Introduction
Fender has been at the forefront of electric and acoustic guitar design since Leo Fender founded the company in 1946. Known for iconic models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Precision Bass, Fender has shaped the sound of modern music.
The Malibu Player embodies Fender’s continual evolution in guitar craftsmanship. Its small, compact body offers greater comfort and portability than a traditional dreadnought acoustic. The Malibu Player’s vintage-inspired appointments also give it a stylish, retro aesthetic.
This parlor-sized acoustic-electric appeals to players of all ages and skill levels. The slim neck and short 24" scale length facilitate easy chording and single-note playing. The Malibu Player’s size makes it a great choice for younger learners or those with smaller hands. Seasoned players will appreciate the comfortable feel and Fishman electronics.
Whether at home, in the studio, or on stage, the Malibu Player acoustic-electric guitar delivers classic Fender tone and style in a more travel-friendly format. Its compact shape expands the possibilities for acoustic performance.
Body & Design
The Fender Malibu Player features an exclusive compact "Malibu" body shape with a vintage parlor guitar feel. It has a total length of just 36", with a width of 14" at the lower bout. This makes it significantly smaller and more portable than a full size dreadnought or auditorium acoustic.
The Malibu Player uses a solid Sitka spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. The spruce provides brightness and volume, while the mahogany boosts the midrange and low-end. This combination produces balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.
The body showcases several vintage-inspired aesthetic details. It has multi-ply body binding and soundhole rosette patterns. The fretboard and bridge are made of walnut adding to the vintage vibe. The Malibu Player comes in several unique finish options including Arctic Gold, Aqua Splash, Olympic White, and Natural.
The compact parlor dimensions along with the slim neck profile make the Malibu an extremely comfortable guitar to play. The small body size makes it perfect for younger players or those with smaller builds. The Malibu’s portability also makes it a great choice for travel or mobile gigging.
Neck & Playability
The Fender Malibu Player features a slim C-shaped mahogany neck profile that provides excellent comfort and playability. The neck has a satin finish that allows smooth sliding up and down the fretboard.
The fingerboard is made from walnut and has a modern 9.5" radius that makes chording and soloing smooth. The short 24" scale length reduces string tension, making the Malibu Player very easy to play, especially for those with smaller hands. Even intricate chords and lead lines are effortless on this guitar.
The combination of the slim neck, short scale length, and comfortably radiused fingerboard creates an acoustic that plays like an electric. The Malibu Player’s neck and playability make it one of the easiest playing acoustic guitars around. Even novice players will find it comfortable, while more advanced guitarists can explore the upper frets with ease.
Sound & Electronics
The Fender Malibu Player comes equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system to amplify its natural acoustic tone. This gives players flexibility for both amplified and unplugged playing.
When unplugged, the Malibu produces a balanced and resonant acoustic sound. The solid spruce top provides brightness and clarity, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and depth. It’s impressive volume and sustain for a small-bodied guitar.
Plugging in the Malibu reveals the quality of the Fishman electronics. The undersaddle pickup accurately captures the guitar’s acoustic voicing and nuances. Through an amp or PA system, it has a clear amplified tone without sounding too brittle. The preamp has an easy-to-use volume knob, tone control to shape the EQ, and a built-in tuner. This makes it easy to get quality amplified sound right out of the box.
Overall, the Fishman system gives players control over the Malibu’s acoustic voice. It can be played loud and clean in amplified settings, even keeping up with drums and other instruments. The guitar shines just as well unplugged, making it extremely versatile.
Compared to Other Parlor Guitars
The Fender Malibu Player stands out from other parlor-sized acoustic guitars on the market in a few key ways. In terms of size and construction, the Malibu Player has a slightly wider lower bout than some other parlors, giving it a little more body resonance. It’s also one of the only parlor models to feature an all-solid wood construction – most competitors in this price range ($400-600) use laminate back and sides.
Some popular parlor guitar alternatives to consider are:
These models are known for their affordability and portability, but the Malibu Player has a leg up when it comes to its premium appointments and electronics. The Fishman pickup/preamp gives it plugged-in versatility the others lack, and aesthetic details like the rosette, binding, and unique color options help the Malibu stand out. The C-shaped mahogany neck is also slimmer and easier to play than many entry-level parlor guitars.
Overall, the Malibu Player punches above its weight class in terms of looks, electronics, and playability. For those seeking a high quality parlor guitar that’s easy to handle, sounds great amplified, and looks stunning, the Malibu Player is an excellent choice worth considering over its competitors. Its compact body size makes it a great option for younger players and travelers too.
Accessories to Pair With
The Fender Malibu Player’s compact size makes it easy to take on the go. Pairing it with some key accessories can enhance both its portability and playability.
Some recommended accessories include:
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Gig bags: Look for a lightweight, padded gig bag designed for parlor-sized guitars. This will keep the Malibu protected during transport. Top brands like Fender and Taylor make quality options.
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Straps: A comfortable strap is essential for standing up with the Malibu Player. Pick a strap around 2 inches wide with ample padding for the best experience. Consider a stylish woven or leather strap.
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Picks: The Malibu works nicely with a variety of pick sizes and materials. Standard-size celluloid picks around .8-1 mm are a safe choice. Thinner picks bring out more treble, while thicker ones emphasize bass.
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Capo: A capo is useful for quickly changing the key of songs with the Malibu Player. High-quality capos from Shubb, Kyser or similar brands are recommended.
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Tuner: Although the Malibu has a built-in tuner, a clip-on headstock tuner can also come in handy for quick tuning on the go.
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Humidifier: Maintaining proper humidity levels will help the Malibu stay in tune and prevent cracking. Look for a two-way humidifier that both humidifies and dehumidifies.
Pairing the right accessories with the Malibu Player can make playing it more fun and convenient. Investing in a quality gig bag, strap, picks and other accessories helps you get the most out of this portable parlor guitar.
Price and Value
The Fender Malibu Player has an MSRP of $549.99, though street prices are generally $100-150 lower from most retailers. Here is the pricing for each of the available color options:
- Arctic Gold – $549.99 MSRP
- Aqua Splash – $549.99 MSRP
- Olympic White – $549.99 MSRP
- Natural – $549.99 MSRP
Overall, the Malibu Player offers excellent value considering its features and Fender brand reputation. The all-solid wood construction and Fishman electronics make it comparable to acoustics costing $700-800.
The Malibu’s unique parlor body shape, vintage aesthetic, and easy playability also help justify the price point. While not the cheapest option, it delivers professional performance and craftsmanship.
The Malibu Player punches above its weight class in terms of build quality and tone. The price is very reasonable for a U.S.-made Fender acoustic-electric guitar. Players looking for great playability, portability, and plugged-in versatility will find the Malibu provides fantastic bang for your buck.
Ideal Players for the Malibu
The Fender Malibu Player acoustic-electric guitar is an excellent choice for players across all skill levels, from beginners to touring professionals. Its compact size, short 24" scale length, and slim neck profile make it ideal for players with smaller builds who find a full-size dreadnought or jumbo acoustic difficult to handle.
The Malibu Player’s light weight of around 5 lbs also makes it a great travel companion. It’s easy to pack in a gig bag or backpack without adding too much bulk. The guitar’s solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides provide rich tone that belies its small size – so you don’t have to sacrifice acoustic quality just for portability.
For new players, the Malibu Player offers easy playability right out of the box. The short scale length means less tension on the strings and comfortable fretting, even for smaller hands. Beginners will appreciate how the Malibu Player encourages proper playing posture without feeling overly large or cumbersome. The slim neck and low action facilitate learning essential techniques like barre chords.
The Fishman electronics give the Malibu Player stage-worthy plugged-in tones, so intermediate players can confidently use it for live performances or recording. The preamp controls allow shaping the amplified sound, while retaining the guitar’s excellent unplugged voice. Players who want to transition from electric to acoustic will feel right at home with the Malibu’s familiar Fender neck profile.
Even seasoned acoustic artists who play jumbo-sized guitars on tour may appreciate having the Malibu Player as a back-up option. Its vintage parlor design evokes a historical Americana vibe, while still delivering solid modern playability. Professionals can easily add the Malibu to their collection for more tonal variety.
Alternatives to Consider
When looking at other options besides the Fender Malibu Player, there are a few directions you could consider:
Other Parlor Guitars
If you like the parlor body style but want to explore other brands, here are some alternatives around the same price point as the Malibu Player:
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Yamaha GL1 – This is another compact parlor model designed for comfort and playability. It has a solid spruce top with meranti back and sides. The neck is slightly wider but still beginner-friendly.
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Epiphone PR-5E – This all-mahogany parlor guitar has a vintage vibe. It’s known for its balanced and warm acoustic tone. The neck is slimmer than a typical acoustic.
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Ibanez PN1 – This petite parlor has a spruce top and sapele back/sides. It has a rich low end despite its small size. The neck is slim and fast.
Larger Fender Acoustics
If you want the Fender name but prefer a larger body shape, consider:
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Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat – This concert-shaped guitar has solid mahogany top, back and sides. It has a punchy midrange-focused voice. The C-shaped neck and 12" radius offer easy playability.
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Fender Paramount PM-3 – This is a finely crafted all-solid guitar with a Grand Auditorium shape. It has a Sitka spruce top with rosewood back and sides. The neck has a smooth satin finish.
Let me know if you would like me to expand on any of these alternatives or add additional options to compare.
Conclusion
The Fender Malibu Player acoustic-electric guitar proves itself to be an excellent option for players of all skill levels. Its compact parlor body shape and slim neck profile make it incredibly comfortable and easy to play, even for those with smaller hands or less experience. The use of solid tonewoods like spruce and mahogany give the Malibu Player a balanced and pleasing acoustic resonance, which is further enhanced by the Fishman electronics.
When plugged in, the guitar produces a versatile amplified tone thanks to the integrated preamp system. This makes the Malibu Player a great choice for both practice and live performance scenarios. The vintage-inspired aesthetic appointments also give it a stylish, eye-catching look on stage.
Overall, the Malibu Player offers fantastic quality and playability considering its accessible price point. The iconic Fender name and unique parlor shape help it stand out from other comparably-priced acoustics. While the small body won’t be ideal for every player, the Malibu Player is best suited for beginner and intermediate players, as well as those with smaller builds looking for comfort and portability.
Players who prioritize big, booming acoustic projection may want to consider a jumbo or dreadnought body shape instead. However, the Malibu Player’s blend of great tone, easy playability, and stylish appearance make it an excellent value worthy of strong recommendation. It’s a versatile, enjoyable instrument accessible to all player types.