Is it just me? Or am I just missing the right models?

[Controller]

I always felt the same way about fender acoustics and for whatever reason, I just assumed everyone did, but I admit there's no reason to assume that without any personal evidence or experience, which I don't have.

So I ask this with no disrespect to anyone, just genuine curiosity, but are they or have they ever been highly regarded?

Truth is, I never likes Gibson acoustics, at least the ones I've played (80s or 90s). How are those these days?

I realize that this a thread to heap disgust, hatred, derision, apathy and downright dislike on Fender acoustics so maybe I am out of line. Maybe they all deserve it except for mine.

I was shopping acoustics up and down the range a few years ago. I played everything I could including the usual favorites. I was out of town on a business trip so, as is my custom, I stopped at a local Mom and Pop music store. Again, played up and down the range. I was about done and saw a Fender acoustic and thought I would play it and probably instantly dismiss it. Neck's good, sounds nice, very comfortable, I like the size. Nope, I'm just tired after a long day. I put it back. The next day right before leaving town I thought I would see if it was temporary insanity. All good. I loved it and bought it, $300 Fender cf140sce.

Still have it and really like it. No cracks, no body bowing, the bridge didn't even pop off. So there is my tale. Believe it or not. Carry on.

 

[Midgetje94]

Obviously not my actual acoustics. I didn’t keep either around long enough to worry about saving pics. But the 3 fender acoustics I’ve owned.

- I started guitar on a cheap Lyon by Washburn acoustic.
- Fender T Bucket 300ce (sunburst) was my first real acoustic.
- followed by the T Bucket 400ce (natural)
- a few other brands acoustics here and there
- the Tim Armstrong Hellcat Sapphire Blue. (I wanted to love this one with everything I had. But nope)

 

[redhouse_ca]

I realize that this a thread to heap disgust, hatred, derision, apathy and downright dislike on Fender acoustics so maybe I am out of line. Maybe they all deserve it except for mine.

I was shopping acoustics up and down the range a few years ago. I played everything I could including the usual favorites. I was out of town on a business trip so, as is my custom, I stopped at a local Mom and Pop music store. Again, played up and down the range. I was about done and saw a Fender acoustic and thought I would play it and probably instantly dismiss it. Neck's good, sounds nice, very comfortable, I like the size. Nope, I'm just tired after a long day. I put it back. The next day right before leaving town I thought I would see if it was temporary insanity. All good. I loved it and bought it, $300 Fender cf140sce.

Still have it and really like it. No cracks, no body bowing, the bridge didn't even pop off. So there is my tale. Believe it or not. Carry on.

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Oh heck no man, I hope that my response wasn't hate, I was tryin to say that I have this impression of them that is based on pretty much nothing. It's cool you found a a gray one and next time I have the chance to play one I will. I thought about this and I got all kinds of biases like that, based on at best one experiance. It's kinda stupid of me. I had the same feeling about guild acoustics but my buddy had one way back and it sounded good when he played it.

Btw, really nice looking guitar.

 

[jrblue]

Fender's acoustics are not serious guitars and never have been. They are at the very most, workable rhythm instruments since they lack both high overtones and much bass. I'm sure there are a few rare exceptions to this -- I hope so! -- but overall, the only positive characteristics of Fender acoustics are the name on the headstock and the groovy appearance of the old 70's models.

 

[Midgetje94]

Oh heck no man, I hope that my response wasn't hate, I was tryin to say that I have this impression of them that is based on pretty much nothing. It's cool you found a a gray one and next time I have the chance to play one I will. I thought about this and I got all kinds of biases like that, based on at best one experiance. It's kinda stupid of me. I had the same feeling about guild acoustics but my buddy had one way back and it sounded good when he played it.

Btw, really nice looking guitar.

Absolutely! I’m sorry I never meant to hate on anything or anyone. More of a frustration than hate. I would love to see them step it up. So many other brands you can spend $200-300 and get a solid budget acoustic or even a reliable backup to a main acoustic. But with fender it’s “I could tolerate this as a camping guitar” for the same price

 

[G Stone496]

No, what I have seen is poor preparation of the bridge and top before the glue up. Here is a brand new Hellcat that was hanging on the wall of the local Fender dealer - it still has the sticker on the p/g

View attachment 1098280

They simply had not removed the poly finish from t he bridge footprint and just smeared a little glue on the bottom of the bridge

I cleaned the finish off and reglued it. The shop ended up selling it below cost with no warranty. I do warrent my work however

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Here is another Fender 12 string, this time it simply delaminated the top

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And one more where they hadn't removed the poly finish (glue sticks poorly to finish)

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When you consider that there aren't that many fender acoustics that seems like quite a few for a small town repair person like me.

Expeshally on a 12 string! You want that bridge glued down to the max!

 

[Flat6Driver]

View attachment 1098378

That’s my Master Built and I love it. I’d love a Gibson Hummingbird one day.

I have been shopping for a new strap and saw one with roses and wasn't sure it was manly enough or something. I take back my thinking on that, that combo looks great!!

 

[Midgetje94]

I have been shopping for a new strap and saw one with roses and wasn't sure it was manly enough or something. I take back my thinking on that, that combo looks great!!

I have a standard black Moody strap for my electrics. But wanted something a bit more decorative for the acoustic. I’m a big fan of the Ernie Ball Jacquard straps. (What this is) very secure, wears in very nice and SO SO SO many colors and styles. Idk why I wanted roses. I was just searching straps (the Ernie ball ones) and this is what clicked.

Back in my metal days Dimarzio Cliplock straps were on EVERYTHING. It was also kind of the metal go to. I will say I want to build a more flashy chrome and white strat. Like pure flair and almost extreme. But the Dimarzio Tim Henson custom cliplock is gorgeous with roses.

Kinda like this.

 

[ahiddentableau]

I once played an old Fender acoustic from the 70s when they were simply bolting a strat neck to an acoustic body. The sound didn't blow me away by any means, but it was wonderfully comfortable to play. I still kick myself for not buying it.

I am partial to Yairi/old Alvarez acoustics. They're not a big name, but I don't care about that, and because they fly under the radar they're still reasonably priced. They are well made and usually sound great. I also like older Guilds, but these days their reputation for making neck resets next to impossible scares me off.

 

[Midgetje94]

I once played an old Fender acoustic from the 70s when they were simply bolting a strat neck to an acoustic body. The sound didn't blow me away by any means, but it was wonderfully comfortable to play. I still kick myself for not buying it.

I am partial to Yairi/old Alvarez acoustics. They're not a big name, but I don't care about that, and because they fly under the radar they're still reasonably priced. They are well made and usually sound great. I also like older Guilds, but these days their reputation for making neck resets next to impossible scares me off.

Man idk. They did a funky MiM acoustic strats (they’ve done a few different ones throughout the years) but this one I’ve never seen before. My local shop had one not terribly long ago. Had one of the best strat necks I’ve ever felt

I didn’t have much interest in the guitar other than “that’s cool. I’ve never seen one of those ones”. But I was half tempted to buy it for the neck and put a mighty mite neck on it or something and save that neck for a project. But felt the asking price was a bit steep. Especially since all I really wanted was the neck.

 

[Brent Hutto]

No brand loyalty for me. I have a Telecaster and wouldn't want any other kind of electric guitar but wouldn't want any part of a Fender acoustic guitar.

Own two Katana amps and a DD-500 delay modeler but hate Boss's "compact" pedal format and their loopers are ridiculously hard to use.

Have some great Dunlop/MXR pedals but some of their other are awful.

And so it goes...

 

[MelodicBend]

Fender's acoustics are not serious guitars and never have been. They are at the very most, workable rhythm instruments since they lack both high overtones and much bass. I'm sure there are a few rare exceptions to this -- I hope so! -- but overall, the only positive characteristics of Fender acoustics are the name on the headstock and the groovy appearance of the old 70's models.

Agreed!

They are nothing more than strummers offered at low MSRP. Good enough for hacking away at basic chords. Playing them even at their absolute limits will really hold you back.

Cheap-oh Alvarez, D'Angelico, or even Washburn acoustics are far better in sound, playability, and quality.

Gimme a Fender electric any day though.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I realize that this a thread to heap disgust, hatred, derision, apathy and downright dislike on Fender acoustics

My theory used to be that Fender made 'em that way on purpose to drive people to buy the other acoustic brands they owned.

But then they unloaded Guild and Cordoba, so another good theory shot to hell.

so maybe I am out of line. Maybe they all deserve it except for mine. . . .

Like I say, good Fender acoustics may well exist. I've just never played one.

So blessings on your blessed Fender. If it works for you and doesn't take coffee breaks, you'rein business. Keep on pluckin'!

 

[58Bassman]

As much as I love Fender. And I think fender/fender styled guitars are 1. The most comfortable, the most reliable, and the most practical model electrics. (My opinion. But I’m also a devout Tele guy.)

But I’ve never had a fender acoustic I cared for. I’ve owned 3. And played several. And they just seem “ehh..” now there have been like 3-4 from the 70s-80s I’ve played and enjoyed. Maybe the aging. I’m not saying they are trash but I don’t see the value vs cost lining up. One can argue that’s most name brands now. But even then.

I LOVE Gibson acoustic designs. But my sweet spot for acoustics is actually Epiphone’s Master Built. I have one of their J-45 style and love it. I appreciate it not being sealed with thick poly, I have thought about having it sprayed with a nitro.

Do your brand “loyalties/preference” change with acoustic or electric?

If you like fender acoustics, what are you playing?

I don't own one, but when I was looking for a small bodied acoustic, I checked out a few of the Fender Paramount models and thought they sounded good- much better than most of the stuff from other brands. I wanted to like the little Washburn, but it sounded like a toy- I thought it looked great, though. I wasn't looking to break the bank, but it wasn't easy finding what I liked and it wasn't a matter of only wanting one thing that couldn't be defined.

I walked into a shop when I was casually looking for this and when I got to the end of the rack, I saw two Martins. My first reaction was "Aw, crap". I played both- I don't remember what the model of the first one (same body shape as the Clapton version, but the one I bought is a Shenandoah, by Martin. Model is MH00028V and, while the back and sides aren't solid, the top is- this one is a 12 fret, small body and I added the pickguard. The photo is from another thread from before I bought it, posted by the previous owner.

 

[JDB2]

For Christmas I bought my teen daughter a 3/4 size Fender acoustic that was $150 with gig bag. Sounds nice, plays well, looks good.

 

[Controller]

My theory used to be that Fender made 'em that way on purpose to drive people to buy the other acoustic brands they owned.

But then they unloaded Guild and Cordoba, so another good theory shot to hell.

Like I say, good Fender acoustics may well exist. I've just never played one.

So blessings on your blessed Fender. If it works for you and doesn't take coffee breaks, you'rein business. Keep on pluckin'!

Thanks. I was completely not expecting this guitar to be as good as it is. I imagine that at the factory on that day there was a retired master luthier doing some consulting for Fender and he said "let me show you how it should be done". And that was the guitar I got. Who knows? And I have played acoustic for many years so I know one I like when it comes up.

 

[Controller]

To be fair, this is the only Fender acoustic that has lit my fire. But i can say the same for many Yamahas, Martins, Taylors, Gibsons etc. I recognize that those are beautifully crafted but that's not enough.

That's why with acoustics it's vital to get them in your hands and play them. That was pretty much the point of my first post.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

For Christmas I bought my teen daughter a 3/4 size Fender acoustic that was $150 with gig bag. Sounds nice, plays well, looks good. View attachment 1101766

No doubt about it: Your kids' cheap guitars are not your daddy's cheap guitars!

 

[tubedude]

I've only played ten or so Fender acoustics over the last fifty years. They were all relatively non-resonant and restrictive in loudness and bandwidth. I'd call them mid-centric to be kind. But not in that Gibson way, just kind of dead. Cool headstock on the '60's versions though. The one that seemed normal was a '90's model from the same factory as Yamaha's mid market models. Spring Hill if memory serves. But it was just barely adequate as a novice model in its price range.
Love Strats n Teles but thier acoustic game is weak.

 

[CharlieO]

Fender's acoustics are not serious guitars and never have been. They are at the very most, workable rhythm instruments since they lack both high overtones and much bass. I'm sure there are a few rare exceptions to this -- I hope so! -- but overall, the only positive characteristics of Fender acoustics are the name on the headstock and the groovy appearance of the old 70's models.

Anyone who says that “Fender’s acoustics are not serious guitars and never have been,” or “Fender acoustics suck” has never owned or played a Fender DG41-S or DG41S-12 from the late 90’s. I own the 12 string version, and it is an amazing guitar. It was made in Korea, with a solid Englemann spruce top, rosewood body, gold tuners, with quality binding and snowflake inlays on the fretboard. I don't know who made these for Fender, but they came from the era when people on this forum swore that it wasn't possible that there could be any good guitars made in Korea. And we all know how wrong they were.



Fender DG41S