If you’re wondering if Fender FA-115 is a good acoustic guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable acoustic model. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most popular entry-level guitars made by Fender, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Fender FA-115 offers a pretty good quality. It’s a budget entry-level model, so it’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s more than enough for all the beginners out there. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this guitar so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of the FA-115. We’ll also investigate if it has any cons. Of course, there will also be a few sound demos included, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds!
Specs & Pricing
Fender FA-115 is a dreadnought acoustic guitar which is perfect for all the amateur musicians out there. In fact, this is one of the best popular entry-level bundles available on the market!
What makes it so popular? Well, the guitar features a laminated spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. It also has a comfortable Nato neck with a walnut fingerboard. Overall, the FA-115 is really well-made and it certainly doesn’t feel and doesn’t sound like a cheap guitar.
The sound of Fender FA-115 is also really nice, resonant and balanced. It’s perfect for both strumming and fingerpicking. As a result, it’s suitable for the vast majority of different styles of music – from folk and country up to blues and rock.
It is also worth mentioning that this guitar looks fantastic from the outside as well. I’m sure that anyone will fall in love with that natural design and the classic dreadnought body shape!
When it comes to pricing, the FA-115 is pretty cheap. This is actually one of the least expensive acoustic guitars manufactured by Fender! Nevertheless, although it’s a budget guitar, it offers a particularly good quality.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Fender FA-115 is mainly designed for amateur guitar players who are just starting out. If you’re looking for your first ever instrument, choosing this model will be definitely a really good choice.
Nevertheless, I’m sure that even more advanced players will appreciate the overall quality of that guitar. Like I said before, it’s not the best guitar in the world, but it’s certainly a well-made and comfortable instrument.
It is also worth mentioning that this is one of the cheapest acoustic guitars made by Fender, so it’s suitable for guitarists on a tight budget. If you don’t want to spend too much on a new guitar, the FA-115 will be perfect for you. It also proves that a good and reliable guitar doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars.
Additionally, this is a really versatile guitar, so it can be used in a wide range of different music styles. Whether you like powerful rhythm blues strumming or more subtle fingerstyle playing, Fender FA-115 won’t let you down.
Summing up, the FA-115 is perfect for all beginners, players with a low budget and guitarists who don’t necessarily need a high-end guitar.
Considering how inexpensive this guitar is, it’s definitely worth the money. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages Of Fender FA-115
As I said before, Fender FA-115 is not the best guitar in the world – it has its own flaws. Still, bear in mind that this is a cheap guitar, so all of these potential issues are totally understandable.
Here’s a few things that you should know.
Firstly, since this is an entry-level guitar, it will never sound as good as some of the high-end Martin guitars. Although this model offers a really nice and balanced tone, the sound difference between the FA-115 and expensive guitars is not difficult to hear.
Additionally, the fretboard of that model tends to be pretty rough. This can be easily fixed by applying some fretboard oil, but if you’re a complete beginner, you probably won’t be able to do it by yourself. Surely, little adjustments like that will definitely make this guitar more comfortable and playable.
Lastly, some guitarists may complain about the original strings. They’re pretty thick and the string action tends to be really high on that model. Again, this is not a massive problem and it can be easily adjusted. On top of that, it all depends on your preferences – some guitarists actually prefer thicker strings and the high string action.
But bear in mind that this is still a cheap guitar. Considering how affordable it is, the advantages of Fender FA-115 definitely outweigh the disadvantages of that model.
Would I Get It For Myself?
Yes, I would definitely get this guitar for myself!
If I could travel back in time to choose my first acoustic guitar, I would be more than happy to get the Fender FA-115. This is an excellent instrument to start with so I’m sure that it would inspire me to practice more and more.
On the other hand, right now this guitar would not be the best fit for me. The reason is simple – this is not an acoustic-electric guitar. I often perform live, so getting an acoustic guitar without the preamp would not be ideal for me.
Nevertheless, I’m sure that the vast majority of guitarists will absolutely love the Fender FA-115. In my opinion, this is one of the best entry-level acoustic guitars available on the market right now. It will be really tough to beat that, especially at this price level.
Are There Any Other Guitars?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Fender FA-115 and you want to find something else, that’s totally fine! There’s still quite a few great acoustic guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few other acoustic guitars that are definitely worth checking out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy. This is a fantastic acoustic guitar suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitarists. It’s a parlor guitar, which means that it’s a bit smaller than the FA-115. I personally own that guitar and I can confirm that it offers a really high quality. It’s perfect for folk and country music, so if you like that kind of stuff – go check it out!
Alternatively, you can also check out Epiphone DR-100. This is an another cheap guitar designed mainly for beginners. In fact, it tends to be less expensive than the FA-115. It was actually my first acoustic guitar which I bought back in 2008, so I can definitely recommending starting out with that model. I still have it with me and it still sounds great!
If you’re okay with spending a bit more, feel free to check out Gretsch G5024E Rancher. This is an excellent acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding players out there. If you’re planning on performing live, you should definitely consider adding it to your collection.
Still, Fender FA-115 has everything you need from a cheap acoustic guitar for beginners. It’s inexpensive, it looks great and it sounds really good – who needs anything else? That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
FAQ
Where is Fender FA-115 made?
Fender FA-115 is manufactured in China.
What strings does Fender FA-115 have?
Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar is equipped with a set of .012-.052 Fender strings.
Are cheap guitars worth buying?
Yes, most of the time cheap guitars are worth buying. Of course, in some cases cheap guitars offer a really bad quality, but the truth is that in today’s world a lot of them are actually very good. The FA-115 model is a great example of that – it’s inexpensive and it sounds absolutely amazing!
Where can I find out more about Fender guitars?
If you want to learn more about guitars made by Fender, you can visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Fender FA-115 is a really interesting and inexpensive acoustic guitar. If you’re a beginner guitarist who’s searching for a good and reliable guitar, you should definitely consider getting this model. There’s a really high chance that it will last you for years to come!
What do you think about the FA-115 model? Would you get it for yourself? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
