F4CE

[chicagowineguy]

Hey guys...I've been looking for a performing guitar with built-in electronics and a F4CE popped up on Craigs for $350 (TonyT don't...just don't...!). What's the consensus? Most Harmony Central reviews indicate so-so acoustic sound but fabulous amplified performance. What is the history behind this guitar? Is it folk or jumbo size? Etc. You know. I want the LTG low down.

 

[stclrob]

I almost pulled the trigger on that one the first time it was posted but wanted a chambered acoustic/electric instead. EDIT* Scratch just got an F25 on eBay (similar with spruce top, 'hog sides, 24 fret board) so he can probably chime in soon. I think they were modern (late 80s/90s) meant for live stuff. I have a feeling the harmony-central reviews were based on unplugged only. Bring a small 15 watt amp (you can borrow my crate if you need one) and go try it out. The price is definitely right.

 

[workedinwesterly]

cwg,

the f4ce can be a nice gutar. A good one can be fun to play.
that entire line ( f4ce, f5ce, f65ce) had the potential to play well. the necks were thin and comfortable.
The plugged-in sound is pretty good ( large spruce top helps ), they have enough sound unplugged to practice with..not much bass.
I was told the concept of the guitar was to provide an amplified acoustic for the guy that usually played electric.

The model often suffered from a severe 14th fret drop off because of a small neck block and thin neck. Sight down the neck if you can.
I have seen some that were built with the wrong bridge plate and the tops on those will have a bridge that seems to be rolling forward, a more severe belly on the guitar than the usual.
If you could look inside the guitar there should be about 3/4 to 1 inch of bridge plate behind the bridge pins..if they're close to the edge of the plate then you've got a problem. But that's true with any guitar.

It has a 16" wide lower bout, it's 3 inches thick.
laminated sides and back ( f4 is mahogany ) , solid top and solid mahogany neck.
That model was done in high gloss and hand-rubbed satin.
Fishman electronics.
It was long scale, and i seem to remember that it took a narrow nut. (I'd have to dig around to verify that.)
That's about all i can tell you about it.

The price sure seems right.

 

[marcellis]

If you can't afford one like this, I'd go for it.

This is a stunner!

BTW, W.I.W., my F-65ce has plenty of volume. It shut down my old
D-40 most of the time. The D-40 never had much volume until
you pounded on it. That's why I got rid of it. Even if the D-40
had been louder (it wasn't unless you really pummelled it), its tone was
dead-sounding compared to my D-25 or my F-65ce. The F-65ce especially,
has a really distinctive tone. I record it unplugged - always.

The F-65ce is an under-rated unplugged acoustic. It's a lot louder
than most people think. No bracing, Oval soundhole, Spruce top.

 

[JimBetts]

I acquired my F65CE via trade. The previous owner said he only played it on Sunday’s at church and always plugged in, he was very happy with the sound. I was disappointed with the sound, to me it sounded flat. However, I hadn’t played it plugged in. I gave it to my luthier to have some work done; dress frets, setup, etc. When I got it back I can tell you the sound difference was night-and-day. It turns out that the strings it came with were absolutely dead, with the new strings it sounds fantastic! I can also say it’s very comfortable to play, the neck is fantastic!