Introduction
The Fender CD-140S is an affordable, all-mahogany dreadnought acoustic guitar ideal for beginner to intermediate players. This guitar features solid mahogany top, back and sides which produces a rich, warm and resonant tone. The slim neck and low action makes it an accessible instrument for newer players while still appealing to more experienced guitarists.
Fender has a long history in the guitar world, being one of the most recognizable electric guitar brands. Their acoustic lineup may not have the pedigree of Martin and Taylor, but provides quality instruments at lower price points. The CD-140S delivers impressive value in an all-solid wood guitar. While it may lack some appointments found on premium models, it focuses on great tone and playability.
This review will take an in-depth look at the materials, construction, sound and playability of the Fender CD-140S. We’ll help you determine if this guitar is the right choice for your playing style and musical needs. From beginner strummers to intermediate fingerstyle players, the CD-140S is a versatile mahogany dreadnought that punches above its price range.
Construction and Materials
The Fender CD-140S features an all solid mahogany construction, with a solid mahogany top, back and sides. This gives the guitar a rich, warm and resonant tone.
The top is made from solid mahogany rather than a laminate, which allows it to vibrate and project sound more freely. Solid wood tops are more responsive than laminate and create better sustain and dynamics.
The back and sides are also crafted from mahogany, which gives the guitar its signature warm and mellow voicing. Mahogany produces a balanced tone across the frequency range, with good note separation and articulation.
The neck is made from mahogany or maple, providing stability and allowing for smooth playability up and down the fretboard. The fretboard itself is either rosewood or ovangkol, which are dense tropical hardwoods that feel smooth under the fingers.
Hardware components like the bridge and saddle are plastic, which is expected for a guitar in this price range. Upgrades to bone could improve resonance, but the stock hardware performs adequately.
Finish options include natural gloss, sunburst and black. The polyurethane finish gives the guitar a sleek look, though some players may prefer a more matte finish for the feel. Overall the guitar is well-crafted for its class.
Sound Profile
The Fender CD-140S produces a warm, balanced tone that is characteristic of all-mahogany acoustic guitars. The solid mahogany top contributes to a rich low end and pleasant midrange, while still having enough crisp highs to provide definition.
Compared to spruce top guitars, the mahogany produces a darker, mellower sound that excels in rhythm playing and accompaniment. It has a focused and clear fundamental tone when played, rather than the complex overtones of spruce. The bass is round and full, while the mids and highs are articulate without getting overly bright or harsh.
Volume and projection is ample thanks to the large dreadnought body shape. It has no trouble filling a room or competing with other instruments when jamming or performing live. The mahogany construction gives it a balanced output across all frequencies, rather than the midrange-focused projection of cedar tops.
Overall the CD-140S has a versatile tonal palette suitable for many styles, though it really shines for blues, rock, country and folk where a smooth, rich acoustic tone is desired. The all-mahogany body produces a vintage acoustic sound compared to the more modern and shimmery tones of other tonewood combinations.
Playability
The Fender CD-140S features a comfortable and playable neck profile that accommodates a wide variety of playing styles. The neck has a modern "C" shape that provides just the right amount of thickness for optimal grip and control.
The action on the CD-140S is set quite low from the factory, making it very easy to press the strings down without excessive finger effort. Intonation is accurate right out of the box, with the adjustable bridge allowing for minor tweaks if needed. Overall the guitar has a great setup that requires minimal adjustment before playing.
The smooth satin finish on the back of the neck allows for effortless shifting up and down the fretboard. The medium jumbo frets are nicely finished with no sharp edges. The fretwork facilitates complex chording and fast lead playing beyond the 15th fret.
The CD-140S excels as an instrument for beginners, thanks to its comfortable neck profile and low action. However, more advanced players will also appreciate the easy playability for rhythm and intricate fingerstyle playing. The intonation and overall setup allows the guitar to be gig-ready right away if needed.
Electronics
The CD-140SCE model comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone preamp and pickup system, giving you the ability to plug in and amplify your acoustic tone. This is a great feature for performing live, recording in the studio, or just practicing through headphones or speakers.
The Fishman preamp packs a good selection of tone shaping controls, including volume, bass, mid, and treble EQ knobs. This allows you to dial in your amplified acoustic sound, adding more low end punch or sparkling highs as desired. There’s also a built-in tuner, so you can easily keep your guitar in tune before gigs or recording sessions.
When plugged in, the CD-140SCE reproduces the natural acoustic tone and dynamics nicely. The undersaddle pickup blends well with the top end from the built-in microphone, capturing the guitar’s warm mahogany resonance and articulation. The sound through an amplifier or PA system is balanced, clear, and feedback resistant.
The preamp has enough EQ range to take you from a scooped out mid sound for strumming, to a mid-boosted tone for fingerpicking. The overall amplified performance makes this an extremely versatile acoustic-electric guitar suitable for anything from coffee shop gigs to studio work.
Aesthetics and Finish Options
The CD-140S has a natural gloss finish that allows the beauty of the solid mahogany to shine through. The gloss polyurethane finish gives the guitar a smooth, polished look while protecting the wood.
Fender offers the CD-140S in a few different color options beyond natural. These include a tobacco sunburst finish with a brown center that fades to reddish-orange on the edges, as well as a black semi-gloss finish. The tobacco sunburst in particular has an attractive vintage vibe.
The fretboard is made of ovangkol, an African tonewood known for its hardness and durability. It has an appearance similar to rosewood. The bridge is also ovangkol which matches well aesthetically. The fretboard and bridge both complement the warm, earthy tones of the mahogany body.
The rosette around the soundhole has a simple dot inlay pattern rather than something more ornate. Combined with the lack of body or neck binding, this gives the CD-140S a minimalist, working musician’s aesthetic. Those looking for more decorative appointments may want to consider a more premium model.
Accessories and Case Options
The Fender CD-140S comes with very minimal accessories out of the box. Inside you’ll find:
- The guitar itself
- A few picks
- An unbranded polishing cloth
- Product manuals and documentation
That’s about it – so you’ll need to purchase a few additional accessories for this guitar. Here’s what we recommend:
Cases
A proper hardshell or padded gig bag case is essential to protect your investment and keep the guitar safe during transport and storage. Here are some good options:
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Fender Deluxe Molded Case – This plush-lined hardshell case is specifically designed for dreadnought acoustics like the CD-140S. It has a durable exterior and soft interior to prevent scratches.
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Gator Economy Dreadnought Case – For a more affordable hardshell case, the Gator Economy series offers great protection on a budget. Lined with plush fabric.
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Fender FA-400 Padded Gig Bag – A thickly padded gig bag that’s lightweight and easy to carry. Features backpack straps, exterior pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Other Accessories
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Guitar Strap – A wide 2-3" strap with suede or leather ends will help make standing and playing more comfortable.
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Humidifier – Using a humidifier inside the guitar case will control humidity levels and prevent the wood from drying out and cracking.
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Capo – A must-have for quickly changing keys and playing in alternate tunings. Go for a spring-loaded model that’s easy to clamp on and off.
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Extra Strings – It’s smart to keep a few sets of extra strings on hand for when old strings lose their tone. Try coated strings for slower corrosion.
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Guitar Stand – A floor stand, wall hanger or tripod guitar stand allows easy, safe storage when the guitar is not in its case.
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Tuner – A clip-on headstock tuner like the Snark SN-2 allows silent tuning without plugging into an amp. Highly recommended accessory.
Comparisons
The Fender CD-140S stands up very well when compared to other all-mahogany dreadnought acoustic guitars in this price range. Its warm, balanced tone and easy playability make it competitive with mahogany models from Epiphone, Yamaha, Alvarez and more.
When comparing to mahogany acoustics from premium brands like Martin and Taylor, the CD-140S delivers excellent value for money. While it may lack some of the refinement and meticulous craftsmanship of a $1000+ Martin, the CD-140S still provides that rich mahogany sound at a fraction of the cost.
The Martin D-10E Retro for example, features similar all-mahogany construction with a solid top, but retails for around $799 – more than double the cost of the CD-140S. While the Martin may have slightly better resonance and projection, the CD-140S gets you 80% of the way there for beginner to intermediate players.
The Taylor 114e is another all-mahogany option with their ES-2 pickup system for amplified playing. It retails for around $899, significantly more than the CD-140SCE at $499. The Taylor offers their signature playability and quality, but from a sound perspective the CD-140SCE can compete especially for playing folk, country and softer genres.
Overall the Fender CD-140S punches well above its weight in terms of value, offering rich mahogany tone and quality construction at a budget-friendly price point. While it may lack some refinement compared to premium models, it’s an excellent choice for players who want an affordable all-solid wood acoustic.
Pros and Cons
Summary of the Positives
- Rich, warm mahogany tone that is well balanced across the frequency range
- Solid mahogany top provides excellent resonance and projection
- Quality workmanship and attention to detail in the build
- Playability is very good right out of the box after factory setup
- Great value compared to higher-priced all-mahogany acoustics
- Optional electronics for amplified performances
Potential Downsides
- The neck profile may not suit all playing styles and hand sizes
- No professional setup is included, so it may need adjustments
- Limited finish and aesthetic options compared to premium models
- Plastic nut and saddle may need upgrading over time
Conclusion
The Fender CD-140S all-mahogany acoustic guitar proves to be an excellent value option for beginner to intermediate players looking for a great sounding and playing affordable dreadnought. Its solid mahogany top gives it surprisingly good resonance, projection and warmth that outperforms its price tag.
While the construction quality doesn’t match premium models, Fender’s attention to detail provides very good playability right out of the box. The smooth neck profile and low action facilitate easy fretting and chord changes. The tone is balanced across the frequency range, with articulate and rich mids as well as tight bass and crisp treble response.
The guitar is an ideal fit for a wide range of music genres, from rock and pop to country and singer-songwriter styles. The all-mahogany tone provides a sweet and woody character perfect for accompanying vocals or fingerstyle playing. While the plastic nut and saddle aren’t ideal, they perform well enough for most players in this price range.
Overall, the Fender CD-140S gets a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It’s an easy recommendation for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable all-solid wood mahogany acoustic guitar that looks, plays and sounds fantastic. While premium options may provide incrementally better quality, the CD-140S represents outstanding value for money.