- Dreadnought body style
- Solid spruce top with scalloped "X"-bracing, mahogany back and sides
Today I will be presenting my review on the Fender CD-60S acoustic guitar.
Fender is perhaps the biggest name in guitars. If you ask anyone to name you a model of guitar, they’ll probably say a Stratocaster or a Telecaster. While they produce some of the most iconic electrics, do Fender guitars have the same quality as their acoustic line?
The Fender CD-60S is one of the most affordable models that they make. It’s a very low price for a guitar from such a reputable brand and it’s understandable if you’re wondering whether or not it’s any good.
That’s what we’re here to find out. We’ll look in detail at how it sounds, how it plays, and see what others are saying about it. By the time you get to the end, you’ll have no doubts about whether or not the Fender CD-60S is the right guitar for you.
Overview
There is plenty to love about the Fender CD-60S. It’s a solid-bodied guitar that is made with spruce top and mahogany sides. That high-quality wood not only helps to give it a great sound but also allows it to have impressive durability.
It’s a guitar that is perfect for beginners with its easy action and smooth neck. We also found the CD-60S to be one of the most comfortable guitars we’ve ever seen. That’s due to its fairly narrow neck and the rounded edges on the fingerboard.
The dreadnought size helps to give the instrument a very full sound and the tone is bright and lively. Overall we were very impressed by the CD-60S but read on as we go into its key features in a little more detail.
Specifications
Top material: Spruce
Back and side material: Mahogany
Finish: Gloss
Body Style: Dreadnought
Bracing: Scalloped X
Scale length: 25.3”
Nut width: 1.69”
Fingerboard radius: 12”
Fingerboard material: Walnut
Number of frets: 20
How It Sounds
You’ll be very happy with the sound that you get from the CD-60S, especially considering its low cost. It’s rare to get such a clear and quality tone from an instrument at this price point.
The guitar perhaps lacks a little warmth but most users love how rich it sounds with a lively tone that rings out beautifully.
Part of the reason for that is the dreadnought body which is able to deliver a bold and loud volume that can easily fill the room.
I found a great video demonstrating the sound quality of the CD-60S. You can check it out here:
Playability
If you’ve never played guitar before and need a great introduction to the world of acoustics then the CD-60S is a brilliant option. You’ll find it extremely playable, with enough quality that allows you to progress to intermediate level.
The only thing to mention is that dreadnought shape. It’s a large-bodied guitar that may be a little too big for smaller users. For most people, the guitar will fit comfortably in their lap. With those rounded edges and slender neck, your fingers aren’t going to get too fatigued.
Quality
With it being such a low-cost guitar, you can’t expect it to have an elite level of quality. That being said, we were very impressed with the overall level of construction.
That’s helped by it being a solid wood guitar that is constructed from spruce and beautiful mahogany. The guitar has a classic design that is simple but remains quite elegant.
From speaking to those who have used the CD-60S for a long time, it’s clear that the guitar ages very well and you’ll love playing it for years to come. It has the quality that you’ve come to expect from a Fender guitar.
What Others Are Saying
The reviews of this guitar are almost always positive. Perhaps the most common compliment here is the value for money. Many are surprised at just how good the guitar is considering the price you pay.
Novice guitarists also love how easy it is to play, allowing you to have a stress-free introduction to the world of guitar playing. It also comes with a range of different accessories to help you get started.
Other positive comments about the CD-60S include its comfortable action, how the sound fills a room, and the solid feel. It’s hard to find a negative comment about it.
Pros and Cons
PROS 👍
- Good value for money
- Solid wood quality
- Comfortable fingerboard
- Produces a lively tone
- Ages well
CONS 👎
- Looks quite plain
- Not elite quality
Fender CD-60S vs Yamaha FG800
In terms of value for money, the Yamaha FG800 is a huge challenger to the CD-60S. That’s because the Yamaha is generally a little cheaper. They have similar characteristics but the FG800 comes with a Sitka top.
Perhaps the most significant difference between the two is that the FG800 is a little more difficult to play. This is no problem if you’re already comfortable playing guitar but if you’re a beginner then the Fender is probably a better bet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Fender CD-60S good for beginners?
The Fender CD-60S is the perfect guitar for beginners. It’s easy to play, robust, and is highly affordable. It’s a good enough guitar for intermediate players too but if you’re looking for a novice guitar, you’ll be very happy with this Fender.
What size is the Fender CD-60S?
It is a dreadnought guitar with a 25.3” scale length and has 20 frets. That means it’s a full-sized guitar and fairly large. The dreadnought is the most common size for acoustic guitars so this should suit almost all users.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an elite-level guitar then the Fender CD-60S isn’t for you but that would have been fairly obvious with the price. When compared to other guitars at this price point, this model comes out very well.
Fender has become such a huge name in guitars as it’s a brand that you can trust. The CD-60S is never going to let you down. If you do become an expert, then you’ll have fond memories of the guitar that got you started.
The sound is lively, the playability is easy and the quality is impressive. We thought it was a charming guitar and one that you won’t regret buying. Entry-level guitars don’t really get any better than this.
Justin is an audio engineer with years of experience in the field. He has been creating and playing music his entire life, but he really found his passion for engineering when he was introduced to Logic Pro at age 10. Justin has spent countless hours perfecting his craft and now works as a freelance engineer out of Boston, MA.