Fender Gemini II Acoustic

I think most of this has been covered below already by other reviewers. Please see the reviews below for details in this category.

This was my first guitar...purchased about 13 years ago. At the time I didn't know about Fender's horrible reputation for low-end acoustics, but it was my first and I just wanted to learn. After 13 years of playing, I have played numerous guitars and have 6 included in my collection. This guitar still amazes me after I return from a trip to local guitar stores. It has a beautiful tone, as long as you don't play above the 11th fret. The guitar has been through hell...kept in trunks during 115 degree summers, dropped, had things dropped on it etc... Anything played above the 11th fret bottoms out as the strings touch higher frets and make a dead pinging sound.

I bought one of these models and took it home. I found that some of the frets weren't set properly into the neck and caused a lot of buzzing. I had to take it back to the shop and pick through a few of the ones they had in stock to make sure I had a good one without problems. The shop didn't seem very concerned with customer service and wanted to keep the guitar for a few weeks to have their luthier fix it (even though I had just purchased it the day before)...but after some strong words, they succumbed to letting me pick out another one instead. The action was pretty high as well, but after adjusting the truss rod I was able to get the action down low enough to play comfortably. There was a small blemish on the neck, but otherwise, the finish, tuners, and manufacturing on the guitar seem good for the price range.

Since I've had this guitar for around 13 years now, I am able to speak from a perspective of a large amount of time. The guitar could probably stand some TLC from a luthier to bring back some of it's original splendor, but the price to fix the guitar would probably far exceed it's re-sale value. I still might do it just because it was my first and is very special in that aspect. I basically use it as my beater/thrasher guitar when I need something to take to a friend's house or to go camping with or to let my kids play around with. I don't have to worry about it much...even though it has incredible sentimental value. Seeing as how it's lasted 13 years, I think most of the settling that is going to happen has probably occurred by now...so I think it has held up very well. The tuning pegs keep the guitar in tune very well and I've never had a problem with them. The finish has some marks and dents from mishaps...but overall has no major cracks or anything that could be considered a flaw of cheap manufacturing. I really wouldn't use it live because you can only play down toward the nut...unless you want to risk the huge "dead zone" that starts around the 11th fret.

never dealt with Fender

I've been playing about 13 years now. I own a Takamine EF349C acoustic, a Takamine classical, a Schecter C-1 Elite electric guitar and a Martin 12 string. I play through a Crate GX40D electric guitar amplifier and a Crate CA60D acoustic guitar amplfier.

I wish I had studied a bit more before buying the guitar. I ended up buying it from the highest priced shop in town and could have definitely acquired it for much cheaper.

I probably wouldn't buy another one if it was lost or stolen, but it is special to me so I'm not going to give it away or sell it either.

I wish it sounded good all across the fretboard, but I feel that my own naive negligence is probably to blame for most of it's problems.

Made in Korea. 20 frests. Probably spruce top. Might be laminated back and sides. Rosewood fingerboard maybe. Typical dreadnaught.

It does what I ask it to do. Install a new set of strings and this baby comes to life. Mix of flatpicking, strumming and fingerpicking. I've played more expensive guitars (at the music store) with older strings that don't sound as good as this one with new strings.

Haven't had to adjust the neck or anything. Looks kinda sloppy inside, but who cares.

This thing is built like a brick shithouse. It's been though jungle like humidity in the summer and been bone dry in the winter. It doesn't care. Glossy finish on the neck and body. It's got dings, but that has no effect on sound. I had to add a strap button on the base of the neck. No cracks so far.

No need so far.

Been playing on and off for 23 years. Also have an '87 Fender American Standard Strat, a '97 Guild Bluesbird and a '64 Fender Mustang. If this was stolen, I'd search E-Bay for the exact model. Can't remember what I paid for it, but it was cheap. Excellent bang for the buck.

The guitar was bought new around 1984-1985. Standard "Fender" signature at the top of the neck. It has twenty frets. The high ones are a little tough to get to, but a lot easier than many other acoustics I have played through the years. It seems to be made of a dark maple. It's a really nice, simple looking guitar. There's a sticker inside the body with "Fender Model Gemini II" and the serial number printed on it. I would be interested to know where and when it was manufactured.

I learned how to play guitar on this Fender and I've had it for sixteen years. It has influenced my style of playing acoustically as much as anything I've ever heard, perhaps even more. I wouldn't characterize the sound as being especially bright, even with new strings, but it is definitely a warm, rich, full sound. I have constantly composed songs using different, odd tunings and this has seemed to have no effect on the bridge, neck or whatever. It sounds especially good with those fat, open note chords.

Like I said, the guitar is built like a workhorse. It's not fancy, but everything works. And the action is great. I've always liked it. I have played guitars that have felt better and were easier to play, but these were vastly more expensive. I'm probably used to this action anyway, after all these years.

This guitar has been through hell. It spent two years in the heat and humidity of tropical Africa. At one point, it was resting against a wall in a pool of water after a particularly heavy rainfall, but, other than a little damage to the finish, it's still trucking on.
I have played it heavily and constantly for the past sixteen years and treat it like crap, to be honest. In other words, it's REALLY durable!

Customer what?

I love this guitar. What can I say?

6 strings, decent tuners,umm.. sound hole? Nice clear varnish finish. 25.3" scale (I think),still know very little about acoustics,don't need to as this one asks very little and gives a lot.
First trip to acoustic land,and only purchased after advice from friends and looking at over a dozen cheaper acoustics in several shops in the Greater London area. 25.3" scale (I think).

The neck radius is fairly flat and the back profile is kind of like a thinner Gibson [C type?],whilst still being quite comfortable for general open chord and rhythm work, the board width being similar. The fretboard is rosewood,seemingly. Frets are narrow and quite low.

Surpisingly good sound,clearest and most resonant of the lot of 12 or 13 (various low end acoustics) in 6 or 7 music shops,and, no, I wasn't influenced in a positive manner by the "Fender" on the headstock,as I was into late 80s Ibanez stuff (!follies of youth!). I realize it's a cheapo guitar but the sound depth and qualitity delighted me. It's got a bright sound with new strings, although it sounds better after they have "died" for a couple of weeks, sounds as good or better than many Wasburns,Aria,Yamaha and Ibanez acoustics which I have heard..won't try it against a J200,tho.:) Usually use Dean Markley "Light gauge?". I have heard better acoustics ,but, not below #250-300.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 9.5
Fit and finish = tougher than the toughest of old boots (see below), the playbility is fine and has a nice,while not super low action. The neck radius is fairly flat and the back profile is kind of like a thinner Gibson [C type?],whilst still being quite comfortable for general open chord and rhythm work, the board width being similar. The fretboard is rosewood,seemingly. Frets are narrow and quite low,the 3 frets nearest the nut have dinks in them under the high E and B string positions,so i now get a little buzz. It has NEVER had a setup,and the nut seem to be wearing a little now. Time to get the tools out.Intonation is inexact above fret 14 ,and was before age and wear set in,[loses half a point],but I cannot usually reach higher than that .It has a 14th fret neck join. Tuners look cheap,but hold tune very well if posts well wrapped with string.

Reliability/Durability: 11!
Everything still seems solid. Cosmic! see below...in the overall rating section.

Never had to,never will.

Overall Rating: 9.75
I own/owned a wide range of guitars and have played quite a few. This is one I will never think of parting with. The only gripe is the bridge pins are a pig to get in and out,but, i beleive that this is common to acoustics. The only other acoustic i owned, for a long while, was an Aria,costing almost twice the price..let's just say that one was hardly played and was traded in for something decent when able.

Kudos to Fender and many thanks for the quality product of budget nature.

"Made in Korea"

At the time of purchase i expected to "upgrade" or replace this in 5 or so years time..I was very wrong.


This is a summary of why this little "beater" gets a high rating...



Fender Gemini II, Acoustic-- 10yr report.


General usage and synopsis:

Bought new in July 1992.
Played heavilly by everyone I knew at the time from 1992-94 ("Oh, that sounds *fine* can I borrow it for the weekend?") slung around in general,It has been "camping" **get this** --Physically IN a river more than once-- (not fully submerged), at parties, played in damp situations, street parties. Name anywhere short of a Crack house and it's probably been there. Aquires small dig in back of neck,varnish is intact. Taken for long trips in the boot/trunk of car,often without case or gigbag ..youth,stupidity?

1994-97 declining in use,but still played around an hour a day,most days.
1998 moderate usage.
1998-99 fairly heavy usage,in Jam band situation,small "gheto blaster" falls on it, this leaves crescent scar about an inch long "imprinted" in the front of the guitar just behind the bridge,playability unimpaired.
1999 Cat knocks over guitar this breaks tuner head ,which is superglued back on and, replaced in 2001.
1999 to 2000 not much use.
2001 to date light usage.


In this time it has never had a case or cardboard box and "moved house" 12 times,packed carefully, but not over dilligently (was a student).

If you can find a tougher acoustic guitar,it will probably be made from steel..(James Trussart acoustic?).

Made in Japan I bought it in Amsterdam in 1986. I was a busker then. It has 20 frets, a solid top. I changed the tuners because the factory ones sucked. There was a passive Shaller bridge pick up mounted an a new bridge from real bone was installed. I bought it together with a hard case.

It has a gentle friendly sound to it self. On the street I had to use a Tiger mini amp (2 watts) to not make it dissapear to my voice. Amplified I could plug in everywhere, ajust the gain and it sounded wonderfull.

After the new tuners and brigde now the frets are beginning to wear a bit. But I've played it so many times that it unbelieveable they are still on there. She playes like a Fender should light and easy.

If you knew what this guitar has been thru on my 5 years of traveling as a busker, in a soft case and you look at it today you will not belelieve a word I say. This is an unbelievebly well made guitar that endured heat, beaches, tents, people sitting on it, falling down numerous times and so on.... It made me so much monoey and never failed on me. It stays in tune and handeled me pounding it night after night after night.

Never needed it.

In the 25 years I'm playing this guitar will have a special place in my heart forevers. I will never want to lose her. Mabey I get a Fishman build in her for better performance......And burry my new bought Ibanez.

This is a great guitar. Good enough for me to buy twice. All wood, holds strings in tune for a good amount of time. Beautiful shape and color. The neck is nice, not too wide like some acoustics, but wider than an electric. It even tapers towards the head. Body is pretty big, but that's what gives it it's fantastic sound.

This suites my music style to the "T". I started on this guitar and I've come a very long way with it. I've been able to get so many different sounds out of it that it's tough to name them all. Mostly, I play a combo of finger picking and chord structures. Everything sounds great. The strings stay in tune for a long time, the only one I ever have trouble with is the B string, but this is common in most guitars so I'm not too troubled about it.

I love the action on this baby. I play a combo of finger picking and chords, so the action fits me prefectly. The neck and strings taper towards the head so when I'm finger picking, there is enough room so that my fingers don't get tangled up in the strings, and when I playing chords, they're spaced out just enough. Too much would make it hard to play some of these chords, but with this guitar, everything is easy.

I had my first Gemini II for 7 years, until the neck got cracked by some dumb shit who tripped over and fell on it at a gig. Man was I pissed. Through those seven years, I only noticed a few cracks in the surface wood, but it might have just needed varnished again or something.

As far a s reliability, it played the same for me every time, which is nice.

N/A

Eventhough I've never had much experience with soem fo the $1000 guitars, I would rate this very high. I love this guitar and plan on keeping it forever.

dont know when or where it was made?its a 20 jumbo fret dreadnought acoustic.with double dot inlays at the 7'th and 12'th frets I'm going to rate it a little higher in this catagory then it desirves because mine came with a very nice looking after-market pick-guard and bridge pins.

it sounds great I like it, very brite and full although the strings do seem to go flat awfully quickly.at first I thought it might be the strings I was using so i changed from martin to gibson strings with the same results.i have to say 7with new strings 3 after a few weeks so i'll call it a 5.

as far as factory set-up, who knows? I wouldnt be be suprised to find out it is 20 years old or so.action is very nice and the finish has held up well with some nice yellowing.

yes, yes, yes and yes.If I could give it a 15 here I would. This is one ruged beast she's come this far and the only real wear is on the fretboard and it doesnt effect playing at all.this guitar has become my beater due to the fact that it can take it.like i said earlier she's a ruged beast my 2 year old will pound on her unmersifully for hour's and hasnt left a scratch yet.(and I wound not be suprised if his does the same in another 25 years or so.)But what is more amazing is that she will STAY IN TUNE WHILE ENDURING THIS PUNISHMENT.

no idea

I've been playing for about 17 years with an 8 year laps in the middle.I also own a gibson(usa made not some wannabe epi)les paul and an ibanez rg.I have owned a slew of other equipment and guitars this is currently my only acoustic and may be my last but I doubt it.If it was stolen I would probably get over it much quicker then the Ibanez I had stolen a few years ago.if I ever catch the guy I'll beat the hell out of him with this fender,I imagine it will come out unscathed and still in tune.Again I cannot stress how impressive this guitars ability to stay in tune is.It would be an ideal first guitar.

Believed to be made around 1983
20 frets, solid spruce top, 2 pc mahogany back,sides & neck
Completely original workmanship except for a custom marble saddle (which helps make any guitar sound good with plenty of sustain)
tuning heads are factory and still in perfect condition
The only appearance flaw was the original "Fender" logo is not an inlay, but a gold paint

This guitar has been through it for sure. This was my first guitar at 13 years old, and the one that has stuck with me through the years. The sound is richer with new strings than a vintage Gibson hummingbird, yet it does seem to lose the bright tone in just a few weeks after a string change. It has aged gracefully.

I only adjusted the action once, 7 yrs. ago, it is still around "2 penny" perfect and can easily manage electric 9-46 guage strings with very little fret buzz. The neck has always stayed straight and true, yet for many years I only kept light electric strings on it (low tension). Currently I have heavy tension nylon strings that sound superb for my classical moods. The neck is holding fine. Low end sound is not real heavy due to the bracing of the back, but it does have a bright mid range...

I could not have made a better choice for quality vs. cost. Looking at the quality of guitars today, I would spend at least $500 to get anything close to it, even in the Fender line. It definitely would perform well in a live event, but does not have the appearance of a stage guitar. The finish has held up nicely over the years, far better than most guitars in its class.

N/A

I have been playing it for 18 yrs, I own a Gibson les paul custom (my baby). If my Gemini was stolen, I probably would be crushed. It is definetly not the price of replacement, just the sentiment and durability it has given over the years. At 13 yrs. old it was the best looking guitar in the shop for the price, and clearly was the best selection.

For my first foray into a 6 string acoustic, I'll have to say I'm pretty pleased. I traded in a non-functional electric bass I had for years and was hoping to get a playable 6 string acoustic for little or no money, so I could learn to play. This is the guitar I got and it's exactly what I was looking for. A great beginners guitar!

Surpisingly good sound. I realize it's a cheapo guitar but the sound quality surprised me. It's got a bright sound and, in my opinion, while not a Martin, it sounds as good as some Ovations I've heard.

Since the guitar is around 15 years old, I'm not sure I can comment. I can say though that all in all, for a cheapo guitar of that age, it has held up very wel.

Everything still seems solid. The factory tuning heads have been replaced with Schaller heads, so I don't see them ever becoming an issue. I think, given the fact that it's a 15 year old cheapo guitar and it's still around, with a little care, it should continue to have lots of life in it.

I've been strictly a bass player for 35 years. Have always wanted to learn to play guitar. Now that I've "retired" from the band thing, this is my first step towards playing guitar. I have two beautiful bass guitars, a Guild Pilot bass and a Fender acoustic bass. Both sweet instruments.

If it were lost or stolen, I wouldn't hesitate to consider buying another one if it were comparable to what I've got now.

Pretty much your official, generic cheap guitar appointments. Laminate mahogany sides/back, spruce top (probably laminate, but I don't care enough to check). The plastic-y bridge is pretty cheapo, but what do you expect out of a Fender acoustic?

I give it a 6 not because it sounds that much better than 60% of the guitars in the world, but because it sounds pretty good for a cheapo beater guitar. I tend to use it for alternate tunings and twiddling around. It's got a decent sound with brand-new strings on, but any strings I put on it seems to sounder deader quicker than on my other guitars. Has kind of a muddy thud to the low end. But, again, it's a cheapie, and sounds better than a lot of guitars in this price range.

It being a pawn shop purchase I can't speak to its factory setup, but it does stay in tune pretty well. As a beater, it works well.

Certainly not a gigging guitar. More of a beach or camping guitar, actually. The guitar certainly will last, as it's very sturdy, and it has a thick finish on it (probably contributes to some of the lack of tone). I depend on it to be reasonably in tune when I want to pick up a guitar without washing my hands first. Does a darn fine job at that, and I won't ever ask it for anything more.

Not a clue.

This was my first guitar, purchased four years ago, and I do intend to keep it pretty much forever as my token beater. I bought it because I saw the name "Fender" and figured they made nice guitars; have since learned they make darn fine electrics but their acoustics are, by and large, embarrassingly poorly made. Don't understand how a company responsible for the Strat can do such garbage with acoustics. Anyways, it's my beater, and it serves well as it stays in tune pretty well and sounds OK. If you need a cheap guitar to haul around and hand around for anyone to play, get this. If you want a real guitar in the same price range, get a Seagull or low-end Larrivee. Absolutely no comparison.