If you are looking for a decent acoustic guitar, the Fender CD-60SCE is a great option to check out.
It has a cutaway body with a top made of solid spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, gloss body finish, a Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ neck with a dual-action truss rod, and chrome hardware plating.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
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In this review post, we’ll investigate the Fender CD-60SCE acoustic guitar and examine its features, sound, and playability.
Making good choices is crucial since certain guitar features can completely alter the feel and value of the instrument.
Table of Contents
Summary
Here’s a brief overview of how the Fender CD-60SCE performs across different key points.
Just a heads up, these scores, and rating is our own personal opinion, so it might not match that of others out there.
Hardware
The many metal and plastic elements that make up a guitar are referred to as the hardware.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender’s acoustic guitars are well-known for their sturdy and long-lasting construction.
The company has generally always used high-quality materials for its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built throughout the years.
One thing you must do if you’re considering an acoustic guitar based on its hardware is to ensure that it is of high quality and that it at least appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Plastic saddles on the bridge, for example, are common on lower-quality guitars, which can degrade the instrument’s tone and intonation while also making it more difficult to keep in tune.
Metal pieces should not rust or tarnish, and they should appear sturdy and durable in order to avoid being damaged.
A decent-sounding and playable guitar requires excellent hardware, and there are a few things that a manufacturer can do to make it perfect for us guitarists.
Let’s take a look further into it!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender CD-60SCE, the tuning machines are die-cast, made of chrome, and have a closed-back geared design.
- Type: Die-Cast
- Design: Closed-Back Geared
The tuning machines (or “tuners”) are one of the most important parts of the hardware on any guitar.
They’re responsible for holding the strings tight so that they can vibrate properly and produce the correct pitch.
Even the greatest guitar will sound terrible if it is tuned using low-quality tuning machines, so choose them carefully.
This is due to the fact that tuning machines are what help keep the guitar’s strings tight.
If your tuning machines are not working as they should, the strings will become loose and go out of tune.
They can also make string changes more complex and the guitar more difficult to play in general.
Must Remember:
High-quality tuning machines are usually constructed from tougher materials and have dependable, smooth action.
Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.
Sine these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.
– Pickguard
The Fender CD-60SCE has a black pickguard with a 1-ply plain design.
- Color: Black
- Design: 1-Ply Plain
Having fewer layers means that scratches and wear will usually be more visible on the pickguard over time.
Pickguards are often made of plastic, in some cases, even carbon fiber, and come in a variety of styles.
Their aim is to prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.
When it comes to pickguards, durability is an important factor to consider; they should be made of a strong material that can withstand regular use.
It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.
In terms of look, the pickguard must blend with the guitar’s overall design.
It shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it seems to be out of place either.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender CD-60SCE are constructed of chrome, appear to be strong enough, and are found at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons are small metal buttons that are mounted on the body of the guitar, and they’re used to attach a strap to the instrument.
On the body of most guitars, there will be at least two strap buttons, one on each side.
Metal strap buttons should be solid and strong to avoid coming loose over time.
Even though for most people, whether the strap buttons are good or not won’t be a deal-breaker for them, it’s still something to keep in mind.
Body
The bridge, neck, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
It also has a hole in it (the “soundhole”) which allows sound to resonate from the inside of the instrument.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
The type of wood used for the body might alter the sound of the guitar, so keep that in mind if you’re searching for a specific tone.
The Fender CD-60SCE has a solid spruce top with a mahogany back and mahogany sides.
Having a solid top is important because it means that the wood hasn’t been laminated, which could affect the sound quality since laminated wood is often thinner.
When wood is laminated, this means that strips of wood are glued together to create a piece.
– Finish
The body finish is the final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a gloss finish.
This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.
You’ll encounter a variety of finishes, including the following:
- Polyurethane
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Polyester
Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.
It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.
Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.
Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:
- Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.
- Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.
- Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.
– Colors Available
The color of a guitar’s body is never an important factor on its overall sound.
It can, however, influence the instrument’s aesthetic appeal.
Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.
Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:
- Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
- Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
- Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.
Choosing a guitar based on its color is purely a matter of personal preference.
But if you do take your time and choose something that you’re happy with, you’ll be much more likely to play it often and develop your skills quicker.
– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins
The Fender CD-60SCE has walnut bridge with white with black dots pins and also a saddle made of crème plastic.
Each of these elements contributes to the tone and feel of the guitar.
For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring the vibrations of the strings to the body of the guitar.
The saddle is what the strings sit on, and it’s usually made of plastic or bone.
And the pins are what hold the strings in place.
There are several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
The most frequent form of bridge is the pin bridge, which is also the simplest to replace.
However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.
Pinless bridges are bit less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.
Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.
They are fairly similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.
Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.
Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.
Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.
As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:
- Plastic bridge pins
- Steel bridge pins
- Brass bridge pins
Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they are known to be the least durable.
Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable in many ways.
Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable our of the three.
Neck
The Fender CD-60SCE, has a neck that is made of mahogany with a gloss urethane finish, and it has a Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ shape with an dual-action truss rod.
The neck is the long thin part of the guitar that extends from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.
The type of wood that’s used for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound since different woods have different properties and impact the way that the vibrations produced by the strings behave.
The bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar body, is the most common type.
Another popular construction is the set-neck, which is whenever the neck is just glued to the body.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all critical elements of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the part of the guitar’s neck where your fingers make contact and press against the strings.
It is often made out of wood, although it may also be made of other materials like as carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.
As for the Fender CD-60SCE, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 12″ (305 mm) and 3mm pearloid dot inlays:
Despite the fact that this has long been a source of debate, it is generally accepted that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a minor impact on the sound of the guitar.
For example, maple is a popular choice for electric guitars because it gives the instrument a bright, sharp cutting tone.
Rosewood is another popular choice, and it is frequently used on acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, full-bodied tone.
Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars designed to have a very clean, clear tone.
There are many different types of fretboards available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The type of fretboard you choose is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar, the tone of the guitar won’t be significantly different, but the feel of the guitar will be.
Brand Info
Fender is a leading manufacturer of electric guitars, and they’ve been in business since 1946.
They’re one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, and their instruments are used by some of the most famous musicians of all time.
Also, the company offers a wide range of different models, from simple beginner guitars to complex professional instruments.
Their guitars are known for their great tone and quality craftsmanship, and they’re a popular choice for both beginner and experienced players.
At the same time, Fender guitars are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious musicians.
Videos
For those of you who want to get a more in-depth look at this guitar, we’ve included some videos below.
The first video is a demo showing off how it sounds and looks.
While the second video is a review that goes over some of its features and specs.
Demo
Review
Specifications
A guitar’s specifications can tell you a lot about the instrument, and they can be helpful when you’re trying to decide between different models.
Below, we’ve included the specifications for the Fender CD-60SCE:
– General
Brand | Fender |
Model | CD-60SCE |
Type | Acoustic |
Number of Strings | 6 |
Hardware Plating | Chrome |
Tuning Machines | Die-Cast |
Tuning Machines Design | Closed-Back Geared |
Electro-acoustic | Yes |
Built-in Tuner | Yes |
Colors | Black, Natural |
– Body
Body Style | Dreadnought Cutaway |
Cutaway | Yes |
Solid Top | Yes |
Top Material | Solid Spruce |
Back Material | Mahogany |
Sides Material | Mahogany |
Finish Type | Gloss |
Pickguard | Yes |
Pickguard Color | Black |
Pickguard Design | 1-Ply Plain |
Strap Buttons | Yes |
Strap Buttons Position | Bottom and side of heel |
Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
Neck Material | Mahogany |
Neck Shape | Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ |
Neck Finish | Gloss Urethane |
Scale Length | 25.3″ (643 mm) |
Truss Rod | Dual-Action |
– Fretboard
Fretboard Material | Walnut |
Fingerboard Inlay | 3mm Pearloid Dot |
Fret Size | Vintage |
Number of Frets | 20 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
Bridge Pins | White with Black Dots |
Bridge | Walnut |
Saddle Material | Crème Plastic |
Nut Material | Crème Plastic |
Nut Width | 1.69″ (43 mm) |
Please note that some brands might change the features and type of materials that they have and use on their guitars.
If you see a discrepancy in any of these specifications, please let us know and we’ll correct it.
I also encourage you to check out our other guitar reviews if you’re looking for something specific that you might have not found here with this guitar.
We have reviews on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, effects pedals, and more.
No matter what your budget is, or what type of guitar you’re looking for, we should be able to help you find the perfect one for you.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.