Fender: let’s create an electric guitar with great technology for acoustic sounds. Also Fender: let’s create an acoustic version that doesn’t include this technology.
Fender: Now that we've convinced people they need an acoustic modeling guitar, let's convince them that they need one without the modeling. Honestly I like this one better than the acoustasonic sound, but the unplugged sound is pretty crap.
I'm trying not to be too harsh but i listened to the video again and more demos. Am I the only one who thinks that they sound absolutely awful?? It would be better to use a solid body than this. I don't care what they look like. They must have known you can't get a proper acoustic sound with an electric guitar pickup and so they developed a whole system for the acoustasonic, but for the acoustic version they threw everything outside the window? @@bkmeahan
@@bkmeahanas someone with a Player acoustasonic Tele that is my go to open mic guitar the lack of electric pickup versatility makes this unnecessary when you could just get a proper plug in acoustic. There is definitely a purpose for the hybrid but I don't really see the purpose of a slimmer modeler other than maybe just comfort and playability... which you still get with the acoustasonic.
I completely agree with the aesthetics reasoning. We (guitar players) might say we are objetive, and only about the sound. But the looks of it matter a lot, both for the players and the audience.
So, why didn't they put the Acoustasonic technology in the Highway, minus the electric sounds?! They were so close, then it would look and sound like an acoustic guitar, but be a comfortable size for electric players. Then they could put that technology in an actual acoustic. I would imagine the acoustic properties of both the Highway and a real acoustic would add to the acoustasonic DSP sound. I like the look of the new designs though, particularly the mahogany parlour style.
This was the best, most comprehensive, most entertaining, and most enjoyable review I have ever seen regarding a guitar. You both work very well together to sell your product. I also don’t feel like you went on and on needlessly. Thanks for this as it makes me consider this instrument for my next guitar purchase. Cheers from Minnesota, USA!
I own the Acoustasonic USA model and it works very well with a church band. I can do acoustic and full electric overdrive. Thanks for this video for comparing the different guitars. Based on the video here and Fender site, the Acoustasonic sounds way better.
I have a late 70's Guild Songbird Super Thin Body Acoustic/Electric that is similar in size. I've loved it for 20+ years. With Fender's modern electronics, the design language should translate into incredibly comfortable and versatile acoustic guitars that play a little more like an electric.
Checked these out yesterday at the my local store. Think these guitars are intended for more than performance. Light weight and very comfortable they could easily replace my high end acoustic in playing time. Seriously thinking of getting the parlor for finger style due to the shorter scale length and comfort. Didn’t really notice any major difference between the two models when plugged in. Really liked the neck on both. For some reason setup varied between models.
Have you gotten one by now? :) If yes, do you use it in Studio? And what's your experience like with the battery? Do you have to think about it a lot? Do you find yourself buying new batteries all the time?
I thought the Acoustasonic Tele sounded way better and it plays like an electric - so very easy on the fingers during a long gig, especially in a band scenario where the nuances of an acoustic are lost in the mix. But for a solo or duo gig, you cant beat a good acoustic - I play a Martin DC Aura through an AER and it sounds so natural. But for my 5-piece tomorrow - I will use the Acoustasonic tele I think. I’ve listened to a few tests of this new product and it is only marginally better than a piezo to my ears. Nice idea, should have used DSPs.
Thanks to Andertons and Fender. Didn't realise that this was a guitar that I needed. Watched the video and bought the parlor in Australia 2 days ago. Salesman " great guitar for a solo performer" me -buying because i want something to sit on the couch with. Love this guitar.
One thing about acoustic-electric guitars (of various pickup system types) is that they’ll sound really artificial when they’re recorded directly from the line signal, which is done all too often. If they’re played through a PA system or acoustic amp, they’ll sound okay to an audience - and you can also record that by putting a mic up to a speaker. You need the crucial ingredient of sound waves moving through the air, like an acoustic guitar, rather than just an electrical signal.
I have a USA Acoustatele and it's the guitar I pick up more than any other cause it's not a big bulky acoustic, but I also don't have to plug it in to play it. I have it strung up with 10's rather than the 12s it comes with and it's much more compelling. These fall under the same category, but are a bit more acoustic guitar focused.
@@officialWWM Yeah but the point is that the acoustasonic simulating an acoustic sounds more like a real acoustic than this does. So you'd think they'd use that technology to make this one sound more like a real acoustic when plugged in.
@@niclastname I disagree. I own the Acoustasonic and honestly, I struggle to get a decent acoustic sound out of it! I think the reason they didn’t put that tech in this guitar is simply cost. It would have pushed it up closer to the AS and they don’t want to be competing with their own products. I think this guitar is for a different market. I’ll buy one just for solo acoustic gigs cause it has that playability and a decent enough plugged in sound, plus, it looks right on stage. Having said all that, maybe they will release another model with all the tech in it 🤷🏻♂️
I think you nailed the purpose of these guitars as being someone that wants an acoustic guitar sound in a band situation where the difference in tone (compared to a full acoustic) wouldn't be noticeable. That said, I'd gig one solo and be more than happy with the sound.
These would be twice as interesting to me if they had used all that Acoustasonic tech/design to better simulate the acoustic sound when plugged in. Maybe it's to do with settings, but to my ear the plugged in Acoustasonic definitely sounds the most like a real acoustic guitar with a mic. I wish they would have done that with these so you get the look and the sound in one.
I owned a Washburn SBF-80 solid body acoustic sounding guitar. It had acoustic chambers but no sound holes. It sounded and played really well. It was a beautiful red sunburst similar to a Gibson Les Paul. It was sold because my professional musician career was over and it wasn't needed anymore. I would love to have another over this Fender guitar if I became a pro again.
Gotta get my hands on one of these. I have a frozen shoulder from a motorcycle wreck. I can’t comfortably play an acoustic because of the body thickness. This might work?
As a performer I org hated the acoustasonic idea until I actually used one. Its a very versatile tool and great for live or travel. Its also great that it has 2 pickup styles build into it as in some venues the wireing isnt perfect or there is too much neon and a magnetic pickup no mater how good will hum. So it's nice to have the pizeo option on its own. The new hwy doesn't have that option so a much less useful guitar.
I completely agree that piezos always sound brittle and nasty. I hate them with a passion. Give me a K & K contact pickup or an LR Baggs M1 magnetic soundhole stacked humbucker any day of the week. For this reason, I like the new Fishman Fluence magnetic pickups which are fitted to curve around the soundhole - excellent idea. And for this reason I like what I've seen, especially of the Mahogany top Highway series guitars a lot - these are design features for which I've been yearning for decades.
I'd love to hear how they sounded in the room, because they don't come across as much of an improvement in the video - they still have that distinctive sound that I associate with a plugged-in acoustic. I'm really happy with my PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo for live work, with the piezo rolled back and the standard pick-ups adding the warmth I need. It's obviously not truly acoustic, but it's a really usable "acoustic-ish" sound - and the fact that it's coming out of a semi-acoustic means nobody's going to be hyper-critical. It's also stunningly good value at the moment if you can bag one like I did in Andertons' PRS sale. 😎
I bought the PRS as well ( not in their sale but a decent price) Im ok with it but would only use it as a live compromise, not recording. I was surprisingly impressed with the electric sound though for an SE model and recorded with it once in preference to a les Paul custom. I didnt think they were that ground breaking, are priced appropriately and, owning a USA accoustasonic, I won't be trading that anytime soon.
I have the strat acoustasonic, and i love it. It,s an instrument built for the stage. I can't rate it highly enough. No its not the best acoustic sound, and no, it's not the best electric guitar sound, but to the general audience listening, they can't tell the difference. Top marks.
Acoustic Singer-songwriter and looping type of player here... I love my USA Acoustasonic Jazzmaster. I'm very interested in the Road Series mahogany parlor version, but think I'd prefer a version with the Fluence pickup AND Acoustasonic DSP. It doesn't really matter how it sounds unplugged to me, I practice how I perform...plugged in. I'm also very curious how that Fluence pickup handles "boom chick" style finger picking (think "More Than Words" by Extreme). That "chick" gets lost with a lot of systems and I haven't seen it addressed in any videos yet
Piezo pickups always sound “zinggy” (is that a word? Lol) to me. One if the reasons I really enjoyed Joe Bonamassa’s acoustic shows. He mic’d up some fantastic traditional acoustics and it sounded so amazing.
I love my Acoustasonic. If I was still playing at church, though, I’d get one of these Highway series. Because the Acoustasonic got push-back at the “blended” service I played at for looking like something that should be in the contemporary service instead. (Which may be silly or not, but it is reality.) Plus, I think they look great. Tempted to get one, but I really can’t justify it for anything I’m currently doing.
That IS silly. If that is reality I would be questioning the churches motives. I used my acoustasonic in a traditional Anglican and nobody said anything
@@ripw1 It wasn’t “the church”, it was some of the congregation. The same people whose mind you could blow by telling them that there were complaints when organs were first brought into churches. Yeah…it was silly, but sometimes it is easier to meet people where they are and have more important conversations than to get into a extended discussion about something so trivial.
@RobertFisher1969: Push-back??? For what!? What was their point(s)? Isn't Church about focusing on prayer? No offence meant toward you, but the notion that a congregation (or individual) would be so distracted by a musical leaves me non-plussed. Also, where was the Church leadership in this matter? Doesn't sound like the kind of Church group that I could tolerate, if I am honest.
Horses for courses. My dad would say ... "that's why they have chocolate and vanilla". I'm giving one a try this week. On line demos are never enough to convince me of anything sonically. My intent is to only play this on the couch or the stage. I don't need a lot of sound unplugged. I have guitars for that. I've had a US Tele acoustasonic for years (love it), but I am very much looking forward to this different sound approach. The DSP in the Tele can get splatty in certain amps. This guitar will have a more natural tone to amplify, and subsequently, modify. In 20 years, the DSP part of the Tele may not be supported, but a magnetic style pickup will most likely last forever.
I could definitely justify owning one if I already had one single coil and one humbucker type electric. They are very beautiful instruments and different enough to be interesting to an electric player as well as an acoustic player.
For me, I'm a used gear kinda guy. I can price out a really decent acoustic with a pickup, and an electric guitar with an Amp for less than one of these. I can understand if you're trying to keep it light, but I don't think they'll ever sound as good as a stand-alone electric or acoustic. Maybe the body size is a draw to some people. There are just too many good options for solo acoustics or electrics at half the price that will perform just as well if not better.
So the mahogany (to me) sounds much brighter with less low/low mids. Right? Why put black trimming on the natural top? It should be dark brown, or is it? Why put trimming at all on either?
Just when I heard enough to decide upon getting an Acoustasonic, Fender takes me down the Highway. Both, in their own right are amazing creations by Fender. Anyway, what I really wanted to say is, thank you for this very straightforward, no nonsense comparison of these fine Fender acoustasonic guitars.
Ben's a hell of a player. Guy really has a knowledge of what playing acoustically should be. Most people try to play electric style on acoustic and it doesn't land like Ben's playing
As much as I hear people complain about the Acoustasonic, I’ve seen so many big artists play them live. For an electric band that plugs in anyways, it makes sense.
This is what happens when guy in a suit says, "I demand innovation" by the way, as a former guitar center employee, these always came back because the vaneer top pulls up at the bridge because there is zero bracing. But if people were dead set on owning one, I recommend the lightest strings you can find.
In extreme weather conditions like humid and hot or dry and cold these or the acoustisonic are a better choice for amplified acoustic sounds. Regular acoustic instruments don’t like extremes. If you perform outdoors in summer or in heated tents during winter it’s a no brainer and travels safer and easier too.
I'd either move the magnetic pickup to the other side of the F hole which is closer to where one would actually pick, or replace it entirely with an undersaddle. sounds too much like a Strat neck pickup... the piezo captures the different picking positions way better
Acoustically it still sounds like the Acoustasonic, just louder. I also liked the Acoustasonic plugged in better, I have an Acoustasonic, because I want the Acoustic tones, WITHOUT the acoustic feel.
I agree. I've gigged my Acoustasonic for a few years now and it can sound great as an "acoustic" as well as giving me the bite of the Tele pick-up. Best thing for me apart from the sounds is that it feels like playing a Telecaster, familiar neck, body shape etc. And yes I default to Telecasters for electrics.
@@andybradshaw5971 Same here. I gig with mine, little gigs, me and a singer, because I wanted my Electric feel, but Acoustic tone. It replaced a Line 6 JTV Variax for me, because it nails the Acoustic tones better.
@@justmehere6094 Yeah exactly - and that's why the Acoustasonic does what it does so well. I was gigging last weekend and I needed a variety of sounds that my Faith Venus Bloodmoon can't give me, or a straight Tele can't either. The Acoustasonic was the right tool for the job in that instance.
If you have the acoustasonic one, I don’t see the need for the highway acoustic. If I see one cheap second hand I might buy . Too expensive for what you get . My opinion only of course. I enjoyed Ben’s playing and love the Captain’s videos . 👍
Hey, glad folks are finally jumping on the magnetic soundhole bandwagon. I've used an L.R. Baggs M-80 magnetic soundhole pickup for years. I know, it "changes the ascetic of the guitar." I know, it's not "pristine perfect acoustic sound." No one EVER at any gig has ever come up and complained about the nuance of my acoustic guitar tone. Does it sound good? Like an acoustic? yes and yes. Good for them. Obvi if you have a high-end acoustic with a good pickup the highway series is not for you. But for a certain segment of people, who prefer an electric guitar neck (not me, but fine) these are a good sell for Fender.
I've heard Def Leppard use the Acoustasonic live and it didn't sound bad at all. To me it's a more versatile guitar than the Highway series. The Highways remind me of an Ovation guitar.
Great review and good insights! What about the battery life? You recommend unplugging it when not in use. But does it make you think twice about plugging it in? I think Fender claims a battery life of 22 hours. Which is not THAT long imo and in practice it's probably less. I also read in a forum that a player has to get a new battery for every gig (which is probably a lot less than 22 hrs). I mean having to buy multiple new batteries every month, kinda feels like subscribtion... which is kinda weird for a hardware instrument. There were mainly two things that put me off of an acoustasonic before. The looks, which they definetley solved for my taste. It's so pretty now. The bigger sound hole makes a huge difference to me. And the feeling of having a battery. I always imagined it would last like a year or so and you wouldn't have to worry about it too much. But it seems like a very common thing you have to think about when using the guitar... So what's the battery life in your experience like and does it change the way you approach playing it?
honestly, I think these would be brilliant as couch guitar because of their size and contour. sure, there are cheaper options just for that, but having also a monster gigging acoustic would be quite the bonus
They aren't good couch guitars because they sound awful....buy a Yamaha silent guitar plugged into a Yamama acoustic guitar amp....then you'll have something that's quite addictive to play and listen to..😊
I think ive got to play one- or two- its hard to parse out that sound vs the piezo. I get it - im always making various adjustments to get that correct tone- ive got a taylor 814 and the plugged int one can be harsh. Interestingly though- when i get it dialed in nice if im playing with a band it gets lost- i make the adjustments to fit into the mix and when played by itself its horrible sounding. Makes me wish i had a toggle to flip back and forth as needed without all the fiddling
Captain is the ultimate salesman and to keep it real the answer to the question of how does it sound acoustically, is it sounds like an unplugged electric!
For 3h+ gigs, the thin body and electric-like neck are attractive benefits of this guitar. Plus the lack of feedback in a loud band. Specific use case, I guess.
OMG - I really, really want one of those dreadnought models… but I’ll wait for the 2nd generation when they start building in the ‘Tornovoz’ in the sound hole - like they did with the acoustasonics!
Fender are clearly borrowing the design language from the acoustasonic and in terms of timing, they are probably benefiting from the popularity of the Ibanez TOD stage nylon guitars. So arguably the looks and the timing are right. What about the sound? Congratulations to Ben for the only video I’ve seen so far where this instrument doesn’t sound really unimpressive plugged in. He is one of these players that can make almost any instrument sound amazing. Based on this I might come along and try one now. But I certainly wouldn’t be buying it to play unplugged! However “loud” it may be (and note Ben is using a pick to get the max volume) imho it really doesn’t sound very good unless you plug it in, so the unplugged sound is a bit irrelevant. Lee points out the benefit of LOOKING like he’s playing an acoustic which I don’t personally understand (though the FEELING I think is relevant) … I care about the playability and the sound. I’m also really surprised he prefers the look of this to a T5 but that’s a personal thing (lol). I do get that some people don’t get on with Acoustasonic - I sold my Acoustasonic Tele and bought the Jazzmaster which I really (really) like. No good at an acoustic jam though - any more than this will be. My guess is this intended to be a SECOND (or third) guitar for plugged stage work only and is a MUCH harder sell as your only instrument: In which case, if you want an unplugged sound then buy a £900 traditional acoustic and look at add-on mic pickups or pedals for the plugged in sound if you don’t like the piezo sound. Personally for a second/third guitar at this price point I would buy a 2nd hand US acoustasonic.
suprising the acoustic sounds very good i don't know if i rather have this over a taylor or lr baggs on a conventional martin, even for beginners with a very comfortable martin sc
I think these types of things are very useful for a very limited number of people, no matter how much they are hyped. Most of the reviews seem to be trying to be as nice and as positive as they can concerning these, but ...... again, a wonderful tool for those who may need them, but that is a quite limited number comparted to the overall numbers of electric and acoustic guitar players. And I always smile at when they play them unplugged and they act all happy, as do those commenting... no, it sounds like a really really really cheap guitar that virtually no one would want, let alone act like it sounds good. Sure, it offers a practice or quiet playing option, but it does not sound good at all. And as for the "problems" seen with amped acoustics... they are not really the issue made out to be, less so now days. But again, yes, it is an interesting tool for those who might need it. Like the Swiss Army Knife, it will let you do a lot of things.... just none of them very well compared to using more suited blades or tools. And watching these videos reminds me of trying to sell a Swiss Army Knife to a chef, for the needs of a chef. Well... ok..... Cheers. :)
Ben is very good. Please Captain, do not tell him allays what he should say and rush in permanently saying what you, as a seldom acoustic player think what it is all about. Let him do this!
ok i'm glad Andertons put part that they played it unplugged version and i'll be honest fender nailed making it more resonance than Ibanez Version eventhough Ibanez are Nylon
I still dont understand why you wouldnt mic them anyways. I've seen videos of them being mic'd from Reverb and The Donut Doctor. They sounded great mic'd.
I wonder if playing harmonics will be a problem not having a pickup in the bridge....? I prefer a combo of soundhole and bridge pickup to get a broad sound. FWIW
I'd love these even for home use, if it were not for the very narrow neck :( In particular for the parlor sized one, it'd have been cool to get a wide neck option (46mm+)
Nylon works with the Piezo systems because it measures the vibration at the bridge. The pick up here is magnetic, so it needs metal to disturb the field.
I have an American Acoustasonic Tele, and it is weird plating it live with the band. Sounds great looks wrong. If they put the DSP in the Highway series that would be interesting. They are so close to getting this right...
I am really interested in this concept, but they still seem to have that "90's MTV Unplugged" sound. A bit boxy and brittle. At least that what this video sounds like (no criticism of the playing intended). As a musician who travels a lot by bicycle with either my Sitar or Guitar on a small trailer in tow, this idea seems to solve many issues for me. But the sound just doesn't do it for me yet.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Fender: let’s create an electric guitar with great technology for acoustic sounds. Also Fender: let’s create an acoustic version that doesn’t include this technology.
I mean, to be completely fair, modeling vs. analog is a pretty controversial topic, and it's probably a good idea to provide options for both markets
@@frogblues i actually like the headstock on the old Fender acoustics but i get your point of view.
Fender: Now that we've convinced people they need an acoustic modeling guitar, let's convince them that they need one without the modeling. Honestly I like this one better than the acoustasonic sound, but the unplugged sound is pretty crap.
I'm trying not to be too harsh but i listened to the video again and more demos. Am I the only one who thinks that they sound absolutely awful?? It would be better to use a solid body than this. I don't care what they look like. They must have known you can't get a proper acoustic sound with an electric guitar pickup and so they developed a whole system for the acoustasonic, but for the acoustic version they threw everything outside the window? @@bkmeahan
@@bkmeahanas someone with a Player acoustasonic Tele that is my go to open mic guitar the lack of electric pickup versatility makes this unnecessary when you could just get a proper plug in acoustic. There is definitely a purpose for the hybrid but I don't really see the purpose of a slimmer modeler other than maybe just comfort and playability... which you still get with the acoustasonic.
I completely agree with the aesthetics reasoning.
We (guitar players) might say we are objetive, and only about the sound.
But the looks of it matter a lot, both for the players and the audience.
So, why didn't they put the Acoustasonic technology in the Highway, minus the electric sounds?! They were so close, then it would look and sound like an acoustic guitar, but be a comfortable size for electric players. Then they could put that technology in an actual acoustic. I would imagine the acoustic properties of both the Highway and a real acoustic would add to the acoustasonic DSP sound. I like the look of the new designs though, particularly the mahogany parlour style.
And then make it an all acoustic look
This was the best, most comprehensive, most entertaining, and most enjoyable review I have ever seen regarding a guitar. You both work very well together to sell your product.
I also don’t feel like you went on and on needlessly. Thanks for this as it makes me consider this instrument for my next guitar purchase. Cheers from Minnesota, USA!
I own the Acoustasonic USA model and it works very well with a church band. I can do acoustic and full electric overdrive. Thanks for this video for comparing the different guitars. Based on the video here and Fender site, the Acoustasonic sounds way better.
Looks cool. Might have been interesting if they put something like the ToneWood amp into it so it could be as loud and full as a full size acoustic.
I have a late 70's Guild Songbird Super Thin Body Acoustic/Electric that is similar in size. I've loved it for 20+ years. With Fender's modern electronics, the design language should translate into incredibly comfortable and versatile acoustic guitars that play a little more like an electric.
Hello ❤❤
This is my favorite of the handful of Fender Highway videos I’ve seen. I preferred the plugged in sound of the Acoustasonic.. 🤷♂️ lol
Checked these out yesterday at the my local store. Think these guitars are intended for more than performance. Light weight and very comfortable they could easily replace my high end acoustic in playing time. Seriously thinking of getting the parlor for finger style due to the shorter scale length and comfort. Didn’t really notice any major difference between the two models when plugged in. Really liked the neck on both. For some reason setup varied between models.
Have you gotten one by now? :)
If yes, do you use it in Studio?
And what's your experience like with the battery? Do you have to think about it a lot? Do you find yourself buying new batteries all the time?
I thought the Acoustasonic Tele sounded way better and it plays like an electric - so very easy on the fingers during a long gig, especially in a band scenario where the nuances of an acoustic are lost in the mix. But for a solo or duo gig, you cant beat a good acoustic - I play a Martin DC Aura through an AER and it sounds so natural. But for my 5-piece tomorrow - I will use the Acoustasonic tele I think. I’ve listened to a few tests of this new product and it is only marginally better than a piezo to my ears. Nice idea, should have used DSPs.
Hello
GREAT review guys. I love the plugged in highway sound. It helps you have someone playing who has obviously mastered his craft!!!
Thanks to Andertons and Fender. Didn't realise that this was a guitar that I needed. Watched the video and bought the parlor in Australia 2 days ago. Salesman " great guitar for a solo performer" me -buying because i want something to sit on the couch with. Love this guitar.
One thing about acoustic-electric guitars (of various pickup system types) is that they’ll sound really artificial when they’re recorded directly from the line signal, which is done all too often. If they’re played through a PA system or acoustic amp, they’ll sound okay to an audience - and you can also record that by putting a mic up to a speaker. You need the crucial ingredient of sound waves moving through the air, like an acoustic guitar, rather than just an electrical signal.
Best review I've seen for these. You covered and compared loads, really appreciated.
Would love to see Fender launching a model that has the highway body with the acoustasonic modeling.
Amazing playing, Ben! I wish I sounded a fraction as good on my ol' acoustasonic tele!
All hail The Fender Ben-der!!!
The Acoustic Guitar King. Well played Sir!!!
I have a USA Acoustatele and it's the guitar I pick up more than any other cause it's not a big bulky acoustic, but I also don't have to plug it in to play it. I have it strung up with 10's rather than the 12s it comes with and it's much more compelling. These fall under the same category, but are a bit more acoustic guitar focused.
Thanks Lee and Before Electric Ben, I love the look of the these Highway series guitars, need to get one now!
Hello
I don’t understand why they didn’t put the Acoustasonic tech in these more traditionally shaped acoustics. If they did it’d be an instant buy from me.
Because they already have the acoustasonic!
@@officialWWM Yeah but the point is that the acoustasonic simulating an acoustic sounds more like a real acoustic than this does. So you'd think they'd use that technology to make this one sound more like a real acoustic when plugged in.
@@niclastname I disagree. I own the Acoustasonic and honestly, I struggle to get a decent acoustic sound out of it! I think the reason they didn’t put that tech in this guitar is simply cost. It would have pushed it up closer to the AS and they don’t want to be competing with their own products. I think this guitar is for a different market. I’ll buy one just for solo acoustic gigs cause it has that playability and a decent enough plugged in sound, plus, it looks right on stage.
Having said all that, maybe they will release another model with all the tech in it 🤷🏻♂️
@@officialWWMI don’t know why Fender can’t try other preamp systems in these than Fishman. How about the Baggs Anthem SL or HiFi?
@@im58woody the probably own Fishman or have some kind of exclusive supply deal. I’ll bet it’s not as simple as just using another supplier.
Hey guys really appreciate your great informative videos. Keep up the good work
I think you nailed the purpose of these guitars as being someone that wants an acoustic guitar sound in a band situation where the difference in tone (compared to a full acoustic) wouldn't be noticeable. That said, I'd gig one solo and be more than happy with the sound.
I was skeptical of the whole concept . But then attended a solo gig where he was using an Acoustamonic , and it worked surprisingly well .
Ty for not deviating playing if the different guitars song wise. That’s a proper demo!!!
These would be twice as interesting to me if they had used all that Acoustasonic tech/design to better simulate the acoustic sound when plugged in. Maybe it's to do with settings, but to my ear the plugged in Acoustasonic definitely sounds the most like a real acoustic guitar with a mic. I wish they would have done that with these so you get the look and the sound in one.
I owned a Washburn SBF-80 solid body acoustic sounding guitar. It had acoustic chambers but no sound holes. It sounded and played really well. It was a beautiful red sunburst similar to a Gibson Les Paul. It was sold because my professional musician career was over and it wasn't needed anymore. I would love to have another over this Fender guitar if I became a pro again.
Gotta get my hands on one of these. I have a frozen shoulder from a motorcycle wreck. I can’t comfortably play an acoustic because of the body thickness. This might work?
As a performer I org hated the acoustasonic idea until I actually used one. Its a very versatile tool and great for live or travel. Its also great that it has 2 pickup styles build into it as in some venues the wireing isnt perfect or there is too much neon and a magnetic pickup no mater how good will hum. So it's nice to have the pizeo option on its own. The new hwy doesn't have that option so a much less useful guitar.
I completely agree that piezos always sound brittle and nasty. I hate them with a passion. Give me a K & K contact pickup or an LR Baggs M1 magnetic soundhole stacked humbucker any day of the week. For this reason, I like the new Fishman Fluence magnetic pickups which are fitted to curve around the soundhole - excellent idea. And for this reason I like what I've seen, especially of the Mahogany top Highway series guitars a lot - these are design features for which I've been yearning for decades.
It would have been a purchase for me if they added the technology of the acoustasonic minus the electric sounds. Much more variation in tones.
I'd love to hear how they sounded in the room, because they don't come across as much of an improvement in the video - they still have that distinctive sound that I associate with a plugged-in acoustic. I'm really happy with my PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo for live work, with the piezo rolled back and the standard pick-ups adding the warmth I need. It's obviously not truly acoustic, but it's a really usable "acoustic-ish" sound - and the fact that it's coming out of a semi-acoustic means nobody's going to be hyper-critical. It's also stunningly good value at the moment if you can bag one like I did in Andertons' PRS sale. 😎
I bought the PRS as well ( not in their sale but a decent price) Im ok with it but would only use it as a live compromise, not recording. I was surprisingly impressed with the electric sound though for an SE model and recorded with it once in preference to a les Paul custom. I didnt think they were that ground breaking, are priced appropriately and, owning a USA accoustasonic, I won't be trading that anytime soon.
Ben is so awesome! Really enjoyed learning bout these. Thanks!
I have the strat acoustasonic, and i love it. It,s an instrument built for the stage. I can't rate it highly enough. No its not the best acoustic sound, and no, it's not the best electric guitar sound, but to the general audience listening, they can't tell the difference. Top marks.
Acoustic Singer-songwriter and looping type of player here... I love my USA Acoustasonic Jazzmaster. I'm very interested in the Road Series mahogany parlor version, but think I'd prefer a version with the Fluence pickup AND Acoustasonic DSP. It doesn't really matter how it sounds unplugged to me, I practice how I perform...plugged in.
I'm also very curious how that Fluence pickup handles "boom chick" style finger picking (think "More Than Words" by Extreme). That "chick" gets lost with a lot of systems and I haven't seen it addressed in any videos yet
Thank you for doing this video. I have been waiting for a comparison.
Piezo pickups always sound “zinggy” (is that a word? Lol) to me. One if the reasons I really enjoyed Joe Bonamassa’s acoustic shows. He mic’d up some fantastic traditional acoustics and it sounded so amazing.
I think the tele acoustasonic looks really cool. The highway series seems fun to have.
I love my Acoustasonic. If I was still playing at church, though, I’d get one of these Highway series. Because the Acoustasonic got push-back at the “blended” service I played at for looking like something that should be in the contemporary service instead. (Which may be silly or not, but it is reality.) Plus, I think they look great. Tempted to get one, but I really can’t justify it for anything I’m currently doing.
That IS silly. If that is reality I would be questioning the churches motives. I used my acoustasonic in a traditional Anglican and nobody said anything
@@ripw1 It wasn’t “the church”, it was some of the congregation. The same people whose mind you could blow by telling them that there were complaints when organs were first brought into churches. Yeah…it was silly, but sometimes it is easier to meet people where they are and have more important conversations than to get into a extended discussion about something so trivial.
@@RobertFisher1969 agreed
@RobertFisher1969:
Push-back??? For what!? What was their point(s)?
Isn't Church about focusing on prayer? No offence meant toward you, but the notion that a congregation (or individual) would be so distracted by a musical leaves me non-plussed. Also, where was the Church leadership in this matter?
Doesn't sound like the kind of Church group that I could tolerate, if I am honest.
Horses for courses. My dad would say ... "that's why they have chocolate and vanilla". I'm giving one a try this week. On line demos are never enough to convince me of anything sonically. My intent is to only play this on the couch or the stage. I don't need a lot of sound unplugged. I have guitars for that. I've had a US Tele acoustasonic for years (love it), but I am very much looking forward to this different sound approach. The DSP in the Tele can get splatty in certain amps. This guitar will have a more natural tone to amplify, and subsequently, modify. In 20 years, the DSP part of the Tele may not be supported, but a magnetic style pickup will most likely last forever.
Agreed on all points.
ruclips.net/video/oMxLicrd2wQ/видео.htmlsi=cDJ2Sfrtn49QrQ6e
I love the tele
I could definitely justify owning one if I already had one single coil and one humbucker type electric. They are very beautiful instruments and different enough to be interesting to an electric player as well as an acoustic player.
For me, I'm a used gear kinda guy. I can price out a really decent acoustic with a pickup, and an electric guitar with an Amp for less than one of these. I can understand if you're trying to keep it light, but I don't think they'll ever sound as good as a stand-alone electric or acoustic. Maybe the body size is a draw to some people. There are just too many good options for solo acoustics or electrics at half the price that will perform just as well if not better.
I think these guitars are great for beginners (like me). They're really comfortable and super easy to play.
Beginners that want to spend $1k on their first instrument.
So the mahogany (to me) sounds much brighter with less low/low mids.
Right?
Why put black trimming on the natural top? It should be dark brown, or is it?
Why put trimming at all on either?
Just when I heard enough to decide upon getting an Acoustasonic, Fender takes me down the Highway. Both, in their own right are amazing creations by Fender. Anyway, what I really wanted to say is, thank you for this very straightforward, no nonsense comparison of these fine Fender acoustasonic guitars.
@Ben: Have to learn that outro jam from 20:08 to 21:22. This is so unbelievably beautiful, man…
Ben's a hell of a player. Guy really has a knowledge of what playing acoustically should be. Most people try to play electric style on acoustic and it doesn't land like Ben's playing
Even plugged it sounds tinny mini.
Agreed, I didn't expect to love these, but even so I was underwhelmed.
Liking the sound of the mahogany bodies. I was never interested when the acoustasonic series came out. But the Highway series? A definite yes.
I would take the acoustasonic every time!
As much as I hear people complain about the Acoustasonic, I’ve seen so many big artists play them live. For an electric band that plugs in anyways, it makes sense.
This is what happens when guy in a suit says, "I demand innovation" by the way, as a former guitar center employee, these always came back because the vaneer top pulls up at the bridge because there is zero bracing. But if people were dead set on owning one, I recommend the lightest strings you can find.
In extreme weather conditions like humid and hot or dry and cold these or the acoustisonic are a better choice for amplified acoustic sounds. Regular acoustic instruments don’t like extremes. If you perform outdoors in summer or in heated tents during winter it’s a no brainer and travels safer and easier too.
I'd either move the magnetic pickup to the other side of the F hole which is closer to where one would actually pick, or replace it entirely with an undersaddle.
sounds too much like a Strat neck pickup... the piezo captures the different picking positions way better
Acoustically it still sounds like the Acoustasonic, just louder. I also liked the Acoustasonic plugged in better, I have an Acoustasonic, because I want the Acoustic tones, WITHOUT the acoustic feel.
I agree. I've gigged my Acoustasonic for a few years now and it can sound great as an "acoustic" as well as giving me the bite of the Tele pick-up. Best thing for me apart from the sounds is that it feels like playing a Telecaster, familiar neck, body shape etc. And yes I default to Telecasters for electrics.
@@andybradshaw5971 Same here. I gig with mine, little gigs, me and a singer, because I wanted my Electric feel, but Acoustic tone. It replaced a Line 6 JTV Variax for me, because it nails the Acoustic tones better.
@@justmehere6094 Yeah exactly - and that's why the Acoustasonic does what it does so well. I was gigging last weekend and I needed a variety of sounds that my Faith Venus Bloodmoon can't give me, or a straight Tele can't either. The Acoustasonic was the right tool for the job in that instance.
@@andybradshaw5971 Yep. Our gig list covers stuff from Irish Folk, to classic Rock, to some Ramones.
If you have the acoustasonic one, I don’t see the need for the highway acoustic. If I see one cheap second hand I might buy . Too expensive for what you get . My opinion only of course. I enjoyed Ben’s playing and love the Captain’s videos . 👍
Hey, glad folks are finally jumping on the magnetic soundhole bandwagon. I've used an L.R. Baggs M-80 magnetic soundhole pickup for years. I know, it "changes the ascetic of the guitar." I know, it's not "pristine perfect acoustic sound." No one EVER at any gig has ever come up and complained about the nuance of my acoustic guitar tone. Does it sound good? Like an acoustic? yes and yes. Good for them. Obvi if you have a high-end acoustic with a good pickup the highway series is not for you. But for a certain segment of people, who prefer an electric guitar neck (not me, but fine) these are a good sell for Fender.
Now this is the right kinda demo for this one. Cool instrument-might be tempted at that price!
Ahhhhhh, very interesting guitar.
I love my acoustasonic jazzmaster player.
But, I'm interested in this highway.
I've heard Def Leppard use the Acoustasonic live and it didn't sound bad at all. To me it's a more versatile guitar than the Highway series. The Highways remind me of an Ovation guitar.
Great review and good insights!
What about the battery life? You recommend unplugging it when not in use. But does it make you think twice about plugging it in?
I think Fender claims a battery life of 22 hours. Which is not THAT long imo and in practice it's probably less. I also read in a forum that a player has to get a new battery for every gig (which is probably a lot less than 22 hrs).
I mean having to buy multiple new batteries every month, kinda feels like subscribtion... which is kinda weird for a hardware instrument.
There were mainly two things that put me off of an acoustasonic before.
The looks, which they definetley solved for my taste. It's so pretty now. The bigger sound hole makes a huge difference to me.
And the feeling of having a battery. I always imagined it would last like a year or so and you wouldn't have to worry about it too much. But it seems like a very common thing you have to think about when using the guitar...
So what's the battery life in your experience like and does it change the way you approach playing it?
When listening with samsung ear buds pro2 the Highway is very decent plugged in. Plus Ben is an excellent player.
Assuming cost doesn't matter, is this an easier foray into acoustic guitar from a beginner-playability perspective for fans of acoustic sound?
Amazing Chet Atkins picking at the end!
What's the name of the ragtime piece at the end? It is great
Name another company that is redesigning and innovating the way Fender is in the acoustic realm. The passion these products show is respectable.
Hello
honestly, I think these would be brilliant as couch guitar because of their size and contour. sure, there are cheaper options just for that, but having also a monster gigging acoustic would be quite the bonus
They aren't good couch guitars because they sound awful....buy a Yamaha silent guitar plugged into a Yamama acoustic guitar amp....then you'll have something that's quite addictive to play and listen to..😊
I think ive got to play one- or two- its hard to parse out that sound vs the piezo. I get it - im always making various adjustments to get that correct tone- ive got a taylor 814 and the plugged int one can be harsh. Interestingly though- when i get it dialed in nice if im playing with a band it gets lost- i make the adjustments to fit into the mix and when played by itself its horrible sounding. Makes me wish i had a toggle to flip back and forth as needed without all the fiddling
Good review. Good tunes.
are the strings a lot softer on the dreadnaught?
Thank you Gentle Ben 🙏
Does the Acoustasonic Tele always have an amp emulation on?
Last acoustic guitar I was excited was Gibson with a hole on the top while playing. They sounded great
Captain is the ultimate salesman and to keep it real the answer to the question of how does it sound acoustically, is it sounds like an unplugged electric!
Sooooo if you want your acoustic to sound better plugged in buy a better pickup or buy a new acoustic that only makes sense when plugged in?
For 3h+ gigs, the thin body and electric-like neck are attractive benefits of this guitar. Plus the lack of feedback in a loud band. Specific use case, I guess.
OMG - I really, really want one of those dreadnought models… but I’ll wait for the 2nd generation when they start building in the ‘Tornovoz’ in the sound hole - like they did with the acoustasonics!
Hello 😊
I have the grandfather of these new guitars, the Fender Santa Rosa. It’s primitive by comparison, but I still love it.
Fender are clearly borrowing the design language from the acoustasonic and in terms of timing, they are probably benefiting from the popularity of the Ibanez TOD stage nylon guitars. So arguably the looks and the timing are right. What about the sound?
Congratulations to Ben for the only video I’ve seen so far where this instrument doesn’t sound really unimpressive plugged in. He is one of these players that can make almost any instrument sound amazing. Based on this I might come along and try one now. But I certainly wouldn’t be buying it to play unplugged!
However “loud” it may be (and note Ben is using a pick to get the max volume) imho it really doesn’t sound very good unless you plug it in, so the unplugged sound is a bit irrelevant. Lee points out the benefit of LOOKING like he’s playing an acoustic which I don’t personally understand (though the FEELING I think is relevant) … I care about the playability and the sound. I’m also really surprised he prefers the look of this to a T5 but that’s a personal thing (lol). I do get that some people don’t get on with Acoustasonic - I sold my Acoustasonic Tele and bought the Jazzmaster which I really (really) like. No good at an acoustic jam though - any more than this will be.
My guess is this intended to be a SECOND (or third) guitar for plugged stage work only and is a MUCH harder sell as your only instrument: In which case, if you want an unplugged sound then buy a £900 traditional acoustic and look at add-on mic pickups or pedals for the plugged in sound if you don’t like the piezo sound.
Personally for a second/third guitar at this price point I would buy a 2nd hand US acoustasonic.
how loud was the proper acoustic through the decibel meter in the room?
Ben is the master! Amazing. 😎
suprising the acoustic sounds very good i don't know if i rather have this over a taylor or lr baggs on a conventional martin, even for beginners with a very comfortable martin sc
I think these types of things are very useful for a very limited number of people, no matter how much they are hyped. Most of the reviews seem to be trying to be as nice and as positive as they can concerning these, but ...... again, a wonderful tool for those who may need them, but that is a quite limited number comparted to the overall numbers of electric and acoustic guitar players. And I always smile at when they play them unplugged and they act all happy, as do those commenting... no, it sounds like a really really really cheap guitar that virtually no one would want, let alone act like it sounds good. Sure, it offers a practice or quiet playing option, but it does not sound good at all. And as for the "problems" seen with amped acoustics... they are not really the issue made out to be, less so now days. But again, yes, it is an interesting tool for those who might need it. Like the Swiss Army Knife, it will let you do a lot of things.... just none of them very well compared to using more suited blades or tools. And watching these videos reminds me of trying to sell a Swiss Army Knife to a chef, for the needs of a chef. Well... ok..... Cheers. :)
21:23 I've said this before... but EVERY TIME Ben plays like this, I immediately think of the Athletic theme from Super Mario World lol
So, who's the smart guy designed the fender acoustasonic as well as the taylor t5?
I always wanted to put a magnetic pickup on a fender sonoran and this guitar sounds even better
Ben is very good. Please Captain, do not tell him allays what he should say and rush in permanently saying what you, as a seldom acoustic player think what it is all about. Let him do this!
ok i'm glad Andertons put part that they played it unplugged version
and i'll be honest
fender nailed making it more resonance than Ibanez Version eventhough Ibanez are Nylon
I still dont understand why you wouldnt mic them anyways. I've seen videos of them being mic'd from Reverb and The Donut Doctor. They sounded great mic'd.
Yamaha FGX5. Has nothing to do with this video but is my favorite guitar right now so I will not be shopping for awhile.
I wonder if playing harmonics will be a problem not having a pickup in the bridge....? I prefer a combo of soundhole and bridge pickup to get a broad sound. FWIW
I'd love these even for home use, if it were not for the very narrow neck :( In particular for the parlor sized one, it'd have been cool to get a wide neck option (46mm+)
How it can compares to taylor gs mini?
I wonder if it's possible do it with nylon strings
Nylon works with the Piezo systems because it measures the vibration at the bridge. The pick up here is magnetic, so it needs metal to disturb the field.
@@sagittated cheers man
It sounds exactly like it looks. It’s a small bodied, shallow acoustic. Even amplified, it still sounds like it.
Just saw a video of Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stone) in his home playing a Fender Acoustasonic.
Wow that outro song!
I have an American Acoustasonic Tele, and it is weird plating it live with the band. Sounds great looks wrong. If they put the DSP in the Highway series that would be interesting. They are so close to getting this right...
I call him Benny wiggles. 😁
Love his playing and animation!
I'm thinking a good amp setup these would be good for jazz
Ben is excellent. I'm still on the fence with this series though.
I am really interested in this concept, but they still seem to have that "90's MTV Unplugged" sound.
A bit boxy and brittle.
At least that what this video sounds like (no criticism of the playing intended).
As a musician who travels a lot by bicycle with either my Sitar or Guitar on a small trailer in tow, this idea seems to solve many issues for me. But the sound just doesn't do it for me yet.
The mahogany dreadnought sounded the best of these IMO