Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $328

Standard/Professional

$200

$1001+

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Description

Step into a world of inspiring acoustics with the Fender Malibu Player, a part of the California Series that bridges the gap between classic tradition and modern innovation. Perfect for both the studio and the stage, this steel-string acoustic guitar offers a unique combination of playability and style. Its comfortable compact body and short scale make it an ideal companion for players who desire a smooth, easy playing experience without sacrificing sound quality.

The Malibu Player features a solid spruce top, known for its bright and clear tone, ensuring that your melodies ring out with exceptional clarity. Paired with mahogany back and sides, this guitar delivers a balanced sound with a warm resonance. The mahogany neck with a slim-taper C-profile provides a comfortable grip, making it easier for you to explore intricate fingerpicking or strum powerful chords effortlessly.

Equipped with a Fishman preamp system, the Malibu Player takes your performance up a notch, whether you're plugged in or playing acoustically. Its intuitive controls allow for easy adjustments on the fly, ensuring your sound is always just right. The guitar's vintage-inspired aesthetics, including a 6-in-line Strat headstock, add a touch of retro flair while maintaining a modern edge.

Key Features:

  • Solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides
  • Fishman preamp system for enhanced live performance
  • Mahogany neck with slim-taper C-profile
  • Short scale for easy playability
  • Vintage-inspired design elements, including a 6-in-line Strat headstock

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model California Series Malibu Player
Finish Aqua Splash, Arctic Gold, Burgundy Satin, Candy Apple Red, Jetty Black, Midnight Satin
Year 2018 - 2019
Made In China
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars, Concert Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Mahogany
Body Shape Concert
Color Family Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Walnut
Model Family Fender Malibu
Model Sub-Family Fender Malibu Player
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Fender California
Sides Material Mahogany
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of wood is used for the body of the Fender Malibu Player?

The Fender Malibu Player features a body made from mahogany for the back and sides, with a spruce top. This combination provides a warm, resonant tone with bright, clear projection.

Is the Fender Malibu Player suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Fender Malibu Player is equipped with an active preamp and an undersaddle piezo pickup, making it well-suited for live performances and amplified settings.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Malibu Player like?

The Fender Malibu Player has a slim-taper "C"-shaped neck profile, which offers comfortable playability and is particularly suitable for players who prefer a fast, easy-playing neck.

How many frets does the Fender Malibu Player have?

The Fender Malibu Player is equipped with 20 frets, providing ample range for both rhythm and lead playing.

What is the finish style of the Fender Malibu Player?

The Fender Malibu Player features a satin finish, which gives it a smooth feel and a stylish, understated look.

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Fender Malibu Player Electro-Acoustic Review - 2018 California Series

Video thumbnail for Fender Malibu Player Electro-Acoustic Review - 2018 California Series by PMTVUK

Fender Malibu Player Electro-Acoustic Review - 2018 California Series

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Exploring the California Player Series | Fender Acoustics | Fender by Fender

Exploring the California Player Series | Fender Acoustics | Fender

Fender

Fender

Video thumbnail for Fender Malibu Player Electro Acoustic  - Demo by Artyom Reborn

Fender Malibu Player Electro Acoustic - Demo

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

Video thumbnail for My new guitar Fender Malibu Player - Review, Demonstration and Unpack by Mykola MrHardGuitar - Guitar Reviews And Lessons

My new guitar Fender Malibu Player - Review, Demonstration and Unpack

Mykola MrHardGuitar - Guitar Reviews And Lessons

Mykola MrHardGuitar - Guitar Reviews And Lessons

Video thumbnail for FENDER MALIBU PLAYER by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments

FENDER MALIBU PLAYER

Long & McQuade Musical Instruments

Long & McQuade Musical Instruments

Video thumbnail for Fender Malibu Player Guitar Review by Steve's Strings

Fender Malibu Player Guitar Review

Steve's Strings

Steve's Strings

Reviews

PROS

  • Arrives ready to play with no setup needed

  • Clear, bright sound that is particularly appealing

  • 24 inch scale length is ideal for travel and couch playing

  • Beautiful binding and aesthetic appeal

  • Great value with nice features at a reasonable price

  • Satin-finished mahogany neck feels great, similar to a Strat

  • Balanced sound, especially exceptional when plugged in

  • Inspiring and comfortable to play with a shorter scale

CONS

  • Low E-string can twang with heavy strumming

  • Built-in tuner is low quality and may arrive with a low battery

  • Surface of the frets may feel rough initially

  • Not as full sounding as some regular acoustic guitars

  • Some units may arrive with cosmetic imperfections and buzzing frets

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Malibu Player - California Series Acoustic.

Comparisons

  • The Fender Malibu Player's smaller body and 24.1” scale length suit petite players, while the Yamaha FG800's 25.6” dreadnought may be cumbersome for shorter users.

    Source
  • While the Malibu is seen as fine for its purpose, it's suggested to compare it with Yamaha models in the same price range for potentially better sound quality.

    Source
  • Fender California series is noted for including features like preamps and strap buttons, unlike the Grestch Jim Dandy, which lacks these but is praised for feel and sound.

    Source

Build quality

  • Fender acoustics are noted for prioritizing aesthetics over tone, with some users finding them visually appealing but less satisfying to play.

    Source

User experience

  • The Yamaha FG800 is described as robust and reliable, with users reporting long-lasting performance even after decades of use.

    Source
  • Some find the Malibu's neck feel and playability similar to Fender electric guitars, which can be appealing for electric guitar players transitioning to acoustic.

    Source
  • One user found the Yamaha acoustics to be bland and muffled compared to the Fender California series, which provided a more balanced feature set.

    Source
  • After trying a guitarlele, a user found that a regular-sized steel-string guitar like the Malibu provided a more satisfying playing experience.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Fender Malibu Player may be more suitable for playing in confined spaces, like a deckchair, due to its smaller size.

    Source
  • The Malibu is deemed comfortable and suitable for beginners, making it a good choice for those learning guitar over the summer.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite Fender's higher resale value due to branding, Yamaha is frequently deemed the superior choice in terms of sound quality and reliability at this price point.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The fun and engaging playability of the Malibu can make it difficult to put down, encouraging frequent practice and play.

    Source
  • The Fender California series, including the Malibu, offers models with electric preamps and strap buttons, which some other small-size guitars lack.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender California Series Player acoustics review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Fender Malibu Player from the California Series is a standout in the sub-$500 acoustic market, offering impressive playability and sound. With its unique body shape and scalloped x-bracing, it delivers a sweet, dynamic tone ideal for fingerstyle players, and its smaller size makes it less prone to feedback when plugged in. The built-in Fishman electronics make it stage-ready, while the variety of bold finishes ensures it looks as good as it sounds. Although not as bass-heavy, it's perfect for electric players looking to maintain their style and still cut through a mix.

positive

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Artist usage

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See how Katie Henderson uses Fender Malibu Player - California Series Acoustic

Katie Henderson

Guitarist

The Aces

...
Verified via YouTube

She has it in Aqua Splash.

See how Jake Miller uses Fender Malibu Player - California Series Acoustic

Jake Miller

Singer

...
Verified via Instagram

Jake Miller is seen using the Fender Malibu Player - California Series Acoustic guitar in several Instagram photos and videos, as well as during his live performances on tour.

See how TÖME uses Fender Malibu Player - California Series Acoustic

TÖME

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this performance TÖME plays a Fender Malibu in an Aqua Splash finish.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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