Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $336
Standard/Professional
$200
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Fender California Series Newporter Player". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Meet the Fender California Series Newporter Player, your new go-to for an acoustic-electric guitar that's as unique as your music. With its Fender-exclusive medium-sized Newporter shape, this guitar is a standout, offering a balanced tone that's as articulate as it's powerful. Sporting a gloss metallic solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a matching painted 6-in-line headstock, this instrument is as eye-catching as it sounds.
The Newporter Player is unconventional to its core, defying acoustic instrument tradition with its distinctive looks and unmistakable Fender sound. Its unique body shape, first introduced in 1965, offers a vintage-inspired look with modern tonal characteristics. The guitar also features optimized bracing for reduced mass and superior resonance.
Its lightweight slim taper C-shaped mahogany neck is comfortable and easy to play, making it a perfect choice for electric players looking for a slimmer neck. The walnut fingerboard further augments the vibrant tone of this guitar.
The Newporter Player is also equipped with a Fishman pickup/preamp system. This system offers a variety of onboard controls to amplify your sound while still maintaining the guitar's pure, rich, and resonant tone. A convenient built-in tuner is also included.
Key Features:
- Fender-exclusive medium-sized Newporter shape for a balanced, articulate tone
- Gloss metallic solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides
- Lightweight slim taper C-shaped mahogany neck
- Walnut fingerboard for a vibrant tone
- Fishman pickup/preamp system for amplified sound
- Built-in tuner for convenience
- Optimized bracing for reduced mass and superior resonance.
Product specs
| Available since | August 2023 |
| Design | Newporter |
| Top | Solid Spruce |
| Back And Sides | Sapele |
| Cutaway | Yes |
| Fretboard | Walnut |
| Nut width in mm | 43,00 mm |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickups | Yes |
| Colour | Blue |
| Case | No |
| Incl. Gigbag | No |
FAQs
-
What type of wood is used for the top of the Fender California Series Newporter Player?
-
The Fender California Series Newporter Player features a solid spruce top, which is known for its bright and clear tone, making it ideal for a wide range of musical styles.
-
Does the Fender Newporter Player have a cutaway design?
-
Yes, the Fender Newporter Player includes a cutaway design, allowing easier access to the upper frets for more versatile playing styles.
-
Is the Fender California Series Newporter Player suitable for live performances?
-
The Fender California Series Newporter Player is equipped with pickups, making it suitable for live performances where amplification is needed.
-
What kind of fretboard does the Fender Newporter Player have?
-
The Fender Newporter Player features a walnut fretboard, providing a smooth playing experience and a warm tonal quality.
-
Does the Fender Newporter Player come with a case or gigbag?
-
No, the Fender Newporter Player does not include a case or gigbag, so you may want to consider purchasing one separately for protection.
Videos
Kitharra TV
Fender California Series - Newporter Player (Sound Demo) | Kitharra
Fender California Series - Newporter Player (Sound Demo) | Kitharra
Kitharra TV
fender newporter player (review) | new gear day
enzokko
Fender California Series Newporter Player: Acoustic Centre
Acoustic Centre
Fender California Newporter Player Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Wilhelm von Flieder
Reviews
PROS
-
Gorgeous design with stylish strat-type headstock and vibrant color options
-
Smooth, fast neck with excellent playability and no fret buzz
-
Built-in tuner is discreet and highly accurate
-
Comfortable body size, ideal for relaxed playing and portability
-
Excellent setup right out of the box, requiring minimal adjustments
-
Onboard electronics allow detailed sound shaping and adjustment
-
Versatile sound, shines when plugged into an amp
-
Great price-to-quality ratio, holds its own against more expensive models
-
Light and playable, offering a flexible range of playing options
CONS
-
Inline tuners reminiscent of older, cheaper models
-
Some users find the body too quiet for an acoustic-electric guitar
-
Amp jack placement near the sling nut is a potential concern
-
Action height may require professional adjustment for some players
-
Made in Indonesia, raising concerns about construction quality for some
-
Limited color options for left-handed models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender California Series Newporter Player.
Features and functionality
-
The Fishman pickup system is praised for its quality, enhancing the playing experience significantly.
Source
User experience
-
One owner found the neck feel unsatisfactory, influencing their purchase decision.
Source -
Some enthusiasts own multiple Fender acoustics for their association with famous artists, indicating a collector's appeal despite perceived sound limitations.
Source -
Some owners find the sound through an amp reminiscent of Nancy Wilson's blue Ovation, emphasizing a pleasing amplified tone.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
The Newporter Player's satin finish is preferred by some for its aesthetic appeal over gloss finishes.
Source
Value and pricing
Comparisons
-
Owners suggest that Fender acoustics, including the Newporter, may not offer the best sound quality compared to other brands, despite their playability.
Source
Setup and maintenance
-
Dual action truss rod system allows for precise neck adjustments, noted as beneficial for raising or lowering to improve playability.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
159
It's...ok
I bought into the gimmicky idea of taking a electric neck and throwing it on an acoustic. But you get what you pay for and with an appealing lower cost (I believe I spent $325 on this in 2009 at Ted Brown Music Center) it has never been very playable. The Guitar Tech at Ted Brown set up the guitar for me on purchase and there have always been buzzing issues and issues playing above the 12th fret on all strings. The guitar looks awesome, and the onboard plug and play feature is great, but there is zero sustain and almost as little playability. I recently switch out the strings and went with D'addario Nylons which has made it more fun to play, but with the same issues.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this promotional shoot of The Hollies, we can see Graham (second to the left) using a Fender Newporter acoustic. The Fender Newporter in the 60s did not have a cutaway at the bottom, and is designed as a normal acoustic guitar, but with a fender, 6-inlay headstock. Graham would not only use this guitar for this promotional shoot, but also in the TOTP performance of Bus Stop, where Allan Clarke is also playing a similar guitar. This guitar would most likely be short lived as no other pictures or videos show Graham with the Newporter anymore.
Brian is using a newporter player acoustic in the ice blue finish in this stream.
In this youtube video, you can clearly see Christian playing an ice blue satin Fender Newporter player. You can see the complete guitar at about 1:00.
Throughout the whole video, it clearly shows his guitar which if looked at closely is a Fender Newporter in the Honey Burst colorway.
He tells Jack White that he owns one @ 1:36 in this video
In a rare lipsync performance of Bus Stop, Allan Clarke is seen using, what it seems, a Fender Newporter Acoustic. It is a rare sight, but he is lip-syncing to the song. This may have been the only time Allan was seen with a Fender Newporter, as other footages with The Hollies suggest he only sings or plays with his electric choice.
In this video compilation of Bridgit Mendler playing various instruments, the Fender California Newporter Player acoustic is featured starting around 0:10.
In this Youtube video, you can see that Patricia is playing a Fender Newporter Player acoustic in an ice blue satin finish. At 0:34, the name of the guitar can be seen more clearly in the headstock. Patricia uses this guitar in a lot of her cover videos.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
More Fender Acoustic-Electric Guitars
$419.00 - $499.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$55.18 - $2,099.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$191.31 - $293.05
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
.jpg?v=1783110492)
-m.webp?v=1783203092)
$1,169.99 - $2,099.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$654.85 - $2,099.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$811.37 - $1,199.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$329.00 - $449.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$300.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$249.00 - $349.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$275.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
.png?v=1783110491)
$263.30 - $349.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$699.99
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$259.00 - $269.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$300.00
in Acoustic-Electric Guitars Rank
$319.00 - $449.99
$169.00 - $257.53
$419.00 - $499.99
$260.99 - $349.99
$325.00 - $404.99
$404.99 - $434.11
$275.35 - $379.99
$449.00 - $549.99
$1,079.00 - $1,199.99
.jpg?v=1780599921)
$759.00 - $1,199.99
.jpeg?v=1783065634)
$359.37 - $449.99
$336.36 - $419.99
$345.74 - $472.99
.png?v=1783110732)
.jpeg?v=1783110491)
$439.00 - $524.99
$309.00 - $419.99
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
jerry_rhodesGear IQ 304
-
