Introduction
The Fender Paramount PM-2 Standard Parlor acoustic guitar offers a compelling blend of traditional design and modern playability. This all-mahogany parlor guitar packs an impressive musical punch thanks to its solid wood construction and Fishman electronics. Though small in size, the PM-2 produces a balanced, nuanced tone perfect for fingerstyle players. It stands out from others in its class thanks to top-notch build quality and Fender’s signature vintage style. Key features like the comfortable C-shaped neck profile, vintage-style appointments, and Fishman preamp give the PM-2 an edge over rival parlor acoustics. Players looking for an expressive and portable acoustic will find the PM-2 delivers impressive performance and value.
Fender Paramount Series Overview
The Fender Paramount Series is a line of finely crafted acoustic guitars that showcase solid tonewoods and vintage-inspired aesthetics. Introduced in 2015, the series aims to deliver the warm, organic tone and playability expected from premium acoustic instruments.
The Paramount models utilize all-solid wood construction, sourcing premium tonewoods like solid Sitka spruce, mahogany, and rosewood. This dedication to solid woods helps produce a beautifully resonant and balanced acoustic tone.
In terms of design, the Paramount Series draws inspiration from classic acoustic shapes and appointments. Binding, fretboard inlays, headstock shapes, and rosette patterns all have an old-school vibe. Models like the PM-2 Standard Parlor exemplify this vintage styling.
The PM-2 Standard Parlor is one of the more compact models within the Paramount lineup. Its diminutive parlor-sized body produces a focused voice, while still retaining the warmth and nuance provided by its all-mahogany construction. It embodies the aim of the Paramount Series to honor traditional acoustic craftsmanship and tone.
Body & Neck
The PM-2 features a compact parlor-sized body with a total length of 19 inches, width of 15 inches, and body depth of 4.25 inches. Despite its small size, the all-mahogany construction gives it a surprisingly full and resonant voice.
The PM-2’s top, back, and sides are all crafted from solid mahogany, which provides a balanced and well-rounded tonality. Mahogany is known for its warm, mellow sound that emphasizes the midrange. The solid wood construction allows the top to vibrate and resonate freely.
The mahogany neck has a comfortable "Modern C" profile that feels great in the hand. It has a 25.3 inch scale length and nut width of 1.69 inches, with 20 frets. The rosewood fingerboard adds crispness and definition to the mahogany’s natural warmth. Overall the neck feels fast and smooth, making the PM-2 a joy to play.
Sound & Tone
The PM-2 produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its all-mahogany construction. The solid mahogany top, back, and sides work together to deliver a rounded, mellow voice with pleasing overtones.
The parlor body size also has a noticeable effect on the PM-2’s sound. The smaller body enhances midrange frequencies while reducing boominess. This allows for excellent note separation and clarity. Volume and projection are reduced compared to larger body sizes, but the PM-2 still carries well for small gigs.
Compared to other popular acoustic tonewood pairings, the all-mahogany PM-2 sounds warmer and darker than spruce/mahogany combinations. The mahogany provides a smooth, compressed character to each note. The tone profile falls somewhere between rosewood and maple when paired with spruce.
When plugged in, the PM-2 retains its acoustic sound character through the Fishman electronics. The undersaddle pickup reproduces the guitar’s natural tone, with enough dynamics to handle both soft fingerpicking and aggressive strumming. The preamp provides some EQ shaping but keeps the integrity of the mahogany sound intact.
Playability
The Fender PM-2 has excellent playability right out of the box, making it a joy to play whether you’re a beginner or experienced guitarist. The mahogany neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile that accommodates various playing styles and hand sizes. It’s not overly chunky but provides a substantial feel during chord changes and lead playing.
The 25.3" scale length along with the 1 11/16" nut width provides ample room for fingering chords while still being manageable for players with smaller hands. The action on the PM-2 I tested was set up well from the factory, with medium string height and very good intonation across the fretboard. Notes ring out clearly from the first fret all the way up to the 14th fret.
The wider string spacing compared to many dreadnoughts allows for more room to pick individual strings, important for fingerstyle playing. Articulation and clarity is enhanced thanks to each string having a bit more breathing room. Whether you’re flatpicking or fingerpicking, the PM-2 makes it easier to be precise and accurate.
Overall the PM-2 gets top marks for playability. The smooth neck, quality factory setup, and comfortable string spacing come together to offer an acoustic that feels fantastic right out of the case. It’s accessible for beginners but rewarding for seasoned players too.
Hardware & Electronics
The Fender Paramount PM-2 comes equipped with quality hardware appointments including die-cast tuning machines, a synthetic bone nut and saddle, and black bridge pins with abalone dots.
The onboard electronics are handled by Fishman’s Presys Blend 301T preamp system, which utilizes an undersaddle piezo pickup. This combines with the all-mahogany body to produce amplified tones that are balanced and natural.
The control layout consists of volume, bass, and treble knobs, as well as a built-in tuner. There is also a discreet battery compartment inside the guitar for the 9V power source. The controls are intuitive and provide a decent amount of tone shaping capability.
Overall, the hardware and electronics complement the PM-2 nicely without detracting from its primary acoustic voice. The Fishman system reproduces the natural tone well, with enough controls to dial in a balanced amplified sound.
Aesthetics & Finish
The PM-2 has a beautiful vintage-inspired aesthetic with an elegant aged binding and rosette. The top is adorned with an aged tortoise-style pickguard that complements the warm, natural finish.
The semi-gloss finish has a smooth, almost raw appearance that allows the mahogany grain patterns to shine through. It comes in a natural color that enhances the vintage vibe. The back and sides also feature a matching semi-gloss finish.
The fretboard has traditional parlor style fretboard inlays with a double dot pattern at the 5th, 7th, 9th, 15th, and 17th frets. The dots provide subtle visual flair. The bridge pins are also done in an antique white style that blends nicely with the natural finish.
In terms of craftsmanship, the PM-2 shows attention to detail with its neatly executed binding work. The purfling lines are evenly cut and consistent in thickness. The fretwork is also clean with smoothly finished fret ends. Overall, the PM-2 has excellent fit and finish that lives up to Fender’s reputation for quality.
Included Case
The Fender Paramount PM-2 comes with a high-quality hardshell case that provides ample protection for the guitar during transport and storage. The sturdy case features plush interior padding and a faux leather exterior covering that looks great while also being durable and scuff-resistant.
The neck support inside the case is adjustable to provide a custom fit for the PM-2’s neck profile and headstock shape. This prevents the neck from shifting around inside the case during movement. The extra neck support helps give peace of mind that the guitar will arrive safe and sound at your destination.
The interior dimensions of the case are tailored specifically for the PM-2’s parlor body size. The guitar fits snugly without having any extra room to bounce around. The snug fit paired with the padding helps minimize the chance of cosmetic damage during transit.
There are also storage compartments inside the included case for small accessories like picks, strings, tuner, capo, etc. The storage space allows you to keep useful gear together with the guitar for convenience.
Overall, the protective hardshell case included with the PM-2 is thoughtfully designed and well-made. It provides guitarists with a great option for keeping this instrument safe whether heading to band practice or a gig across town. The case adds nice extra value on top of the guitar itself.
Competitor Comparisons
The Fender Paramount PM-2 holds its own against other parlor-sized acoustic guitars in the $500-1000 price range. Compared to popular models from Martin, Taylor, and others, the PM-2 is very competitively priced given its all-solid wood construction and quality appointments.
The Martin 000-15M StreetMaster has a similar compact, comfortable feel thanks to its 000 body size. However, the all-mahogany PM-2 has a warmer, darker tone compared to the brighter maple back and sides of the Martin. The PM-2 also includes a pickup and preamp for amplified playing, which the StreetMaster lacks.
Versus the Taylor Academy 12e, the PM-2 once again provides better value with its solid wood top, back, and sides. The Taylor is an excellent beginner’s guitar but uses layered sapele wood rather than solid tonewoods. The Taylor does have a slightly wider nut width for those with larger hands.
Overall, the PM-2 holds up very well against the competition in terms of build quality, rich sound, and attractive price point. The all-mahogany body results in a balanced, nuanced tone, while the Fishman electronics provide quality plugged-in sound. For players wanting a great parlor guitar under $1000, the PM-2 should be at the top of the list.
Ideal Player & Summary
The Fender PM-2 Standard Parlor is an ideal acoustic for fingerstyle players who want a comfortable, compact guitar with a rich, warm, balanced tone. Its parlor body size and playability make it a great choice for players with smaller hands or those who like to play while seated. The all-mahogany construction gives it a rounded, mellow voice that works well for blues, jazz, folk and country styles.
Some of the PM-2’s biggest strengths are its build quality and value. The solid wood construction and Fishman electronics make it very competitive with other parlors in this price range. The vintage-inspired appointments like the aged binding and fretboard inlays also give it a high-end look and feel. Players who want an attractive, great sounding parlor guitar without breaking the bank will find a lot to like with the PM-2.
The main drawbacks are its lack of cutaway for upper fret access and limited projection compared to larger bodied acoustics. The PM-2 also lacks the treble sparkle of spruce topped guitars, so players who prefer a brighter tone may want to look elsewhere. Overall though, it’s a well-rounded parlor that punches above its weight class.