Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post

Brent Hutto · May 1st, 2008, 08:34 AM

I've done a little research and the model I saw was discontinued. It is no longer on Fender's web page. The Malibu S with no cutaway and no electronics was only in the lineup for 2006 and 2007. All of the current models are Malibu SCE, Sonora SCE and so forth. The 2006/2007 acoustic models were built in Korea, has solid wood back (but laminated sides) and a couple other slightly different specs. They were also quite expensive, the Malibu S listed at $714 and tended to sell for around $400. The SCE models are built in China if I'm not mistaken and according to Fender's specs they have laminated back and sides but the list price is a couple hundred cheaper even with a cutaway and electronics. So they tend to sell in the $300-ish range.

Musicians Friend and associated storefronts are blowing out the old ones for $300 and at the price they were originally selling at I suspect they have a warehouse full of them. $400+ for an Asian-built, less than full size acoustic with no electronics is not going to move many unit even with Fender name attached. I think the $300 is a much fairer price.

So I've got to decide whether to jump on a $299 one while they last or whether to wait around and figure some liquidator on eBay will have one I can buy for less in a few months. There is one Malibu S on eBay right now with a Fender hard case for $325, used, and it is mighty tempting. My local dealer has it posted at $449+tax, no case right now. They'd probably come $20-30 off that price at best although if it sit on the shelf through the summer I could probably eventally get it for maybe $400-ish out the door. No deal at that price no matter how much I like supporting the local guys.

The reason I'm not making the guy an offer on the $325 o.b.o. eBay one is that I've got too many guitars in the house anyway and, for a real true "beater" I just eBay'd and ancient Yamaha G-50a classical guitar for fifty bucks. I'm planning on playing around and if it's worth having at all taking it to the beach and leaving it in the closet. It will be interesting to see what nylon strings are all about.

May 1st, 2008, 08:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brent Hutto Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 659 6 Photos	I've done a little research and the model I saw was discontinued. It is no longer on Fender's web page. The Malibu S with no cutaway and no electronics was only in the lineup for 2006 and 2007. All of the current models are Malibu SCE, Sonora SCE and so forth. The 2006/2007 acoustic models were built in Korea, has solid wood back (but laminated sides) and a couple other slightly different specs. They were also quite expensive, the Malibu S listed at $714 and tended to sell for around $400. The SCE models are built in China if I'm not mistaken and according to Fender's specs they have laminated back and sides but the list price is a couple hundred cheaper even with a cutaway and electronics. So they tend to sell in the $300-ish range. Musicians Friend and associated storefronts are blowing out the old ones for $300 and at the price they were originally selling at I suspect they have a warehouse full of them. $400+ for an Asian-built, less than full size acoustic with no electronics is not going to move many unit even with Fender name attached. I think the $300 is a much fairer price. So I've got to decide whether to jump on a $299 one while they last or whether to wait around and figure some liquidator on eBay will have one I can buy for less in a few months. There is one Malibu S on eBay right now with a Fender hard case for $325, used, and it is mighty tempting. My local dealer has it posted at $449+tax, no case right now. They'd probably come $20-30 off that price at best although if it sit on the shelf through the summer I could probably eventally get it for maybe $400-ish out the door. No deal at that price no matter how much I like supporting the local guys. The reason I'm not making the guy an offer on the $325 o.b.o. eBay one is that I've got too many guitars in the house anyway and, for a real true "beater" I just eBay'd and ancient Yamaha G-50a classical guitar for fifty bucks. I'm planning on playing around and if it's worth having at all taking it to the beach and leaving it in the closet. It will be interesting to see what nylon strings are all about. __________________ ON HIATUS