Fender Sonoran Mini guitar review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 вер 2020
- Putting Fender's Sonoran Mini through its paces.
Lyrics for song at end of video:-
'One thing He can’t see.'
Chords Am G F E
My God can see the sparrow fall
And count your head of hairs.
He knows the song Orion sings
And hears the widows prayer.
The thoughts of every man are His
To search and sift for sin.
Yet there is one thing He can’t see,
It’s the colour of your skin.
Some built cathedrals to the sky
And filled their mouths with prayer.
Yet had their brothers bound in chains,
As if God didn’t care.
Now God can hear our church bells ring
From towers and from spires,
Yet listens to our hearts and not,
The singing of our choirs.
So now with fear and trembling
Let us walk the narrow way.
And beg for His forgiveness
For today and yesterday.
2023. John, it’s always a pleasure to view/listen to you. Thanks much.
Thanks again Pat.
I bought this guitar because of you! It sounds wonderful and I'm really glad I stumbled upon this video. I really liked your voice and your playing. I wish you all the best. Lana from the Netherlands.
Glad you like it Lana, God bless.
Get a room
2024 Thanks John, I have one of these arriving for my birthday, number 73, I hope it's as mice as yours and that I can even come close to your sound.
I literally cannot believe that Fender made something this travel-friendly. Beautiful guitar and great review!
Hello from Canada. I hope this message finds you well! Thank you for the song, the quiet but honest review and your time in making this very good video.
Such a great review i loved it! Thankyou so much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The best part of your reviews is your playing and singing. Thanks for showing this fender!
Thanks Gary, much appreciated.
i will bought this guitar bc of you amazing review. Congrats Sir !
Fantastic review, just got one for my daughter, everything you commented on is spot on. I really enjoyed your song at the end. Thanks for taking the time to review it.
Glad it was helpful David.
Great review and beautiful playing. I loved your song at the end. The creator of the universe is indeed colour blind when it comes to people’s skin. Only the heart matters to him! 🥰
Well said Elaine!
I bought one and THEN read reviews. But it's good to know that I unknowingly chose well!
Beautiful song, I really enjoyed it. Thank you John!
Glad you enjoyed it
yes finally a review on this guitar!!!! been waiting for a review on one of these for 4 months.
I hope it was worth the wait Daniel.
@@JohnCouplandguitar excellent review as ever john!!
Thank you for a wonderful review video. I really enjoyed your video and I will be buying this guitar thanks to your help and advice.
Thanks very much ☺️
Thanks Nathan, enjoy!
Like your connection to the music! all the best!
Thanks for listening Peter.
Great review and test. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
Hiya John, glad to see you safe and well. I was really surprised when you said that it is a laminate top. It's a nice instrument all around but a bit pricey, but saying that if it's a good instrument that plays well and you really like it the cost becomes largely irrelevant.
A great song too, very evocative and I'd love to see you publish it mainstream. Thanks very much and stay safe. David in Lancashire.🎶🎸🌞❤️
Thanks David, I may just do that.
Glad to see you well. All the best.
Thanks, you too James.
Absolutely brilliant John 👍🏻
Thanks Lewis.
Great video, just got myself one. Thanks 👍🏻
Glad it helped
Great playing and most unexpectedly great singing too!
Thanks Cyrfung, much appreciated.
Lovely song, thank you.
Many thanks Ilia.
Great review. And I love the original song. Great message. Sounds like Johnny Cash with a Scottish accent!
Thanks Timothy.
Laminate everything if you possibly can... This guy is so much fun to watch. I'm waiting for this guitar to hit the US market
Fr I saw the date on this video and thought How'd he get one a year before it's been released. I get mine in two weeks. I'm guessing it's on one of those ships docked off the port of California. I ordered the mahogany top though. I'm wondering if it'll sound a little different than this one.
Great song John, kudos! Just thinking of getting this guitar and you make me really want it. ;)
Thanks Pes. I am sure you will enjoy it.
great song! thanks for an inspiration!
Many thanks!
An interesting instrument! Doesn’t even sound like a guitar. Rather, like a cross between a guitar and a ukulele. It will probably fit in very nicely in the mix when you need a specific sound. Thank you, John!
It's definitely a favourite.
Thanks for the review. excellent! really like your song too :)
Much appreciated Dave.
@@JohnCouplandguitar I bought one of these a few days ago after watching your review. it really is a great little guitar.
Thanks again :)
I've lost count of how many guitars I've bought, after watching one of your reviews John...... Looks like another ones on the way.
Cracking song also buddy.
No such thing as, 'Too many guitars.'
@@JohnCouplandguitar toùche.
Beautiful Song, Please produce it Sir John. Warm greetings from me Kun from Indonesia
Thanks for listening 007.
Im sold!
Really impressed with song at end . Mr Hendrix terrible man , comment from the Watkins guitar review , Always make me chuckle . Might just watch that video again . Good health stay safe .
Thanks Neal, God bless.
Thank you
You're welcome
Came for the review, but really enjoyed the song!
Thanks BMH, much appreciated.
Pristine technique and wonderful singing
Cheers Oswaldo.
Awesome song John...
Thanks Michael, glad you liked it.
@@JohnCouplandguitar love the guitar, as soon as it becomes available in 2021, i am getting one... have fallen head over heels in love with parlor guitars
👍👍 ☺️
Just tried this out today! It was certainly a favourite of the travel guitars I tried, because all the others had the strings closer together at the nut. I'd still prefer a slightly wider nut though. Also not sure I'm a fan of the headstock, especially given it is supposed to be a travel instrument.
Yes the head-stock's extra 3 inches could be awkward in some situations.
Oohh - that trad. folk song that inspired the title The Catcher in the Rye...
I like the versatility and tone of this guitar. You ever think about reviewing the Redondo mini? I love a dreadnought body.
Great review
I am limited to instruments thta I or my friends have but if a Redondo passes by I will indeed review it.
Totally get cha. I am going to be purchasing this over an FA 15 I just seen/played recently. And the problem I had with that model is it feels really cheap and what I saw was loose bridge pins that couldn't keep the strings in standard tuning. I did test a Newporter California series too so that's what I'm assuming how this Mini feels on the finish. Also I read that this mini has a mahogany laminated top option. Anywho im definitely buying this Sonoran mini you reviewed. (Hopefully the mahogany laminate) Thanks man 🤘
Hi John, many thanks for your excellent review. May I ask if the (factory) strings are steel or nylon?
Hi Franco, they are steel.
Hi John great rewiev. I am considering to buy this guitar. I really like the sounds. But I have a small question. Does it come with a gigbag? If it does come with a gigbag, how is the gigbag quality? Thanks for the review again. Love from Turkey.
This one did come with a decent bag but this may vary from dealer to dealer so check with them before buying.
@@JohnCouplandguitar thanks John. I really appreciate it.
If I felt like getting another travel-oriented guitar that interestingly could not be amplified, I would seriously consider getting this one. Have you also demonstrated the Fender dobro per chance, Mr. Coupland?
Other people have been comparing you with Johnny Cash. I myself can also hear one of my favorite Scottish musicians in that particular song, Eric Woolfson.
I do not know anyone who has a Dobro but I will keep my eyes open for one.
What is the little pad thing on your lap to boost up the guitar ? Great video john
My son Barry gave it to me for a birthday and it was a bit of a mystery at first. It came in a plain box with no indication as to what it was, all it says on it is Flanger FA-805. Up till then i thought of flangers as an effect pedal so I unzipped it only to find it is just a piece of foam rubber. I knew it had to have something to do with guitars so after trying to wear it on my head, put it between my knees and stick it up my jumper I decided to try jamming it between my thigh and a guitar. It worked! It does the same thing as a classical guitarist's footstool and it allows my face to be closer to the guitar and therefore I can bring the camera in closer so that more detail can be shown. it is not just a handy prop but an intriguing puzzle as well.
Beautiful song! I am a beginner and I would like to ask you, is the neck of this guitar heavy or is it balanced with the body?
Yes, because of the small body it is head heavy. Fabric guitar straps will slip on the shoulder so it is worth investing in a leather strap to avoid this. Cheers.
@@JohnDavidCoupland Thanks!
I want to buy this one for my son
Thanks a lot for reviewing this is it better thank ibanez talman tcy10 or yamaha aptxt2 please.??
I prefer it to the Yamaha but the Ibanez is nice and a bit louder so if you were thinking of playing for a few singers then it would be the way to go.
Hi John,
I am looking for a small travel friendly guitar but I can't find them easely in store where I live... Please tell me which one you would choose between the Fender Sonoran mini and the Cort AD Mini ?
I tend to choose this fender because of the slim nut width (0,41 mm)
Many thanks !
Hi Nicolas, I have not tried the Cort although I reviewed one of their electrics a few years ago and was quite impressed by it. I am very happy with my Sonoran Mini and I would recommend it. One follower here did question the wisdom of the 6 in a row machine heads as that adds a few inches to the overall length but I would still go Fender!
Hey John! Thanks for your reviews :) how does stay in tune? Does it have any truss rod? Take care :D
Yes it does have a truss rod and the tuning is stable.
@@JohnCouplandguitar awesome. Thanks a lot for the fast response. Cheers :)
The mahogany version in my opinion sounds godly in comparison
What part of Scotland you from? I live in the Port. Have you ever played at ‘The Haven’?
No I don't think so. I live just outside Glasgow and so mostly played in the pubs in Glasgow up until I was about 30. Then I got, 'Born again,' and continued to play in pubs for a couple of years. In the last pub I played at, the folks were obviously not just there for a quiet drink but there to get blitzed. At the end of the night I sat in my Hillman Imp and prayed,' Lord, if you want me to give this up just shut the doors in my face.' Next Saturday I turned up to find just that. The pub was shut and on inquiring further I found that they had lost their licence over an illegal one armed bandit! So that was the end of my pub singing but my guitar repair business took off and so I was not out of pocket and folks didny throw things at me!
@@JohnCouplandguitar wow. That's amazing brother! God bless you.
thanks for reply .
I only play at home sometime I take it to church but never since COVID
my budget is around 100 pounds as I save other money for my children
have you got any of these to sell please??
I am in birmingham UK
I am not actually a retailer but the lowest price I can see on line is from GAK (Guitar And Keyboard centre) Here is the very long link :- www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-sonoran-mini-natural-w-bag/933650?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71BLNyP9k6g5fWlhIGY739yfAgK60yqsY4DQ9F1mQl5qHFDyBvOVWHEaAmynEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Interesting. How would you compare it to your CP-100/60s which is also travel/practical/parlour?
The CP is a little louder and a wee bit larger in the body making it more of an all rounder.
You should review the Fender Redondo
If one of my mates gets one I surely will.
Thanks John. Any recommendations for travel guitars a wee bit above this price class? I'm in my middle age now so have a few bob more than I did when I bought my basic Epi acoustic 25 years ago
The Sigma TM15 is nice but not much bottom end to it. The Taylor GS mini is superb but pricey.
Video link
ua-cam.com/video/sZGiCBYyxX4/v-deo.html
@@JohnCouplandguitar brilliant John. Thanks!
Alvarez ap70, or seagull Grand Coastline parlors👍
@@roenvalenzuela2492 thank you, amigo!
Would you recommend the Sonoran or Gretsch Gin rickey
I have not played the Gretsch but I find the Sonoran very nice to play.
Hellooooo Bonny Scotland .....what do ya think of it now after having it a while?? Was it put on the fire a long time ago ... lol
I still play it most days but I have changed the strings to flat wound D'addario Chromes for a jazzy tone. So far nothing has warped, split or fallen off.
@@JohnCouplandguitar
That Cool, just had a Nightmare with a new Tanglewood, but that’s been more about the store than the guitar.
Anyways got a full refund so thinking about the Fender mini.
Wow I’ve spent Hourssssssssss over daysssss looking online at different ones.
I think it would probably work well for me right now, not to big and bulky, good price .....and I guess tunes to the same as I got used to E A D G B E
I’ve not had a guitar for yearssss but lockdown sure put me in the mood for another, it sure beats watching all the BS on TV ....lol
Used to have a Gibson Les Paul in the mid 90s, and I loveeee the look and sound of the Gibson Les Paul tribute walnut, gorgeous .....but maybe a touch crazy to go spend that kinda money when you’ve not picked one up for years.
Whatever we do with guitars or Ukuleles around the £100 to £200 price range we will all make a few mistakes.
I hear loadssss of people bitch and moan about stuff but they got to remember it’s all Mass produced in that price range, well even double that price range.
No way your going to get perfection .....you may not even get that if it was hand made for you.
My experience of guitars and Ukes is they are all knocked out a certain way, Mass produced .....if a person wants it this that or the other way it’s up to them to get it adjusted.
Of course manufacturers know that loadssss of beginners will not even realise the action is to high, how on earth can they ....they are a Beginner, most don’t even know a few basic chords .....lots of manufacturers take advantage of that.
Then again, they never said it was personally made for the individual that buys it.
@@JohnCouplandguitar
I forgot to say, just got some DAddario strings, black for my Concert Ukulele, I’ve heard they are good but No experience at all of them.
I have som Titanium ones, and Ernie Ball back ones so I’ll try them.
I like the sound of those Clear Nylgut but I prefer black strings so I’m hoping they sound good.
We’ll see 👍
Hi there buddy, I sent you a message a few months back about this particular guitar.
I was wondering if you still have it, what you think of it after playing a while?
I’m thinking of getting one, I have been looking at the Mahogany, think I can get it for about £143, plus shipping.
I’ve had two or three different guitars over the past year or so but not found what I’m looking for …..I sound like U2 ….. lol
Nothing here in Buxton for guitar sales, and no way I’m going into Manchester these days, full of Covid and nutters with knives ….lol
I am still happy with it. So far nothing has split, warped or fallen off!
@@JohnCouplandguitar
I’ve just ordered one from GAK online, it comes with a gig-bag so I’ll try keep it in that when not using it, the heat from the radiator in winter May affect it.
I think you can also get small humidifier to put inside the gigbag ……not sure how much they help I’m no expert.
But I can tell how much the heating is starting to affect the wood doors in the house, two of those are not closing. 🤷♂️
@@JohnCouplandguitar
If I told you what I did yearsssss ago with the heat in the room from a gas fire when I lived in Wales, and what it did to a New Gibson Les Paul ……OMG it would make any Les Paul owner cry ……..LOL
I kept it in its case, but with the lid open.
They should have little cards with All wooden instruments that Warn people.
Never leave Any Wooden instruments out in the open in a hot or warm room ……that’s a lesson I learned the hard way!
Does this have a pickup/preamp in it?
No
Hi John, want to get my 10 year old son his first guitar that will last few years. Would this be suitable, if not any suggestions please? Thanks
Cast your mind back to when you were learning, remember how your fingers got sore? While this guitar is well made and the right size, I would recommend a Fender ESC-105 nylon string. I reviewed one here ua-cam.com/video/aqzLRURoai8/v-deo.html
@@JohnCouplandguitar will check it out. Many thanks for getting back promptly🙏🏼
Hello, are the strings easy to do the chords on ? I'm a beginner and my current guitar strings are so high and it's hard to play
It sounds like your guitar has a 'High Action'. This Fender has a low action and is very comfortable and easy to play.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Thank you very much for your answer ! I think I'm going to find myself one :)
Do you buy all these guitars??
The instruments might belong to me, my kids or friends. I also always have a spare guitar which I continuously swap. Until I retired a few years ago I taught 25 pupils a week so that gave me a lot of material for the older videos.
its sort of like a squier
Yes, you can see the family resemblance.
Be of good courage for your loved
God bless you and keep you
From the troubles of this world
Your style is unique and all your own Your wisdom it really shines
Thank you for your review it was So pleasant and Kind
I sincerely enjoyed it
IXOYE>SARX
>
Teach Learn Grow
R. M. Cummings
Thanks TSS, much appreciated.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Dearest Mr Coupland
I hope this day finds you well.
This song of yours has really touched my heart. You never said the name of it but then again it's so timeless I've been learning it.
Try to work on my singing and playing at the same time, my timing is not the best as of yet but I'm working hard on it.
I just want to make sure when people ask I will know .
Thanks
R M Cummings
PS Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year
@@threeshocks5769 I simply use the first line as its title, 'My God can see the sparrow fall.' Have a peaceful Christmas.
Sounds tinny
its a travel guitar ffs
And it comes with 80/20 bronze strings. That's a mistake on anything smaller than a dreadnaught
@@nickspitzley8539 what type of string do u suggest? and why?