Head to head
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany vs Fender FA-125 Dreadnought
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 19 rows that actually differ marked out.
CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
Natural
A solid mahogany top and a Fishman system, well under the price that usually buys either
FA-125 Dreadnought
Natural, with accessory bundle
Fender's entry dreadnought, with everything a beginner needs in the box
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany8.0
- Fender FA-125 Dreadnought7.0
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany | FA-125 Dreadnought | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Fender |
| Model | CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany | FA-125 Dreadnought |
| Finish | Natural | Natural, with accessory bundle |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.0 / 10 | 7.0 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 / 5 (888) | 4.5 / 5 (2,793) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | Under $300 |
| Type | Acoustic-electric guitar | Acoustic guitar starter bundle |
| Body | Dreadnought cutaway | Dreadnought |
| Body wood | Solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides | Laminated basswood back and sides |
| Top | Solid mahogany | Laminated spruce |
| Back & sides | Laminated mahogany | — |
| Bracing | Quartersawn scalloped "X" | X-bracing |
| Neck joint | Set neck | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Nato |
| Neck profile | Fender easy-to-play shape with rolled fingerboard edges | — |
| Scale length | 25.3" (643 mm) | 25.3" (643 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Walnut (current Fender specification; early production used rosewood) | Walnut |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 11.81" (300 mm) |
| Frets | 20 | 20 |
| Fret size | Vintage | 2 mm |
| Nut | Crème plastic | Crème plastic |
| Nut width | 1.69" (43 mm) | 1.69" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Walnut, with white bridge pins with black dots | Walnut with white bridge pins |
| Tuners | Chrome die-cast | Die-cast sealed |
| Electronics | Fishman CD-1 preamp with under-saddle pickup | — |
| Controls | Volume, bass, treble, integrated tuner with on/off switch and low-battery indicator | — |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, Worship | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock |
| In the box | — | Gig bag, Clip-on tuner, Spare strings, Picks, Instructional DVD |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Best value
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyHighest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.
Most versatile
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for rock
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for the studio
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyBuild and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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