Brand/Model: Fender T-Bucket 300CE
Number of Strings: 6
Hand Orientation: Right
Body Material: Maple top
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Price Range: Under $300
Our Rating: 9/10
Fender T-Bucket 300CE Cutaway Guitar Review
Trust Fender to provide variety when you’re strumming the acoustic electric guitar market. To add to the established collection is the new Fender T-Bucket 300CE that’s sexy in all respects.
If you’ve fallen for the aesthetic appeal alone, then you’d be surprised to find that it’s a laminated-wood constructed guitar. Don’t get skeptical just yet, because it still features the best laminate there is.
It has a mahogany back and sides, a gorgeous quilted maple top, and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. The combinations of these tonewoods together can competitively vie with a solid top guitar in this price range.
While decent hardware is often neglected when it comes to cheap guitars, Fender has an eye for detail. They give the rosewood bridge a nice touch with the Graphtech Nubone compensated saddle and nut. Pair this with the solid tuning machines and you’ve got detail where you need great tone the most!
The Fender guitar comes with a 3 band EQ thanks to the Fishman’s Isys III system. While it’s not the best pickup system that Fender offers, it’s going to say a lot for this guitar – loud and clear. Expect a volume control and a built-in chromatic tuner – nice!
When it comes to sound and a dreadnought body, you’ve got nothing but full and wholesome wrapped in an earful of trebles, basses, and some dense mids. Is it playable out of the box? It wouldn’t be a Fender if it wasn’t!
Pros
- Price
- Quality laminate
- Fishman’s Isys III system
- Graphtech Nubone nut
- Compensated saddle
Cons
- Blemish control issues
Fender T Bucket 300CE Reviews
When it comes to sound, tones, and pickups, there’s not a single complaint about the T-Bucket 300CE at time of writing. There’s definitely more to rave about in the Fender bucket than there is to rant.
However, very few buyers received a guitar with blemishes in the laminate. With the minor reports on this issue, it seems it may have been a factory second that missed control inspections. But, the majority of buyers are very happy with their stunning instrument.
To add to the happy bucket, players and buyers of the Fender are beyond impressed with the smooth playability the guitar offers. No set-up is required out the box lending a hand to the beginner player who needs all the help they can get!
Alternative Acoustic-Electric Guitars to Consider
If you’re still trying to convince yourself to get on the laminate band wagon, but you’re having a difficult time, then pay attention. The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar has a solid mahogany top with laminate back and sides. With this construction upgrade, you’ll pay a tad more.
It’s reinforced with scalloped X bracing, and it looks fierce with hellcat inlays positioned along the frets – meow! We also found it the cats-meow when it came to review time, so keep your lids peeled for the entire analysis.
If you’re braving the brand waters, the Epiphone Hummingbird Pro Guitar is also under 300 dollars, you can see the full list of great guitars less than $300 here. Keeping the laminate for the back and sides, this guitar features a solid spruce top that allows it to have the smooth sunburst finish. Epiphone kicked things up a notch with their new Shadow system.
It has a Shadow performer preamap and Shadow Nano Flex pickup system. If this sounds too awesome to pass up, hum on over to the full review we did on the sweet thang.
- Quilt Maple Top with Scalloped X-Bracing, Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
- Mahogany Neck with 20 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard
- Rosewood Bridge with Graphtech Nubone Compensated Saddle
Fender T-Bucket 300CE FAQ
Is there another Finish in the T-Bucket 300CE Series?
This is the amber finish that’s the most affordable of the two. The other finish is the 3-color sunburst that has a black outer edge with a flame maple top laminate.
What Color is the Back of the T Bucket 300ce Acoustic Electric Guitar?
The laminated mahogany on the back is a solid black color.
Does this 300ce Guitar have the Scalloped X Bracing?
Yes, this guitar is outfitted wit the special bracing system for added durability.
Is this the New Fender T-Bucket 300CE Model?
This is the new model. You can confirm this with two methods. The first is by confirming the model number located inside of the sound hole. The second is identifying the funky new “F” design on the 12th fret that replaced the “F” in the diamond from older models.
What are the Differences with the Fender CD-60CE Models?
The CD-60CE are excellent beginner guitars, and they’re also under 300 bucks. However, the T-Bucket has better laminated woods with mahogany and maple versus nato and spruce on the CD-60.
They both feature the same Fishman Isys III pickup system and scalloped X bracing, however the T-Bucket has the Graph Tech NuBone saddle and nut. But, the CD-60CE comes with a hard shell case included in the purchase.
Does the 300CE T-Bucket Guitar come with any Accessories?
No extra items are included in the purchase. The listed price is for the guitar only.
Does the Fenders 300CE T-Bucket have Strap Buttons?
You can use a shoulder strap with the two pre-installed strap buttons that are provided.
Can Fender’s 300CE Guitar be Played Left-Handed?
You might be tempted to switch string placement and give it a go. However, you won’t have the convenience and comfort of the cutaway, and the tuner and jack would interfere with playing.
You’d also have to reverse the nut and saddle, all of which can erase playability.
Hardware/Electronics You’ll Need:
This is a guitar-only purchase. From the get-go, it’s going to cost more than $300 to acquire everything else you’ll need to get amplified and extra necessities under way. Consider our must have guitar necessities guide to help you get strumming louder than a drop in a bucket.
- Amp
- Cable
- Extra strings
- Guitar Humidifier
- Strap
- Picks (optional)
- Capo (optional)
Standout Features of the 300CE T Bucket:
- Aesthetics
- Excellent playability
- Ready out of the box
Our Verdict on the Fender 300ce T Bucket
To strum it up, the Fender T-Bucket 300CE Acoustic Electric Guitar is a catch for a beginner. It’ll hold up to an intermediate player too. For the price, it’s one of these rare buys that’s actually worth adding to your cart!
Further Reading:
- Taylor 224CE-K DLX Review – Koa Acoustic Electric Guitar (Excellent Craftsmanship)
- Fender FA-235E Review – Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Viking Bridge & TUSQ Nut)
- Yamaha FGX800C Review – Solid Top Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Takamine GD30CE Review – NAT Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Martin DRS1 Review – Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.