Black Acoustic Fender Guitar article
Black Acoustic Fender Guitar: A Complete Guide
"Black acoustic Fender guitar" isn't one instrument. Here's what Fender actually offers in black, and how to pick the right one for you.
Someone asks for "a black acoustic Fender guitar" and, honestly, my first question back is always: which one do you mean? It isn't one instrument — Fender has put a black finish on everything from a straightforward dreadnought to a genuinely strange electric-acoustic hybrid. Here's what's actually out there, and how to work out which black Fender belongs in your hands.
There's No Single "Black Fender Acoustic"
Fender is best known for its electrics, but its acoustic range has quietly grown to cover beginners, gigging singer-songwriters and studio players alike, and black shows up as a finish option across most of it. A black finish is mostly a visual and protective choice rather than a tone decision — on the more affordable models especially, the top wood, back and sides, bracing and body size do far more to shape the sound than the paint on top.
Traditional Dreadnought: the CD-60 Dreadnought V3
If someone pictures a classic, full-bodied strumming acoustic, they're usually picturing a dreadnought, and Fender's CD-60 Dreadnought V3 comes in a gloss black finish alongside its natural and sunburst options. It's a conventional dreadnought build, so expect a big, projecting low end that suits strumming, singer-songwriter accompaniment and general flatpicking. This is the sensible default if you just want "a black acoustic guitar" without a specific electronics or body-size requirement.
A Smaller Body: the CC-60S Concert Pack V2
The CC-60S Concert Pack V2 is Fender's black concert-body package, and the concert shape is noticeably more compact than a dreadnought. That makes it easier to hold for smaller players, more comfortable for long seated practice sessions, and a common recommendation for beginners specifically because of that comfort. Being sold as a pack, it's also aimed squarely at someone buying their first proper acoustic rather than upgrading an existing one.
Going Acoustic-Electric: the FA-135CE Concert WN Black
If you'll ever need to plug in — a PA, an amp, a recording interface — a plain acoustic isn't the right starting point. The FA-135CE Concert WN Black is a cutaway acoustic-electric with a spruce top, basswood back and sides, walnut neck and fingerboard, a 25.3-inch scale and Fishman electronics with a built-in tuner. The cutaway also opens up access to the upper frets, which matters if you play lead lines or solos further up the neck.
Fender Styling: California Series in Matte Black and Jetty Black
Fender's California Series leans harder into Fender's own visual identity than into traditional acoustic-guitar convention, and it's included both Matte Black (on California Special models) and Jetty Black across its wider colour programme. If the appeal of a "Fender acoustic" is specifically that Fender look and feel — body contours, colour choices, headstock shape — rather than a traditional flat-top aesthetic, this is the range to look at first.
The Hybrid Option: Acoustasonic Jazzmaster in Black
The Acoustasonic Jazzmaster deserves its own separate mention because it isn't really a conventional acoustic at all. It combines an under-saddle piezo pickup with Fender's Acoustasonic Shawbucker magnetic pickup, blending acoustic and electric-guitar textures from a single instrument. Choose this only if you specifically want that acoustic-electric versatility and a more electric-guitar-like feel underhand — it's a poor substitute if what you actually want is a traditional flat-top strumming sound.
How to Choose Between Them
| Model | Type | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| CD-60 Dreadnought V3, Black | Traditional dreadnought | Strumming, flatpicking, general acoustic playing |
| CC-60S Concert Pack V2, Black | Concert-body package | Beginners, smaller players, seated practice |
| FA-135CE Concert WN Black | Cutaway acoustic-electric | Amplified performance, upper-fret access |
| California Series, Matte/Jetty Black | Fender-styled acoustic | Players who want the Fender look and feel specifically |
| Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, Black | Acoustic-electric hybrid | Players wanting acoustic and electric textures in one guitar |
Looking After a Black Gloss Finish
A gloss black finish shows fingerprints, dust and fine scratches far more readily than a natural or satin finish, so it's worth budgeting a little extra care into ownership. Wipe it down with a clean, soft microfibre cloth, and use a guitar-safe polish made for the specific finish rather than a generic household cleaner. Keep excessive moisture away from the body, and, as with any acoustic, look after humidity levels — swings in temperature and moisture affect the wood far more than the colour on top of it.
Checks to Make Before You Buy
- Confirm the exact model and finish name — "black Fender acoustic" gets used loosely in listings, and CD, CC, FA, California and Acoustasonic models are genuinely different instruments.
- Check regional Fender product pages for current specifications, since revisions and market availability can differ.
- On a used instrument, inspect neck relief, action, fret condition, bridge stability and intonation — these affect playability more than the finish ever will.
- Look closely at a gloss black body under good light for fine scratches or blemishes that are easy to miss under shop lighting.
- If buying an acoustic-electric or Acoustasonic model, test the electronics and built-in tuner before you commit.
The Bottom Line
"Black acoustic Fender guitar" is a finish-and-category search, not a single product, and the right answer depends entirely on body shape, whether you need electronics, and how much the Fender-specific styling actually matters to you. Work out that job first, then pick the black acoustic Fender guitar that actually does it, rather than the other way round.
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