Should I buy this Fender acoustic?

[MikeBmusic]

Don't let the 'brand snobs' get to you. You can mention ANY commercial brand name here and get detractors!
You didn't mention if this was new or used, or how much it was. I'm surprised that the CD60CE is now selling 'normally' for $299 - a little over a year ago it was $269. The CD140SCE sells for the same amount and has a solid spruce top, rather than laminated and is better sounding because of it.

A few other brand suggestions thrown out there by others are 1-1/2 to 2X as expensive as the Fender. And some other choices in the same price range aren't pickup-equipped.

1) Is this your first acoustic?
2) What are your planned uses - practice at home, playing with a band, solo gigs?

[Tony Burns]

I have never played a Fender acoustic ( ever ) that was worth a lick .
They make great Electrics -first class . but their acoustics suck -no exageration.

GC sells a base model for like 99 bucks , I remember someones grandmother buying them one when i was in the store -
if you want to destroy someones desire to learn the guitar -get them a Fender acoustic -

[dovetail]

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

if you want to destroy someones desire to learn the guitar -get them a Fender acoustic -

nonsense not a lick of truth to that .

[kydave]

Come on guys... Fender is deservedly appreciated for their acoustic guitars every bit as much as Martin is appreciated for their electric guitars.

nonsense not a lick of truth to that .

Actually, there is a fair amount of truth in that.

[mdutr0]

My advice would be to ignore the name on the headstock and play the thing if possible. Granted, Fender doesn't have a great track record when it comes to acoustic guitars but I have played a few in the last couple of months that sounded pretty good actually.

Bottom line, you can find good guitars at any price point and you can find crappy guitars at any price point.

[jblue212]

I'm a pretty new guitar player. I bought a brand new Fender acoustic to learn on. I did my research first and bought one that was reasonably priced and got good reviews from what I can see. I liked that it came with a hard shell case even though it was pretty cheap. (It's a CD60). I played on it for a few months, but couldn't shake the feeling that it was just a little too bulky for me. I was having trouble playing, it was buzzy on me, and that discouraged me. That and that it was all laminate bugged me - I couldn't get past the cheapness. I know a beginner shouldn't care, but I cared.

I sold it a few weeks ago and bought my dream guitar (a Gibson) and I am MUCH happier. I love my guitar. Would I recommend a cheap Fender to learn on? Only if you REALLY can't afford a better guitar. If you can buy a better one now, at least one with solid wood top, you'll be ahead in the long run.

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by Tony Burns

to my recollection their has never been any acoustic guitar with the name fender on the top that has ever been worth anything. not joking!
so pass on that !

a few of those surf guitars from the late sixties and early seventies - with the big head ,bolt-on necks were a fad -but even they sucked somewhat -thou they had great mojo

You're mistaken my friend.

I've played older Fender acoustics that were very nice guitars. I am talking about those built in the 70's and 80's, not newer ones.

[DaveKell]

I have a friend who bought a Fender "dread" (double meaning!) awhile back to use to record with. I think he has tried it twice. His daughter recently bought one of the top line Epiphone dreads with a cutaway, I forget which model. After playing it my pal said he would be giving the Fender to the first kid who showed an interest in learning to play guitar, then hesitated and said "nah, I can't do that to them. This thing should be busted up to make paint stir sticks". For a company with a solid history of a few of the most famous electrics I am amazed they continue to crank out acoustics that aren't even on a par with an Esteban!

[Brant0086]

I played a Fender CD60. It was not an awful guitar. It played well, but just sounded fair at best. My personal favorite budget guitar is a Samick. I also like Yamaha Cort and seagull. I think the Samick D-5CE is the best sounding guitar in the $300 range. They feature a solid top and Grover tuners. Aesthetically, they are also one of the nicer options as well because they are fully bound and have snowflake inlays. Nice guitar.

Bryant

[dovetail]

Originally Posted by kydave

Come on guys... Fender is deservedly appreciated for their acoustic guitars every bit as much as Martin is appreciated for their electric guitars.





Actually, there is a fair amount of truth in that.

yes I agree that post of his is nonsense

[PajeroBob]

Ya Fender Parlor CP-100 only $300 and sounds great and plays great

Originally Posted by Brant0086

I played a Fender CD60. It was not an awful guitar. It played well, but just sounded fair at best. My personal favorite budget guitar is a Samick. I also like Yamaha Cort and seagull. I think the Samick D-5CE is the best sounding guitar in the $300 range. They feature a solid top and Grover tuners. Aesthetically, they are also one of the nicer options as well because they are fully bound and have snowflake inlays. Nice guitar.

Am looking into whether the Fender CP-100 parlor made in Indonesia is either a Cort or Samick production (then Fender-branded guitar). Does not have the serial number Cort prefix (ICF) referenced on the Fender website but "IPS" instead. I sent them an email after the customer service guy said was unfamilar with that prefix. Just out of curiosity...

I do think Samick and Cort are among the best values out there...