The only way to surpass this guitar is to buy one made of solid wood. Yes, there is a difference. However, get ready to shell out at least twice as much money if not more, depending upon the manufacture. This is a good "touring" guitar because if someone did steal it, you would out hundreds instead of thousands of dollars.

Sound
This guitar sounds great! With a solid top, it has plenty of tone. The mahogany veneer sides and back is a proven sound. There is a good balance between the strings. Plugged in, you have several choices in the equalizer. I chose the "strumming" settings and it sounded fantastic! The single cut-away does affect the tone, but not as much as I expected. My "Great Divide" acoustic only sounds slightly better. I have played most of the Fender acoustics and they all have a particular sound. It's a good tone with a balanced feel between the strings.

Features
I had never owned an acoustic/electric before and the electronics were better than I thought. Also, I like the on-board tuner which could come in handy during a performance. Another feature I like is the block inlays on the neck...extremely cool! I've never seen this on a Fender before. It reminds me more of a Gibson. I was told that Fender did offer this back in the '60s, but I don't remember ever seeing them. The action is great and the neck is really comfortable. The Fender headstock is way cool! It does… read more make it easier to string and tune, plus it looks awesome. I have wanted this style of headstock for a long time, but the body, color and design of the cheaper models don't look nearly as good. Lastly, the jack also subsitutes as a strap holder...a really great idea. This guitar will never fall off even without a lockdown.

Ease of Use
Fender always has produced a great product. Everything is well thought out and usable.

Quality
No complaints here. The guitar was perfect right out of the box. The finish is "poly" and the color is good. I would have prefered the cherry sunburst, but that's just a personal preference. No other Fender acoustics have the sunburst color and I like it a lot.

Value
YES...the price is extremely competitive. I suspect because they are made in China. The quality is as good or better than other acoutic/electrics that cost twice as much. Furthermore, these seem to have better tone.

Manufacturer Support
I have NEVER had any problems with Fender. Also, I have talked to a lot of guitar retailers and they all say the same thing...Fender will back up their product 100%. This is a good thing. The only other company on this level is Gibson.

The Wow Factor
FANTASTIC...Fender always has had the "look" and this guitar is no exception. It beats most acoustic/electrics on the market today.

Musical Background:
Hobbyist

Musical Style:
Rock read less