Back in the early 1960s in Southern California, a fearless creative culture was abound, and Leo Fender was on a mission to design a fresh collection of acoustic instruments that captured the innovative spirit that permeated the artists around him. In collaboration with legendary luthier Roger Rossmeisl, Leo released several unique acoustic models that embodied the character that made Fender a symbol of the rock-and-roll revolution, including unmistakable headstock shapes, easy-to-play neck profiles and radical styling, changing the face of Fender Acoustics forever. Today’s Fender California Vintage models draw directly from their mid-century origins with a retro visual vibe, adding 21st century performance and a rich, refined acoustic tone - a true modern alternative with classic Fender heritage.
Engineered with an innovative Performance-X™ bracing pattern, the approachable concert-sized body of the Fender California Vintage Malibu is lightly crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid ovangkol back and sides to effortlessly produce a sweet, focused voice with exceptional nuance and balance. An ergonomic modern “V" profile was chosen for the the okoume neck along with a short 25" scale length for warm tonal response, and a tilt-back 6-in-line headstock with a maple headcap for a distinctive look born from Fender’s electric guitar DNA. Other notable details include a bound ovangkol fingerboard with pearloid block inlays for a throwback look, vintage-style tuning machines for smooth, accurate tuning, and a bone nut and saddle for superior harmonic character. Designed for the performer, the onboard Fishman® Sonitone Plus preamp system features seamless soundhole-mounted controls that blend an undersaddle piezo and internal body transducer to allow faithful and reliable reproduction of the guitar’s natural sound when plugged into an amplifier or recording device. A vintage-style hardshell case is included.
Bold, eye-catching and unique, California Series instruments make no compromises balancing standout style, superior sound and effortless playability for those who aspire to play something different.
- Period-correct Malibu concert body shape
- Solid Sitka Spruce top, solid ovangkol back and sides
- Ergonomic modern “V” shape neck with tilt-back 6-in-line headstock
- Fishman® Sonitone Plus electronics with undersaddle piezo and internal body transducer
- 25" scale length
- Vintage-style hardshell case
