Fender CP-60S Review

Fender CP-60S Acoustic Guitar Review Post Cover

The Fender CP-60S is a great choice for those who want an acoustic guitar that sounds great and is built to last.

It features a non-cutaway body with gloss finish, a top made of solid spruce, back and sides made of laminated mahogany, and a 24.75″ (629 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.

The focus of this post will be on taking an in-depth look at the Fender CP-60S acoustic guitar and examining its features, sound, and playability.

Certain guitar features can change the entire feel and worth of the instrument so it’s very important to choose wisely.

Summary


Here’s a general summary of the Fender CP-60S so that you can take a glance at how it performs.

The score and rating is just our own opinion, so it might be different from what you or others think.

Hardware 4.5 / 5
Body 4.9 / 5
Neck 4.1 / 5
Fretboard 4.3 / 5
Sound 4.6 / 5
Playability 4.6 / 5
Value 4.6 / 5
Brand 5 / 5

Hardware


The various metal and plastic components that make up a guitar are collectively referred to as the guitar’s 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.

When buying a guitar primarily based on its hardware, ensure that it is of high quality and that it appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.

Guitars of lower quality sometimes have plastic saddles on the bridge, which makes it harder to tune the instrument and affects the tone and intonation.

You should also make sure that the metal pieces are resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, and that they appear to be solid and durable without being easily damaged.

Good hardware is required for a good-sounding and playable guitar, and there are a few things a manufacturer can do to make it ideal for us.

Let’s take a look further into it!

Fender CP-60S full guitar image
Fender CP-60S

– Tuning Machines


On this Fender CP-60S, the tuning machines are die-cast, made of chrome, and have a closed-back geared design.

  • Type: Die-Cast
  • Design: Closed-Back Geared

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

They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the desired pitch.

Low-quality tuning machines can ruin the sound of even the best guitar, so choose wisely.

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 the strings more difficult, as well as playing the guitar more challenging in general.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have precise and smooth action.

You’d want to look for materials such as nickel-plated steel, or stainless steel, which are less likely to rust.

Because these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.

Fender CP-60S headstock
Headstock

– Pickguard


The Fender CP-60S comes with a black pickguard that has a 1-ply plain design.

  • Color: Black
  • Design: 1-Ply Plain

Less layers mean that with time, wear and scratches on the pickguard will typically become more obvious.

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

Their aim is to keep the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish while you’re playing.

When choosing a pickguard, it is important to consider both its durability and its ability to protect the guitar body from scratches.

Fender CP-60S pickguard color and design
Pickguard color and design

Additionally, the pickguard should be in a position where it is likely to actually provide protection.

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 CP-60S are constructed of chrome, 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.

One on either side of the body, most guitars will generally feature two strap buttons.

Fender CP-60S strap buttons position and design
Strap buttons position and design

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 the majority of folks, it’s still something to consider.

Body


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

It also has a hole in it (the “soundhole”) which allows sound to resonate from the inside of the instrument.

The majority of guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).

– Wood


If you have a specific tone in mind for your guitar, you should take into account the type of wood used for the body.

When it comes to the Fender CP-60S, it has a solid spruce top with a laminated mahogany back and laminated 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 features a gloss 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 never an important factor on its overall sound.

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 CP-60S 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 CP-60S has walnut bridge with black with white dots pins and also a saddle made of crème plastic.

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 commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

Fender CP-60S 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 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, 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, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen 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


The Fender CP-60S, has a neck that is made of mahogany with a gloss urethane finish, and it has a Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ shape with an dual-action truss rod.

The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs 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 bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the guitar body, is the most common type.

Another popular type is the set-neck, which is 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 part of the guitar’s neck where your fingers make contact and press against 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 CP-60S, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 12″ (305 mm) and 3mm pearloid dot inlays:

Fender CP-60S fretboard
Fretboard

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.

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

There are several types of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.

The type of fretboard you choose is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar, the tone of the guitar won’t be significantly different, but the feel of the guitar will be.

Fender CP-60S 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 CP-60S Parlor Acoustic Guitar, Natural | Interstate Music

Review

FENDER CP60S/3TS - PARLOR GUITAR 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 CP-60S:

– General

BrandFender
ModelCP-60S
TypeAcoustic
Number of Strings6
Hardware PlatingChrome
Tuning MachinesDie-Cast
Tuning Machines DesignClosed-Back Geared
Electro-acousticNo
Built-in TunerNo
ColorsNatural, 3-Color Sunburst

– Body

Body StyleParlor
CutawayNo
Solid TopYes
Top MaterialSolid Spruce
Back MaterialLaminated Mahogany
Sides MaterialLaminated Mahogany
Finish TypeGloss
PickguardYes
Pickguard ColorBlack
Pickguard Design1-Ply Plain
Strap ButtonsYes
Strap Buttons PositionBottom and side of heel
Strap Buttons DesignClassic

– Neck

Neck MaterialMahogany
Neck ShapeFender ‘Easy-to-Play’
Neck FinishGloss Urethane
Scale Length24.75″ (629 mm)
Truss RodDual-Action

– Fretboard

Fretboard MaterialWalnut
Fingerboard Inlay3mm Pearloid Dot
Fret Size Vintage-Style
Number of Frets20

– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins

Bridge PinsBlack with White Dots
Bridge Walnut
Saddle Material Crème Plastic
Nut MaterialCrème Plastic
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.