The Fender CN-60S is a great acoustic guitar that has been a popular choice for players of all levels for many years.
It has a non-cutaway body with a top made of solid spruce, back and sides made of laminated mahogany, gloss poly 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 take an in-depth look at the Fender CN-60S acoustic guitar, examining its sound, features, and playability.
Making good choices is crucial since certain guitar features can completely transform the feel and value of the instrument.
Table of Contents
Summary
In order to give you a better idea of how well this guitar performs, we have summarized the Fender CN-60S key points below.
The score and rating we give to each point are entirely our own opinion and judgment.
Hardware
A guitar’s hardware refers to the various metal and plastic parts that make up the instrument.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender’s acoustic guitars are known for having a very solid and durable 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.
When considering a guitar primarily on its hardware, check that it is of excellent quality and that it all looks strong enough to withstand consistent use.
Lower-quality guitars, for example, frequently have plastic saddles on the bridge, which can degrade the instrument’s tone and intonation while also making it more difficult to tune.
The metal parts shouldn’t be able to rust or tarnish, and they should look strong and durable so that they don’t get dented.
A well-sounding and playable guitar needs good hardware, and there are a few things that a manufacturer can do to make it ideal for us.
Let’s take a look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender CN-60S, the tuning machines are 3-in-line with amber pearloid buttons, made of chrome, and have a closed-back geared design.
- Type: 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons
- Design: Closed-Back Geared
One of the most significant pieces of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (commonly referred to as “tuners”).
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 keep the guitar’s strings tight.
Anytime your tuning machines are not functioning properly, the strings can become loose and out of tune.
They can also make changing strings and playing the guitar more challenging.
Must Remember:
Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have precise and smooth action.
You must look for materials that are less likely to rust, like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.
These materials are also less likely to tarnish, which will extend the life of your instrument.
– Pickguard
The Fender CN-60S doesn’t have a pickguard, which means that if you’re not careful enough when you play, you could damage its finish very easily.
- Color: Not applicable
- Design: Not applicable
It’s actually very interesting to see that Fender decided to not put a pickguard on this model.
Maybe it was simply a design decision, or there might be other reasons why, but this is one of the only “bad” things we saw about this guitar.
A pickguard’s aim is to protect the guitar’s finish against scratches caused by the pick as you play.
They should be built of a strong material that can survive repeated use.
It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.
In terms of appearance, a pickguard should also match the guitar’s overall design.
It should be noticeable, but not obtrusive, and it shouldn’t look low-quality or out of place.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender CN-60S are constructed of chrome, appear to be fairly strong, and are located 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.
Usually, guitars will have two strap buttons, one on each side of the body.
Metal strap buttons should be robust and well-secured to avoid coming off or loose over time.
Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The body of a guitar is the main part of the instrument, and it’s where the neck, bridge, and strings are attached.
This is also where you’ll notice a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound from inside the instrument rebounds and resonates.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
The type of wood that’s used for the body can affect the sound of the guitar, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a particular tone.
When it comes to the Fender CN-60S, it has a solid spruce top with a laminated mahogany back and laminated 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 final layer of protection for the guitar body’s wood is the body finish.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a gloss poly finish.
This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
There are a few types of finishes that you’ll come across, some of them are:
- 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 typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.
It can, however, affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.
Some individuals like a specific color guitar because it complements their personal style.
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 CN-60S has walnut bridge with a classical guitar pinless design and also a saddle made of plastic.
Each of these elements contributes to the tone and feel of the guitar.
For example, the bridge’s primary purpose is to carry the vibrations of the strings to the guitar’s body.
The saddle, which is often composed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.
And the pins are what hold the strings in place.
There are several types 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
Pin bridges, being the most common type of bridge, are also the simplest to rebuild and replace.
They are, however, more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the proper place.
Pinless bridges are less common, but they’re easy to intonate too.
They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which can be difficult to track and are very easy to lose.
Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.
They are similar in design to other bridges, but the main difference is that they don’t have pins and instead include a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.
This hole is used to tie the string down, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.
Now, the type of saddle you use is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and quickest to find, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.
Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also way 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
When it comes to the Fender CN-60S, its neck 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 guitar’s neck is the long, thin piece that runs from the body to the headstock.
The wood used for the neck has an impact on the guitar’s playability and tone since various woods have different qualities and influence the way vibrations created by the strings move.
The bolt-on neck is the most prevalent type of neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar’s body.
Another popular type is the set-neck, which is glued to the body.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the area on the guitar’s neck where your fingers press against the strings.
It is often made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or metal.
The Fender CN-60S has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 16″ (406.4 mm) and side dot inlays:
Even though this has always been a big debate, it is generally agreed that the type of wood that’s used for the fretboard can slightly affect the sound of the guitar.
Maple, for instance, is a popular material for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and rich tone.
Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full bodied tone.
Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars with a very clean, clear tone.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The kind of fretboard you pick is entirely up to you and what you really want in a guitar; the tone will not be dramatically different, but the feel 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 CN-60S:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | CN-60S |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Chrome |
| Tuning Machines | 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons |
| Tuning Machines Design | Closed-Back Geared |
| Electro-acoustic | No |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Natural, Black |
– Body
| Body Style | Concert |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Spruce |
| Back Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Gloss Poly |
| Pickguard | No |
| Pickguard Color | Not applicable |
| Pickguard Design | Not applicable |
| 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 | Side Dot |
| Fret Size | Vintage-Style |
| Number of Frets | 18 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | Not applicable |
| Bridge | Walnut |
| Saddle Material | Plastic |
| Nut Material | 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.
