Fender CD-60S
- We are an independent review website and do not sell products. Purchases are made with the retailer you choose.
- We are an independent review website and do not sell products. Purchases are made with the retailer you choose.
Fender's CD-60S is the main rival to the Yamaha FG800 in the "first good acoustic" category. It also has a solid top, but chooses mahogany instead of spruce, and focuses on comfort with Fender's easy-to-play neck and rolled fingerboard edges.
Key specs
- Body: dreadnought
- Top: solid mahogany
- Back and sides: laminated mahogany
- Neck: mahogany, "easy-to-play" profile with rolled fingerboard edges
- Fingerboard: walnut, 20 frets
- Scale: 25.3"
- Nut width: 1.69" (43 mm)
Spruce vs mahogany top
Mahogany tops sound warmer and more focused, with a slightly softer attack and strong midrange. Spruce (as on the FG800) is brighter and punchier, with more headroom when you strum hard. Neither is "better" — it depends on your taste. The CD-60S suits gentle strumming, fingerpicking and blues-flavoured playing particularly well.
Playability
The rolled fingerboard edges remove sharp corners and make the neck feel worn-in from day one, which beginners notice immediately. The neck profile is slim and friendly for chord shapes.
Pros and cons
Pros: solid top, comfortable neck, warm tone, good build for the price.
Cons: less volume and sparkle than spruce-top rivals; no electronics (the CD-60SCE adds a pickup and cutaway).
Who should buy it
Beginners who value comfort and prefer a warm, mellow tone. If you want a brighter, bigger sound, try the Yamaha FG800.
