Fender Newporter Player Review

Fender Newporter Player Acoustic Guitar Review Post Cover

If you are looking for a decent acoustic guitar, the Fender Newporter Player is a great option to check out.

It features a cutaway body with gloss poly finish, a top made of solid sitka spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, and a 25.6″ (650 mm) scale length.

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 review article, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the Fender Newporter Player acoustic guitar by examining its features, sound, value, and playability.

Making good decisions is key since certain guitar features can significantly change the feel and value of the instrument.

Summary


Here is an abbreviated version and overview of our findings on the Fender Newporter Player.

Remember that the score and rating we give to each point is our own opinion and could be different from other people.

Hardware 4.5 / 5
Body 4.8 / 5
Neck 4.9 / 5
Fretboard 4.7 / 5
Sound 4.6 / 5
Playability 4.6 / 5
Value 4.6 / 5
Brand 5 / 5

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 acoustic guitars are noted for their strong 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.

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.

Lower-quality guitars, for example, sometimes have plastic saddles on the bridge, which can damage the instrument’s tone and intonation while also making it more difficult to 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 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!

Fender Newporter Player full guitar image
Fender Newporter Player

– Tuning Machines


On this Fender Newporter Player, the tuning machines are made of nickel, and have a sealed design.

  • Type: Sealed
  • Design: Sealed

One of the most significant aspects of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (or “tuners”).

They’re responsible for keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the right 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.

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 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.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, which will extend the life of your instrument.

Fender Newporter Player headstock
Headstock

– Pickguard


The Fender Newporter Player has a gold pickguard with 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 in a better way.

Pickguards are often made of plastic, in some cases, even carbon fiber, and come in a variety of styles.

Their purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.

A good pickguard should be built of a durable and strong material that can sustain regular use.

Fender Newporter Player pickguard color and design
Pickguard color and design

It also needs to 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 far as looks, a pickguard should also blend and fit in with the guitar’s overall design.

It shouldn’t be too noticeable, but it shouldn’t be so little or low-quality that it seems out of place either.

– Strap Buttons


Both strap buttons on the Fender Newporter Player are constructed of nickel, appear to be fairly strong, and are located at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.

Strap buttons is what we call the little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.

Two strap buttons, one on each side of the body, are very standard on most guitars.

Fender Newporter Player strap buttons position and design
Strap buttons position and design

Metal strap buttons should be durable and sturdy so that they do not come 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 when reviewing a guitar.

Body


The bridge and neck of a guitar, are some of the different parts that are connected to the body.

A hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can resonate from within the instrument can also be found here.

Although some guitars have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual), the majority of them have a wooden body.

– Wood


If you’re looking for a specific tone, have in mind the type of wood utilized for the body since this will impact how the guitar sounds.

The Fender Newporter Player features 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 final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body is the body finish.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a gloss poly finish.

It’s what gives the guitar its shine and luster, and it also protects the wood from scratches, dings, and other damage.

You’ll come across 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.

It can, however, affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.

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.

Fender Newporter Player colors available
Colors available

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 Newporter Player has modern viking bridge with aged with black dots pins and also a saddle made of graph tech nubone.

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, which is typically composed of plastic or bone, serves as a resting place for all of the strings.

And the pins are what keep the strings in place so that you can play your instrument.

Fender Newporter Player bridge, saddle, and pins
Bridge, saddle, and pins

There are also several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of pro’s and cons.

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 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.

Finally, classical guitar bridges are only found on classical guitars.

They’re similar in shape that most other bridges, but the main difference is that they don’t have any pins and just consist of a saddle and wooden block that has 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


When it comes to the Fender Newporter Player, its neck 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 thin, long piece of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is usually constructed 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 most common type 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 some of the most critical 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 out of wood, although it may also be made of other materials like as carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.

The Fender Newporter Player has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 15.75″ (400 mm) and white dot inlays:

Fender Newporter Player fretboard
Fretboard

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 instance, maple is a popular material for electric guitars because it tends to produce a very sharp tone.

Rosewood is another popular choice for 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 many different types of fretboards available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone will not change dramatically, but the feel will.

Fender Newporter Player body
Body

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.

Fender brand logo
Fender logo

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

Fender California Series Newporter Player Review & Demo

Review

Fender Newporter PLRWN 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 Newporter Player:

– General

BrandFender
ModelNewporter Player
TypeAcoustic
Number of Strings6
Hardware PlatingNickel
Tuning MachinesSealed
Tuning Machines DesignSealed
Electro-acousticYes
Built-in TunerYes
ColorsNatural, Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Champagne, Olive Satin, Ice Blue Satin

– Body

Body StyleNewporter
CutawayYes
Solid TopYes
Top MaterialSolid Sitka Spruce
Back MaterialMahogany
Sides MaterialMahogany
Finish TypeGloss Poly
PickguardYes
Pickguard ColorGold
Pickguard Design3-Ply Plain
Strap ButtonsYes
Strap Buttons PositionBottom and side of heel
Strap Buttons DesignClassic

– Neck

Neck MaterialMahogany
Neck ShapeSlim “C”
Neck FinishSatin Urethane
Scale Length25.6″ (650 mm)
Truss RodAdjustable

– Fretboard

Fretboard MaterialWalnut
Fingerboard InlayWhite Dot
Fret Size 2.4mm
Number of Frets20

– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins

Bridge PinsAged with Black Dots
Bridge Modern Viking
Saddle Material Graph Tech NuBone
Nut MaterialGraph Tech NuBone
Nut Width1.69″ (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.