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Thoughts needed on this Fender Acoustic
Posted on 4/5/19 at 12:07 am
Posted on 4/5/19 at 12:07 am
Anyone familiar with the Fender Paramount series?
MSRP looks to be around $800 for this model, but with rebates can pick it up shipped for about $240 bucks right now...
Fender LE Paramount PM-4CE Auditorium Limited Guitar
Not much in the way of reviews out there that I can find. Andertons music has a nice video on the full lineup, but obviously is a bit of a marketing piece... They sound wonderful in their studio clip. On paper, they look like a steal for the specs... Acoustic Electric with awesome looking built in tuner, solid sitka top, solid mahogany sides/back... I can't recall ever playing a guitar with "ovangkol" fretboard, but quick google search seems to show it as a cross between a rosewood and maybe something a little different like koa/walnut... In the Bubinga family.
I don't normally make guitar decisions at 1am, but this one really seems like a steal unless I'm missing something?
MSRP looks to be around $800 for this model, but with rebates can pick it up shipped for about $240 bucks right now...
Fender LE Paramount PM-4CE Auditorium Limited Guitar
Not much in the way of reviews out there that I can find. Andertons music has a nice video on the full lineup, but obviously is a bit of a marketing piece... They sound wonderful in their studio clip. On paper, they look like a steal for the specs... Acoustic Electric with awesome looking built in tuner, solid sitka top, solid mahogany sides/back... I can't recall ever playing a guitar with "ovangkol" fretboard, but quick google search seems to show it as a cross between a rosewood and maybe something a little different like koa/walnut... In the Bubinga family.
I don't normally make guitar decisions at 1am, but this one really seems like a steal unless I'm missing something?
3
Posted on 4/5/19 at 5:29 am to fibonaccisquared
Where you getting it from?
Posted on 4/5/19 at 7:11 am to AmosMosesAndTwins
Fender doesn't make acoustics, they put their name on beginner to intermediate quality acoustics they farm out to foreign factories. I don't know where this Fender breed are made, I'd suspect China or Indonesia, but I'd suspect they are good values for the current discounted asking price. Most of the PacRim manufacturers have employed CNC technology into guitar manufacturing, meaning tolerances are tighter and there's less room for human error, which is great considering those factories to begin with are not filled with luthiers, nor truly skilled labor for that matter.
The prime attribute you are seeking in that price range - regardless of maker/country of manufacture - is a "solid" wood top, not laminated or veneered (think plywood) wood. A solid top will sound better and it will mellow tonally and likely sound better with age and mileage. Lam tops aren't as 3D tonally and they will retain that more vanilla tone for their lifespan. Ask the seller/source specifically if the guitar has a solid spruce top, "because I don't want a laminated top." They should know what you are talking about and be able to answer that question accurately.
Laminated wood on the sides and back in this price range are okay and to be expected. Think of the top, or "soundboard," as the vocal chords of the guitar, and the sides and back as the diaphragm, the throw, the amplification, and not necessarily the pure tone generator. That's why lam sides and back are a relative moot point.
EDIT: I just read your description, they say solid spruce top. On paper, it looks like a good guitar at its current price point.
The prime attribute you are seeking in that price range - regardless of maker/country of manufacture - is a "solid" wood top, not laminated or veneered (think plywood) wood. A solid top will sound better and it will mellow tonally and likely sound better with age and mileage. Lam tops aren't as 3D tonally and they will retain that more vanilla tone for their lifespan. Ask the seller/source specifically if the guitar has a solid spruce top, "because I don't want a laminated top." They should know what you are talking about and be able to answer that question accurately.
Laminated wood on the sides and back in this price range are okay and to be expected. Think of the top, or "soundboard," as the vocal chords of the guitar, and the sides and back as the diaphragm, the throw, the amplification, and not necessarily the pure tone generator. That's why lam sides and back are a relative moot point.
EDIT: I just read your description, they say solid spruce top. On paper, it looks like a good guitar at its current price point.
This post was edited on 4/5/19 at 7:13 am
Posted on 4/5/19 at 8:24 am to fibonaccisquared
I got a PM-1 Deluxe about a year ago. Action a little high, but otherwise a very nice guitar imo. If you can get one for $240, that would be a great deal.
Posted on 4/5/19 at 10:58 am to TheFretShack
It's definitely made in China. My thought is at that price point, it's worth a shot, and if it's terrible, I can either return it or sell it used for more than I bought it (I see several used sold in the 500+ price point...)
I've got an older Washburn acoustic that I picked up used years ago... neat guitar, but wood is kinda odd (chinese ash/eucalyptus) and laminate at that... Easily a good $75 spent (also got a nice Washburn electric bass and amp with it for an extra 20 bucks... just needed a little bit of glue work on the headstock).
I tend to play my electrics more often as I've got a old lawsuit era MIJ Strat clone and a Gibson Blueshawk... but just seemed like a good chance to upgrade my acoustic substantially.
Hell.. these days, I find myself goofing around with the little ukulele I bought for my daughter, as it's easy to just sit on the couch and play while we watch a movie/show before bed.
I've got an older Washburn acoustic that I picked up used years ago... neat guitar, but wood is kinda odd (chinese ash/eucalyptus) and laminate at that... Easily a good $75 spent (also got a nice Washburn electric bass and amp with it for an extra 20 bucks... just needed a little bit of glue work on the headstock).
I tend to play my electrics more often as I've got a old lawsuit era MIJ Strat clone and a Gibson Blueshawk... but just seemed like a good chance to upgrade my acoustic substantially.
Hell.. these days, I find myself goofing around with the little ukulele I bought for my daughter, as it's easy to just sit on the couch and play while we watch a movie/show before bed.
Posted on 4/5/19 at 12:21 pm to fibonaccisquared
I just hate Fender branded acoustics.
Posted on 4/5/19 at 2:32 pm to joshwj93
quote:
I just hate Fender branded acoustics.
Why?
I know a Pastor at a church that plays a Fender CD-60 that sounds great.
I feel like Fender has proven with the Squire Classic Vibe series of electrics, that they can produce great guitars in China.
I saw a video where the classic vibes are made at a Fender owned factory in China. Are the acoustics not made at the same type of place?
Posted on 4/5/19 at 3:00 pm to PoppaD
quote:
quote:I just hate Fender branded acoustics.
quote:
Why? I know a Pastor at a church that plays a Fender
water is wet.
Posted on 4/5/19 at 5:38 pm to PoppaD
quote:
Why?
I know a Pastor at a church that plays a Fender CD-60 that sounds great.
Every one I've ever played was just meh. Played alot of newer low end Gibsons that were the same way. Just didnt have "it", but thats just my experience.
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