Fender Sonoran

ratrap

Ja I know everyone says Fender cant build acoustics! :?
I spotted one of these today and as an electric player who is looking for an acoustic to play to myself I really like it for a number of aesthetic reasons like the Fender headstock, the unusual metallic finish and electric profile neck.

I played it along with a Yamaha and a Cort in the same price range and couldnt really tell them apart.
Question is has anyone had any personal experience with these guits good or bad?

Cheers

Chocklit_Thunda

No experience with it, but enough experience to tell you to just play the guitar and if its right for you, get it ?

It would probably be more comfortable coming off electric with the cutaway and electric neck profile.

Personally I'm a fan of acoustics being acoustics and electrics being electrics. I change my style for each.

ratrap

CT I know your advice is good. I'm just hoping no one says it a piece of overpriced crap. ?
Like most things they receive mixed reviews on the Web.

evolucian

I always love me some fender so it is with a heavy heart to say I dislike their acoustics. However, if you're happy with it, go for it. Someone elses playing experience won't be your experience though... just saying

Chocklit_Thunda

Haha well if you LIKE the sound and feel of the over priced piece of crap then who cares what they think ?

There are much better guitars out there for the price on paper and probably in finer (mostly aesthetic) construction details but if you like it then that stuff shouldn't matter.

How much is it btw? If it is expensive then maybe we can change your mind ?

ratrap

Currently priced at R4000 without any haggling having taken place yet! ?

https://www.fender.com/series/california/sonoran-sce-cutaway-electric-black-solid-spruce-top-fender-preamp-with-built-in-tuner

Shibbibilybob

Nothing inherently wrong with that guitar. Solid spruce top is nice, but totally expected at R4000. I don't really like the black finish on the top, and have (whether rationally or irrationally) to say I think such a finish could alter the way that the top would have vibrated if it were unfinished. (I danced around my words there a little bit ?).
If you like it, got for it, but if I were wanting a guitar for your purposes, I may try and find one that is pure acoustic, and not pay for an electronics system I dont use.
Tho that said, having electronics as an option is awesome, and who knows, you could love acoustic and be jamming in it in a band in a couple of weeks. So in conclusion, owning a decent acoustic guitar opens a lot doors you may not even realise are there, and electronics on that acoustic opens a few more. If it is well made and comfortable, that looks like it could well be a decent guitar(specs don't mention tuning machines, if those are poor quality that would suck).

I see now that they do them in a variety of finishes. I like the natural ones hahaha ?

PaulJ

I Played a Fender Kingman when I was visiting the UK and what an awesome guitar, if you get a chance, rather test the Kingman to the Sonoran.

http://www.fender.com/series/california/kingman-sce-natural-cutaway-electric-solid-spruce-top-solid-mahogany-back-and-mahogany-sides-fishman-pickup-with-built-in-tuner

Norman86

kingman is in a higher pricerange to the sonoran?

Kingman rrp is from $600 to $900

https://www.fender.com/search-results?q=kingman

Sonoran rrp is from $429 to $549

https://www.fender.com/search-results?q=sonoran

ratrap wrote: Currently priced at R4000 without any haggling having taken place yet! ?

https://www.fender.com/series/california/sonoran-sce-cutaway-electric-black-solid-spruce-top-fender-preamp-with-built-in-tuner

Considering the Retail here is R4000 compared to the RRP of $499, thats not bad at all.
Though, for that money, try a few tanglewood acoustics out for good measure... really great players for the price ?

ratrap

Thanks for all the valuable input Guys!
I think the plummeting rand means its a good time to buy existing stock.

I have a set of Fender vintage tuning machines in my box of spares in case of issues on that front.
Frankly I have now played a variety of makes (Tanglewood,Yamaha,Takamine,Cort and Crafter) in this price range and I cant say any one blew my socks off compared to another. This guitars action can be lowered and I will do that to make it more suited to my style.

I like the Fender because it is different and funky. The one I have my eye on is Lake Placid Blue or something... a cool metallic finish. :-[
I'll keep you posted!

kayDUB

This guitar looks interesting! where have you been looking at them ratrap? would be keen to play one!

Stoffeltoo

I own a Fender Sonoran SCE with Fishman EQ/tuner and a very happy owner at that.
Despirte it being a China made copy it is pretty good. The sound is brilliant unplugged with excellent tone and sustain. It projects well and has a bold sound.
Amped or PA'd it comes into its own. I have a Fishman Mini Loudbox that I use for band and home use.
As to the guitar neck action, simply great. It is fast, sweet and low with no buzz. The only gripe are the plastic tuner heads but that will be remedied with time.

Talentloos

I always had a fascination with these. It looks awesome to me. But my one friend always talked me out of it. He hates fender acoustics. He's a Taylor man, so you probably cant blame him for thinking he has higher standards. After this thread the interest is sparked again. I think I might go to youtube for a bit then.