Fender FA-15 961170121 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Fender FA-15 is an affordable, entry-level acoustic guitar that's ideal for beginners and players on a budget. Part of Fender's famous product line, the FA-15 delivers the classic, resonant tone that the brand is known for in an easy to play and highly accessible instrument.

Featuring a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and Fender's trademark headstock shape, the FA-15 combines traditional materials with Fender's signature look and feel. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate comfortable, fatigue-free practice sessions, while the onboard Fishman preamp provides amplified tones when needed.

Overall, the FA-15 offers an excellent entry point into the world of acoustic guitars. Let's take a closer look at how it's constructed and performs.

Appearance and Build Quality

The Fender FA-15 acoustic guitar has a classic, timeless appearance with its dreadnought body shape. It features a laminated spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides, giving it a balanced and resonant warm tone.

The guitar has a smooth natural satin finish that lets the wood grains show through beautifully. The bridge and fretboard are made of rosewood, which is known for its rich appearance and sustained notes.

Overall, the fit and finish is very good for a guitar in this price range. The tuners and hardware feel solid and turn smoothly. Attention has been paid to little details like clean fret ends and a neatly cut nut and saddle.

The binding along the top helps protect the guitar's edges and gives it a more premium look. It's clear that while affordable, Fender did not cut corners in terms of the FA-15's build quality.

Compared to other guitars like the Vangoa VA20CE BKM12, the Fender FA-15 has a more traditional and familiar acoustic guitar design. The Vangoa has a stylish cutaway body with gloss finish, giving it a more modern and flashy aesthetic. However, the FA-15's classic dreadnought shape never goes out of style.

The Vangoa VA20CE does feature all solid wood construction with a solid spruce top, which can provide better resonance and volume. But the FA-15 compensates with its balanced tone and quality workmanship. And with Fender's long history as an instrument maker, buyers can feel confident in this guitar's reliability and playability.

Those looking for an acoustic with premium appointments and electronics may want to consider spending a bit more for the Vangoa. But at its accessible price point, the Fender FA-15 delivers impressive quality and sound in a traditional, appealing package.

Playability

The Fender FA-15 features a C-shaped neck profile that provides comfort and familiarity for most players. The 25.3" scale mahogany neck has a 12" radius rosewood fretboard with 20 frets.

The neck width at the nut is 1 11/16", which is a standard acoustic width that works well for chording and single note playing. The action out of the box is set medium-low, which makes it comfortable for strumming rhythms or picking melodies up and down the neck.

The C neck profile has a slim and tapered feel. It's not overly chunky but provides enough thickness for solid grip and control. The satin neck finish allows for smooth gliding up and down the scales. The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished on the edges and make bends easy without resistance.

Overall the FA-15 has a fast, playable neck that most guitarists will find comfortable right away. It's designed for versatility across different playing styles and techniques. The smooth neck and fretwork make it easy to hold chords, play riffs, or improvise solos.

The Yamaha FG800J NT is another great acoustic guitar option to consider. With a solid spruce top, Nato back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard, it delivers a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The neck has a comfortable slim taper profile that makes chording and playing up the neck smooth and easy. The guitar feels great right out of the box thanks to Yamaha's meticulous attention to setup and playability. Many guitarists find the FG800J NT to be a versatile, affordable, and great sounding acoustic. For more details check out the full review here: Yamaha FG800J NT

When comparing the Fender FA-15 and Yamaha FG800J NT, they both offer excellent playability and comfort but have some notable differences. The FA-15 has a slightly wider nut width while the FG800J NT has a slimmer neck profile. The FA-15 may suit players who want more room for fingerpicking and fretting chords, while the FG800J NT offers a fast neck for riffs, leads, and versatility. Overall they are both quality acoustic guitars with great attention to playability right out of the box. Players should consider their budget, tonewoods, and playing style when deciding between these two great models.

Sound Quality

The FA-15 produces a bright, balanced tone that projects well. The solid spruce top contributes to its strong volume and sustain, allowing the guitar's notes to ring out with clarity. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and richness to each chord.

The combination of spruce and mahogany tonewoods gives the FA-15 a versatile voice. It has decent bass, pronounced mids, and crisp treble. Strumming results in a full, resonant sound. The guitar is capable of both bright, cheerful tones when played toward the bridge and warmer, rounded tones when played near the fretboard.

Single notes and melodic playing are well-defined. The notes are articulate without sounding overly sharp or nasally. The sustain allows chords to ring out fully before decaying. While not as boomy or bass-heavy as a dreadnought, the FA-15 has enough low-end to provide pleasing accompaniment for singing.

The balanced EQ makes the FA-15 a great option for fingerpicking styles as well. Each individual note can be heard clearly. The crisp treble brings out the articulation in the high strings while the mahogany body adds midrange punch and low-end warmth. The guitar is responsive across the tonal spectrum.

Overall, the FA-15's sound quality belies its affordable price point. It's capable of studio-quality tones in a variety of styles, from strumming chords to intricate soloing. The versatile sound makes it a great choice for everything from practice to live performance.

Hardware

The Fender FA-15 features high quality hardware that enhances the playability and sound of this acoustic guitar.

Tuning Machines

The FA-15 uses open-gear chrome tuners that provide precise tuning and keep the strings in tune well. The tuners turn smoothly and feel solid. This is an upgrade from cheaper tuners found on lower-priced acoustics.

Bridge

The bridge is made from quality rosewood which offers balanced resonance across the strings. The compensated saddle provides proper intonation up the neck. Overall the bridge design allows the guitar to ring out with balanced, warm tones.

Nut and Saddle

Both the nut and saddle are synthetic bone which adds brightness and sustain compared to plastic parts. The nut is cut properly for easy playability and clean intonation when fretting notes. The saddle height is set well from the factory. Both components are smoothly finished and long lasting.

Electronics

The Fender FA-15's electronics help produce its clear, balanced tone. It features a Fishman Sonitone pickup system, which consists of an undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp system.

The undersaddle pickup captures the guitar's natural acoustic sound by sensing vibrations directly from the bridge. This allows it to produce an authentic and organic amplified tone.

The preamp features volume and tone controls, allowing you to shape your amplified sound. The volume knob controls the overall output level. The tone knob lets you dial in more brilliance and clarity or a smoother, darker sound.

The preamp is powered by a 20V battery, providing plenty of headroom for amplified performance situations. It also includes a built-in tuner, which is always handy for quick on-stage tuning between songs.

Overall, the electronics package on the Fender FA-15 provides flexible tone shaping and quality amplification while retaining the inherent sound of the acoustic guitar. The undersaddle pickup preserves the guitar's natural voice, and the preamp lets you refine your amplified tone.

Pros

The Fender FA-15 acoustic guitar has received overwhelmingly positive reviews for its impressive quality and playability given its affordable price point. Here are some of the key benefits highlighted by reviewers and users:

• Great tone for the price: The FA-15 produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone that belies its low cost. The laminated spruce top and basswood back and sides deliver a rich and resonant sound.

• Easy playability: The FA-15 features a slim, comfortable "C"-shaped neck profile that makes it very playable and accessible, especially for beginners. The action is low and fretwork is excellent right out of the box.

• Lightweight and comfortable: Weighing just 16.5 pounds, the FA-15 is easy to handle during extended practice or live performance sessions. The body shape fits nicely against the player's body.

• Quality hardware: The guitar has sealed chrome tuners that stay in tune well. The compensated saddle provides accurate intonation up and down the fretboard.

• Impressive build quality: Reviewers have been surprised by the FA-15's solid construction given its affordable price, with attention to details like clean fret ends and body binding.

• Great value: For the price, the FA-15 exceeds expectations for tone, playability and build quality. It's an ideal entry-level acoustic for beginners that also appeals to more experienced players.

Cons

The Fender FA-15 is an entry-level acoustic guitar, so it understandably has some limitations compared to more expensive models. Here are some of the downsides to consider:

• The laminated spruce top lacks some resonance and projection compared to solid wood tops. It won't have as full and open of a sound.

• Similarly, the back and sides are made of laminated basswood rather than a premium tonewood like rosewood or mahogany. This affects the warmth and bass response.

• The satin finish can inhibit vibrations slightly compared to a gloss finish.

• It only has 18 frets, typical for this price range, but more advanced players may want 20+ frets.

• The nut width is just 1.68 inches, making it better suited for beginners than those with large hands. Those with bigger hands may find the neck cramped.

• The tuners are very basic and may go out of tune more quickly than higher quality tuning pegs.

• There are no electronics for plugging into an amplifier. Only an acoustic tone is available.

• The strings it comes with are light gauge and may not have the best tone or staying in tune compared to an upgraded set of strings.

While the Fender FA-15 is highly affordable and plays well, it does lack some features, hardware quality, and tone compared to pricier models. The tradeoffs are understandable for the low price tag, but may disappoint more advanced players.

Alternatives

If you're looking for an acoustic guitar in the same price range as the Fender FA-15, here are some other models to consider:

Yamaha FG800

The Yamaha FG800 is one of the best-selling acoustic guitars under $200. It has a solid spruce top and NATO back and sides. The FG800 produces a balanced tone with nice projection that punches above its price range. The playability is also very good for a budget acoustic.

Epiphone DR-100

Epiphone's DR-100 has an all-mahogany body that delivers a balanced and resonant tone. It has a slim neck profile that makes it very comfortable and playable. The hardware is basic but very reliable. Overall, the DR-100 gives you great bang for your buck if you're looking for a no-frills acoustic.

Ibanez PF15ECE

This Ibanez dreadnought acoustic-electric features a cutaway for easy upper fret access. It has a laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The PF15ECE has a Fishman pickup and preamp system, so it's ready to plug in and amplify your acoustic tone. The vintage-style butterfly bridge provides good sustain and projection.

Fender CD-60S

Another solid budget option from Fender, the CD-60S has an all-mahogany body with a solid spruce top. It produces a warm, balanced acoustic tone and plays very smoothly right out of the box. The CD-60S gives you a quality all-wood acoustic guitar for under $200.

Conclusion

The Fender FA-15 is an excellent beginner acoustic guitar that delivers impressive sound quality and playability at an affordable price point. Its laminated spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce balanced warm tones that are ideal for any genre. The slim neck and low action make it easy and comfortable to play, even for smaller hands.

The hardware is high-quality with chrome sealed tuners that keep the guitar in tune well. Electronics include a Fishman preamp system that provides versatility for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. While the guitar is not solid wood, it looks good with its natural satin finish.

Overall, the Fender FA-15 punches above its weight class for an acoustic guitar under $200. It's an ideal choice for new players looking for their first guitar or experienced players wanting a budget-friendly secondary option. Though the tone may not satisfy more advanced guitarists, beginners will find everything they need to enjoy learning on this well-constructed, great sounding, comfortable, and affordable instrument.