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Pros:
- Full, Rich Sound
- Good Electronics
- Easy to play
Cons:
- Not the best quality nut
- Some customers have had issue with bundles not including all accessories
While bundle offers are usually oriented towards beginner players the Fender CD-60SCE will be a great fit for beginners as well as intermediate players. This model combines sound, functionality and great looks in one and that it pretty much why we have it in almost all of our best least, starting from the best beginner electric acoustic guitar to the best acoustic-electric guitar under 300. Without further ado, let’s get into why you should consider this Fender if you are looking for your first or next guitar.
Build
The CD-60SCE is a classic dreadnought style guitar with Venetian-cutaway that gives you better access to upper frets. Fender’s choice of solid spruce top and mahogany back and side yield rich, bright sound while also making the overall construction more durable. The mahogany neck has a shape that makes it is more playable while the Fender X-bracing adds more resonance to the guitar.
Hardware & Bundle Details
Well, I do not think that you can really expect some innovative technologies in hardware when you are getting a bundle guitar. That is pretty true in this case too but, even so, the basic hardware like the dual-action truss rod and compensated saddle are standard quality. The same cannot be said of the crème plastic nut (yeah, I know it sounds fancy) which really does not improve the sound. This is a bundle deal after all so you will be getting the essential accessories like picks, strap, strings, a really nice and handy clip-on tuner. Most importantly, at least from my perspective, you get a pretty decent quality hard-shell case that will keep your guitar protected and house all the other accessories. AND, I almost forgot this bundle ships with a lesson DVD which will be useful especially to beginners who do not have a teacher.
Fender CD60SCE Sound
Despite not being the biggest fan of the crème plastic nut I got to say Fender does its magic and makes this pretty affordable guitar sound amazing. The full-bodied, rich sound and well-balanced tone that this model has are not common in its price range. The guitar stays in tune, has great projection and has me pretty much wondering how the hell Fender does it.
Electronics
The CD-60SCE is equipped with Fishman Isys III which is a pretty standard system for beginner/intermediate guitars. The onboard preamp with a chromatic tuner and volume, bass, treble controls give you a basic but good control over the sound. The system reproduces the acoustic sound of the model pretty well without any buzz while keeping the tone intact.
Conclusion
While Fender is known for its more pricey guitars, I think a lot of people should take another second and look at some of the gems that lie within their “affordable” range. The CD-60SCE is one of the best acoustic-electric guitars under $300. That plus the accessory bundle makes this model a dream come true for a lot of beginners and intermediate players. Also, if you are not into the simple black color Fender offers a lot of other options for this model.
Click here to view more from Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Beginners.
