The Fender Malibu Player is a great choice for those who want an acoustic guitar that sounds great and is built to last.
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:
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In this review article, we’ll look at the Fender Malibu Player acoustic guitar, especially its tone, value, features, and playability.
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 Malibu Player key points below.
Please take into account that the score and rating we give is just our own personal 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 well-known for their sturdy and long-lasting construction.
The company has always tried to use materials with decent quality in its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built over 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.
For example, plastic saddles on the bridge indicate a lower-quality guitar, which can result in poor tone and intonation, as well as making tuning more difficult.
Also, ensure sure the metal pieces aren’t prone to rusting or tarnishing, and that they appear solid, durable, and can’t be 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 look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender Malibu Player, the tuning machines are made of nickel, and have a sealed design.
- Type: Sealed
- Design: Sealed
Tuning machines (generally referred to as “tuners”) are an essential aspect of every guitar’s hardware.
They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the desired pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can actually ruin even the best guitar, so choose smartly.
This is because tuning machines are what keep the guitar’s strings tight.
When they’re not functioning properly, the strings can become loose and hence, out of tune.
They can also make changing strings more difficult, as well as make the guitar harder to play in general.
Must Remember:
A good tuning machine is made of long-lasting materials and operates with accuracy and precision.
To avoid rust, make sure to choose materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.
Sine these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.
– Pickguard
The Fender Malibu Player is available with a gold pickguard that has a 3-ply plain design.
- Color: Gold
- Design: 3-Ply Plain
Having multiple layers on the pickguard means that it is more durable and can resist scratches better.
Most pickguards are made of plastic, and nowadays maybe even carbon fiber, and there are a few different designs that you’ll come across.
Their aim is to prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.
A decent pickguard 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 shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t also be so small or low-quality that it looks out of place.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender Malibu Player are constructed of nickel, appear to be strong enough, and are found at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons are little metal buttons on the guitar’s body that are used to connect 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 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 neck, bridge, 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.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
If you’re seeking for a specific tone, you must take in mind the sort of wood utilized for the body of the guitar.
When it comes to the Fender Malibu Player, 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 one of the final layers of protection for the wood.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a satin finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.
There are different types of finishes to choose from, 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.
It can, however, influence the instrument’s aesthetic appeal.
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 Malibu Player 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’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 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
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 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.
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 is more, but they are 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 Malibu Player, 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 style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are some of the most critical 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’s usually made of wood, but it can also be made of other materials like plastic or even metal.
As for the Fender Malibu Player, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 15.75″ (400 mm) and white dot inlays:
Despite the fact that this has historically been a source of debate, it is generally acknowledged that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a slight effect on 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 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 meant to have a very bright, clear sound.
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 Malibu Player:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Malibu Player |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Nickel |
| Tuning Machines | Sealed |
| Tuning Machines Design | Sealed |
| Electro-acoustic | Yes |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Sunburst, Aqua Splash, Natural, Midnight Satin, Arctic Gold, Burgundy Satin |
– Body
| Body Style | Malibu |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Sitka Spruce |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Satin |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Pickguard Color | Gold |
| Pickguard Design | 3-Ply Plain |
| 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
