Introduction
Fender’s Paramount series represents the pinnacle of their acoustic guitar offerings, featuring premium tonewoods, elegant appointments, and top-notch craftsmanship. First introduced in 2015, the Paramount line revived the name from vintage models made by Fender in the 1970s.
The Paramount PM-4CE is an auditorium-style acoustic-electric that exemplifies Fender’s dedication to quality. This limited edition model stands out with its solid spruce and rosewood body, Fishman Presys electronics, and striking visual details. Key specs include a lower bout width of 15", 25.3" scale, 1.72" nut width, and Fishman Presys Blend pickup/preamp system.
Overall, the PM-4CE delivers the resonant acoustic tone, comfort-focused ergonomics, and stage-ready amplified performance that discerning players expect from Fender’s premium acoustics. This review will take an in-depth look at every aspect that makes this special edition Paramount a guitar worthy of consideration.
Body & Construction
The Paramount PM-4CE features a balanced auditorium body shape that provides a nice mid-range focused tone. Unlike larger dreadnoughts, the auditorium style offers more balanced bass and crisp treble response. The smaller body size results in a more articulate sound.
At the core of the PM-4CE is an all-solid wood construction. Our review unit came with a solid Sitka spruce top, which contributes to the guitar’s excellent resonance and volume projection. The back and sides are solid mahogany, which adds warmth and depth to the overall tone.
The solid wood materials used throughout the body result in impressive sustain and organic sound across the tonal spectrum. Between the spruce top and mahogany back/sides, this guitar offers a nice blend of clarity and low-end. The all-solid build makes this a great choice for intermediate and pro players alike.
Neck & Fretboard
The PM-4CE features a slim C-shaped neck profile that provides a comfortable and familiar feel for most players. The neck is crafted from mahogany and joins the body at the 14th fret, allowing excellent access to the upper frets.
The fretboard is made from richlite, an eco-friendly composite material that mimics the look and feel of ebony. Richlite is highly durable and provides a smooth playing surface. It has a 25.3" scale length and narrow 1 11/16" nut width, making it easy to navigate for both rhythm and lead playing.
The neck has 20 frets and a bone nut and saddle for bright, articulate tone. Overall, the neck offers a great balance of comfort, playability and vintage appeal that players of all styles are sure to appreciate.
Sound & Projection
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE delivers impressive sound quality and projection thanks to its premium solid wood construction. The all-solid spruce top is responsive and articulate, providing balanced tone across the frequency spectrum with sweet, singing highs and tight low end.
When strummed, the PM-4CE has excellent volume and headroom. Notes are clear and sustained, with rich overtones ringing out as chords decay. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and depth to the spruce top’s chiming trebles. There is no muddiness or unevenness across the tonal range.
The auditorium body style provides a nice blend of volume, articulation and balance. It’s not as boomy as a dreadnought or as mid-focused as a concert shape. Played fingerstyle, the PM-4CE has excellent note separation and dynamic range. The tones are clear and complex, responding dynamically to different attack styles and intensities.
Overall the Paramount PM-4CE’s all solid wood construction allows it to produce studio-quality acoustic tone with impressive projection suitable for stage use. It’s a versatile, responsive instrument well-suited to various playing techniques and styles. The guitar’s premium build quality ensures consistently excellent tone night after night.
Electronics & Controls
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE features Fishman’s Presys Plus preamp system, giving it professional-grade electronics for plugged-in performance. The preamp packs a tuner, volume control, 3-band EQ, phase switch, notch filter and more into an intuitive control layout.
Having a preamp like the Presys Plus is a huge asset for an acoustic-electric guitar. It allows for tone shaping and feedback control when playing live or recording direct. The 3-band EQ gives you control over bass, mid and treble frequencies to dial in your ideal amplified tone. There’s also a phase switch to prevent feedback, along with a tuner and volume control. Overall the Presys Plus preamp unlocks the PM-4CE’s potential for amplified playing situations where tone quality and control are paramount.
Playability
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE has excellent playability right out of the box. The action height is perfectly set up for comfortable playing across the entire fretboard. Notes ring out clearly from the first fret all the way up to the body joint at the 19th fret thanks to the ideal string height over the frets.
The narrow nut width of 1 11/16 inches facilitates intricate chording and fretting while the contoured body allows easy access to the upper registers. There is no sharp edge binding or discomfort for the strumming arm thanks to the smooth forearm and waist contours.
Overall, the feel is very fast and slick, with a satin neck finish that enables rapid runs and lead lines. The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished for speed. From intricate fingerstyle to aggressive strumming, this guitar handles it all with ease. The balanced setup and comfortable ergonomics make the PM-4CE a joy to play for extended periods without fatigue.
Comfort & Ergonomics
The Paramount PM-4CE impresses in terms of comfort and ergonomic design. At around 4 lbs, it has a lightweight feel on the strap that makes prolonged standing performances effortless. The contoured body shape with a slim tapered waist allows easy access to the upper frets while also keeping the guitar balanced on either leg.
Fender paid close attention to making this an exceptionally comfortable acoustic-electric to play. The smooth neck profile and narrow nut width enhance the fretting comfort. The soft cutaway gives fretting hand freedom to reach those high notes cleanly. The smooth gloss neck finish allows for fast, fluid runs across the ebony fretboard.
Overall, the PM-4CE’s ergonomics showcase Fender’s expertise in crafting guitars built for playing comfort over extended periods. The lightweight build and contoured body design excel in minimizing fatigue. This is an acoustic that feels great both on stage and in practice sessions.
Appearance & Finishes
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE auditorium acoustic-electric guitar comes in two classy finish options that highlight the instrument’s premium build.
The natural satin finish showcases the beautiful solid wood grain patterns of the mahogany or spruce top. This is an elegant, understated look perfect for guitarists who want the wood’s natural beauty to shine through.
For those seeking more visual flair, the sunburst gloss finish provides an eye-catching burst pattern in shades of brown, tan, or red, depending on the exact top wood. The high-gloss polyurethane finish accentuates the dynamic colors.
Both models feature premium appointments like clean binding on the body, neck, and headstock. The binding provides a nice contrast along the edges. The rosette is a vintage-inspired multi-ply binding inlay around the soundhole, adding a touch of elegance.
The headstock has a classy Fender logo engraved in gold lettering. Overall, the guitar exudes quality craftsmanship with beautiful aesthetic details.
Accessories
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE Auditorium comes complete with a high-quality hardshell case to protect the guitar during storage and transport. Fender includes one of their deluxe molded cases that is customized to fit the Paramount body shape snugly.
The interior is plush-lined to prevent any scratches or damage to the guitar’s finish. It also has locking latches and a TSA-approved lock for added security when traveling. Some key features of the included case:
- Sturdy exterior made of durable molded plastic
- Plush interior lining with dense foam padding
- Form-fitted shape for Paramount auditorium body style
- Locking latches and TSA-approved lock
- Durable handle and wheels for easy transport
The case has ample room to store important accessories like extra strings sets, capos, tuners, straps, and more. It’s great to have a high-quality case included right out of the box rather than having to purchase one separately.
Fender is known for their exceptional factory cases, and the one included with the PM-4CE is no exception. It provides peace of mind that this limited edition guitar will be well protected whether being stored at home or taken on the road. The case adds even more value to an already premium guitar package.
Value for Money
The Fender Paramount PM-4CE carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,799.99, though street prices at various retailers range from $1,499 to $1,699 depending on current sales and promotions.
This positions the PM-4CE at the upper end of the price spectrum for a high-quality, professional-grade acoustic-electric guitar. The use of solid wood construction, elegant aesthetic appointments like binding and abalone rosette inlays, and the inclusion of a deluxe hardshell case help justify the pricing to an extent.
The limited edition status adds an extra element of exclusivity and collector’s value that further rationalizes the premium price tag. Fender is only producing the PM-4CE for a short production run, though the exact number of units is undisclosed. This scarcity makes the PM-4CE enticing for collectors and those seeking a potentially appreciating guitar investment.
When comparing to similar premium acoustic-electric guitars from brands like Taylor, Martin, and Gibson, the PM-4CE sits squarely within the same price bracket. It offers comparable build quality, tonewoods, and electronics to models like the Taylor 814ce and Martin D-18 Authentic 1939.
The limited nature of the PM-4CE adds to its allure, though some players may balk at the price if they are not collectors per se. Ultimately, the PM-4CE offers solid value for the money considering the quality of materials, craftsmanship, and long-term playability. The limited run makes it a strong investment for collectors and those seeking an exclusive Fender acoustic.