Fender Malibu SCE

Part of the California series, the Malibu SCE is a small-body acoustic-electric guitar with a solid spruce top, a solid mahogany back, and laminated mahogany sides. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard, and strat-type head. In general, the neck is very like a strat, although the scale is 24.75" and the width is 1 5/8" at the nut. The tuners work smoothly and are stable. There are built-in Fisher electronics, with an integrated tuner. The body is cutaway, with a high-gloss finish on top, sides and back.

Amplified, the sound is fair; unamplified, the Malibu has one of the worst sounds I have ever heard in an acoustic guitar in over 30 years of playing. There is really no point in detailing the sound because it is completely unacceptable in every respect, at least for the kinds of music I play, which is country and soft jazz. I give the sound a 2, only because the amplified sound is acceptable, although no more than that.

The guitar seemed extremely well made. There were no obvious finish flaws, the hardware seemed satisfactory, the tuners worked well, and the factory set-up was actually quite good; the guitar played well.

Everything about the guitar seemed strong and likely to be reliable; I saw no reason why it would not last, but it sounded so bad, that I sent it back after having it for a month, so I have no real information about reliability.

There was no occasion for contact with the company.

I have been playing for over 30 years, much of that time professionally. I currently own a Fender electric, a Gibson acoustic, a Martin acoustic/electric, and a Taylor Baby. I bought the Malibu to use as a travel/practice guitar. I kept it for a month and played it every day, trying all types of music, several types of strings, and several changes to the set-up, but I never could get it to sound other than completely awful; unacceptable even for a practice guitar. I sent it back and I strongly advise that anyone who buys one buy it only on condition that it can be returned.