The Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic is a great guitar for players of all levels, from beginners to pros in most cases.
It has a non-cutaway body with a top made of solid sitka spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, satin body finish, a Slim “C” neck with a adjustable truss rod, and nickel hardware plating.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
We may earn commissions from these links at no additional cost to you.
In this post, we’ll examine the features, sound, and playability of the Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic acoustic guitar.
Certain guitar features can change the entire feel and worth of the instrument so it’s very important to choose wisely.
Table of Contents
Summary
To give you an idea of how well this guitar performs, we have summarized the Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic key points below.
It’s important to remember that the ratings and scores we give are just our own personal opinion.
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 purchasing a guitar primarily on its hardware, ensure that it is of high quality and that it appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Plastic saddles on the bridge, for example, are common on lower-quality guitars, which can have a detrimental impact on the instrument’s tone and intonation, as well as making it more difficult to tune.
You should also make sure that the metal pieces don’t rust or tarnish, and that they appear to be solid and durable without being easily 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 Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic, the tuning machines are made of nickel, and have a sealed design.
- Type: Sealed
- Design: Sealed
One of the most significant pieces of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (commonly referred to as “tuners”).
They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight and firm so they can vibrate properly and produce the right pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can make even the best guitar sound terrible, so it’s important to choose wisely.
This is due to the fact that tuning machines are what help keep the guitar’s strings tight.
When they stop working properly, the strings become loose and, as a result, out of tune.
They can also make string changes more difficult, as well as playing the guitar more challenging in general.
Must Remember:
Good tuning machines are composed of durable, long-lasting materials and operate with accuracy and precision.
You must look for materials that are less likely to rust, like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.
Because these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.
– Pickguard
The Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic 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 prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.
When choosing a pickguard, it is important to consider both its durability and its ability to protect the guitar body from scratches.
It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.
As for aesthetics and looks, the pickguard should also complement the overall look 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
Both strap buttons on the Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic are constructed of nickel, appear to be fairly strong, and are located at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons are those little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to secure a strap to the instrument.
Most guitars will have two strap buttons, one on each side of the body.
Metal strap buttons should be durable and strong so they don’t come free over time.
Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for the majority of folks, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The neck, bridge, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
This is where you’ll also find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can reverberate from within the instrument.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
If you’re seeking for a specific tone, bear in mind that the type of wood chosen for the body might have an impact on the sound of the guitar.
When it comes to the Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic, it has a solid sitka 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 guitar’s body finish is the last layer of protection for the wood.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a satin finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
There are many 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
When it comes to the body of a guitar, the color is usually not a big factor in the overall sound.
However, it can be a factor in the look and feel of the instrument.
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 Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic has modern viking bridge with aged with black dots pins and also a saddle made of graph tech nubone.
Each one of these components plays an important role in how the guitar sounds and feels.
For example, the bridge is responsible for transferring the vibrations of the strings to the body of the guitar.
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 are the most common type of bridge, and they’re also the easiest to replace.
However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.
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.
Finally, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen 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
The Fender Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic, has a neck that is made of mahogany with a satin urethane finish, and it has a Slim “C” shape with an adjustable 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 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 most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.
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 crucial components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push 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 Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 15.75″ (400 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.
For example, maple is a popular wood for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and vibrant 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 designed to have a very clean, clear tone.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you 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 Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Nickel |
| Tuning Machines | Sealed |
| Tuning Machines Design | Sealed |
| Electro-acoustic | Yes |
| Built-in Tuner | Yes |
| Colors | Black |
– Body
| Body Style | Malibu |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Satin |
| 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 | Slim “C” |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane |
| Scale Length | 24.1″ (612 mm) |
| Truss Rod | Adjustable |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dot |
| Fret Size | 2.4mm |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | Aged with Black Dots |
| Bridge | Modern Viking |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| 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.
More than 10 years of experience playing and writing about guitars! When not writing, I can be found strumming away some Johnny Cash tunes. Favorite all time guitar is the Gibson Les Paul. #TeamGibson
