Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3 Acoustic Guitar Sunburst

Quick Product Summary

The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3 Acoustic Guitar in Sunburst is an affordable full-size acoustic designed to give beginners a comfortable, dependable introduction to steel-string guitar while still offering enough volume and projection to make it useful as a second instrument for more experienced players.

Its classic dreadnought body combines a laminated spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides, supported by scalloped X-bracing for a balanced acoustic response with plenty of natural volume. A mahogany “C” shape neck, 12" radius walnut fingerboard and familiar 25.3" scale create a straightforward playing experience that suits chords, strumming and basic lead work.

Finished in traditional Sunburst with a black pickguard and chrome hardware, the CD-60 V3 has the unmistakable look of a classic steel-string acoustic without pushing the price beyond the reach of new players.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Model	CD-60 Dreadnought V3 DS
Product Code	0970110532
Series	Classic Design
Finish	Sunburst
Condition	New
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Top	Laminated Spruce
Back & Sides	Laminated Mahogany
Fingerboard	Walnut
Main Appeal	Affordable full-size Fender dreadnought
Best For	Beginners, lessons, home practice, strumming and second-guitar duties

What's Included?

• Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3 Acoustic Guitar in Sunburst

✘ No Case Or Gig Bag Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Why Choose The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3?

Full-Size Dreadnought Sound

The dreadnought body is a proven choice for players who want strong acoustic projection and a broad tonal response. It works especially well for chord-based playing and strumming, making the CD-60 a practical first guitar for learning popular songs and accompaniment.

Spruce And Mahogany Construction

A laminated spruce top is paired with laminated mahogany back and sides. This construction provides a durable, dependable platform for everyday playing while keeping the guitar accessible for beginners and players looking for an affordable spare acoustic.

Scalloped X-Bracing

Fender uses scalloped X-bracing beneath the top. The bracing supports the soundboard while allowing it to respond to string vibration, helping the CD-60 produce useful volume and a balanced acoustic voice.

Comfortable Familiar Neck

The mahogany neck uses a straightforward “C” shape with a 1.69" nut width and 12" radius walnut fingerboard. This gives players a familiar steel-string acoustic feel without an unusually wide or specialist neck profile.

Classic Fender Sunburst Styling

The Sunburst gloss finish, black pickguard, white pearloid rosette and chrome hardware give the CD-60 a traditional acoustic appearance that should appeal to players wanting something more visually distinctive than a plain natural finish.

Fender CD-60 V3 Compared With Popular Alternatives

Fender CD-60S Dreadnought

The CD-60S is the logical step up if you can stretch the budget. Its main advantage is a solid spruce top rather than the laminated spruce top used on the CD-60 V3, along with Fender's Easy-to-Play neck with rolled fingerboard edges. Choose the CD-60 V3 for straightforward value; choose the CD-60S if you want to invest more in the acoustic top and neck feel.

Fender CC-60S Concert

The CC-60S uses a smaller concert body and solid spruce top. It is better suited to players who find a full-size dreadnought bulky or who favour a more compact instrument for fingerstyle and relaxed home playing. The CD-60 V3 is the stronger option for players who specifically want the fuller physical feel and projection of a dreadnought.

Fender FA-125 Dreadnought

The FA-125 is another affordable Fender dreadnought, built with an all-laminate construction and a different Fender Alternative-series design. The CD-60 V3 sits within Fender's Classic Design family and is the better fit for players drawn to a more traditional acoustic appearance and CD-series styling.

Fender FA-125CE Dreadnought

Choose the FA-125CE if plugging into an amplifier or PA is important. Its cutaway body and Fender electronics make it better suited to amplified performance. The CD-60 V3 is a straightforward purely acoustic instrument and makes more sense when electronics and upper-fret cutaway access are not required.

Who Is The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3 For?

The CD-60 V3 is particularly well suited to:

• Beginners buying their first full-size acoustic guitar

• Students taking acoustic guitar lessons

• Players wanting an affordable Fender dreadnought

• Electric guitarists adding an acoustic to their collection

• Experienced musicians needing a practical second acoustic

• Home players learning chords and popular songs

• Singers looking for a straightforward accompaniment guitar

• Players who prefer the projection and physical feel of a dreadnought

Looking for help choosing your first acoustic guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help you compare dreadnought, concert and electro-acoustic models by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The CD-60's dreadnought body makes it particularly well suited to strumming, chord accompaniment, folk, pop, rock, country and singer-songwriter material. Its full-size body gives chords enough presence to accompany a voice without requiring amplification.

It can also handle basic fingerpicking and flatpicking, although players whose main priority is delicate fingerstyle may prefer to compare it with a smaller concert-body guitar such as the Fender CC-60S.

Is A Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Good For Beginners?

A dreadnought can be an excellent first acoustic guitar, particularly for players who want to learn chords, rhythm guitar and song accompaniment. The larger body gives a naturally strong acoustic output, so you can practise without an amplifier and still hear plenty of detail from your playing.

The main consideration is physical size. Younger players or musicians with a smaller reach may find a concert-size acoustic more comfortable, while teenagers and adults who are comfortable with a full-size guitar will often appreciate the dreadnought's fuller feel and projection.

Story & Context

The CD-60 forms part of Fender's Classic Design acoustic range, which focuses on familiar acoustic body shapes and accessible specifications rather than unusual or specialist features.

The V3 keeps that approach simple: traditional dreadnought proportions, spruce and mahogany construction, a walnut fingerboard and conventional steel-string hardware. It is designed to provide the core features a new acoustic player actually needs without adding electronics or more expensive construction that may not yet be necessary.

That simplicity is part of the appeal. For a first instrument, lesson guitar or affordable second acoustic, the CD-60 delivers an immediately recognisable full-size acoustic format without making the buying decision unnecessarily complicated.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Classic Design
Model	CD-60 Dreadnought V3 DS
Product Code	0970110532
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Sunburst
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Body Material	Laminated Spruce Top with Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
Body Top	Laminated Spruce
Body Back	Laminated Mahogany
Body Sides	Laminated Mahogany
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Bracing	Scalloped X
Rosette	White Pearloid Acrylic
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Shape	“C” Shape
Neck Finish	Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Walnut
Fingerboard Radius	12" / 305 mm
Scale Length	25.3" / 643 mm
Number Of Frets	20
Fret Size	2 mm
Position Inlays	White Pearloid Dot
Nut Material	Graph Tech NuBone
Nut Width	1.69" / 43 mm
Bridge	Walnut
Bridge Pins	White with Black Dots
Pickguard	1-Ply Black
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast
Truss Rod	Dual-Action
Factory Strings	Fender Dura-Tone 880L Coated 80/20 .012-.052
Case / Gig Bag	None

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3 Sunburst makes a lot of sense as a first full-size acoustic. It avoids unnecessary features and concentrates on the fundamentals: familiar dreadnought dimensions, useful acoustic volume, straightforward playability and a price point that makes Fender ownership accessible to beginners.

Its biggest strength is simplicity. There are no electronics or complicated controls to think about, and the durable laminated construction is well suited to regular lessons, practice and everyday home use.

Best suited for: Beginners, students and players wanting an affordable full-size acoustic.

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level starter guitars or borrowed instruments.

Most commonly paired with: A padded dreadnought gig bag, guitar stand, tuner, capo, picks and spare acoustic strings.

Our tip: If this is your first guitar, add a clip-on tuner and a few different pick thicknesses. Both are inexpensive and make the early stages of learning considerably easier.

Showroom feedback: The CD-60 is a straightforward option for customers who want a recognisable Fender acoustic without paying for electronics or features they may not need. Players unsure about dreadnought size should compare it in person with a smaller concert model.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team can help you choose an acoustic guitar that suits your experience level, playing style and budget. Whether you're buying your first instrument or adding an affordable acoustic to an existing collection, we're here to provide straightforward advice before and after your purchase.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A major Birmingham music showroom

• Decades of experience with guitars and musical instruments

• Secure online ordering

Already have musical equipment you no longer use? Speak to our team about part exchange and a no-obligation valuation towards your next upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fender CD-60 V3 a good first acoustic guitar?

Yes. Its straightforward full-size dreadnought design, familiar neck dimensions and simple acoustic construction make it a strong option for beginners learning chords, rhythm playing and popular songs.

Is the Fender CD-60 V3 an electro-acoustic guitar?

No. This version does not have a built-in pickup or preamp. It is designed to be played acoustically.

Is the CD-60 suitable for adults?

Yes. It is a full-size steel-string dreadnought and is well suited to adult and teenage players who are comfortable with a larger acoustic body.

Would a smaller player be better with a concert guitar?

Possibly. Dreadnoughts have relatively large bodies. A smaller player who finds the body uncomfortable against the picking arm may prefer a concert-size model such as the Fender CC-60S.

What string gauge does the CD-60 use?

Fender fits the guitar with .012-.052 acoustic strings. This is a common light-gauge steel-string acoustic set and provides a useful balance between tone, volume and playability.

Can I fit lighter acoustic strings?

Yes, although changing string gauge can alter tension, feel and setup. If you're unsure which strings to use, our team can advise on suitable acoustic string options.

Can the CD-60 be used for fingerpicking?

Yes. It can be used for fingerstyle as well as strumming. Players who specialise in fingerpicking may also want to compare it with a smaller-bodied concert acoustic for a different feel and tonal balance.

What should I buy with my first acoustic guitar?

The most useful additions are a suitable gig bag or case, clip-on tuner, guitar picks, spare strings, guitar stand and capo. A strap can also be useful if you plan to practise or perform standing up.

Fair Deal Music Expert Recommendation

For a beginner who wants a recognisable Fender acoustic guitar with a traditional full-size dreadnought body, the CD-60 V3 is a very sensible place to start.

It delivers the essentials without adding cost for electronics or specialist features, while the Sunburst finish gives it a classic appearance that feels considerably more distinctive than many entry-level acoustics.

If you're unsure whether a dreadnought is the right body size, visit our Birmingham showroom or speak to the Fair Deal Music team for help comparing the CD-60 with smaller concert acoustics and solid-top upgrade options.

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