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Head to head

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany vs Yamaha JR1 FG Junior

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300), and the scale lengths are not the same (25.3" against 21.25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 20 rows that actually differ marked out.

Fender
Fender CD-60SCE All-Mahogany dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric, full front view

CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Natural

A solid mahogany top and a Fishman system, well under the price that usually buys either

8.0/104.4 (888)
Yamaha
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior three-quarter size acoustic guitar in natural, full front view

JR1 FG Junior

Natural, 3/4 size

The 3/4 guitar that keeps getting recommended, twenty years on

6.7/104.4 (1,119)

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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
  • Yamaha JR1 FG Junior6.7

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

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany compared with Yamaha JR1 FG Junior
CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyJR1 FG Junior
BrandFenderYamaha
ModelCD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyJR1 FG Junior
FinishNaturalNatural, 3/4 size
InstrumentAcoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
Fretline score8.0 / 106.7 / 10
Value for money9 / 108 / 10
Amazon rating4.4 / 5 (888)4.4 / 5 (1,119)
Price$300 - $500Under $300
TypeAcoustic-electric guitarAcoustic guitar
BodyDreadnought cutawayMini dreadnought, 3/4 size
Body woodSolid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides—
TopSolid mahoganySpruce
Back & sidesLaminated mahoganyMeranti
BracingQuartersawn scalloped "X"—
Neck jointSet neckSet neck
Neck woodMahoganyNato
Neck profileFender easy-to-play shape with rolled fingerboard edges—
Scale length25.3" (643 mm)21.25" (540 mm)
FingerboardWalnut (current Fender specification; early production used rosewood)Rosewood or walnut, depending on production run
Radius12" (305 mm)—
Frets20—
Fret sizeVintage—
NutCrème plasticUrea
Nut width1.69" (43 mm)1.6875" (43 mm)
BridgeWalnut, with white bridge pins with black dotsRosewood
TunersChrome die-castCovered chrome
ElectronicsFishman CD-1 preamp with under-saddle pickup—
ControlsVolume, bass, treble, integrated tuner with on/off switch and low-battery indicator—
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginner, Intermediate, AdvancedBeginner
StylesFolk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, WorshipFolk, Pop, Country, Indie, Worship
In the box—Gig bag included

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-Mahogany

Highest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.

Best build

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.

Most comfortable

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.

Best for beginners

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.

Best for rock

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for the studio

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany

Build 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.

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