Head to head

Fender FA-125 Dreadnought vs Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought

They are closely matched on paper, so the differences are in the detail. Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 14 rows that actually differ marked out.

Fender

FA-125 Dreadnought

Natural, with accessory bundle

Fender's entry dreadnought, with everything a beginner needs in the box

7.0/104.5 (2,793)

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Gretsch

Prelude D100 Dreadnought

Black

An all-laminate dreadnought that survives being carried around, and sounds like one

6.0/104.4 (60)

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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 FA-125 Dreadnought7.0
Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought6.0

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

Fender FA-125 Dreadnought compared with Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought
	FA-125 Dreadnought	Prelude D100 Dreadnought
Brand	Fender	Gretsch
Model	FA-125 Dreadnought	Prelude D100 Dreadnought
Finish	Natural, with accessory bundle	Black
Instrument	Acoustic guitar	Acoustic guitar
Fretline score	7.0 / 10	6.0 / 10
Value for money	8 / 10	7 / 10
Amazon rating	4.5 / 5 (2,793)	4.4 / 5 (60)
Price	Under $300	Under $300
Type	Acoustic guitar starter bundle	Acoustic guitar
Body	Dreadnought	Dreadnought
Body wood	Laminated basswood back and sides	—
Top	Laminated spruce	Laminated basswood
Back & sides	—	Laminated basswood
Bracing	X-bracing	X-bracing
Neck joint	Set neck	Set neck
Neck wood	Nato	Nato
Neck profile	—	"C" shape
Scale length	25.3" (643 mm)	25.3" (643 mm)
Fingerboard	Walnut	Walnut
Radius	11.81" (300 mm)	12" (305 mm)
Frets	20	20
Fret size	2 mm	Medium
Nut	Crème plastic	Synthetic bone
Nut width	1.69" (43 mm)	1.6875" (42.86 mm)
Bridge	Walnut with white bridge pins	—
Tuners	Die-cast sealed	Sealed gear
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Beginner	Beginner
Styles	Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock	Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Worship, Indie
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.