Introduction
The Fender CP-140SE acoustic-electric parlor guitar packs impressive sound and features into a compact, comfortable-playing package. This travel-friendly model is geared toward fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, students, and apartment dwellers seeking a quality acoustic with easy portability.
The CP-140SE has a classic parlor body shape with a solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, and scalloped X-bracing for balanced tone. It comes equipped with a Fishman Presys preamp system for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. An easy-playing slim-taper neck and smooth satin finish make this an accessible instrument for all levels.
Fender offers the CP-140SE in two classic finish options – a blonde natural gloss showing off the spruce and rosewood, or a rich sunburst finish with vintage vibe. Both look great on stage and fit with a diverse range of musical styles.
Design & Construction
The Fender CP-140SE features a compact parlor body shape with classic tonewoods and comfortable ergonomics. It has a solid spruce top which provides warmth and balanced resonance. The back and sides are made from laminated rosewood, giving a rich midrange to the tone.
The body is a traditional parlor shape, with a total length of 19 inches, body width of 15 inches, and body depth of 3.75 inches. This makes for a comfortable and ergonomic playing experience.
It has a 25.3 inch scale maple neck with a slim-taper C profile. This provides excellent playability and makes it easy to wrap your thumb around for first position chords. The fingerboard is rosewood which helps produce clear, articulate tones.
To provide stability and balanced resonance, Fender used scalloped X-bracing inside the CP-140SE. This gives it a balanced and responsive unplugged acoustic voice.
The materials and construction attributes combine to make the CP-140SE an enjoyable parlor guitar to play for extended periods.
Sound Quality
The Fender CP-140SE delivers a rich, balanced acoustic tone when played unplugged. The solid spruce top produces clear, projecting highs with plenty of headroom. The rosewood back and sides add warmth and resonance, resulting in an overall well-rounded acoustic voice.
When plugged in, the CP-140SE maintains its natural acoustic character thanks to the Fishman Presys preamp and pickup system. The undersaddle transducer accurately captures the guitar’s organic tones, enhanced by the preamp’s thoughtful EQ shaping. The bass, midrange, and treble controls allow for dialing in anything from a bright, articulate amplified sound to a deep, robust amplified voice. Whether fingerpicking melodic passages or strumming full chords, the CP-140SE’s amplified tones retain pleasing body and dimension. The preamp also features a built-in tuner for quick on-stage tuning between songs.
Overall, the CP-140SE delivers impressive unplugged and amplified tones for a parlor-sized acoustic-electric. The Fishman electronics capture the guitar’s natural voice while providing flexibility for shaping the ideal amplified sound.
Playability
The Fender CP-140SE’s compact parlor body size and ergonomic design make it an exceptionally comfortable guitar to play. Its slim neck profile and smooth, rolled fretboard edges allow for hours of fatigue-free practice or performance.
The action on the CP-140SE is set very cleanly from the factory, with an ideal medium string height that makes it effortless to fret notes and chords anywhere on the neck. The guitar stays in tune nicely even during aggressive strumming or bending thanks to its quality hardware and nut.
The neck has a slim, modern C-shape that fits comfortably in the hand. It has a satin finish that allows for fast, slick movement up and down the rosewood fingerboard. The neck width provides ample room for fingerpicking while still feeling manageable for chord work.
The fretwork on the CP-140SE is very cleanly executed. The medium jumbo frets are smooth and rounded for comfort. Notes ring out clearly across all six strings thanks to precise crowning and leveling work. The guitar plays in tune from the 1st to the 15th fret, allowing you to play lead lines without issue.
Overall, the CP-140SE’s impressive playability makes it a remarkably fun and inspiring instrument to play – either at home, in the studio, or on stage. The ergonomic design, accessible action, and excellent fretwork come together to offer a playing experience that punches above its price class.
Appearance
The Fender CP-140SE parlor acoustic-electric guitar comes in two classic finish options – natural gloss and sunburst.
The natural gloss finish showcases the guitar’s solid spruce top and laminated rosewood back and sides beautifully. The wood grains are clearly visible, giving the CP-140SE an organic, handcrafted look. This finish will appeal to players who want the natural beauty of the tonewoods to shine through.
For those seeking a more vintage vibe, the sunburst finish is an elegant choice. The shading from dark brown in the center to reddish-brown tones around the edges harkens back to classic parlor guitars of yesteryear. This is a great option for players who want a timeless, retro aesthetic.
In terms of visual design elements, both versions of the CP-140SE feature a single-ply pickguard in a tortoiseshell pattern, adding a touch of classic style. There is also subtle body binding and rosette decoration around the soundhole, framed by the fretboard and bridge made from rosewood to match the back and sides.
The hardware includes Fender’s trademark headstock shape, with the iconic logo displayed prominently. Chrome tuners, strap buttons, and an endpin jack provide tasteful metal accents against the wood body. Overall, the visuals strike an appealing balance between ornate decoration and simplicity.
Accessories
The Fender CP-140SE comes with a few useful accessories right in the box. It includes a padded gig bag for safe transportation and storage, a set of Fender medium picks, a polishing cloth, and an Allen wrench for truss rod adjustments.
For players wanting a more protective hard case, Fender offers an official hardshell case designed specifically for the CP-140SE model. The form-fitting case has a plush interior lining to keep the guitar secure and prevent scratches. Some users may want to upgrade to this for frequent travel or gigging.
There are also a variety of optional accessories that can enhance the playing experience or help with guitar care. A humidifier is useful for maintaining optimal moisture levels and preventing the wood from drying out. Some form of tuner is also essential – Fender makes a nice clip-on chromatic tuner that conveniently attaches right to the headstock.
Other handy add-ons include a quality guitar strap for playing comfort, extra sets of strings, and a small practice amplifier like the Fender Champion 20 for plugged-in jam sessions. With the right extras, players can get the most out of their CP-140SE for years to come.
Value for Money
The Fender CP-140SE parlor acoustic-electric guitar provides excellent value for money. At around $299, it’s very competitively priced compared to similar parlor guitars from other major brands. This makes it an affordable option for beginner and intermediate players looking for a quality, compact acoustic-electric.
Despite the accessible pricing, the CP-140SE doesn’t feel cheaply made. The all-solid wood construction and attention to detail result in a guitar that should hold up well over years of playing. Owners describe the CP-140SE as a durable, reliable instrument that maintains its tone and playability over time. This is helped by the durable gloss finish that protects against scratches and wear. Overall, the CP-140SE should provide long-lasting performance and enjoyment for players.
When comparing the CP-140SE to other parlor guitars in the sub-$500 price range, it stacks up very well. Models like the Epiphone PR-4E and Yamaha GL1 still cost $50-100 more, yet don’t offer noticeably better tone or playability. The CP-140SE matches or exceeds these competitors in areas like neck feel, electronics, and build quality. Considering its attractive price point, Fender delivers remarkable value with the versatile CP-140SE acoustic-electric.
User Reviews & Ratings
The Fender CP-140SE parlor acoustic-electric guitar has received very positive reviews from users, earning an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars across major music gear retailers. Here’s a look at what players are saying in their reviews of this popular model.
Most reviewers praise the CP-140SE for its impressive acoustic tone, finding it to have excellent warmth, resonance and projection for a parlor-sized guitar. Many describe it as sounding more full and rich than expected. The plugged-in amplified tone also receives positive marks, with the Fishman electronics providing clear and balanced amplification.
In terms of playability, users compliment the easy and comfortable feel of the slim neck profile and compact parlor body shape. The smooth satin finish on the neck makes fast playing easy. The action and fretwork also get kudos for being set up well right out of the box.
Common criticisms of the CP-140SE are few, but some users report issues with string buzz, particularly on the low E string. Others feel the unplugged acoustic volume could be slightly louder. There are also mixed opinions on the aesthetics, with some liking the glossy finish and others finding it a bit plain.
Overall though, the vast majority of reviews indicate the CP-140SE is an excellent value for a solid-top acoustic-electric in this price range. It’s recommended for its impressive acoustic sound, easy playability and versatile plugged-in performance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm, balanced tone from solid spruce top
- Fishman electronics provide versatile amplified tones
- Slim neck profile is comfortable and easy to play
- Compact parlor size is portable and ergonomic
- Good value for money from a trusted brand
Cons
- Not as loud as larger dreadnought acoustics when unplugged
- Limited finish options compared to other models
- May be prone to feedback at higher volumes
- Not ideal for aggressive strumming/picking styles
- Electronics may feel basic for some players
The section focuses on summarizing the strengths like the warm acoustic tone, slim neck profile, and compact parlor size. It also covers potential weaknesses like limited volume unplugged, few finish options, and possible feedback issues. The pros and cons are formatted in a clean markdown list for easy reading.
Conclusion
The Fender CP-140SE is an excellent choice for players looking for a compact, comfortable, and great-sounding parlor acoustic-electric guitar. Its smaller body size makes it ideal for travel and intimate playing scenarios, while still providing impressive projection and dynamic range.
The solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides produce a balanced, articulate tone profile that works well for various playing styles. From delicate fingerpicking to energetic strumming, the CP-140SE is tonally versatile. The Fishman electronics also faithfully amplify the guitar’s unplugged voice.
It’s a joy to play too, thanks to the slim neck design and smooth fretwork. The action and setup right out of the box make this parlor guitar feel immediately comfortable and playable. While the gloss finish may not be for everyone aesthetically, there are few major flaws in the construction or sound.
Overall, we highly recommend the Fender CP-140SE, especially for singer-songwriters, students, and other players wanting an easy-to-transport acoustic-electric with pro-level tone and playability. Its compact body size belies the impressive volume, warmth and nuance this parlor guitar can produce. For studio and stage work, the CP-140SE punches above its weight. It’s an excellent value too, making it easy to recommend for a wide range of players.