Fender Sonoran Mini Review

Fender Sonoran Mini Acoustic Guitar Review Post Cover

When it comes to the Fender Sonoran Mini, many people consider it a great overall guitar.

It features a non-cutaway body with satin finish, a top made of spruce, back and sides made of mahogany, and a 24.1″ (612mm) scale length.

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 Sonoran Mini acoustic guitar in-depth, taking a look at its features, sound, and playability.

Making good choices is crucial since certain guitar features can completely transform the feel and value of the instrument.

Summary


Here’s a simplified summary of our observations on the Fender Sonoran Mini.

The score and rating we give to each point are totally subjective, and it’s based on our own personal opinion.

Hardware 4.4 / 5
Body 4.6 / 5
Neck 4.2 / 5
Fretboard 4.3 / 5
Sound 4.8 / 5
Playability 4.8 / 5
Value 4.6 / 5
Brand 5 / 5

Hardware


The different metal and plastic components that make up a guitar are known 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 generally always used high-quality materials for its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built throughout 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.

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

You should also ensure that the metal parts are not susceptible to rusting or tarnishing and look to be strong and durable, without being easily dented.

Good hardware is essential to a good-sounding and playable guitar, and there are a couple of things that a manufacturer can do to make it right for us guitarists.

Let’s take a look at it more closely!

Fender Sonoran Mini full guitar image
Fender Sonoran Mini

– Tuning Machines


On this Fender Sonoran Mini, the tuning machines are vintage-style with aged white plastic buttons, made of nickel, and have a open-back geared design.

  • Type: Vintage-Style with Aged White Plastic Buttons
  • Design: Open-Back Geared

One of the most significant pieces of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (commonly referred to as “tuners”).

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

Even the greatest guitar will sound terrible if it is tuned using low-quality tuning machines, so choose them carefully.

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

When they stop working properly, the strings become loose and, as a result, 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 composed of strong, long-lasting materials and operate with precision and smoothness.

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 Sonoran Mini headstock
Headstock

– Pickguard


The Fender Sonoran Mini is available with a gold pickguard that has 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 better.

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

Their aim is to prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.

A good pickguard needs to be made of a tough material that can handle being used often.

Fender Sonoran Mini pickguard color and design
Pickguard color and design

It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.

As for appearance, a pickguard should also look good with the rest of the guitar.

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

– Strap Buttons


Both strap buttons on the Fender Sonoran Mini are constructed of nickel, 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 Sonoran Mini 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 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.

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

Most guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or even 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.

The Fender Sonoran Mini has a 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 guitar’s body finish is one of the final layers of protection for the wood.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a satin 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.

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 Sonoran Mini 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 Sonoran Mini has walnut bridge with white with black dots pins and also a saddle made of nu-bone.

Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.

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.

On the other hand, the pins, are what keep the strings in place.

Fender Sonoran Mini bridge, saddle, and pins
Bridge, saddle, and pins

There are several types of bridges, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:

  • Pin bridges (standard)
  • Pinless bridges
  • Classical bridge

Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and 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 less frequent, but they are simple to intone as well.

They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.

Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used 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.

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 Sonoran Mini, its neck is made of nato with a satin polyurethane finish, and it has a “C” Shape shape with an dual-action 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.

Since different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound.

The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.

Another popular type is the set-neck, which is glued to the body.

Guitar necks have a few important parts, which include: the fretboard, the frets, the nut, and the truss rod.

Fretboard


The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.

It’s most commonly made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.

As for the Fender Sonoran Mini, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 15.75″ (400 mm) and white dot inlays:

Fender Sonoran Mini 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 wood for electric guitars because it produces a sharp and vibrant 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 meant to have a very bright, clear sound.

There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

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 Sonoran Mini 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

Exploring The California Mini Acoustics Series | Fender Acoustics | Fender

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 Sonoran Mini:

– General

BrandFender
ModelSonoran Mini
TypeAcoustic
Number of Strings6
Hardware PlatingNickel
Tuning MachinesVintage-Style with Aged White Plastic Buttons
Tuning Machines DesignOpen-Back Geared
Electro-acousticNo
Built-in TunerNo
ColorsNatural, Natural Mahogany

– Body

Body StyleSonoran Mini
CutawayNo
Solid TopNo
Top MaterialSpruce
Back MaterialMahogany
Sides MaterialMahogany
Finish TypeSatin
PickguardYes
Pickguard ColorGold
Pickguard Design3-Ply Plain
Strap ButtonsYes
Strap Buttons PositionBottom and side of heel
Strap Buttons DesignClassic

– Neck

Neck MaterialNato
Neck Shape“C” Shape
Neck FinishSatin Polyurethane
Scale Length24.1″ (612mm)
Truss RodDual-Action

– Fretboard

Fretboard MaterialWalnut
Fingerboard InlayWhite Dot
Fret Size 2.4mm
Number of Frets18

– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins

Bridge PinsWhite with Black Dots
Bridge Walnut
Saddle Material Nu-Bone
Nut MaterialNu-Bone
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.