Introduction
Fender has a long history of producing high quality and innovative electric guitars, but they also have an extensive line of excellent acoustic guitars. Founded in 1946, Fender entered the acoustic guitar market in the 1960s and has continued to refine their acoustic offerings over the decades.
The Fender CC-60S Concert is one of Fender’s newest additions to their acoustic lineup. This compact, comfortable concert-sized acoustic is aimed at beginning and intermediate level players looking for an affordable, easy-to-play guitar. Despite the low price point, the CC-60S Concert still delivers the signature Fender tone and playability that the brand is known for.
Some of the key features of the CC-60S that make it a great choice for new players include its concert body shape, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, slim neck profile, and smooth satin finish. It produces balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, with plenty of volume and projection for jamming with friends or busking. The smaller concert body size is comfortable for smaller-framed players and makes the guitar easy to hold and play for long periods. Overall, the CC-60S Concert offers fantastic bang-for-your-buck as a starter instrument.
Body Shape and Size
The Fender CC-60S features a compact concert body shape, which is noticeably smaller than the popular dreadnought design. The concert shape measures approximately 23 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 4.5 inches deep. In comparison, a dreadnought is typically 25 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 5 inches deep.
The concert body’s reduced dimensions make the CC-60S feel very comfortable and ergonomic to hold. Its curved lower bout fits nicely against the body, and the slimmer waist allows easy access to the upper frets. The concert shape is ideal for smaller-framed players, as well as anyone who values comfort and playability over big booming projection.
At just over 18 lbs, the CC-60S is lighter than a comparable dreadnought as well. The pared-down body size and mahogany back/sides help keep the weight down. This makes the guitar easy to handle and comfortable to play, especially for long practice or jam sessions. Overall, the concert shape strikes a great balance between comfort, playability, and balanced tone.
Tonewoods
The Fender CC-60S Concert features a solid Sitka spruce top paired with laminated mahogany back and sides. This combination of tonewoods produces a balanced and articulate acoustic tone.
Sitka spruce is a popular choice for the soundboard or top of an acoustic guitar. It is lightweight and resonant, with an evenly dispersed grain pattern. Spruce tops are known for their crisp highs, dynamic range, and excellent projection. The solid spruce top of the CC-60S helps it to produce volume and sustain.
Mahogany is a warm-sounding tonewood that offers a smooth midrange, sweet highs, and rounded low end. It has good resonance without being overly bright. The laminated mahogany back and sides complement the spruce top nicely, adding warmth and fullness to the overall tone.
Together, the solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides create a versatile tonal palette suitable for various styles of playing. The spruce provides shimmer and clarity, while the mahogany adds body and richness. This combination works well for both strumming and fingerpicking. Overall, the CC-60S has a balanced tone profile that sounds refined beyond its beginner-friendly price point.
Neck and Fingerboard
The CC-60S features Fender’s easy-to-play slim C neck profile that provides comfortable playability for beginners. The neck is crafted with a Walnut fingerboard that feels smooth and inviting to the touch.
The slim profile neck allows for easy forming of chords, while the rolled fingerboard edges enhance playability by removing any sharp corners you can hit while playing. The neck joint is also smoothly contoured for an effortless transition up and down the neck.
Overall, the neck design is perfect for new players who are just getting started. It provides a very playable experience right out of the box, without causing hand fatigue during longer practice sessions. The ergonomics help build proper technique by reducing tension and strain in the fretting hand.
Hardware
The Fender CC-60S comes equipped with sealed die-cast tuning machines that provide precise and stable tuning. Many budget acoustics will cut corners with cheaper open-gear tuners that can slip out of tune easily, but the sealed tuners on the CC-60S perform very well.
The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone material, which helps transfer string vibrations efficiently. Upgrading to real bone or Tusq nut/saddle pieces could potentially improve the tone and sustain slightly.
Some models of the CC-60S also come equipped with Fishman electronics, including an undersaddle pickup and preamp with volume and tone controls. This allows you to plug the guitar into an amplifier or PA system for amplified performances. The electronics reproduce the natural acoustic tone quite well through an amp.
Overall the hardware components like sealed tuners and synthetic nut/saddle punch above their weight class and help the CC-60S deliver great playability and sound quality at this affordable price point. The optional electronics make this a versatile guitar for plugging in live when needed.
Sound & Tone
The CC-60S Concert produces a balanced, articulate tone that’s ideal for fingerpicking and strumming. The solid spruce top provides clarity and projection in the mids and highs, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and body to the low end.
Fingerpicking on the CC-60S highlights the crisp articulation and note separation. Each individual note rings out clearly. The spruce and mahogany complement each other to deliver both sweetness and punch. Complex fingerstyle arrangements come through with detail and nuance.
Strumming on the CC-60S projects well thanks to the concert body shape. There’s enough low-end punch to provide rhythmic drive. The crisp mids and highs cut through the mix nicely. The overall tone is balanced across the frequency range, allowing vocals and leads to shine through.
The CC-60S is suitable for recording applications, especially with the addition of onboard electronics on some models. The crisp and clear acoustic tone translates well to recordings. The guitar captures subtle playing dynamics thanks to the solid wood construction.
Compared to other popular beginner acoustics like the Yamaha FG800, the CC-60S has a bit more low-end warmth while retaining definition on the top end. The all-mahogany Martin LX1E produces a darker tone, while the CC-60S has more shimmer up top. Overall, the CC-60S strikes a versatile balance for fingerpicking and strumming.
Playability
The Fender CC-60S Concert has an easy-to-play neck that beginners will appreciate. The slim C-shaped neck profile provides a comfortable feel that facilitates chord changes and fretting notes up and down the neck. The neck is crafted from mahogany for stability and rigidity.
Out of the box, the guitar has a nice low action that makes it very playable for beginners. The string height at the 12th fret measures approximately 2.5mm, providing just enough clearance over the frets without being too high. Intonation is accurately set up from the factory as well.
The compact concert body size and slim neck profile make the CC-60S an ideal choice for smaller players, including teenagers, younger students, and those with smaller hands. The ergonomics allow comfortable playing in a seated position without the guitar feeling overly large.
Compared to other popular beginner models like the Yamaha FG800, the CC-60S has a neck width at the nut of 1 21/32", which is slightly narrower for enhanced comfort. The fingerboard edges are smoothly rolled for a polished feel that won’t irritate hands. Overall, the CC-60S provides one of the most playable and accessible necks in its price range.
Value for Money
The Fender CC-60S Concert presents an incredible value for the price. At around $199.99 retail, it’s positioned as a very affordable entry-level acoustic guitar. Yet despite the low price point, it doesn’t compromise on important features and playability.
The CC-60S comes bundled with a padded gig bag, strap, picks, and clip-on tuner. Having these accessories included right out of the box makes this an even better value proposition for beginners who are just starting their guitar journey. You get everything you need to start practicing and performing.
Compared to other acoustic guitars in the sub-$200 price range, the CC-60S holds up very well. The Yamaha FG800 is a similar beginner’s model with laminate back and sides that retails for around $199. The Epiphone PR-4E is another comparable guitar that sells for around $179. While those models are also suitable for beginners, the CC-60S offers better tonewoods, playability enhancements, and bundled accessories for just a slightly higher investment.
Overall, when you consider the quality materials, easy playability right out of the box, and included gig bag and accessories, the Fender CC-60S Concert represents one of the best values on the market for a brand new acoustic guitar under $200. It’s the ideal choice for any new guitarist looking for great bang-for-buck without breaking the bank.
Drawbacks & Limitations
The Fender CC-60S Concert does have some drawbacks and limitations to be aware of, particularly for more advanced players.
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The back and sides are made from laminated mahogany rather than solid wood. While this helps keep costs down, it can affect resonance and tone compared to an all-solid wood guitar. The laminate back and sides won’t age and open up over time like solid wood.
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The hardware, while functional, is on the lower end. The tuners and nut/saddle are serviceable but upgrading to higher quality components could potentially improve tuning stability and tone.
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The compact concert body shape that makes the CC-60S so comfortable for beginners can feel cramped for larger-framed players. The narrower fretboard and tighter string spacing can also limit advanced techniques.
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While great for strumming and basic fingerpicking, the CC-60S may lack the dynamic range for more percussive playing styles. The thinner body doesn’t project as much complexity from the top end.
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The guitar is designed as a cost-effective beginner model, so expert players may want additional refinements in finish and attention to detail. There’s only so much you can expect at this price point.
While the Fender CC-60S Concert is an excellent entry-level acoustic, it’s worth keeping in mind these drawbacks if you are an established player looking to advance your skills. Upgrading key components over time can help, but more advanced players may want to consider moving up to a solid wood acoustic guitar.
Conclusion
The Fender CC-60S Concert acoustic guitar delivers an impressive balance of playability, tone, and value that makes it an ideal choice for beginner and student players. Its compact concert body shape provides comfort and portability, while the solid spruce top produces clear, balanced tone that projects nicely for both fingerpicking and strumming styles.
The slim neck profile and low action facilitate easy playability right out of the box, allowing beginners to focus on developing proper technique. While the guitar lacks some premium appointments like solid wood back and sides, it punches above its weight class in terms of quality and performance for the very affordable price point.
Overall, the CC-60S Concert’s combination of comfort, stellar playability, and great tone make it a perfect choice for aspiring guitarists just starting their musical journey. The included accessories add even more value at this entry-level price point. For any new player looking for their first real acoustic, the CC-60S Concert merits strong consideration and is easy to recommend.