Introduction
The Fender FA-345CE auditorium acoustic-electric guitar is perfect for singer-songwriters and gigging musicians looking for a versatile, high-quality instrument. This guitar combines easy playability, great amplified tone, and elegant looks into one attractive package.
Some standout features of the FA-345CE include its comfortable auditorium body shape, solid spruce top, Fishman Presys electronics, mahogany back and sides, and slick satin finish. It’s an ideal choice for players who need to switch between acoustic and amplified tones seamlessly. The laminate mahogany construction makes it road-ready while the slim neck profile provides hours of fatigue-free playing.
Overall, the FA-345CE punches above its weight class, offering pro features and Fishman electronics usually found on more expensive models. Fender’s excellent build quality and stringent quality control ensures you get a reliable, consistent instrument ready for the stage or studio. If you need a great-sounding acoustic electric that looks classy and plays like a dream, put the FA-345CE on your shortlist.
Body Design
The FA-345CE features Fender’s classic auditorium body shape, a medium size that provides a balanced and versatile tone. Measuring 16 inches across the lower bout and 4.5 inches deep, it has a comfortable contours and curves.
Its top is solid Sitka spruce, which gives excellent clarity and articulation. The back and sides are laminated mahogany, adding some warmth and midrange punch. Together these tonewoods produce balanced tone with great projection.
Inside, scalloped X-bracing provides stability and allows the top to vibrate freely. This enhances volume, sustain and tone. The bracing is light yet strong, optimized for the auditorium body size.
Overall the guitar’s dimensions and wood construction deliver rich, resonant and balanced acoustic tone in a comfortable playing package. The auditorium design is ideal for fingerstyle, strumming and playing live.
Neck
The FA-345CE features a 25.3" scale length maple neck with a "Modern C" profile. This neck shape has a slim and comfortable feel that’s great for chord work and intricate fingerpicking.
The neck has a 12" radius walnut fretboard with 20 frets and narrow spacing of 1.68" at the nut. This makes chording easy across the neck, even for players with smaller hands. The walnut fretboard adds a rich, warm tone to the FA-345CE.
The nut is made from synthetic bone and precisely cut for correct string spacing. The frets are medium jumbo size made from nickel alloy for smooth playability along the neck. Overall the neck is very playable right out of the box, with excellent fretwork and comfortable hand feel.
Hardware
The Fender FA-345CE features quality hardware that enables great playability and amplified tone. It has sealed nickel tuning machines that hold tune reliably. The guitar’s bridge is made from walnut with a compensated synthetic bone saddle for proper intonation.
The electronics include Fishman’s Presys preamp system with an undersaddle piezo pickup. It gives the guitar a balanced amplified tone with volume, bass, midrange, and treble controls. There’s also a built-in tuner and phase switch to prevent feedback. The input jack is located on the side for easy access when plugging in.
Overall the hardware components on the FA-345CE are high quality for the price point. The tuning machines and bridge allow for great acoustic resonance and playability. The Fishman electronics accurately capture the guitar’s natural tone when plugging in for live gigs or recording.
Sound and Tone
The FA-345CE produces a balanced and well-rounded acoustic tone thanks to its solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate note definition, while the mahogany body adds some midrange warmth and low-end punch.
When strummed, the guitar has nice projection suitable for small gigs or jam sessions. Fingerstyle playing is also a pleasure on the FA-345CE, with each individual note ringing out clearly. The auditorium body shape provides a balanced tone that falls right between the booming lows of a dreadnought and the bright clarity of a concert or parlor guitar.
Plugged in, the Fishman Presys Blend pickup and preamp system accurately captures the FA-345CE’s natural acoustic sound. There are bass, midrange, and treble sliders on the preamp to shape your amplified tone. With the right EQ settings, the guitar maintains the crisp highs and warm low-end of its unplugged tone. The Presys Blend system also has built-in reverb and compression effects to further enhance the amplified sound during live performances or recording sessions.
Playability
The FA-345CE has excellent playability right out of the box. The action is set up low and comfortable, making it easy to fret chords and notes up and down the neck. The medium jumbo frets are smoothly finished with no sharp edges.
Strumming and fingerpicking are both enjoyable on this guitar. The string spacing is just right, allowing your fingers to move freely without bumping into each other. The neck has a smooth satin finish that lets your hand glide up and down easily.
The neck profile is described by Fender as "Modern C", which fits the hand nicely. It’s not too chunky but also not super thin. The 1 11/16" nut width provides a good amount of room for your fingers that works for most playing styles.
Whether you have smaller hands or larger hands, the FA-345CE feels natural to fret and chord. The upper fret access is excellent thanks to the cutaway, allowing you to easily play lead lines across the entire fingerboard.
The lightweight build combined with the contoured body shape allow this auditorium guitar to sit comfortably against your body. It’s well balanced and easy to play for extended periods without fatigue.
Overall the FA-345CE rates very highly for playability. It’s comfortable, fast, and inviting right off the shelf. The setup allows beginners to learn easily while providing the smooth playability more advanced players expect.
Features
The Fender FA-345CE comes equipped with Fishman electronics that provide excellent amplified tone and flexible controls. The Fishman Presys preamp system gives you a built-in tuner as well as anti-feedback controls to prevent unwanted noise when plugged in.
The volume and tone controls allow you to shape your amplified sound. There is a 3-band EQ with sliders for bass, midrange, and treble frequencies. This allows you to boost mids for a punchy attack, add low end body, or brighten up the trebles. The preamp also has a phase switch to help eliminate feedback.
The pickup itself is Fishman’s Sonitone soundhole pickup. It reproduces the FA-345CE’s natural acoustic tone very accurately. Fishman’s Sonicore pickup technology senses the guitar’s top vibration and body resonance for a rich and balanced plugged-in sound.
Having these Fishman electronics onboard gives the Fender FA-345CE excellent amplification and flexibility for performing live or recording in the studio. The tuner and feedback controls are handy additions not always found on preamps in this price range. Overall the pickup and preamp deliver impressive acoustic tone and make this an extremely playable onstage acoustic-electric.
Accessories
The Fender FA-345CE comes with a few helpful accessories right out of the box. It includes Fender’s deluxe gig bag, which is padded and features backpack straps for easy transportation. The contoured interior protects the guitar’s body, neck, and headstock while in transit. There’s even an exterior pocket for small accessories or sheet music.
Other extras that come standard with the FA-345CE include a polishing cloth for keeping the guitar looking its best, as well as hex wrenches for tightening or adjusting the strap buttons, truss rod, or bridge saddle as needed over time. An owner’s manual is also included that covers the guitar’s features, electronics, and recommended care.
Overall, Fender equips this model well with the key accessories most players need when starting out with a new acoustic-electric guitar. The included case is high quality and very functional. And the polishing cloth and tools ensure you can keep the instrument playing its best for years to come.
Alternatives
The Fender FA-345CE is a great choice for those seeking a quality auditorium acoustic-electric guitar, but it’s not the only option on the market. Here are some alternatives to consider from Fender and other brands:
Other Fender Auditorium Models
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Fender FA-125CE – This is Fender’s entry-level auditorium acoustic-electric guitar. It has a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, 20-fret neck, and Fishman electronics similar to the FA-345CE. The main differences are the tonewoods and appointments are a bit more basic.
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Fender CN-240SCE – This all-solid wood auditorium acoustic-electric has a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. It’s comparable to the FA-345CE in price and appointments, with a slightly brighter tone thanks to the cedar top.
Comparable Guitars from Other Brands
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Yamaha A-Series A3M ARE – Yamaha’s A-series auditorium model has an all-solid wood construction with mahogany back and sides and a solid Engelmann spruce top. It’s in the same price range as the FA-345CE and has a comparable Fishman pickup system.
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Seagull Artist Mosaic QII – This acoustic-electric model from Godin’s Seagull brand features all solid wild cherry back and sides, a cedar top, and an EQ3 preamp system. It’s comparable in build quality and price to the FA-345CE.
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Alvarez Artist Series AD60CE – Alvarez offers this solid Sitka spruce and mahogany auditorium acoustic-electric with a proprietary pickup and preamp. It’s comparable in specs and price to the Fender, with Alvarez’s signature tone.
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Martin D-10E Road Series – The Martin D-10E is an all solid wood auditorium acoustic-electric, with solid sapele back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. It has Fishman MX electronics and falls in the same price range as the FA-345CE.
Summary
The Fender FA-345CE is a quality mid-range auditorium acoustic-electric that punches above its weight class. Its laminate construction keeps costs down without sacrificing too much tone. The guitar feels great to play thanks to its comfortable body size, slick neck, and accessible upper fret access.
Overall, I’d rate the FA-345CE a 4/5 stars. It’s an excellent value at its mid-$500 price point, offering versatile acoustic tones and stage-ready amplified power.
The ideal buyer for this guitar is the gigging musician who wants a quality acoustic-electric at an affordable price. It will appeal to fingerstyle players and singer-songwriters looking for a comfortable, inspiring guitar to practice and perform with.
On the positive side, the FA-345CE delivers impressive playability, great electronics from Fishman, and that coveted Fender logo on the headstock. The downsides are mostly due to its laminate construction, which dampens resonance and projection compared to a comparable all-solid wood guitar. However, most players will find the tonal trade-off worthwhile given the hundreds in savings.
In summary, while not the most inspiring acoustic, the FA-345CE’s quality and value make it one of the best auditorium-style guitars under $600. Fender has created an accessible, road-ready workhorse.