GEAR
COVERREVIEW
STORY
FEATURES
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the
package from Fender containing their latest
acoustic. A beautiful book matched flame maple
top and lacewood back and sides instantly caught
my eye, as well as a slightly fancier Fender script
logo on the headstock and tortoiseshell style
binding around the body.
The heart and soul of an acoustic guitar is the
top, for that is where most of the tone and
character comes from. T-Bucket’s laminated
flame maple top is reinforced with quarter-sawn
scalloped bracing, allowing it to resonate freely
and maintain a warm tone. The top is partnered
with laminated lacewood on the back and sides,
complementing each other visually as well as
contributing to an articulate tone and projection.
And when you’re ready for the stage, T-Bucket
400-CE is equipped with a Fishman Isys III
pickup and electronics control panel mounted
on the side of the body that includes volume,
3-band EQ, tuner, and battery check light,
with the battery compartment easy to access
(yeah!) and conveniently located right next to
the quarter inch jack input. Whether playing live
or recording in the studio the Fishman system
does a marvelous job of reproducing the natural
acoustic properties of the guitar.
A sweet improvement towards keeping the
guitar in tune and playing in tune up and down
the fingerboard are the sustain increasing
GraphTech NuBone nut, cut wide so the strings
DECEMBER SPECIAL
don’t get stuck, and compensated saddle, which
solves intonation issues especially in the higher
registers. Unique fingerboard inlays at frets 3,
5, 7, and 9 look like tuner pegs viewed from the
side and a cool Fender ‘F’ inlay at the 12th fret is
framed by a wing shaped design.
PLAYABILITY
T-Bucket’s action was a bit high for my taste,
but on the upside I could dig in harder with
my strumming hand. And man, this guitar can
sing! Chords project loudly and single notes are
articulate and punchy with a slight ‘ping’. The
neck is a comfortable ‘C’ shape with binding,
rosewood fingerboard, and topped off with an
immaculate fret job that’s smooth all the way up
to the 20th fret. ■
VERDICT
Fender’s T-Bucket 400-CE is a deal for
around $400 bucks and makes a solid
choice for beginner to intermediate
players. Even pros would find this a great
ax to use on stage without worrying
about their more expensive guitar getting
damaged. Whether you’re playing just for
fun or getting ready to hit the stage, this
impressive guitar has the bases covered.
DIGITAL EDITION
GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER
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