Fender FA-125 971210706 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

Fender is one of the most well-known and iconic brands in the guitar world, with a long history of crafting high-quality instruments. The company was founded by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender in 1946 in Fullerton, California. Over the decades, Fender has produced countless classic guitar models like the Telecaster and Stratocaster that have shaped the sound of rock, blues, country and many other genres.

The FA-125 is one of Fender's more affordable acoustic guitar models, aimed at beginners and intermediate players looking for a well-made dreadnought guitar at an accessible price point. It typically sells for around $200, putting it within reach of musicians on a budget. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Fender's premium models, the FA-125 delivers the core Fender experience - great playability, classic styling and impressive sound quality for the price. It's an ideal choice for a first guitar or a grab-and-go acoustic for more experienced players.

Appearance

The Fender FA-125 acoustic guitar has a classic dreadnought body shape that's comfortable to hold and play. It features a laminated spruce top, back, and sides, giving it an attractive natural wood look and feel. The finish is a gloss polyurethane that enhances the aesthetics. The FA-125 comes in three great looking finishes - Natural, Black, and Sunburst. The natural finish really allows the spruce and mahogany to shine through.

At 41 inches long, the FA-125 has the same dimensions as most full-size dreadnought acoustics. It's not overly large or bulky, making it a good fit for most players. The width at the lower bout is 15 inches, giving it enough body to produce full dreadnought tones. Overall, the FA-125 has a traditional and sleek dreadnought design that looks great on stage or around the campfire. The spruce and mahogany laminate construction gives it the aesthetics of a more expensive instrument.

The appearance of the Fender FA-125 is designed to deliver an attractive, traditional acoustic guitar visual that belies its entry-level price point. The combination of spruce, mahogany, and gloss finish give it a natural yet polished look. While laminate woods are used instead of solid woods, Fender has done a great job making the FA-125 look like a more premium instrument.

Players who want the dreadnought experience in an affordable package will appreciate the FA-125's classic aesthetics. The Natural finish in particular gives it an organic vibe, showcasing the spruce top grain. The black and sunburst finishes offer a more rock-ready look. No matter what finish you choose, the FA-125 looks great on stage and blends well into any musical ensemble.

For those looking for a great starter acoustic with classic styling, check out the Fender FA-15 961170121. It has a similar dreadnought shape to the FA-125, with an attractive all-laminate construction featuring spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The smaller body size makes it comfortable for younger players or those with smaller frames. It comes in natural, black, and sunburst finishes to match any aesthetic. While it doesn't have the exact same specs as the FA-125, the FA-15 has the same great Fender style at an even more affordable price. It's another great option for players wanting that traditional acoustic guitar look without breaking the bank.

Playability

The Fender FA-125 dreadnought acoustic guitar features a 25.3" scale maple neck with a "C"-shaped profile that's comfortable for most playing styles. The neck has a satin finish which allows your hand to move smoothly up and down during playing.

The rosewood fretboard has 20 frets and a 12" radius which provides a good balance of playability for chords and single note runs. The medium jumbo frets are easy to press down without being too tall. Overall the neck and fretboard feel smooth and playable right out of the box.

The factory setup from Fender provides a nice low action which makes the FA-125 very easy to play. Both the nut action and relief allow for comfortable fretting without buzzing issues. The action is low but still has enough height to avoid fret buzz on harder strumming. This guitar has better playability out of the box than many other acoustics in this price range.

Sound

The Fender FA-125 acoustic guitar produces a balanced, warm tone thanks to its spruce top and mahogany back and sides tonewood combination. The spruce top provides brightness and articulate highs, while the mahogany back and sides add richness, warmth, and balanced mids and lows.

Overall, the guitar has impressive volume and projection for its size and price point. It can easily keep up with jamming and performing scenarios. The dreadnought body shape helps project the sound outward.

The tonal character leans slightly toward the darker, warmer side due to the mahogany, with nice sparkly highs from the spruce. It has a well-rounded, full sound across the tonal spectrum. The bass notes have decent punch and low-end presence.

The guitar offers a great balanced and versatile acoustic tone for playing various music genres, from rock to folk to country. Players looking for an affordable dreadnought with classic balanced tone will be pleased.

Another comparable option in this price range is the Donner DLP-124S acoustic guitar. Like the Fender FA-125, the Donner DLP-124S features a spruce top and mahogany back and sides tonewood combination. This provides a balanced and warm acoustic tone across the tonal range. The Donner guitar also has a dreadnought body shape for ample projection and volume.

The Donner DLP-124S has a slightly wider nut width of 1.69" compared to 1.65" on the Fender. This can provide a bit more room for fingerstyle playing. It also features a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, just like the Fender. Overall playability is quite good right out of the box after a proper setup.

In terms of sound, the Donner DLP-124S has a bright and crisp tone with the spruce top, while still retaining warmth from the mahogany back and sides. It exhibits good balance across the tonal spectrum. The bass has decent punch and low-end presence. Trebles have good articulation and sparkle.

The Donner DLP-124S works well for strumming chords or playing single note melodies. It can handle various music genres comfortably. The dreadnought body projects the balanced tone outward nicely. Overall, the Donner DLP-124S offers comparable specs and acoustic tone to the Fender FA-125 at an even more affordable price point.

Both the Fender FA-125 and Donner DLP-124S represent quality entry-level acoustic guitars with classic dreadnought shape and balanced tone. The Fender may have a slight edge in terms of fit and finish. However, the Donner provides an impressive value at an even lower price point. Beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable dreadnought will be happy with either option.

Hardware

The Fender FA-125 features quality hardware that enables smooth, comfortable playing. The tuners are chrome sealed-gear types that hold tune reliably. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone, which provides a smooth feel on the strings while transferring vibrations efficiently.

The bridge is also noteworthy, as it is made from laminated hardwood with a compensate saddle. This design allows for precise intonation up and down the neck. The bridge pins are also inserted at a slight angle for better contact with the strings.

Overall, the hardware supports the FA-125's playability and sound quality. The tuners, nut, saddle, and bridge are all well-made components that enable comfortable playing while providing accurate intonation. Players will appreciate how the guitar stays in tune and feels smooth during playing sessions.

Electronics

The Fender FA-125 acoustic guitar utilizes a Fishman Sonitone undersaddle pickup and preamp system. This gives you natural, amplified acoustic tone thanks to the rounded corners of the undersaddle pickup design.

The onboard preamp has volume, bass, and treble controls. The volume knob controls the overall output level. The bass knob provides +/- 6dB boost/cut at 100Hz. This allows you to dial in low end resonance to taste. The treble knob gives you +/- 6dB boost/cut at 10kHz. Use this to adjust the brightness and clarity of the amplified tone.

There's also a built-in tuner, accessed by pressing the tuner button located on the side of the upper bout. Very handy for quick tuning checks between songs. The tuner mutes the output when engaged, so you don't need to manually mute the guitar.

The pickup and preamp system give you flexibility for amplified gigs or recording scenarios where you want to capture the natural acoustic sound. It's a nice addition that doesn't get in the way of the guitar's unplugged acoustic voice.

Craftsmanship

The Fender FA-125 acoustic guitar features excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail, especially considering its budget-friendly price point. The all-laminate construction may not offer the resonance of solid wood, but the guitar still boasts nice appointments like binding on the top, back and fingerboard.

The matte finish is smooth and seamless, with no rough edges or uneven spots. The tuners turn smoothly and hold tune reliably. Inside the soundhole, the bracing appears neat and tidy. Overall, the FA-125 shows care in its construction, using quality materials to create a sturdy, well-crafted instrument.

While the FA-125 may not have the ornate inlays and glossy finishes of premium acoustics, it delivers on build quality where it counts. The guitar feels solid and durable in hand, inspiring confidence that it will stand up well to regular playing and transport. Fender did not cut corners that would sacrifice structural integrity or playability.

For beginners and casual players, the FA-125's craftsmanship makes it a dependable choice. Its no-frills appointment allow the focus to remain on learning and enjoyment. The FA-125 delivers reliable playability at an affordable price point thanks to Fender's consistent quality control and attention to detail.

Pros

Fender is one of the most iconic brands for guitars, known for their exceptional build quality and iconic styles. The FA-125 acoustic guitar lives up to the Fender name with its solid spruce top and quality hardware.

The FA-125 produces a balanced, warm tone that is great for any playing style. The dreadnought body yields impressive volume and sustain, allowing the guitar to truly sing. Many users comment on the impressive projection and resonance from the spruce top. The responsive strings and low action also make this an easy, enjoyable guitar to play.

Visually, the FA-125 has the classic Fender headstock and body binding that looks classy on stage or around a campfire. The sunburst finish over laminate back and sides gives a handsome, vintage vibe. Overall, the guitar looks, feels, and sounds like a professional quality instrument.

While the FA-125 is affordable, it does not feel or sound cheap. The trusted Fender name, resonant spruce top, and quality appointments make this a great value acoustic with impressive sound and playability.

Areas for Improvement

The Fender FA-125 dreadnought acoustic guitar is an excellent entry-level model, but there are a few drawbacks to consider.

• The action may be higher than some players prefer, making it more difficult to fret notes and chord shapes, especially for beginners. This can often be adjusted and set up properly by a guitar tech.

• It lacks advanced electronics like built-in tuners and EQ controls. The guitar has a simple under-saddle piezo pickup only. Players who want more versatility will need to upgrade or use outboard gear.

• The laminate wood construction, while durable, lacks some resonance and sustain compared to all-solid wood models. The tone is still good for a beginner guitar in this price range.

• The plastic saddle and nut are cost-saving measures but can create tuning instability issues over time as they wear. Upgrading to bone or graphite may help tuning and tone.

• The factory strings and setup may require replacing and adjusting for optimal playability. As with any guitar, a professional setup is recommended.

• Being a budget model, it's not as finely crafted as premium guitars. The hardware, tuners, and electronics are basic. Serious players will eventually want to graduate to a more high-end instrument.

While not perfect, the FA-125 still provides excellent value as a starter acoustic, especially considering its price and Fender brand name. A few upgrades and proper setup would help maximize its potential. Most cons are understandable tradeoffs for an affordable dreadnought model.

Conclusion

The Fender FA-125 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar delivers impressive sound and playability at an excellent value. Though it's an affordable model, it retains many of the features found in Fender's more premium guitars.

The FA-125 produces rich, balanced acoustic tones that belie its price point. It's comfortable to play thanks to its slim neck profile and smooth frets. The hardware and electronics are quite decent for an entry-level instrument. While the guitar is well made, don't expect the same level of craftsmanship as Fender's USA models.

Overall, the FA-125 is ideal for new players and those on a budget. It provides a great introduction to Fender's iconic style and sound. The guitar sounds, plays, and looks fantastic considering its affordable cost. I would highly recommend the FA-125 to anyone looking for a quality entry-level dreadnought acoustic. While not perfect, it delivers tremendous value and will serve any beginner extremely well.