Introduction
Fender has a long history of making iconic electric guitars, but in recent years they have also expanded into the acoustic guitar market. The Fender FA-125 dreadnought is one of their most popular and affordable acoustic models, aimed at beginner and intermediate players looking for a quality starter instrument.
The FA-125 delivers the classic dreadnought shape and sound in an entry-level package. It features laminate wood construction to keep costs down, while still providing good tone and playability. The combination of spruce top and basswood back/sides produces balanced tone across the frequency range that projects well.
This guitar is a great option for new players and students on a budget, as well as seasoned musicians looking for an affordable beater or travel guitar. The FA-125 is well-suited for playing folk, rock, country, blues, and more. Its quality craftsmanship and comfortable feel make it a guitar you can learn and jam on for years.
Body Style & Design
The Fender FA-125 features the traditional dreadnought body shape that’s become the hallmark of acoustic guitars. This large body style provides powerful projection and deep low-end tones. The expansive lower bout also gives plenty of room for dynamic strumming.
The top of the FA-125 is made from laminated spruce, while the back and sides utilize laminated basswood. Laminate woods provide good tonal balance and volume at an affordable price point. They’re also quite durable and consistent compared to solid wood options.
Fender offers the FA-125 in three classic finish options – natural, black, and sunburst. The gloss polyurethane finish gives the guitar a polished look and feel. Overall the FA-125 has a classic, refined aesthetic perfect for the stage or studio.
Hardware & Electronics
The Fender FA-125 features simple but functional chrome hardware. The guitar has chrome enclosed tuning machines that hold tune reliably. While not as premium feeling as diecast tuners, these work well for an entry-level acoustic.
For the bridge, Fender went with a no-frills walnut bridge with a synthetic bone saddle. It gets the job done and intonates the strings properly. As far as electronics, the FA-125 does not come equipped with any onboard preamp or pickup system. It’s a completely acoustic guitar.
Some players may want to install an aftermarket soundhole pickup down the road for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. But for practicing and playing acoustically, the lack of electronics helps keep costs down while still delivering solid unplugged tone.
Neck & Fretboard
The FA-125 features a basswood neck paired with a walnut fretboard. Basswood is a common and affordable neck wood that provides stability and a balanced tone. The walnut fretboard offers a smooth playing feel and matches the aesthetic of the walnut bridge.
Fender designed the neck with a comfortable C-shaped profile that accommodates both chording and single note playing. It has a modern slim-taper at the nut to make playing in the first position easier, especially for beginners with smaller hands. The neck gets progressively thicker as it approaches the 12th fret, providing a beefy palmful for lead playing higher up the neck.
The fretwork from the factory is quite good for an affordable import model like this. The fret ends are smooth and finished nicely. The nut slots are cut accurately to minimize tuning issues. Overall the neck feels great for an entry-level acoustic guitar, with no sharp edges or sloppy craftsmanship.
Sound & Tone
The FA-125 produces a balanced, warm tone that’s typical of a dreadnought acoustic guitar. It has a nice sense of openness and resonance across the tonal spectrum, with clear and defined bass, mids, and treble.
In terms of volume and projection, the FA-125 holds its own for a guitar in this price range. It’s able to fill a room well when strummed open chords thanks to its large dreadnought body shape. Single note melodies and fingerpicking lines carry nicely too.
The laminate spruce top contributes to the overall balanced tone, providing brightness without being overly harsh or shrill on the high end. Notes ring out with good clarity and definition. Chords sound full and rich, without muddiness in the low end.
Compared to other dreadnought acoustics around the same price point, the FA-125 competes well. It has a playable action height and decent intonation out of the box, allowing the guitar’s warm dreadnought voice to shine through. While not as boomy or deep as all-solid wood acoustics, the FA-125’s tone is impressive for a laminate construction guitar aimed at beginners and intermediate players.
Playability & Feel
The Fender FA-125 features a slim C-shaped neck profile that provides a comfortable playing feel. The action on this guitar is set quite low from the factory, which makes it very easy and enjoyable to play right out of the box.
The smooth satin neck finish allows for fast, fluid hand movements up and down the fretboard without any friction or sticking. The string action sits at a nice low height above the 12th fret, which prevents buzzing while still allowing clear note definition when fretting chords and individual notes.
The fretwork quality is very good for a guitar in this price range. The medium jumbo frets are smoothly finished with no sharp edges. The ends of each fret are nicely rounded off as well. This allows for comfortable chord formations without any poking or scratching on the fingertips.
Overall, the playability of the FA-125 is excellent. The low action and quality fretwork make it a very easy guitar to play for beginners and students. The smooth neck promotes fluid playing, and the light overall weight reduces fatigue during long practice sessions. Even more advanced players will find this a comfortable guitar to pick up and enjoy playing.
Build Quality
The FA-125 has excellent fit and finish for its price point. The gloss finish on the body shows no blemishes or imperfections, and the neck joint and hardware are all fitted cleanly and securely.
In terms of durability, the laminate construction makes the guitar more resistant to cracks and warping than an all-solid wood instrument. The hardware is also quite sturdy, with sealed chrome tuners and a synthetic bone nut and saddle that should hold up well over time.
The main potential weak point could be the thin gloss finish, which may be prone to chipping or wearing down over years of use. However, this is common for guitars in this price range. Overall, the FA-125 feels solidly built for an entry-level acoustic.
Fender includes a few useful accessories with the guitar. It comes with a lightweight nylon gig bag to protect the instrument during transport and storage. A pack of extra strings and some picks are also included in the box. While a hard case would provide more protection, the included gig bag is sufficient for a beginner’s needs.
Value for Money
The Fender FA-125 typically sells for around $150-180 at most major retailers. This puts it on the very low end of the acoustic guitar price spectrum, making it one of the most affordable options from a well-known brand like Fender.
At this price point, the FA-125 delivers decent value for the money. While the use of laminate woods and other cost-cutting measures are apparent in the specs, Fender didn’t cut corners on the fundamentals. It’s a playable, decent sounding dreadnought acoustic that gets all of the basics right.
Compared to other guitars in this ultra-budget price tier like the Yamaha FG800 or Epiphone DR-100, the FA-125 is very competitively priced. Most major brands don’t offer solid top guitars until you get closer to the $200+ range, so laminate models like this are typical for low prices.
As a first guitar or beater/travel acoustic, the FA-125 represents a long-term value. While more advanced players would quickly outgrow it, beginners will get years of playability and enjoyment before needing to upgrade. The basic dreadnought shape will remain versatile as skills progress too.
Alternatives to Consider
The Fender FA-125 offers great value, but here are a few other acoustic guitars to consider in the same price range:
Yamaha FG800
The Yamaha FG800 is another popular acoustic guitar for beginners. It has a solid spruce top with laminate mahogany back and sides. The neck is Nato wood. It has a slightly smaller concert-style body compared to the dreadnought FA-125. The FG800 sells for around $200, so it’s very comparable in price to the FA-125. The Yamaha is known for its balanced tone across the frequency range. The playability is also smooth and comfortable.
Epiphone DR-100
Epiphone’s DR-100 has an all-mahogany body and neck, giving it a slightly deeper and warmer tone compared to the Fender’s spruce top. It has a standard dreadnought body shape. The hardware includes chrome tuners and a rosewood bridge. The DR-100 sells for around $120, so it’s one of the most budget-friendly options. It provides great value if you want an all-solid wood acoustic on a tight budget.
Jasmine S35
The Jasmine S35 is an ultra-affordable dreadnought option, typically selling for around $100. It has a laminate spruce top, agathis back and sides, and nato neck. While it doesn’t have the same level of craftsmanship or all-solid woods, it produces decent sound for the incredibly low price point. The Jasmine S35 is worth considering if you want the lowest cost way to start learning on an acoustic.
Conclusion
The Fender FA-125 dreadnought acoustic guitar provides beginners, students, and casual players with an affordable way to learn on a recognizable Fender instrument. Its laminate spruce top and basswood back/sides produce a balanced tone suitable for many music genres, while the slim neck and low action facilitate comfortable playing.
The guitar’s hardware, electronics, and overall construction seem durable enough for a starter instrument. However, more advanced players may desire upgraded components and solid wood construction found on mid-range models. Still, the FA-125 represents a good value at around $150, especially for those wanting an entry-level Fender acoustic.
In summary, the warm, resonant tone and easy playability make the FA-125 a great first guitar. While not for pros, it gives beginners a quality instrument to learn on while representing the iconic Fender brand. For students and hobbyists needing an affordable dreadnought acoustic, the FA-125 deserves strong consideration.