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Summer NAMM 2012: 6 new Fender acoustic guitars, basses and mandolins

By Matthew Parker
published 4 July 2012

Entry level options and mid-range quirks

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CD-220SCE All Zebrano
MSRP £598.80

CD-220SCE All Zebrano

A new addition to the Classic Design acoustic guitars series, the CD-220SCE All Zebrano is the pimped up brother of the CD-220SCE. Constructed from Zebrano - AKA Zebrawood - it’s an exotic beast rich on the eye and, apparently, in tone.

Tech specs

Body Style: Dreadnought

Scale Length: 25.3 inches (64.3 cm)

Top: Laminated Zebrano

Back and Sides: Laminated Zebrano

Finish: Gloss

Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing

Neck: Mahogany

Neck Finish: Satin

Nut: 1.625 inches (41.3 mm), Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Bone Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Gold

Number of Frets: 20

Strings: Fender Dura-Tone Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge)

Electronics: Fishman Presys Pickup System with Active On-Board Pre-Amp and Tuner

Unique Features: Dual-action truss rod, 3 mm dot position Inlays, compensated saddle, abalone rosette, MOP headstock logo, zebrano headstock veneer, black bridge pins and gold hardware

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12
MSRP £406.80

Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12

A 12-string variant of Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong’s signature Hellcat acoustic guitar. There will also be a left-handed version available.

Tech specs

Body Style: Concert

Scale Length: 25.3 inches (64.3 cm)

Top: Solid Mahogany

Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany

Finish: Satin

Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing

Neck: Maple

Neck Finish: Satin

Nut: 1.77 inches (45 mm), Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Chrome

Number of Frets: 20

Strings: Fender Dura-Tone Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge)

Electronics: Fishman Isys III System with Active On-Board Pre-Amp and Tuner

Accessories: Tim Armstrong "Let's Go" guitar strap

Unique Features: 4-ply tortoiseshell pickguard, "Hellcat" position inlays, 12th-fret double-skulls inlay, Tim Armstrong signature on truss rod cover, cream body binding, black-painted headstock, synthetic bone nut and saddle, black bridge pins with white dots

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Sonoran-Bucket
MSRP £358.80

Sonoran-Bucket

A hybrid of two electro-acoustic lines, featuring the Stratocaster headstock and laminated mahogany back and sides of the Fender California series and the luxurious flame maple top of the Hot Rod Design series.

Tech specs

Body Style: Dreadnought

Scale Length: 25.3 inches (64.3 cm)

Top: Flame Maple

Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany

Finish: Gloss

Body Width: 3.75 inches (Front) to 4.75 inches (Rear)

Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing

Neck: Maple

Neck Finish: Gloss

Nut: 1.625 inches (41.3 mm), Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Bone Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Chrome

Number of Frets: 20

Strings: Fender Dura-Tone Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge)

Electronics: Fishman Isys III System with Active On-Board Pre-Amp and Tuner

Unique Features: T-Bucket rosette, "F" logo at 12th fret, "C"-shaped maple neck, "Viking"-style bridge, strap pin and end pin jack, flame-maple top

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Page 3 of 6
CB-100CE Bass
MSRP £274.80

CB-100CE Bass

A new affordable electro-acoustic bass with a spruce top, plus a 22 fret mahogany neck with a Jazz Bass profile.

Tech specs

Body Style: Dreadnought

Scale Length: 34 inches (86.36 cm)

Top: Laminated Spruce

Back and Sides: Laminated Mahogany

Finish: Satin

Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing

Neck: Mahogany

Neck Finish: Satin

Nut: 2.125 inches (54 mm), Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Synthetic Bone Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Chrome

Number of Frets: 22

Strings: Fender Phosphor Bronze Bass (.045 - .100)

Unique Features: Dual-action truss rod, 3 mm dot position inlays, compensated saddle, mother-of-pearl acrylic rosette, gold screen headstock Logo, rosewood headstock veneer, white bridge pins, cutaway, and Fishman preamp with built-in tuner

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Page 4 of 6
FM-101 Mandolin
MSRP £190.80

FM-101 Mandolin

Essentially the same entry-level instrument featured in Fender’s FM-100 Mandolin Pack, but now available without the gigbag and other accessories.

Tech specs

Body Style: Mandolin

Scale Length: 13.7 inches (34.8 cm)

Top: Laminated Spruce

Back and Sides: Laminated Nato

Finish: Gloss

Bracing: Tone Bars

Neck: Nato

Neck Finish: Gloss

Nut: 1.12 inches (28.5 mm), Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Synthetic Bone Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Chrome

Number of Frets: 21

Strings: Fender Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings, (.011-.040 Gauges)

Unique Features: Dot position inlays, simple black/white body binding, silkscreened logo, white plastic nut and saddle dot position inlays, two-ply black pickguard, four-ply ivory body binding, bound fingerboard, chrome tailpiece, f holes

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
FM-63SE Mandolin
MSRP £658.80

FM-63SE Mandolin

Fender ‘goes electric’ on one of its best-selling mandolins with the addition of a piezo pickup and dedicated volume and tone knobs.

Tech specs

Body Style: Mandolin

Scale Length: 13.7 inches (34.8 cm)

Top: Solid Spruce

Back and Sides: Carved Solid Maple, Laminated Flame Maple

Finish: Gloss

Bracing: Tone Bars

Neck: Maple

Neck Finish: Gloss

Nut: 1.12 inches (28.5 mm), Synthetic Bone

Bridge: Rosewood with Compensated Saddle

Hardware: Gold

Number of Frets: 24

Strings: Fender Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings, (.011-.040 Gauges)

Electronics: Piezo Pickup

Unique Features: Pearloid dot position inlays, three-ply tortoiseshell pickguard, four-ply ivory body binding, bound fingerboard and headstock, mother-of-pearl headstock inlays, gold tailpiece, f holes, 9.96 inch fingerboard, amber speed knobs

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Page 6 of 6
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Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker
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Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

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