Fender FA-125CE Review

Fender FA-125CE Acoustic Guitar Review Post Cover

The Fender FA-125CE is a great choice to keep in mind if you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that’s built to last.

It has a cutaway body with a top made of laminated spruce, back and sides made of laminated basswood, gloss body finish, a “C” Shape neck with a adjustable truss rod, and chrome hardware plating.

You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:

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In this review post, we’ll examine the Fender FA-125CE acoustic guitar in-depth, taking a look at its features, sound, and playability.

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

Summary


Here’s our summary of the Fender FA-125CE so that you can take a quick look at how it performs.

The score and rating is our opinion only, so it could be different from your own or other people’s.

Hardware 4.5 / 5
Body 4.3 / 5
Neck 4.2 / 5
Fretboard 4.1 / 5
Sound 4.3 / 5
Playability 4.3 / 5
Value 4.3 / 5
Brand 5 / 5

Hardware


The many metal and plastic elements that make up a guitar are referred to as the instrument’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 solid 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.

Plastic saddles on the bridge show a low guitar, which can result in poor tone and intonation as well as making tuning more difficult.

Also, make sure that the metal pieces themselves are not prone to rusting or tarnishing, and that they appear to be sturdy, durable, and not 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 take a closer look!

Fender FA-125CE full guitar image
Fender FA-125CE

– Tuning Machines


The tuning machines on this Fender FA-125CE are die-cast, made of chrome, and feature a sealed design.

  • Type: Die-Cast
  • 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.

Low-quality tuning machines can ruin even the best guitar, so choose smartly.

This is because tuning machines are what keep the guitar’s strings tight.

If your tuning machines are not working as they should, the strings will become loose and go out of tune.

They can also make changing strings more difficult, as well as make the guitar harder to play in general.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are composed of strong, long-lasting materials and operate with precision and smoothness.

Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, so your guitar will look good for longer.

Fender FA-125CE headstock
Headstock

– Pickguard


The Fender FA-125CE is available 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.

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.

When it comes to pickguards, durability is an important factor to consider; they should be made of a strong material that can withstand regular use.

Fender FA-125CE pickguard color and design
Pickguard color and design

It should also be placed in such a way that it will effectively protect the guitar’s body from scratches inflicted by the player’s pick.

As for looks and style, a pickguard should also complement the overall aesthetic 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 FA-125CE are constructed of chrome, appear to be strong enough, and are found 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 FA-125CE strap buttons position and design
Strap buttons position and design

Metal strap buttons should be solid and strong to avoid coming 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 bridge and neck of a guitar, are some of the different parts that are connected to the body.

This is where you’ll also find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can reverberate from within the instrument.

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

– 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.

When it comes to the Fender FA-125CE, it has a laminated spruce top with a laminated basswood back and laminated basswood 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 body finish is the final layer of protection for the wood of the guitar body.

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

This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.

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.

Yet, it can affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.

Some individuals like a specific color guitar because it complements their personal style.

Fender FA-125CE 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 FA-125CE has laminated hardwood bridge with white with black dots pins and also a saddle made of crème plastic.

Each one of these components plays an important role in how the guitar sounds and feels.

For instance, the bridge is in charge of transmitting string vibrations to the guitar’s body.

The saddle is what the strings sit on, and it’s usually made of plastic or bone.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

Fender FA-125CE bridge, saddle, and pins
Bridge, saddle, and pins

There are many various types of bridges, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

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.

They are, however, more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the proper place.

Pinless bridges are bit less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.

They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which can be difficult to track and are very easy to lose.

Finally, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen on classical guitars.

They are very similar in design to most other bridges, but the main 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 tie the string down, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.

Now, the type of saddle you use is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and quickest to find, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.

Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also way 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 FA-125CE, has a neck that is made of nato with a gloss urethane finish, and it has a “C” Shape 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.

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 all crucial 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 is often made out of wood, although it may also be made of other materials like as carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.

As for the Fender FA-125CE, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 11.81″ (300 mm) and white dot inlays:

Fender FA-125CE fretboard
Fretboard

Despite the fact that this has long been a source of debate, it is generally accepted that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a minor impact on the sound of the guitar.

For example, maple is a popular choice for electric guitars because it gives the instrument a bright, sharp cutting tone.

Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full bodied tone.

Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars designed to have a very clean, clear tone.

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

The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you want in a guitar; the tone will not be dramatically different, but the feel will be.

Fender FA-125CE 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 FA-125CE vs Fender CD-60SCE 🎸 Acoustic and Electric Tone Demo

Review

Fender FA-125CE - Best Cheap Electro-Acoustic Guitar?

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 FA-125CE:

– General

BrandFender
ModelFA-125CE
TypeAcoustic
Number of Strings6
Hardware PlatingChrome
Tuning MachinesDie-Cast
Tuning Machines DesignSealed
Electro-acousticYes
Built-in TunerYes
ColorsNatural, Black, Sunburst

– Body

Body StyleDreadnought
CutawayYes
Solid TopNo
Top MaterialLaminated Spruce
Back MaterialLaminated Basswood
Sides MaterialLaminated Basswood
Finish TypeGloss
PickguardYes
Pickguard ColorBlack
Pickguard Design1-Ply Plain
Strap ButtonsYes
Strap Buttons PositionBottom and side of heel
Strap Buttons DesignClassic

– Neck

Neck MaterialNato
Neck Shape“C” Shape
Neck FinishGloss Urethane
Scale Length25.3″ (643 mm)
Truss RodAdjustable

– Fretboard

Fretboard MaterialWalnut
Fingerboard InlayWhite Dot
Fret Size 2mm
Number of Frets20

– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins

Bridge PinsWhite with Black Dots
Bridge Laminated Hardwood
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.