What does the 'S' stand for in CD-60SCE?

The 'S' stands for 'Solid Top'. This means the soundboard is made of a single piece of spruce rather than multiple layers of laminated wood, which generally results in better resonance and tone.

What type of pickup system is used in the CD-60SCE?

The guitar is equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system. It includes volume and tone controls, as well as a built-in digital tuner for convenience during live use.

Is the CD-60SCE suitable for beginners?

Yes, it is highly recommended for beginners. The 'Easy-to-Play' neck with rolled edges makes it more comfortable for those still developing hand strength, and the accessory pack provides all necessary starting equipment.

What is a Venetian cutaway?

A Venetian cutaway is a rounded indentation in the body of the guitar near the neck join. This design allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets more easily for solos and melodic playing.

What tonewoods are used in this guitar?

The CD-60SCE features a solid spruce top combined with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also typically mahogany, providing a balance of brightness and warmth.

Does the guitar require a battery?

Yes, because it features an active Fishman preamp system, it requires a 9V battery to power the onboard tuner and the output signal when plugged into an amplifier.

What is included in the Fender CD-60SCE accessory pack?

The bundle typically includes the guitar, a case, a stand, a tuner, a jack cable, a capo, and spare strings. This allows the player to start performing and maintaining the instrument immediately.

How does the dreadnought body shape affect the sound?

The dreadnought shape is large and deep, which produces a loud, bold sound with a strong emphasis on the bass frequencies. It is one of the most popular shapes for all-around acoustic playing.

Can I play this guitar without an amplifier?

Absolutely. It is a full-sized acoustic guitar that produces plenty of volume on its own. The electronics are an optional feature for when you need to be louder or record directly.

What are rolled fretboard edges?

Rolled edges mean the sharp corners of the fretboard have been smoothed down. This creates a 'broken-in' feel that is more comfortable for the thumb and fingers when gripping the neck.

How does it compare to the Fender Newporter Player?

While both are Fender electro-acoustics, the CD-60SCE is a traditional dreadnought with a wood-focused aesthetic, whereas the Newporter has a unique, smaller body shape and often features vibrant colours and a Stratocaster-style headstock.

Is the built-in tuner easy to use?

Yes, the Fishman preamp includes a bright LED display that indicates when each string is in tune. It automatically mutes the output signal when engaged, making it ideal for quiet tuning on stage.

Gear article

Fender CD-60SCE Solid Top Electro Acoustic Guitar

The Fender CD-60SCE is a dreadnought-style electro-acoustic guitar featuring a solid spruce top and a Venetian cutaway. Designed for versatility, it integrates Fishman electronics and is frequently sold as a comprehensive accessory pack for beginning and intermediate players.

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Background and Design

The Fender CD-60SCE sits within Fender's Classic Design series, intended to provide high-quality specifications at an accessible price point. Unlike entry-level laminate-top guitars, the 'S' in the model name denotes a solid wood top, which is a significant upgrade for tonal development. The 'C' indicates the Venetian cutaway, allowing easier access to the upper register of the fretboard, while the 'E' signifies the inclusion of onboard electronics.

The guitar is constructed with a mahogany back and sides, a combination traditionally chosen to balance the brightness of the spruce top. A hallmark of this specific model is the 'Easy-to-Play' neck shape, which features rolled fretboard edges to enhance comfort for the fretting hand during extended practice sessions.

Tone and Acoustic Performance

The CD-60SCE is defined by the classic dreadnought voice. The solid spruce top provides a crisp, bright, and articulate response that projected with significant volume. This is complemented by the mahogany body, which contributes a foundational warmth and midrange depth. Because it uses a solid top rather than a laminate, the instrument's resonance is expected to improve as the wood ages and matures over time.

Electronics and Hardware

For live performance and recording, the instrument is equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system. This system is designed to translate the acoustic vibrations into an amplified signal without sacrificing the guitar's natural character. The preamp interface includes:

Volume control
Tone shaping controls (Bass and Treble)
An integrated digital tuner with an LED display

These onboard tools allow the player to remain in pitch and adjust their sound directly from the guitar without needing external pedals or hardware.

The Accessory Bundle

Fender offers this model as part of a complete accessory pack, targeting players who require a full setup immediately. The bundle typically includes essential maintenance and performance tools such as a protective case, a guitar stand, a jack cable for amplification, a capo, a clip-on tuner (supplementing the onboard one), and a set of spare strings. This makes the CD-60SCE a popular choice for those transitioning from a basic acoustic to a performance-ready kit.

Comparisons to Alternatives

Within the electro-acoustic market, the CD-60SCE competes with several distinct styles of instruments. Compared to smaller-bodied travel guitars like the Yamaha APXT2 or the Martin LX1E 'Little Martin', the CD-60SCE offers a much fuller, louder acoustic projection due to its full-sized dreadnought body.

Against jumbo-bodied guitars like the Gretsch G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon or the Guild F-2512E, the Fender is more manageable in size while still providing ample low-end. For players seeking different aesthetic or tonal profiles, the Fender Newporter Player offers a more modern 'C' shape neck and unique colours, while the Sigma DTC-28HE provides an alternative take on the traditional dreadnought design.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the 'S' stand for in CD-60SCE?: The 'S' stands for 'Solid Top'. This means the soundboard is made of a single piece of spruce rather than multiple layers of laminated wood, which generally results in better resonance and tone.
What type of pickup system is used in the CD-60SCE?: The guitar is equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system. It includes volume and tone controls, as well as a built-in digital tuner for convenience during live use.
Is the CD-60SCE suitable for beginners?: Yes, it is highly recommended for beginners. The 'Easy-to-Play' neck with rolled edges makes it more comfortable for those still developing hand strength, and the accessory pack provides all necessary starting equipment.
What is a Venetian cutaway?: A Venetian cutaway is a rounded indentation in the body of the guitar near the neck join. This design allows the player's hand to reach the higher frets more easily for solos and melodic playing.
What tonewoods are used in this guitar?: The CD-60SCE features a solid spruce top combined with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also typically mahogany, providing a balance of brightness and warmth.
Does the guitar require a battery?: Yes, because it features an active Fishman preamp system, it requires a 9V battery to power the onboard tuner and the output signal when plugged into an amplifier.
What is included in the Fender CD-60SCE accessory pack?: The bundle typically includes the guitar, a case, a stand, a tuner, a jack cable, a capo, and spare strings. This allows the player to start performing and maintaining the instrument immediately.
How does the dreadnought body shape affect the sound?: The dreadnought shape is large and deep, which produces a loud, bold sound with a strong emphasis on the bass frequencies. It is one of the most popular shapes for all-around acoustic playing.
Can I play this guitar without an amplifier?: Absolutely. It is a full-sized acoustic guitar that produces plenty of volume on its own. The electronics are an optional feature for when you need to be louder or record directly.
What are rolled fretboard edges?: Rolled edges mean the sharp corners of the fretboard have been smoothed down. This creates a 'broken-in' feel that is more comfortable for the thumb and fingers when gripping the neck.
How does it compare to the Fender Newporter Player?: While both are Fender electro-acoustics, the CD-60SCE is a traditional dreadnought with a wood-focused aesthetic, whereas the Newporter has a unique, smaller body shape and often features vibrant colours and a Stratocaster-style headstock.
Is the built-in tuner easy to use?: Yes, the Fishman preamp includes a bright LED display that indicates when each string is in tune. It automatically mutes the output signal when engaged, making it ideal for quiet tuning on stage.