Surprisingly good Fender acoustic/electric

[Jorj]

Recently purchased a new guitar for my daughter on my birthday. (Kind of a tradition to get her a present on my B-day :witless Wanted to keep the cost under $600. After shopping around, ended up at the local Guitar Center here in Boise, ID and found a surprisingly well built, great playing and sounding guitar. It's a Fender DG200SCE acoustic electric. These are made in China exclusively for Guitar Center. Laminated rosewood sides and back...solid spruce top...satin finished mahogany neck (which feels great)...rosewood board and bridge. Fishman pickup with built in tuner. All for $399 not including a hard shell case. I am impressed with this guitar, especially at that price. Would have loved to have found her a Guild, but could not pass this up. It sounded and played as good or better then many high end Taylors they have so many of at more then twice the price. Anyone familiar with this model?
Sorry about the crappy pics.

 

[Jorj]

After some research found more info on this guitar. The DG200SCE is the twin sister to the GA-43SCE. The Fender GA-43SCE is the Grand Auditorium and it is a professional/performance guitar that sells for over $1000. Recently, the GA-43SCE has been selling for $699 to diminish retailer stock of this superb guitar. When the GA-43SCE did not dominate the general market due to its pricing, it was such a wonderful instrument that Fender refused to abandon its design (this is what I love about Fender). So, what did Fender do? They proudly continued its production by inventing the DG200SCE as part of the GA assembly line. Even more brilliant, they made the wise decision to price the DG more in line with the comman man's wallet. What does this mean? It means that you can purchase one of the best acoustic guitars Fender has ever made for the affordable price of only $399 !!!

 

[Just_Guild]

Although its somewhat heretical to chime in on the forum in support of anything other than a Guild (I'm ducking as I type), there are some very impressive guitars coming out of China. It's not all junk by any means, and if you play them before you look at the price tag...There is a reason why so many manufacturers have their product lines in China. You're right, its a beautiful guitar in all ways and I hope you daughter enjoys it very much. A far cry form the "junk" we had to play with when first starting out.

On a side note, check out the Godin (Seagull) line of acoustic guitars. How Godin builds such amazing good, high quality guitars (in North America no less) is beyond my ken. And ata a great price point too.

 

[Jorj]

Although its somewhat heretical to chime in on the forum in support of anything other than a Guild (I'm ducking as I type), there are some very impressive guitars coming out of China. It's not all junk by any means, and if you play them before you look at the price tag...There is a reason why so many manufacturers have their product lines in China. You're right, its a beautiful guitar in all ways and I hope you daughter enjoys it very much. A far cry form the "junk" we had to play with when first starting out.

I think your safe...that's why I posted this in the "other gear" section. And yes...my daughter is thrilled with her new guitar! (She will be getting a Guild next)