Fender FA-450CE Acoustic-Electric Bass Review
The Fender FA-450CE Acoustic-Electric Bass is a cool-looking, lightweight bass guitar with exceptional value for money. It is suitable for practice and live sessions and delivers great sound quality. With acoustic bass guitars, practice is more accessible so this option has a lot of benefits.
Acoustic-electric bass guitars are gaining popularity among musicians and for good reason. They offer the perfect balance of practicality, portability, and performance. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the Fender FA-450CE acoustic-electric bass guitar to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.
You can also check out my detailed video review of the Fender FA-450CE acoustic-electric bass guitar through the link below if you’re interested further:
Contents
Fender FA-450CE Acoustic-Electric Bass
Verdict
The Fender FA-450CE Acoustic-Electric Bass is a lightweight and striking bass guitar that is suitable for both practicing and live performances. It has excellent tonal quality and solid electronics, making it a great value-for-money option for bassists of all levels. It’s rather large and takes some getting used to but nothing too serious.
Pros
- Stunning aesthetics
- Lightweight design
- Excellent sound quality
- Fishman preamp and pickup system
- Good value for money
Cons
- No thumb rest
- Large size can make it difficult to fit into a gig bag
First Impressions
As first impressions go, I was immediately struck by the stunning aesthetics of the Fender FA-450CE. The glossy finish and mesmerizing inlays make it a true eye-catcher. Adapting to the wider acoustic body took some time, but its lightweight design more than made up for it. One minor challenge I faced was finding a comfortable playing hand position, as there’s no pickup or thumb rest so the strings are your best bet.
Specs and Design
The Fender FA-450CE features a Fishman preamp and pickup system, a 2-band EQ (bass and treble), and a volume control dial. Additionally, it comes with an onboard tuner and all this is battery-powered, of course.
The bass boasts a Modern C-shaped neck, a mahogany body, a flame maple top, a Laurel fingerboard, 20 frets, and solid, wide tuning pegs. The high-quality tonewoods contribute to its appealing design, though its large size can make fitting it into a gig bag somewhat challenging.
Sound Quality
When played unplugged, the bass has a warm, full-bodied sound with impressive resonance and sustain. The bass notes pack a punch, while the high notes are clear and bright. Plugging it in, the sound quality improves significantly, with the preamp and pickup system capturing the guitar’s natural sound beautifully. The 2-band EQ allows for further tone customization.
What I love here is that you can fully utilize this bass for practicing at home yet you can gig with it easily due to the electronics. It’s a win-win situation for anyone looking for an option for both scenarios.
Pricing
While the Fender FA-450CE isn’t the most affordable option, its top-notch quality justifies its intermediate price range. Considering its overall appearance, feel, and sound, this bass guitar offers excellent value for money.
Alternatives
A more budget-friendly alternative to the Fender FA-450CE is the Ibanez AEB5E. Although its tonewoods don’t match the Fender’s quality, it features a similar design with a 2-band EQ and an onboard tuner. The Ibanez piezo pickup system also delivers a pleasant sound.
Verdict
The Fender FA-450CE is an outstanding acoustic-electric bass guitar that delivers versatility, superb craftsmanship, and excellent sound quality. The Fishman preamp and pickup system enhance its performance, and its striking appearance adds to its appeal. Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as the lack of a thumb rest and its large size, the FA-450CE offers great value at its price point.
