Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar User Manual

Introduction

The Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar is designed for musicians seeking a versatile and robust instrument. This model features upgraded Fishman CD electronics, a solid spruce top, and walnut back and sides, delivering a rich, full tone suitable for various playing styles. Its comfortable, easy-to-play neck and durable construction make it an excellent choice for both home practice and stage performances.

This manual provides essential information for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your Fender CD-140SCE guitar.

Figure 1: Front view of the Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar in Natural finish.

Setup

1. Unpacking and Inspection

Carefully remove the guitar from its hardshell case. Inspect the instrument for any signs of damage that may have occurred during shipping. Ensure all accessories, such as the included 9V battery for the Fishman preamp, are present.

Figure 2: The Fender CD-140SCE guitar securely stored within its hardshell case.

2. Initial Tuning

Your guitar comes with factory-installed strings. Use the built-in Fishman tuner to bring the guitar to standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e). The tuning pegs are designed for smooth and stable tuning.

Figure 3: Detail of the guitar's headstock and tuning pegs.

3. Battery Installation (if not pre-installed)

The Fishman CD Preamp system requires one 9V alkaline battery. Locate the battery compartment on the side of the guitar body, near the preamp controls. Open the compartment, insert the 9V battery, ensuring correct polarity, and close the compartment securely.

Operating the Fishman CD Preamp

The Fishman CD Preamp system allows you to amplify your acoustic guitar and shape its tone. The controls are conveniently located on the upper bout of the guitar.

Figure 4: The Fishman CD Preamp controls.

Controls:

• Volume: Adjusts the overall output level of the amplified signal.
• Bass: Controls the low-frequency response. Turn clockwise to increase bass, counter-clockwise to decrease.
• Treble: Controls the high-frequency response. Turn clockwise to increase treble, counter-clockwise to decrease.
• Phase: A button that can help reduce feedback in live performance settings. Experiment with this setting if feedback occurs.
• Built-in Tuner: Press the "Tuner" button to activate the chromatic tuner. The display will show the note being played, and indicators will guide you to correct pitch. The tuner automatically mutes the output when active.

Connecting to an Amplifier:

The guitar features an integrated output jack that also serves as the lower strap button. Connect a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable from this jack to your amplifier or PA system. Ensure your amplifier is turned off or at a low volume before connecting or disconnecting the cable to prevent sudden loud noises.

Maintenance

1. Cleaning

Regularly wipe down your guitar with a soft, lint-free cloth after each use to remove sweat and oils. For a deeper clean, use a guitar-specific polish or cleaner. Avoid abrasive materials or household cleaners, which can damage the finish.

2. String Replacement

Strings should be replaced periodically, depending on playing frequency and string type. Old strings can sound dull and affect tuning stability. Replace strings one at a time to maintain neck tension. Refer to the specifications for recommended string gauge.

3. Humidity and Temperature Control

Acoustic guitars are sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Store your guitar in its hardshell case when not in use, ideally in an environment with stable humidity (45-55% relative humidity) and moderate temperature (65-75°F or 18-24°C). Extreme fluctuations can cause wood to crack or warp.

4. Battery Replacement

When the battery indicator on the Fishman preamp lights up or the amplified sound becomes weak or distorted, it's time to replace the 9V battery. Always use a fresh alkaline 9V battery.

Troubleshooting

Specifications

• Model: CD-140SCE Dreadnought Cutaway
• Body Shape: Dreadnought Cutaway
• Top Material: Solid Spruce Wood
• Back Material: Walnut Wood
• Side Material: Walnut Wood
• Neck Material: Walnut Wood
• Fretboard Material: Walnut Wood
• Number of Strings: 6
• Scale Length: 25.3 inches
• Electronics: Fishman CD Preamp with Built-in Tuner, Bass, Treble, Phase controls
• Pickup Configuration: Piezo
• Bridge System: Hard Tail
• Color: Natural
• Item Weight: 10 pounds
• Product Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 7 inches
• Battery: 1 x 9V (included)
• Hand Orientation: Right
• Included: Hardshell Case

Warranty and Support

Warranty Information

The Fender CD-140SCE Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic Electric Guitar comes with a 2-Year Warranty. For detailed terms and conditions, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Fender website.

Additional protection plans may be available for purchase:

• 3-Year Protection Plan
• 4-Year Protection Plan
• Complete Protect: One plan covers all eligible past and future purchases

Customer Support

For further assistance, technical support, or warranty claims, please contact Fender customer service. You can also find additional resources and FAQs on the official Fender website.

A comprehensive User Manual in PDF format is available for download: Fender CD-140SCE User Manual (PDF)

Visit the official Fender Store for more products and information: Fender Store on Amazon