FA-125 Dreadnought
Natural, with accessory bundle
Fender's entry dreadnought, with everything a beginner needs in the box
Amazon rating
4.5 (2,793)Price band
Under $300
As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no additional cost to you. We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
The short version
The FA-125 is Fender's entry dreadnought and it is honest about what it is: all-laminate construction, which means the top is a thin sheet of spruce bonded to other layers rather than a single piece of wood. A laminated top will never open up with age the way a solid one does, but it is far more resistant to heat, humidity and knocks — which for a first guitar that lives in a bedroom and travels to lessons is a genuine advantage. The details that matter for learning are right: a 25.3-inch scale, a 43 mm nut and a set nato neck with a shallow 11.81-inch fingerboard radius, which is flatter than most acoustics and makes chords less of a stretch.
Score profile
Six axes, scored 1-10. These are editorial judgements about what this instrument delivers for the money — not measurements, and not anyone else’s ratings.
- Build
- 7.0
- Tone
- 6.0
- Versatility
- 7.0
- Comfort
- 8.0
- Hardware
- 6.0
- Value
- 8.0
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.
Full specifications
| Brand | Fender |
|---|---|
| Model | FA-125 DreadnoughtNatural, with accessory bundle |
| Body | |
| Body | Dreadnought |
| Body wood | Laminated basswood back and sides |
| Top | Laminated spruce |
| Bracing | X-bracing |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Pickguard | One-ply black |
| Neck & fingerboard | |
| Neck joint | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Nato |
| Neck finish | Gloss urethane |
| Scale length | 25.3" (643 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Walnut |
| Radius | 11.81" (300 mm) |
| Frets | 20 |
| Fret size | 2 mm |
| Inlays | White dot |
| Nut | Crème plastic |
| Nut width | 1.69" (43 mm) |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Walnut with white bridge pins |
| Tuners | Die-cast sealed |
| Hardware finish | Chrome |
| General | |
| Type | Acoustic guitar starter bundle |
| Strings | Factory standard (.012-.053) |
| Finish | Natural |
| Orientation | Right-handed |
26 verified fields. Specifications come from the manufacturer first, then the Amazon listing, then authorised dealers — sources are listed at the foot of this page. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
The good and the bad
What we like
- All-laminate construction is genuinely durable and shrugs off humidity changes
- Standard 25.3-inch scale and 43 mm nut transfer to any other acoustic
- Flatter 11.81-inch fingerboard radius makes chording easier than most acoustics
- Bundle includes everything needed to start, including a tuner and spare strings
What we do not
- Laminated top will never open up or improve with age
- Plastic nut and saddle are the obvious first upgrade
- No electronics, so amplifying it means fitting a pickup
Who it is for
Skill level
Styles it suits
What owners and reviewers report
Patterns we found across published reviews and owner feedback. These are summaries of recurring themes — we do not reproduce or invent individual testimonials.
What comes up most
- Owners consistently describe it as good value and a reliable first guitar
- The completeness of the bundle is the most frequently praised aspect
- Several reviewers report it arriving in tune and playable
Frequent complaints
- Action often needs adjusting out of the box
- The included accessories are described as basic
- Some owners note the tone is thin compared with solid-top guitars
Recognised strengths
- Widely reported as durable and forgiving, which suits a learner instrument
Recognised weaknesses
- Laminate construction is the clear ceiling on tone, and is inherent to the design
The verdict
Buy this for someone starting out, not for someone who already knows they love playing. The laminate construction caps how good it can ever sound, and the plastic nut and saddle hold it back further — but it is durable, it stays in tune, and the bundle means nothing else needs buying on day one. One correction worth knowing: the Amazon listing describes a lindenwood top with mahogany back and sides, while Fender publishes a laminated spruce top with laminated basswood back and sides. Basswood and lindenwood are the same timber, so the listing has simply swapped the two.
Sources
Amazon rating captured 2026-08-26. ASIN B0BTMNK1L8.
Strings for this guitar
All stringsThe manufacturer does not publish the gauge this instrument ships with, so these are ordered by our editorial score rather than by fit. Measure the set on the guitar before changing to something noticeably lighter or heavier.
- 8.2/10
- 8.0/10
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
The same coated string as the light set, a step easier under the fingers
- 8.0/10
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
The long-life acoustic string, and still the one to beat on longevity
What else you need
All accessoriesThe highest-scoring option in each category that suits this instrument. If you have never owned a guitar before, the starter guide explains what each of these is for and what you can safely skip.
- 7.8/10
Fender · Tuners
FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner
The tuner to buy first, before strings, before a strap, before anything
- 8.2/10
Dunlop · Picks
The Delrin pick that replaced tortoiseshell, in the gauge most people settle on
- 7.4/10
GLEAM · Stands
The accessory that decides whether the guitar gets played at all
- 7.8/10
CAHAYA · Bags and cases
Six pockets, which is five more than most bags and the reason to pick this one
Compared with
Related instruments
Fender · Acoustic-electric guitar
CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
Natural
A solid mahogany top and a Fishman system, well under the price that usually buys either
Martin · Acoustic guitar
D-28
Natural
The dreadnought every other dreadnought is measured against
Yamaha · Acoustic guitar
FG800J
Natural
The safest recommendation in budget acoustics, and it has been for years
Yamaha · Acoustic guitar
FG830
Autumn Burst
The same rosewood-backed FG830, in a warmer burst