Fender CD-60S Acoustic Guitar Review: Impressive Performance, Affordable Price

The Fender CD-60S is a great option for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable and well-made acoustic guitar. As I have mentioned in the past, I used to shy away from Fender Acoustics. However, the current models, like the CD-60S have changed my mind. It features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which gives it a warm, rich tone. The neck is comfortable to play, with a slim C-shape profile and rolled fingerboard edges. The guitar also comes with a hardshell case, making it a great value for the price.

A Brief Overview of Fender Guitars

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is an American manufacturer of instruments and amplifiers. Fender produces acoustic guitars, bass amplifiers, and public address equipment; however, it is best known for its solid-body electric guitars and bass guitars, particularly the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass.

The company was founded in Fullerton, California, by Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender in 1946. Fender guitars have been played by some of the most famous musicians in the world, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Kurt Cobain.

Fender guitars have had a profound impact on the world of music. They have been used to create some of the most iconic songs in history, and they continue to be played by musicians of all genres today. Though most of that history is due to their electric guitar influence, the acoustic side is beginning to follow in those footsteps.

Design and Construction

The Fender CD-60S is a dreadnought-sized acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has a mahogany neck with a 25.3-inch scale length and a walnut fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets. The guitar is equipped with Fender-designed open-back tuners and a Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle.

The CD-60S has a comfortable, easy-to-play neck with rolled fretboard edges. The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone. The open-back tuners allow for smooth, accurate tuning, and the Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle improve the guitar’s sustain and playability.

The Fender CD-60S is a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike. It is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, including folk, country, and blues. The CD-60S is also a great value for the price.

Here are some of the features of the Fender CD-60S:

• Solid spruce top: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound.
• Mahogany back and sides: The mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone.
• Mahogany neck: The mahogany neck provides a comfortable, easy-to-play feel.
• Walnut fingerboard: The walnut fingerboard has a smooth, fast feel.
• 20 medium jumbo frets: The 20 medium jumbo frets provide a comfortable playing experience.
• Fender-designed open-back tuners: The Fender-designed open-back tuners allow for smooth, accurate tuning.
• Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle: The Graph Tech Tusq nut and saddle improve the guitar’s sustain and playability.

Sound and Performance

The Fender CD-60S has a bright, clear sound with a warm, rich bottom end. The solid spruce top provides brightness, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar its warm tone. The guitar is well-balanced, with good projection and sustain.

The CD-60S is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, including folk, country, and blues. It is also a great choice for fingerstyle playing, as the rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play for long periods of time.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Fender CD-60S’ sound and performance:

• Bright, clear sound: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound that is well-suited for fingerstyle playing and strumming.
• Warm, rich bottom end: The mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich bottom end that adds depth and fullness to the overall sound.
• Versatile sound: The CD-60S is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.
• Comfortable to play: The rolled fretboard edges make the guitar comfortable to play for long periods of time, even for players with smaller hands.
• Good projection and sustain: The guitar has good projection and sustain, making it a great choice for live performance.

Overall, the Fender CD-60S is a great choice for players who are looking for a versatile, affordable acoustic guitar with great sound. It is a comfortable guitar to play, and it can be used for a variety of genres.

Below is a video from Fender talking about the Fender CD-60S package. Toward the end, you’ll get to hear the instrument being played.

Playability and Comfort

The Fender CD-60S is a comfortable guitar to play, thanks to its C-shaped neck and rolled fretboard edges. The C-shaped neck is a popular shape for acoustic guitars, as it provides a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking. The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.

The CD-60S also has a 25.3-inch scale length, which is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars. This scale length provides a comfortable playing feel for most players.

Overall, the Fender CD-60S is a comfortable guitar to play, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Fender CD-60S’ playability and comfort:

• C-shaped neck: The C-shaped neck is a comfortable shape for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking.
• Rolled fretboard edges: The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.
• 25.3-inch scale length: The 25.3-inch scale length is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable playing feel for most players.

If you are looking for a comfortable acoustic guitar to play, the Fender CD-60S is a great option.

The Fender CD-60S is a great value for the price. It is well-made, has a great sound, and is comfortable to play. It is a great option for beginners and intermediate players who are looking for an affordable acoustic guitar.

Value and Longevity

The Fender CD-60S is a great value for the price. It is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a good balance of brightness and warmth, and the C-shaped neck is comfortable to play with for long periods of time.

The CD-60S is also a relatively durable guitar. The solid spruce top is resistant to warping and cracking, and the mahogany back and sides are strong and stable. With proper care, the CD-60S can last for many years.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Fender CD-60S’ value and longevity:

• Good value for the price ($199): The CD-60S is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability, making it a great value for the price.
• Relatively durable: The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides are resistant to warping and cracking, making the CD-60S a relatively durable guitar.
• Can last for many years: With proper care, the CD-60S can last for many years.

If you are looking for a high-quality, affordable acoustic guitar that is sure to last, the Fender CD-60S is a great option.

Fender CD-60S Pros and Cons:

Pros:

1. The affordable price point makes it an excellent option for beginners or those on a budget.
2. Solid spruce top delivers a rich and resonant sound.
3. Comfortable and easy to play with a slim, playable neck.

Cons:

1. The laminate back and sides may not offer the same tonal complexity as an all-solid wood guitar.
2. Some players may find the action (string height) to be slightly high out of the box and may require adjustment.
3. The overall finish and build quality may not be as refined as higher-end Fender models.

Conclusion

The Fender CD-60S is a great option for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable and well-made acoustic guitar. It features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which gives it a warm, rich tone. The neck is comfortable to play with, with a slim C-shape profile and rolled fingerboard edges. The guitar also comes with a hardshell case, making it a great value for the price.

Overall, the Fender CD-60S is a great option for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable and well-made acoustic guitar. It has a warm, rich tone, is comfortable to play, and comes with a hardshell case. If you are looking for an affordable acoustic guitar that is perfect for a variety of musical styles, the Fender CD-60S is a great choice.

Further Reading on charlestonclassicalguitar.org: If you have further questions, then I can help point you in the right direction. Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision on whether this guitar is right for you. Next, check out my other guides:

• How to Tune an Acoustic Guitar Easily with an Electronic Tuner
• Cleaning Your Guitar, A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for other options for a beginner acoustic guitar? Check out our post on 10 Of The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars.

Editorial Process:

My reviews are made by a team of one, myself, before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here.

Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.

Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.