Overview

The Fender CD-60S is a budget-friendly dreadnought acoustic guitar designed to provide a solid playing experience for beginners and casual players without a steep financial commitment. It features a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, and a walnut fingerboard with 20 frets. The all-mahogany construction produces a warm, mellow tone that is easy on the ears and complements vocal accompaniment, with a smooth, balanced response that avoids the harshness sometimes found in very inexpensive guitars. Fender's Easy-Play setup features rolled fingerboard edges and a narrow 1.69-inch nut width, making the guitar comfortable for beginners and players transitioning from electric guitar. The scalloped X-bracing helps the solid top produce better volume and resonance than competing laminate-top guitars at this price. Build quality is respectable for an entry-level instrument, with functional hardware, adequate fretwork, and a clean satin finish. This guitar is a smart choice for new players, students, and anyone needing an affordable practice instrument that sounds better than most budget alternatives. The laminate back and sides and budget hardware mean the guitar lacks the projection, sustain, and tonal nuance of mid-range and professional instruments.

Acoustic Guitars

A budget-friendly dreadnought with solid mahogany top and Easy-Play setup featuring rolled fingerboard edges, producing warm, mellow tones that complement vocals while remaining comfortable for beginners.

Instrument Details

$219 Beginner
Brand Fender
Type Dreadnought Acoustic
Made In China
Year 2017
4.3 1 vote

AI Reviews

4.3 /5

The Fender CD-60S serves as a benchmark for what a modern entry-level acoustic should be. While many budget dreadnoughts suffer from thin, 'boxy' laminate tones, the inclusion of a solid top here provides a resonance and harmonic complexity that punches well above its weight class. It projects with classic dreadnought authority, offering a robust low-end and a crisp high-end response that allows the guitar to 'open up' as the wood ages"a rarity at this price point.

Fender clearly prioritized ergonomics with their 'Easy-to-Play' neck profile. The rolled fingerboard edges are a standout feature, significantly reducing the friction and 'sharp fret' feel that often discourage new players. It makes complex chord shapes and long practice sessions much more accessible for uncalloused fingers.

There are, however, inevitable trade-offs. The hardware is purely functional; the die-cast tuners are stable but lack fine-ratio precision, and the plastic nut and saddle are areas where a cheap upgrade to bone would yield massive tonal dividends. Additionally, factory setups can occasionally arrive with slightly high action, necessitating a quick truss rod adjustment. For students or seasoned players needing a reliable 'couch guitar' that actually sounds like a real instrument, the CD-60S remains a top-tier contender in the budget market.

Category Ratings

Acoustic Guitars
4.3
Feb 15, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more