Fender AG-25 Acoustic-Electric

With the new pickup, this has gone up in it's rating.

This is a follow-up review. Since I purchased this guitar used from ebay, I have replaced the pickup a Fishman Sonicore Matrix Classic 4 under-saddle pickup with EQ. All I can say is WOW! In the other review, I gave the sound a "9" rating, but that was based on the unplugged sound. I would've given the original passive pickup a "4 or 5". It is unbelievable how crisp and clear it sounds now. The passive pickup with just tone & volume sounded muted by comparison, and the feedback is totally gone now. It really sounds loud & strong now through my Fender Rumble 100 amp. I still use the Digitech RP80 pedal just for fun, but I don't use it to improve the sound anymore...yea! I also gave it a new bone-saddle from Allparts. That really made a difference too. I would recommend always doing that if you're fixing up a used acoustic.

Same as before, but with better controls.

Same as before. It can take a pounding!

If you get one of these guitars either electric or not (there are non-electric AG versions sometimes for sale), I would recommend putting in or replacing with a pickup like I mentioned. You'll have to enlarge the square hole for the EQ (or cut one for non electric).
Also, see this site: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Pickups/Matrix/matrix1.html If you are uncomfortable doing that, have a pro do it. Either way, the sound will blow you away!

1994, Korea, 21 frets, Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, basic volume & tone slide controls. The pickup is the type that is mounted to the top on the inside behind the bridge. Looks like a stethoscope. Satin with a natural finish, brown woodgrain on back of neck, back & sides, black binding on edges, cutaway jumbo, chrome tuners (standard Fender issue?). Not real loaded with features, but its best feature of all is the classic Fender Strat Peghead headstock...cool.

This guitar has a very loud full jumbo sound. It reminds me of the Sigma/Martin 12 string I used to have...but with 6 strings. I put Martin silk & steel strings on it and it's still loud! But I can still play soft if I want to. Plugged in can be tricky. It will feedback easily, so I don't keep the volume knob up very much. I've noticed the feedback varies with the tone control too. I can play with both controls enough to make it sound good. I also like playing it through my Digitech RP80 pedal. If I set it on the Acoustic Amp model, it sounds like any acoustic-electric with an equalizer built-in...but MUCH more full sounding.

The action is good. I may get a pro to set it up even better...but the action is very smooth. The frets are much more comfortable than say the Fender acoustics they sell at Sam's Wholesale Club. The slide controls for volume & tone got real quiet with a spritz of tuner cleaner from Radio Shack. It was used, so I am going to give it a good workover with my Fender Instrument Care Kit when it arrives. The fretboard looks great after I ran some 00000 steel wool up & down it. Then after that, a good rubdown of Old English & mineral oil. The body overall is very pretty.

This guitar will definitely withstand live playing if you can adjust it for the feedback. The hardware is very tough. I glued in the bottom strap button (I'm just happy it was still there!). I think this is a very dependable guitar. If I played live, I'd trust it having no backup.

I have never dealt with Fender, but found their website fairly informative. http://www.fender.com/support/dating/acoustic_dating.php

I've been playing as a hobby for about 25 years. I have owned several guitars in the past, and I think I got a heck of a deal for $120.00. It's worth 4 times that. This is a much better guitar than some of the newer Asian ones available. If it were lost or stolen, I'd try to find another...but these seem to be rare. Again...I love the Peghead! If you ever find any of these AG models for sale, grab one, you won't be disappointed.