Yamaha APX600 vs Fender CD-60SCE: Deep Showdown [2022]

In this post, I’m going to compare two amazing acoustic-electric guitar models, Yamaha APX600 vs Fender CD-60SCE to the test.

Trust me – This decision shouldn’t be complicated.

So, If you’re looking for a DEEP comparison between these two models, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll compare these two bad boys in terms of:

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Yamaha APX600
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Fender CD-60SCE
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Here’s my Quick Comparison for Yamaha APX600 and Fender CD-60SCE Model:

Yamaha APX600VsFender CD-60SCE
Best for BeginnersBest Value for Money! (My Recommendation)
Under $300Price RangeUnder $380
Thin line Cutaway Mahogany BodyBodySolid Mahogany Single-Cutaway Body
6.6 PoundsWeight8.8 Pounds
System 65A Preamp with Piezo PickupElectronicsFishman III System Electronics + Active Preamp
Built-in Tuner + 3-Band EQ, Volume KnobControl LayoutBuilt-in Tuner + Bass, Volume, & Treble Knob
Rosewood Bridge in Fixed ConfigurationBridgeRosewood Bridge in Fixed Configuration
Mahogany Neck + Rosewood FretboardNeck ProfileSolid Combination of Mahogany Neck & Fretboard
Great Playing Comfort + Excellent Hardware Quality Best ForWide Range of Tonal Options + Great Neck Profile
4.4/5ScoreGuitar Rating4.6/5
Check Latest Selling PriceBest DealGet the Best Deal NOW!
Yamaha APX600 vs Fender CD-60SCE

Yamaha APX600 and Fender CD-60SCE: Comparison Overview

Here I am aiming to be the tie-breaker that will determine which acoustic guitar model best suits your needs:

Body Construction and Materials

Yamaha APX600 guitar features a unique APX-shaped body with an Ivory and black body binding. It is a Thin-line single-cutaway acoustic-electric guitar that comes with a nice Mahogany body topped with a laminated Sitka spruce wood.

Also, Yamaha redesigned the bracing pattern internally to give you an enhanced bass response that not only matches nicely with the spruce top but also provides great flexibility to the instrument.

Whereas:

The Fender CD-60SCE model comes with a solid Mahogany body having a solid spruce top with a pretty strong construction. This is a dreadnought-shaped guitar model with a single-cutaway design that is known for its comfort and excellent acoustic tone.

Coming towards its Scalloped X-bracing pattern, Fender’s team performs really great job at making it lighter and still rigid to support the top while delivering you greater volume and resonance.

In terms of looks and feel, Yamaha’s guitar is a little better than Fender CD-60SCE, but I think, both models are nailing their jobs in terms of strong construction and top-notch tonewoods.

Flexibility in the Neck Profile

Flexibility and stability of the neck profile is another important factor we need to check, before buying any acoustic guitar.

The APX600 guitar has a Mahogany neck profile combined with a 22 frets Rosewood fretboard. It comes with a clean satin finishing that not only makes it glossy and attractive but also gives a nice action to your fret hand.

On the other hand, Fender’s guitar features a Mahogany neck profile with a Mahogany fingerboard. This is a new profile designed by fender where we’re getting a rolled edge that reduces the buzz and provides a more comfortable playing experience.

Both the body and neck profile are very light and well-balanced, which makes your tunes sound effortless while allowing you to enjoy playing for long hours.

From a Hands-on Experience, I think Fender Guitar definitely has an edge over the Yamaha APX600 model, both in terms of stability and overall flexibility.

Electronics and Sound Quality

Both of these models are electro-acoustic guitars and comes with amazing electronics that allow you to play with your sound quality and get whatever tone you desire.

Especially the Fender CD-60SCE guitar model has a new version of Fishman III System Electronics. this classic system features an under-saddle piezo-electric pickup and an active preamp system.

Although I wouldn’t say it’s the best preamp, but looking at the price of the guitar, it does provide you a lot of versatility in the tone. It has a built-in tuner and three simple knobs that let you control the bass, volume, and treble of the sounding tone.

On the Flip Side of the Coin:

Yamaha APX600 also brings some quality value to the table. It comes with an under-saddle piezo-electric pickup along with an active preamp system. In terms of features, it is much similar to the Fender one, having a built-in tuner, volume knob, and easy-to-use 3-band EQ.

The one advantage the APX model has is, its preamp works on 2 AA batteries that are much more gig friendly than the standard 9-volt batteries that you commonly find on other guitars.

But, other than that, the Fender guitar has a solid edge over the APX model. Whether I talk about the versatility in the tone or the overall quality of the sound, CD-60SCE electronics wins over APX600.

Quality of Hardware & Accessories

APX600 model is equipped with chrome-plated hardware designed by Yamaha itself. It comes with a conventional Rosewood bridge in a fixed configuration with black ABS white dot bridge pins.

Other than that, we’re getting a urea nut and saddle along with six diecast chrome-plated tuning machine heads. As a result, you get pretty solid support to the strings and excellent tuning stability.

Personally, I am a big fan of Yamaha’s hardware quality, and this model is definitely not an exception to this.

Coming towards Fender’s Guitar: it features an almost similar Rosewood bridge in a fixed configuration in combination with a plastic nut and saddles.

Chrome-plated open tuning machines are installed here too, that take care of the intonation while providing helping you with the stable tuning.

But, CD-60SCE is a kind of complete guitar package that comes with lots of necessary accessories from the clip-on tuner, picks, strings, polishing cloth, string winder, strap to the hardshell case, and instruction DVD.

On one side, Yamaha shows an amazing quality control for their hardware whereas Fender’s guitar comes with lots of accessories, makes this comparison DRAW again!

Ease in Playability

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an intermediate player, this is one of the factors that I suggest you be more conscious of, as it can make or break your whole learning curve.

Although both models come with a single-cutaway shape, I find them delivering a completely different vibe, in terms of playability and comfort due to the difference in their body design.

Yamaha APX600 comes with a thin-line body style which is very comfortable to play, especially for shorter and younger players. Also, It has only 25 inches of scale length so that you can easily pull this guitar close to your body and get your arm around it easily.

On the other side:

Fender CD-60SCE features a classic dreadnought-shaped body with a single-cutaway design and plays quite nicely. Also, in terms of weight, this model really feels very comfortable. Whether you want to play at the coffee shop, open mic, or at the church, whatever the gig is, this bad boy got you covered.

But still, I talk from the beginner’s perspective, I find the Yamaha APX600 guitar more comfortable and easy to learn on. From its unique body design to the short-scale neck, everything works in complements to deliver an enhanced playing experience.

Which One is Best for You?

APX600

If you’re looking for a well-featured beginner-friendly acoustic model that fits your budget and provides you an excellent playing experience, APX600 would be the better option for you.

CD-60SCE

For high definition punchy tones with a lot of tonal versatility, the TRBX304 model definitely worth a little higher price.

If you’re looking for a relatively premium quality acoustic guitar, CD-60SCE is the Best choice for you.

Yamaha APX600 vs Fender CD-60SCE: Pros and Cons

Here I’m putting the pros and cons side by side just to make your job even more easier:

Yamaha APX600 Model

Pros:

  • Highly Comfortable Thin-line Body Design
  • Provide Enhanced Bass Response
  • Neck Profile is Ideal for Younger & Small-Handed Players
  • Bridge Provide Great Tuning Stability

Cons:

  • Not the Best choice for Players with Larger Hands
  • Neck Binding is Not that Great!

Fender CD-60SCE Model

Pros:

  • Solid Mahogany Body for Strength & Durability
  • Higher Volume and Resonance
  • Rolled Edges Fretboard for Comfort
  • Construction is Adequate for the Money
  • Complete Guitar Package with All Required Accessories

Cons:

  • Plastic Nut is a Letdown!
  • Slight String Buzz while Playing Power Chords!
  • Has Glued-in Strap Pegs

Check Demo Sound: APX600 vs CD-60SCE

Yamaha APX600 or Fender CD-60SCE: Which is Best?

At the Last, I definitely recommend you to go with the Fender CD-60SCE model due to its versatile electronics, smooth playing neck profile, and stylish-looking body.

But, If you’re a beginner player and want to keep things simple, Yamaha APX600 is the better option for you. It will provide you more value in terms of comfort, playability, and hardware quality.

So,

Which acoustic guitar do you like the most? I want you to put down your thoughts about both of these guitar models. What do you think, Which one is best for you and why do you think so?

This way, you can also help other readers to make their decision more clearly.

Happy Music!

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