If you’re wondering if Fender FA-235E is a good acoustic-electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that affordable model to see if it’s actually worth it. It’s a really popular guitar, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Fender FA-235E offers a really high quality at a relatively low price. It’s suitable for both beginners and more advanced musicians and it works amazingly for live performances. Surely, it’s worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this acoustic-electric guitar so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that model. Additionally, we’ll see if it has any potential flaws. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure out if this guitar is made for you.
Specs & Pricing
Fender FA-235E is a concert-style acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. It’s affordable and it looks fantastic from the outside, so it’s appealing for a lot of musicians out there.
But what exactly makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a laminated flame maple top with mahogany back and sides. There’s also a comfortable Nato C-shaped neck with rosewood fingerboard. Although this model is not made of solid wood, it manages to produce a really nice tone.
The sound of that guitar can be described as warm, resonant and balanced. Of course, it’s not as good as in the high-end acoustic guitars that are made of top quality materials, but in the end, it’s not a high-end guitar. It’s definitely one of the best sounding guitars of this type that you can find at this price level.
What’s important, the guitar also sounds really good when you plug it into an amp thanks to Fishman Electronics. There’s also a built-in tuner that allows you to quickly tune your guitar. It’s a really big advantage, especially for all guitarists who enjoy playing live in front of an audience.
When it comes to pricing, it’s actually one of the most affordable Fender acoustic-electric guitars that you can find on the market right now. It’s not very cheap, but it’s definitely within reach of any guitar player. That being said, the FA-235E model is a real bargain and it’s definitely worth every cent!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Fender FA-235 is designed for all-level guitar players. It doesn’t really matter how advanced you are – whether you’re a complete amateur or a more intermediate guitarist, you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that model.
It is also worth mentioning that the FA-235 model is also really versatile, so it can be used in a wide range of different styles of music. This is a big advantage, because this model works perfectly fine for both strumming and fingerpicking. Whether you’re into blues, rock, pop or folk – this guitar will be a good fit for you!
Due to the fact that Fender equipped this model with Fishman Electronics, it’s also a really good guitar for all working musicians out there. If you often perform live and you’re looking for a reliable and great sounding instrument to use on stage – this model will be a good choice.
Overall, Fender FA-235 offers a fantastic quality for the money. It sounds really good, it looks great and it’s actually not too expensive. Isn’t it all that really matters in the end? That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages Of Fender FA-235E
Although Fender FA-235E is generally a really good acoustic-electric guitar, it’s not a model from the top shelf. There’s a few things that you should be aware of before you decide to get it, but don’t worry – these things aren’t too serious!
Firstly, bear in mind that this guitar is made of laminate wood, not solid wood. The difference between guitars made of laminate and solid wood is noticeable, but it shouldn’t discourage you from getting the FA-235E. The truth is that the vast majority of guitars at this price level are not made of solid wood anyway!
Additionally, some guitarists complain about the original string action – in some cases it’s too high. It’s a really common issue that occurs in a lot of cheap guitars, but it’s nothing serious, because you can easily adjust it on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable enough to fix it, you can always take the guitar to your local luthier.
Also, you have to remember that the FA-235E model usually comes without a gig bag. If you’re planning on traveling or commuting with that guitar, you’ll have to find it separately. It’s not a massive disadvantage, but it’s just something that you should be aware of. Bear in mind that this is a concert-sized guitar, so it’s a bit smaller than dreadnought guitars!
Summing up, the main disadvantages of that guitar are:
- laminate construction
- high string action (in rare cases)
- no gig bag included
Overall, the advantages of Fender FA-235E outweigh the disadvantages of that model. Like I mentioned before, it will be really tough to find a better looking and better sounding acoustic-electric guitar at this price level. It’s a really nice piece of gear which deserves a lot of attention!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Fender FA-235E, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on what you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend on a new guitar.
Here’s a few other acoustic-electric guitars that I also recommend checking out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to have a look at Gretsch G5024E Rancher. This is a fantastic acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists. It’s a bit more expensive than Fender FA-235E, but it’s definitely one-of-a-kind. If you’re a gigging musician, you should definitely consider adding that model to your own collection.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Fender Redondo Player. This is a really unique guitar, because it has a very thin neck which actually reminds of a neck of an electric guitar. This is a really big advantage of that guitar, because it makes playing much easier and even more comfortable. Again, it’s not that cheap, but it’s definitely worth checking out!
Also, I highly encourage you to check out the Takamine GD11MCE. This particular model is entirely made of mahogany, so it has a very interesting guitar tone. For those who don’t know, mahogany guitars usually sound really warm, so they’re perfect for fingerpicking and fingerstyle playing. If that’s your kind of vibe – make sure to check it out as well.
Nevertheless, I still believe that Fender FA-235E is one of the best acoustic-electric guitars that you can find at this price level. If you don’t want to spend too much on a new guitar of this type, you should definitely consider adding this model to your collection of guitars. I’m sure that you won’t regret it!
FAQ
Where is Fender FA-235E made?
Fender FA-235E is manufactured in Indonesia.
Is a concert guitar smaller?
Yes, a concert-sized guitar is smaller than a regular dreadnought acoustic guitar.
Where can I find out more about Fender guitars?
If you’re interested to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of electric and acoustic guitars, you should definitely check out the official website of Fender.
Summary
As you can see, Fender FA-235E is a really good sounding and great looking acoustic-electric guitar. In my opinion, it’s one of the best guitars of this type that are available at this price level. Honestly, it will be really tough to find something better!
What do you think of that model? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
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:
