There is no way in hell that a musician has never heard of Fender. Fender came into the world 1 century after the guitar itself and since then, it has been one of the best choices for guitarists. They have always been so because of the good quality they provide at affordable prices. All brands better than Fender itself are also way too expensive. And that is exactly Fender’s USP.
In the electric guitar world, they are heavily known for their maple neck guitars, especially Stratocaster and Telecaster. They are also market leaders in the genre of blues and pop with these two models. In the acoustic world, they have released various models for different segments, types of playing, sounds, and tones. Not that they have always won the race, but they did launch some amazing models. Read on to see if their FA-100 falls in this category.
FA-100 was released in April 2014, which is like 6 years ago. Since then, it has enjoyed a lot of popularity over the internet. It is a normal, full size, and basic acoustic guitar that weighs 9.28 pounds and the dimensions are 42.5 x 17.0 x 6.5 inches. It is a dreadnought body guitar with no cutaways. The top of the body is made from Spruce, which is lightweight yet durable, and the sides and back are made of Basswood. The body has a gloss finish. The fretboard is made from Laminated Hardwood and it has Pearloid inlays and 20, vintage-style frets. The radius of the fingerboard is 11.8 inches, and the bridge of the guitar is made of Rosewood. These are some basics of the guitar itself and now, let’s look at the reasons for the popularity of this guitar. Factors mentioned here will be referenced on and off.
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Fender FA-100 Review – Why It’s So Popular?
Sensitivity
FA-100, in the league it competes, is a very responsive guitar. Every slightest of touches and hits on the note or just the string will be picked up by the body and resonated. So, like, finger tapping will sound better and chord shifts will sound gradual instead of abrupt. This is because it will pick up every note your fingers slide through while shifting from one chord to another. Dubbed notes sound really off when they are not intended, but this problem is a foreign concept for this guitar.
Complete Package
Whenever you buy FA-100, it is not just the guitar but an entire package you buy. You will get a tuner along with the guitar, you will also get a strap, and also a DVD of instructions. And even that is not it. You will also get a hard coffin case with the guitar! If you have been buying guitars you would know this really is a great deal. Because there are hard cases available in the market that are more expensive than this entire package. So, at a price lesser than of some hard cases, you are getting all of the aforementioned. It is legit unbelievable.
Chrome Hardware
For people who do not know, chrome hardware means that the hardware in the guitar is plated with Chrome. Usually, there are two choices: Nickel and Chrome. But have their ups and downs but Nickel plating will definitely increase the cost of the guitar. FA-100’s hardware is plated with Chrome. Normally, information regarding plating is overlooked and ignored. But that does not mean that it does not matter. It most certainly does. Chrome plating on hardware assures longer life of the hardware. It makes it more durable and long-lasting, which definitely adds value to the guitar.
Affordability
The price of the guitar, considering the entire package especially, is super affordable to begin with. But, FA-100 also wins when you look at the situation from the other end. In this price range, FA-100 definitely has the best quality and provides the most vibrant sound. With the package and features, it appears that FA-100 was made by Fender to be a thoughtless choice for beginners and to be honest, it does fit really well. If you have a limited price range and you are looking for a quality tone and a credible manufacturer, anything except FA-100 would be a compromise.
Limitations
This guitar more or less has the same issues that all guitars in this price range will have. First, the choice of the top, Laminated Spruce, has some shortcomings. Yes, Spruce is a material that gives a great finish, is lightweight, and also durable. However, it does not produce a tone that a hardtop does, and it basically can’t. It is unfair to demand a good sound quality in this price range, but it will fall under the heading of limitations regardless.
Moreover, there is no denying that the materials used are durable. Durability means that they would not wear out on their own that easily. However, they are also sensitive. They catch scratches and dents pretty easily, and things like these will also affect how the instruments performs. So, damages will be caught if you are not extra careful and they might also compromise the sound of the guitar.
Fender FA-100 Overview:
Pros & Cons Of Fender FA-100:
Pros
- Extremely affordable.
- It comes in a great package that also includes hard case.
- Chrome Hardware that ensures long life.
- Responsive to touches.
Cons
- Sound quality is not the best.
- The body is sensitive and might catch scratches and dents.
Final Words
FA-100 proves to be the best choice for a beginner. They pay once and get everything that they need in a single package. The quality of the instrument is decent and so is the sound. It is definitely not the best choice if what you are looking for is sound quality, because honestly, no guitar in this price range will satisfy you. If you really want good sound quality, which is basically the real deal, you will have to pay a little more than what Fender’s FA-100 costs. If staying in this budget is what you are talking about, you are going to get nothing better than the FA-100 from Fender.