width, thickness and carve of the neck allows comfortable hand placement up and down the fretboard. The satin finish provides smooth playability. Fender aimed for a vintage feel with the FA-115 neck design. The nut width of 1.69" gives adequate room for fingerpicking while still playable for smaller hands. The neck meets the body at the 14th fret, allowing easy access to upper frets. And the joint is smoothly contoured for playing comfort. The neck is adjustable via the truss rod for optimal straightness and action. Overall Fender designed the neck for hours of fatigue-free playing time.

Proper neck relief and action makes the FA-115 comfortable to play. Relief refers to a slight forward bow in the neck to avoid buzzing. Action is the string height above the frets. The mahogany neck resists bowing over time to maintain good relief. If needed, the truss rod inside the neck can adjust relief for optimal playability. The bridge saddle height controls action, and is set low but not so low that fret buzz occurs. This allows easy pressing of strings without hand fatigue. Fender sets up the guitar for comfortable playability right from the factory.

The slim C-shaped neck is comfortable to hold and facilitates playing. The satin back finish lets your hand glide smoothly up and down the neck. The 1-11/16" nut width provides room for your fingers while still playable for those with smaller hands. The radius fretboard allows comfortable chording, while the medium jumbo frets are easily bent for soloing. The smooth fret ends provide a seamless feel. Overall Fender optimized the neck for hours of fatigue-free playing time. Pair it with the balanced mahogany body and you've got a very playable, great sounding acoustic guitar.

Hardware

The Fender FA-115 features quality hardware to provide smooth, reliable performance. It has chrome enclosed tuning machines with permablock mechanisms to keep it in tune. The tuning machines are mounted in a classy vintage-style Fender headstock.

The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone, which provides a smooth feel during playing. The nut is cut for proper string spacing and break angle. The saddle is precisely notched for intonation accuracy.

The bridge is made of quality rosewood and is designed for optimal energy transfer from the strings to the top. It has a compensated design that improves intonation and has a vintage-style look with white pins.

Overall, the hardware components on the FA-115 are thoughtfully designed and well-made. The quality materials and construction ensure stable tuning, comfortable feel, and good intonation across the neck and strings. This allows the guitar to play smoothly and makes it easy to achieve great tone.

Electronics

The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar features Fishman Sonitone electronics, giving it clear and balanced plugged-in tones. The Fishman Sonitone system utilizes an undersaddle pickup and preamp with easy-access volume and tone controls.

The volume knob allows you to adjust the output level for plugged-in playing, while the tone control lets you shape the EQ to taste. Turn up the treble for crisp, articulate tones or roll it off for a warmer, smoother sound. With both controls mounted just inside the soundhole, they are conveniently located yet discreetly tucked away.

The Fishman preamp reproduces the FA-115's natural acoustic tone when plugged into an amplifier or PA system. From an acoustic guitar amp to a large mixer, the Sonitone electronics will provide quality amplified sound on stage or in the studio. The undersaddle pickup also captures the guitar's organic resonance and body characteristics.

Overall, the Fishman electronics offer hassle-free amplified tones with simple and effective volume and tone shaping. Just plug in via the endpin jack and you can easily go from an intimate acoustic sound to stage-ready projection.

Sound and Tone

The Fender FA-115 produces very good tones that easily punch above its price range. Acoustically, it offers bright but balanced sound with robust and rich low end, well-defined mids, and clear sparkling highs. The FA-115's all-laminate construction allows it to project well and the dreadnought body shape lends itself to impressive volume, sustain, and resonance.

Plugged in, the FA-115's Fishman preamp and pickup system provides solid amplified tones. The guitar has plenty of warmth and body when amplified, allowing the rich low end to come through nicely. The midrange is full and the treble has good articulation and shimmer. The acoustic character of the instrument comes through very well when amplified, making it an excellent choice for live performances or recording. Some users may wish for more EQ control on the preamp to shape the amplified tones, but overall the electronics offer impressive versatility in an acoustic guitar at this price point.

The Fishman preamp includes a built-in tuner, volume knob, and easy to use controls, providing streamlined functionality for plugging in. The pickup blends nicely between the lows, mids, and highs to produce balanced amplified tone. Feedback is also well controlled thanks to the preamp. Altogether, the Fender FA-115 produces quality acoustic and electric tones that belie its budget-friendly price tag.

Playability

The Fender FA-115 is a comfortable and easy-playing dreadnought acoustic guitar. Its slim neck profile and smooth satin finish on the back of the neck make it feel fast and slick when moving up and down the fretboard. The mid-width nut also provides a good balance between comfortable chording and precise fingering for solos and leads.

The slightly shorter 24.75" scale length compared to a traditional 25.5" dreadnought contributes to the FA-115's playability too. There's less tension on the strings, making them easier to press down without fatiguing your hands. This allows you to play for longer periods comfortably.

When fingerpicking, the FA-115's wider neck and lower action make it easy to pluck individual strings cleanly. The smooth finish on the back of the neck allows your hand to glide effortlessly up and down as you pick melodies and arpeggios.

Strumming on the FA-115 is also a breeze thanks to its comfortable body shape and slim neck. The dreadnought cutaway style provides plenty of room for your strumming hand to move without bumping into the body. Overall, the FA-115 offers a very playable and accessible feel whether you prefer fingerstyle or strumming.

Pros and Cons

The Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar has several noteworthy strengths as well as a few potential drawbacks to consider.

Pros

• Warm, balanced tone with good bass response for a dreadnought acoustic
• Laminated spruce top handles live playing well without feedback
• Mahogany back and sides provide a nice midrange punch
• Slim neck profile comfortable for smaller hands
• Excellent playability right out of the box after factory setup
• Durable build quality can stand up to regular practice and gigs
• Equipped with built-in Fishman preamp and tuner
• Affordable price point for a Fender-branded acoustic

Cons

• Laminate wood construction, not solid wood
• Electronics add cost for those who don't need them
• Lack of cutaway can limit upper fret access
• Not made in the USA like higher-end Fender acoustics
• May not have the resonance of similar Martin or Taylor models
• Some may prefer warmer sound of all-mahogany body

Overall, the Fender FA-115 offers very good bang for your buck if you want a great-sounding dreadnought acoustic with modern appointments, nice electronics, and the Fender name. While not for guitarists seeking top-tier construction and tone, it's an excellent choice for beginners through intermediate players.

Conclusion

With its classic dreadnought body shape and Fishman electronics, the Fender FA-115 acoustic-electric guitar offers solid tone and versatility for players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic.

This guitar's laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The slim neck with rosewood fingerboard promotes comfortable playability. While not the most resonant instrument, the FA-115's Fishman preamp and built-in tuner provide amplified tones and stage-ready convenience.

Overall, the Fender FA-115 presents excellent value as a no-frills dreadnought acoustic-electric. Its conventional design focuses on function over flare. While not for players seeking top-tier acoustic tone, it's an excellent entry-level guitar for jamming, practice, and getting amplified on stage. For those needing a rugged, playable acoustic with plug-in convenience, the FA-115 warrants a close look.