The best Fender acoustic guitar depends less on a single feature than on where and how you plan to play. A concert body may be easier to hold than a dreadnought; an acoustic-electric makes sense if you need to plug in; and a starter kit can spare a new player from choosing every accessory separately. These 10 picks cover those decisions, from acoustic-only solid-top guitars to laminate-body instruments with onboard tuners. Pay particular attention to the exact variant and package: a familiar model name does not tell you whether a case, tuner or pickup is included.
We prioritized a clear purpose for each guitar: manageable body size, straightforward acoustic practice, amplified playing or a well-equipped starter package. Construction matters, but a solid top is a specification rather than a promise that every player will prefer its sound. We also weighed neck design, controls and the contents of the exact listing. A dreadnought kit earns its place by solving a different buying problem from a guitar-only concert model, while electronics are an advantage chiefly for someone who will use them.
Top-rated Comparison
For acoustic-only players who want a smaller body and solid spruce top; this guitar-only listing does not add electronics or a case.
For a player who wants a solid-top acoustic-electric and a hard-case bundle; the cutaway dreadnought remains a full-size body.
For a player seeking concert-body comfort and a solid mahogany top; it is acoustic-only and lists no included case.
For a full-size strummer who wants a solid mahogany top and hard case without paying for onboard electronics.
For a new player who wants a stand, gig bag and tuning gear in one listing; its dreadnought body is all-laminate.
For a player who wants a solid mahogany top, amplification and a hard case; the cutaway dreadnought is still a large guitar.
For someone who wants an orchestra-style body with onboard electronics; its spruce top is laminated, not solid.
For a beginner who wants a cutaway dreadnought that can plug in; its laminate body is a different proposition from the solid-top CD-60SCE.
For a beginner who wants an uncomplicated, full-size acoustic; its all-laminate construction and bare-guitar listing limit the package.
For a beginner who prefers the FA-25 approach but needs amplification; its laminate construction remains the principal tradeoff.
The Fender CC-60S Concert in Sunburst is the most versatile starting point for a player who wants an acoustic-only guitar: its smaller concert body, solid spruce top and rolled fingerboard edges make a compelling combination. Choose the black CD-60SCE bundle instead if amplification, a cutaway and a hard case are priorities; its dreadnought body is the larger option. The all-mahogany CC-60S keeps the concert shape but substitutes a solid mahogany top.
For a first purchase that needs accessories, the California Debut Redondo kit lists a gig bag, stand, tuner, strap, picks and extra strings. The CD-60S all-mahogany bundle takes a different route with a solid top and hard case but no onboard electronics. At the laminate-body end, the Monterey E offers a mid-size orchestra shape with plug-in capability, while the FA-25 keeps the decision simple for an acoustic-only dreadnought buyer. Neither a bundle nor an acoustic-electric is automatically the better choice: decide which body you want to hold, then which equipment you will actually use.
Here, sizing means the body you can comfortably hold, not a capacity rating. The CC-60S Concert models give you a smaller-body alternative to the FA-25, Redondo and CD-60S dreadnoughts. That distinction matters if the guitar rests awkwardly against your picking arm or feels cumbersome while seated. The Monterey E occupies a mid-size orchestra-style position while still offering electronics. A cutaway on the CD-60SCE or Redondo CE helps with access to upper frets, but it does not turn a dreadnought into a concert-size instrument. If fit is the deciding factor, hold the specific model when possible rather than treating a neck description as a body-size measurement.
Start with whether you will plug in. The acoustic-only CC-60S, CD-60S, FA-25 and Redondo kit do not list a pickup for connection to an amplifier. The CD-60SCE models add a Fishman pickup/preamp and tuner; the Monterey E lists Fender FE-A2 electronics with volume and tone controls. Those features are useful for amplified practice or performance, but add little to a buyer who plans to play unplugged at home. Construction is a separate choice: the CC-60S and CD-60S picks have solid tops with laminated back and sides, while the FA-25, Redondo picks and Monterey E have laminate bodies. Do not confuse a solid top with an all-solid guitar—or assume one construction guarantees your preferred sound.
| Profile | Recommended Product | Why It Fits | Avoid If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic-only player prioritizing a smaller body | Fender CC-60S Concert, Sunburst | Concert shape, solid spruce top and rolled fingerboard edges make it a well-rounded guitar-only choice. | You need a pickup, an included case or a full-size dreadnought. |
| Player preparing to practice or perform plugged in | Fender CD-60SCE Black Bundle | Combines a solid spruce top, Fishman electronics, cutaway, cable and hard case. | A large dreadnought feels uncomfortable or you have no use for amplification. |
| First-time buyer who needs a broad starter kit | Fender California Debut Redondo Kit | Lists a gig bag, stand, clip-on tuner, strap, picks and spare strings together. | You specifically want a solid top, a hard case or built-in electronics. |
| Full-size acoustic strummer wanting a hard case | Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany Bundle | Pairs an acoustic-only dreadnought with a solid mahogany top and listed hard-case accessories. | You need to plug in or prefer a smaller concert body. |
| Buyer seeking a mid-size acoustic-electric | Fender California Standard Monterey E | Orchestra-style body and FE-A2 electronics offer an alternative to the amplified dreadnoughts. | A solid top or included case is essential. |
Check the full model suffix before comparing guitars. CC-60S denotes a concert model; CD-60S is a dreadnought, and CD-60SCE adds a cutaway and electronics. The black CD-60SCE bundle lists a solid spruce top, whereas the all-mahogany CD-60SCE bundle lists a solid mahogany top. The FA-25 is acoustic-only; the FA-25CE listing adds a tuner and volume and tone controls. Then inspect the package, not just the instrument specification: the Redondo kit has a gig bag and stand, while the selected CD-60S and CD-60SCE seller bundles list hard cases. A guitar-only listing should not be assumed to include any of those extras.
A first-time player needs a way to tune the guitar and somewhere suitable to store it. The Redondo kit lists a clip-on tuner, stand and gig bag; the CD-60S hard-case bundle lists a separate tuner. The selected CD-60SCE bundles list both an onboard tuner and an external one, so that duplication need not drive the choice. For an acoustic-electric, check that you have the connection and amplification equipment you intend to use: the two CD-60SCE bundles list instrument cables, but the FA-25CE and Monterey E listings do not specify one. Try the seated playing position and fretting reach before deciding that a C-shaped or easy-to-play neck will suit you.
Choose protection that matches how the guitar will be kept and carried. A gig bag in the Redondo kit serves a different purpose from the hard cases listed in the CD-60S and CD-60SCE bundles; the guitar-only picks leave that purchase to you. Extra strings are specified in several kits, which is useful when replacement time comes, but the presence of strings says nothing about how soon they will need changing. For an acoustic-electric, also account for the onboard tuner’s and preamp’s battery needs according to the instrument’s instructions. Keep the exact model and purchase documentation together so accessories, replacement parts and any applicable warranty can be matched to the right variant.
Look for concrete construction and equipment details rather than broad claims about tone or durability. Fender identifies solid tops and rolled fingerboard edges on the CC-60S and CD-60S models; the FA-25 and Monterey E specify laminate construction and sealed-gear tuners. Those are useful facts, not guarantees about an individual guitar’s setup or tuning stability. Warranty wording and included equipment can vary by listing, particularly when a seller adds a bundle around a Fender guitar. Confirm the exact item, seller’s package contents and applicable warranty terms before ordering, especially when a case is central to the purchase.
When reading owner feedback, match the exact guitar and package first. A comment about a CC-60S Concert may help with questions about its body, but it does not establish how a CD-60S dreadnought will fit. Separate black solid-spruce CD-60SCE experiences from those of the all-mahogany CD-60SCE if top construction matters to you. For kits, check whether a comment addresses the Fender instrument, the seller-added case or tuner, or shipping condition. Give the most weight to descriptions of the same body size and playing situation you face, and treat an individual account of comfort or sound as a preference rather than a specification.
Do not order a concert guitar expecting the larger dreadnought body, or choose a dreadnought solely because its description promises a full sound. Do not assume the acoustic-only CC-60S can plug in as listed, or that every name ending in CE has the same preamp. Another easy mistake is reading ‘all-mahogany’ as all-solid wood: the selected all-mahogany CC-60S and CD-60S models have solid mahogany tops with laminated mahogany back and sides. Finally, verify the precise listing before counting on a case, cable, stand or lesson offer; a base guitar and a seller bundle can carry very different equipment.
Which pick makes the most sense for a first guitar?
Choose the CC-60S Concert if its smaller body fits you and you can buy accessories separately. Choose the California Debut Redondo kit if getting a tuner, gig bag, stand and other basics together matters more; it is a larger, all-laminate dreadnought.
Can I plug the CC-60S into an amplifier?
The selected CC-60S Concert models are listed without onboard electronics. For plug-in use as purchased, consider a CD-60SCE bundle or the Monterey E instead.
Does all-mahogany mean the entire guitar is solid wood?
No. The selected all-mahogany CC-60S and CD-60S models have solid mahogany tops with laminated mahogany back and sides.
Which selected listings include a hard case?
The CD-60S all-mahogany bundle and both selected CD-60SCE bundles list hard cases. The California Debut Redondo kit lists a gig bag instead; check the exact package before ordering.
Start with the Fender CC-60S Concert, Sunburst if you want an acoustic-only guitar with a smaller body and solid spruce top. If you expect to plug in and need transport protection from the outset, the Fender CD-60SCE Black Bundle is the better match: it adds Fishman electronics, a cutaway, cable and hard case, with the tradeoff of a larger dreadnought body.
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