This Fender FA-15 is a great acoustic guitar for beginners and experienced players alike and it’s really worth checking out.
It features a non-cutaway body with gloss polyester finish, a top made of laminated agathis, back and sides made of laminated sapele, and a 23.3″ (592 mm) scale length.
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 FA-15 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
In order to give you a better idea of how well this guitar performs, we have summarized the Fender FA-15 key points below.
Please take into account that the score and rating we give is just our own subjective opinion.
Hardware
All of the metal and plastic components that make up a guitar are collectively 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 known for having a very solid and durable construction.
The company has generally used high-quality materials in its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built over the years.
If you are considering an acoustic guitar based on its hardware, you must ensure that it is of high quality and appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
For example, lower-quality guitars often have plastic saddles on the bridge, which can negatively affect the sound and intonation of the instrument, and also make it more difficult to keep in tune.
Also, when it comes to the metal parts themselves, you should make sure that they’re not prone to rusting or tarnishing, and seem strong, durable, and can not be easily 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
The tuning machines on this Fender FA-15 are die-cast, made of chrome, and feature a closed-back geared design.
- Type: Die-Cast
- Design: Closed-Back Geared
One of the most significant aspects of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (or “tuners”).
They’re responsible for holding the strings tight so that they can vibrate properly and produce the correct pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can ruin even the best guitar, so choose smartly.
This is because the tuning machines are what keep the strings tight on the guitar.
Anytime your tuning machines are not functioning properly, the strings can become loose and out of tune.
They can also make changing strings more difficult, as well as make the guitar harder to play in general.
Must Remember:
Good tuning machines are composed of strong, long-lasting materials and operate with precision and smoothness.
Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.
These materials are also less likely to tarnish, so your guitar will maintain its appearance for a longer period of time.
– Pickguard
The Fender FA-15 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.
This one of the “negative” thing we noticed about this instrument, whether it was merely a design choice or not.
A pickguard’s purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.
They need to be made of a tough material that can handle being used often.
It must also be in a position where it’s likely to actually protect the body of the guitar from scratches caused by the player’s pick.
As for appearance, a pickguard should also look good with the rest of the guitar.
It shouldn’t be too intrusive or stand out too much, but it also shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it looks out of place.
– Strap Buttons
For some reason, the Fender FA-15 doesn’t come with strap buttons, so you’d have to install the them seperately if you want.
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.
These strap buttons are made of metal, and they should be strong and durable so that they don’t come loose over time.
This process shouldn’t be too hard though, so don’t let this be a deal-breaker for you.
Body
The bridge, neck, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
This is also where you’ll find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound from within the instrument resonates.
Most guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or even 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.
When it comes to the Fender FA-15, it has a laminated agathis top with a laminated sapele back and laminated sapele 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 guitar’s body finish is the last layer of protection for the wood.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a gloss polyester finish.
This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
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 typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.
However, it can be a factor in the look and feel of the instrument.
Some individuals like a certain color guitar because it complements their aesthetic 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 FA-15 has walnut bridge with black with white dots pins and also a saddle made of synthetic bone.
Each of these elements contributes to the tone and feel of the guitar.
For instance, the bridge is in charge of transmitting string vibrations 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 many different types of bridges, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
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.
However, they can be more difficult to intonate, which involves getting the strings in a precise position and tuning them.
Pinless bridges are less frequent, but they are simple to intone as well.
They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which may be difficult to keep track of.
Finally, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen on classical guitars.
They are 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.
This hole is used to secure the string, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.
Now, the sort of saddle you have is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and simplest to buy, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.
The cost of bone saddles tend to be more, but they are also more durable than other options.
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 FA-15, its neck is made of nato with a gloss urethane finish, and it has a “C” Shape shape with an standard truss rod.
The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.
Because different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can alter the guitar’s playability and sound.
The bolt-on neck is the most prevalent type of neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar’s body.
Another popular style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers press down on 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.
The Fender FA-15 has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 11.81″ (300 mm) and white 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, in particular, is a popular wood for electric guitars because it produces a farily bright 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 that are designed to have an extremely clean and clear tone.
There are several types of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.
The kind of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone of the instrument will not be dramatically 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 FA-15:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | FA-15 |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Chrome |
| Tuning Machines | Die-Cast |
| Tuning Machines Design | Closed-Back Geared |
| Electro-acoustic | No |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Sunburst, Black, Natural, Moonlight Burst, Red, Blue, Green |
– Body
| Body Style | Other |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | No |
| Top Material | Laminated Agathis |
| Back Material | Laminated Sapele |
| Sides Material | Laminated Sapele |
| Finish Type | Gloss Polyester |
| Pickguard | No |
| Pickguard Color | Not applicable |
| Pickguard Design | Not applicable |
| Strap Buttons | No |
| Strap Buttons Position | Not applicable |
| Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
| Neck Material | Nato |
| Neck Shape | “C” Shape |
| Neck Finish | Gloss Urethane |
| Scale Length | 23.3″ (592 mm) |
| Truss Rod | Standard |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dot |
| Fret Size | Vintage Tall |
| Number of Frets | 18 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | Black with White Dots |
| Bridge | Walnut |
| Saddle Material | Synthetic Bone |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone |
| Nut Width | 1 11/16″ (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.
