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

[schmee]

I had a 1977 Fender F65 acoustic. I dont have much respect in Fender acoustics, over the years Fender seemed a bit like Sears was famous for; "changing who made their stuff every couple years"
BUT the 76-78 Acoustics were amazing. The F65 Dreadnaught like mine was SOLID rosewood back and sides and solid spruce top. It had a V neck and played superb. Tone just shouted out of that thing. I finally sold it maybe 3 years ago, I had acquired a 51 Gibson LG-2 previously and really didnt need even more acoustics, and today I regret selling.
I've had Martins, Gibsons, Guilds and various others, but that 77 Fender was the best of the bunch.

It appeared to me to be made by Yamaha, but I dont really know.

 

[Fiesta Red]

The first guitar I ever bought is a 1986 Fender F250 acoustic. I bought it in 1989.

Somehow it has survived all the decimations and purges and massacres of my guitarsenal over the years…I still have it and play it regularly. Its condition is a testament to my slight OCD.

Its “lineage” isn’t great.
Made in Korea.
I’ve never investigated who actually made it…maybe Cort? I don’t know.

Having said all that, it’s a great guitar and besides playing/feeling well above its class, it sounds very, very good. Tuning stability and playability is out of sight.

Would I compare it to a high-end Taylor or Martin or Gibson?
No.
But it’s much better than the reputation Fender acoustics usually have.

I figured the playability and sound quality was a fluke—until about 15 years later—a friend of mine gave me a guitar that had belonged to his late friend back in the mid/late 1980’s (his friend died in 1989—my friend who gave it to me died in 2010, about five years after giving it to me).

It was a slightly fancier version of the same series—a made in Korea Fender F270CE.
CE denotes “cutaway electric”.
I love the look of the Florentine cutaway.
I don’t know what kind of pickup is in it—it requires a 9V battery and has a volume, tone and notch filter knob (one of each).


It plays almost equally as good as my first guitar (F250) and sound quality is comparable as well. I think the F250 has a light edge, but not enough to argue about it.

When my daughter started playing, I pretty much gave her the pick of my herd, with a couple of exceptions. She went directly to the F270CE.

I asked her why…
“It sounds good, it feels right, it has a cool backstory and I can play it unplugged or amplified.”
Good enough reasons for me.

*Two bottom pics are from a Sheena & the Sideshow gig (version 1 of that band, which has greatly evolved), November 2019…note that she recruited my drummer, and my 63-reissue Vibroverb is right behind her—although she’s mic’d up and running through the PA.

So, to answer your question:
There are some decent Fender Acoustic guitars out there.

Nobody famous plays them, and I don’t know how rare or plentiful they are—but the 1986-1989 Korea-made Fender F2_0 series (F250, F270, etc) have been good to me, from the very small sample size I’ve tested.

 

[Midgetje94]

The first guitar I ever bought is a 1986 Fender F250 acoustic. I bought it in 1989.

View attachment 1103491 View attachment 1103492 View attachment 1103493

Somehow it has survived all the decimations and purges and massacres of my guitarsenal over the years…I still have it and play it regularly. Its condition is a testament to my slight OCD.

Its “lineage” isn’t great.
Made in Korea.
I’ve never investigated who actually made it…maybe Cort? I don’t know.

Having said all that, it’s a great guitar and besides playing/feeling well above its class, it sounds very, very good. Tuning stability and playability is out of sight.

Would I compare it to a high-end Taylor or Martin or Gibson?
No.
But it’s much better than the reputation Fender acoustics usually have.

I figured the playability and sound quality was a fluke—until about 15 years later—a friend of mine gave me a guitar that had belonged to his late friend back in the mid/late 1980’s (his friend died in 1989—my friend who gave it to me died in 2010, about five years after giving it to me).

It was a slightly fancier version of the same series—a made in Korea Fender F270CE.
CE denotes “cutaway electric”.

It plays almost equally as good as my first guitar (F250) and sound quality is comparable as well. I think the F250 has a light edge, but not enough to argue about it.

When my daughter started playing, I pretty much gave her the pick of my herd, with a couple of exceptions. She went directly to the F270CE.

I asked her why…
“It sounds good, it feels right, it has a cool backstory and I can play it unplugged or amplified.”
Good enough reasons for me.

View attachment 1103497 View attachment 1103498 View attachment 1103499
*Two bottom pics are from a Sheena & the Sideshow gig (version 1 of that band, which has greatly evolved), November 2019…note that she recruited my drummer, and my 63-reissue Vibroverb is right behind her—although she’s mic’d up and running through the PA.

So, to answer your question:
There are some decent Fender Acoustic guitars out there.

Nobody famous plays them, and I don’t know how rare or plentiful they are—but the 1986-1989 Korea-made Fender F2_0 series (F250, F270, etc) have been good to me, from the very small sample size I’ve tested.

See I know there are some decent if not great Fender acoustics. But it just seems at every guitar price point they have (acoustics) they are on the low end of quality and playability. And that’s my frustration. I never meant to sound like I’m bad talking them. I actually wish they’d step it up a bit. If I had $600 in hand looking for an acoustic. I can play a $500 fender acoustic and honestly probably rather the $300 Alvarez.

Gorgeous Fender by the way. My first “real” electric (I started with a first act strat style) was a Epiphone SG G400. I don’t see them often but I definitely dig the sharp horn on that fender

 

[Fiesta Red]

See I know there are some decent if not great Fender acoustics. But it just seems at every guitar price point they have (acoustics) they are on the low end of quality and playability. And that’s my frustration. I never meant to sound like I’m bad talking them. I actually wish they’d step it up a bit. If I had $600 in hand looking for an acoustic. I can play a $500 fender acoustic and honestly probably rather the $300 Alvarez.

Gorgeous Fender by the way. My first “real” electric (I started with a first act strat style) was a Epiphone SG G400. I don’t see them often but I definitely dig the sharp horn on that fender

Yeah, to be honest, I don’t know what I’d pay for these if I had to buy them today, new.

I’m the second owner of the F250 and third owner of the F270CE…the former I got for less than $200 ($168, if I recall correctly) and the latter I got for free.

…and the “sharp horn” looks great—I love the looks of a Florentine cutaway.

The Epiphone Sorrento reissue from the late 90’s/early 00’s always turned my key—between the P-90 pickups and the Florentine cutaway, it was dang near gorgeous—plus, it came in orange!

 

[P Thought]

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!!

Me and Warren Haynes rock the roses:

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I play with a guy who plays a Fender folk, a cutaway.

Doesn't seem like anything special, but it works, and he likes it a lot. So there's that.

 

[Wrighty]

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?

Friend of mine bought one of the first foreign made Fender parlour acoustics. Must have been about 50 years ago. I was playing in a band with a guy who had a Kingman, the one with the metal tube in it. Anyways, my friend couldn’t believe a real Fender acoustic for, I think, £35. He still has it. Couple of years later my catalogue jumbo was failing fast, the bridge lifting from the body. Was intent on a Fender but, when I hit Denmark Street, a Yamaha was the all round better deal. Still have that too. Roll forward to 2015 and I wanted an electro acoustic. I was surprised to see that all Fender seemed to offer were mostly budget models, £100 - £250 price bracket and my local shops, including London, didn’t seem to stock many. The couple or three I did find were not to my liking and seemed only average in the quality stakes. I eventually went with a Faith, which J’ve been really pleased with.

 

[Wrighty]

Once when I was down on my luck and just needed a guitar I bought a Fender acoustic.
Couldn't sell it fast enough.
Wanna be truly happy? Get one of these:
View attachment 1098376

Er, isn’t it a Fender now, or was at one time?

 

[Happy Enchilada]

Er, isn’t it a Fender now, or was at one time?

A few years back Guild escaped the evil Fender empire.
And instead of being a victim of brand genocide like Hamer, they went independent.
Hired Ren Ferguson away from Gibson's Montana acoustic works in Bozeman.
He is a legend in the business.
And he shut down production of acoustics in the US for around 2 years to re-tool and get all the tolerances within parameters that met his lofty standards.
I had an order in for an F55 for two years and five months. It was worth the wait.
The current crop of Guild's US acoustics are lighter, more resonant, and more playable than ever.
In addition to my F55, I have the D40 Traditional. It's amazing.
I saw it on the wall at my local guitar shop and after a couple of cowboy chords and some noodling, I reached for my checkbook.
Those 2 are the nicest acoustics I will ever own. The F55 is a tone cannon and the D40 is superbly comfortable and they both sound great.
Fender does some things right ... but acoustics ain't one of 'em.
Thank God Guild escaped to produce these magnificent instruments!

 

[drewg]

Fender’s expertise is in building electric guitars. They likely have Asian designed manufactured models now but Gibson, Martin and Guild are what I prefer.

And Tacoma, before Fender bought it out…

 

[drewg]

A few years back Guild escaped the evil Fender empire.
And instead of being a victim of brand genocide like Hamer, they went independent.
Hired Ren Ferguson away from Gibson's Montana acoustic works in Bozeman.
He is a legend in the business.
And he shut down production of acoustics in the US for around 2 years to re-tool and get all the tolerances within parameters that met his lofty standards.
I had an order in for an F55 for two years and five months. It was worth the wait.
The current crop of Guild's US acoustics are lighter, more resonant, and more playable than ever.
In addition to my F55, I have the D40 Traditional. It's amazing.
I saw it on the wall at my local guitar shop and after a couple of cowboy chords and some noodling, I reached for my checkbook.
Those 2 are the nicest acoustics I will ever own. The F55 is a tone cannon and the D40 is superbly comfortable and they both sound great.
Fender does some things right ... but acoustics ain't one of 'em.
Thank God Guild escaped to produce these magnificent instruments!
View attachment 1107985 View attachment 1107986

Nice to hear about the newborn Guilds. I was skeptical because I liked so many of the original Guilds.

 

[gimmeatele]

The only 'non' fender fender I have is the FR 50 CE resonator which I traded in a much more expensive bell brass reso because it was to heavy, and I really like the lighter fender one. Never tried a fender acoustic so I can give no opinion, but if they are as good to play as the reso they maybe okay.

 

[Wrighty]

A few years back Guild escaped the evil Fender empire.
And instead of being a victim of brand genocide like Hamer, they went independent.
Hired Ren Ferguson away from Gibson's Montana acoustic works in Bozeman.
He is a legend in the business.
And he shut down production of acoustics in the US for around 2 years to re-tool and get all the tolerances within parameters that met his lofty standards.
I had an order in for an F55 for two years and five months. It was worth the wait.
The current crop of Guild's US acoustics are lighter, more resonant, and more playable than ever.
In addition to my F55, I have the D40 Traditional. It's amazing.
I saw it on the wall at my local guitar shop and after a couple of cowboy chords and some noodling, I reached for my checkbook.
Those 2 are the nicest acoustics I will ever own. The F55 is a tone cannon and the D40 is superbly comfortable and they both sound great.
Fender does some things right ... but acoustics ain't one of 'em.
Thank God Guild escaped to produce these magnificent instruments!
View attachment 1107985 View attachment 1107986

Thanks for the info. I’ve no experience of Guild at all, don’t think I’ve ever held one. There’s something about acoustics that make them a whole lot more personal than an electric. Possibly because there’s not a whole lot you can do to make them your own, other than play them. I really should play mine more. There’re a couple of numbers we I do with the band that would sound better with one but to take another guitar and amp to rehearsals is a faff………………………
Again, thanks for taking the trouble, you’ve not quite induced GAS but have made me curious!

 

[Happy Enchilada]

Nice to hear about the newborn Guilds. I was skeptical because I liked so many of the original Guilds.

New generation are amazing! Light and still speak with a powerful voice. Getcha one!

 

[Happy Enchilada]

Thanks for the info. I’ve no experience of Guild at all, don’t think I’ve ever held one. There’s something about acoustics that make them a whole lot more personal than an electric. Possibly because there’s not a whole lot you can do to make them your own, other than play them. I really should play mine more. There’re a couple of numbers we I do with the band that would sound better with one but to take another guitar and amp to rehearsals is a faff………………………
Again, thanks for taking the trouble, you’ve not quite induced GAS but have made me curious!

The new USA Guilds are amazing. I guarantee if you play a couple one will follow you home!

 

[Wrighty]

The new USA Guilds are amazing. I guarantee if you play a couple one will follow you home!

In which case, right now, I’d best avoid them!

 

[Gary135r]

The new USA Guilds are amazing. I guarantee if you play a couple one will follow you home!

Sadly. Once again, no real Lefty options.

 

[Lacking Talent]

Got a great deal on this used-like-new '09 Sonoran -- which sounds just like a Takamine EF341C (make of that what you will, for good or ill, according to your preferences) that I had years ago -- and it functions as an always out on a stand, don't really worry what might happen to it, utility acoustic for me; it's got a brighter-than-it-is-bassy, midrange-focused tone that supports vocals well, a comfy Strat-like neck that makes it a fun practice platform, and is, of course, very easy on the eyes (We all know, "Tone is in the matching painted headstock," don't we?). Does its onboard pickup sound good through my amp for the times when I want to play around with pedal effects on acoustic guitar? It does. Can I let someone else handle/play it without undue concern? I can. Is it a Martin, Gibson (or even Taylor) killer? Of course not. Is it a quick to hand, grab and go, backyard baby to beach bunny that is regularly within my peripheral vision reminding me to make music? That it is. Which is everything I need from this particular instrument/tool.

 

[Martian]

Nope, never experienced any of that either after owning 3 Seagulls for the past 20 years. I do know that neck resets on a Seagull are a nightmare, but I have yet to experience any issues with any of the guitars....even the 12 string, so I would expect that if the bracing was weak, the 12 string would have showed trouble early on.

I agree. I have both a 12 and a 6 string Seagull. They’ve been through a lot and have held up admirably. The 6 string has played outside on a few cold nights and made it through a 94 degree outdoor show in the mountains last summer. (It fared a lot better than I did.)
I wouldn’t put my Goodall or Martin through such things which is one reason why I love that Seagull. It’s a tough, well crafted guitar that sounds great -bright and lively- plus, I think, looks really cool.

 

[OlRedNeckHippy]

Guild. Their slogan has been "Made to be played".
My slogan for them is "Takes a lickin and keeps on ticking!"

I bought this guitar in Scottsdale, Arizona (I lived in Phoenix at the time) in 1983, brand new off the showroom floor.
It's on its 4th set of frets.
I put a Barcus-Berry piezo in it myself, shortly after getting it. It's still in there.

The bottom pic is from March of this year.

Buy a USA Guild. Best value for the dollar there is.
It's a D35.