If you love the feel of a Fender electric but want an acoustic that still looks and plays like “you”, the Fender California Series is pretty much made for you. These guitars take Fender’s Southern California roots and wrap them into bold colours, comfy necks and plug-in-ready designs that are built for real-world playing – from the lounge room to the local gig and everything in between.
At Colemans Music, we’ve hand-picked a tight range of Fender California Series acoustics that offer great value, solid reliability and that unmistakable Fender vibe:
You’ll find them in stock at our South Melbourne Store, as well as online for fast shipping Australia-wide (often with free shipping over $200).
What Is the Fender California Series?
Fender’s California Series acoustics are designed to stand out on a wall full of “natural” and “sunburst” guitars. Think electric-style colours, Strat/offset-style headstocks and player-friendly specs, inspired by the brand’s SoCal heritage.
Underneath the vibe is a very practical idea: make acoustics that feel instantly familiar to electric players while still sounding like proper, full-voice acoustics. That’s why you see:
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Original Fender body shapes like Malibu, Newporter and Redondo in the range, with Redondo being the largest, dreadnought-style body for a big, bold sound.
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Comfortable necks with a slim “C” profile and 6-in-line headstock, borrowed from Fender’s electric DNA.
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Onboard electronics on many models, using Fishman systems tuned specifically for these body shapes so they sound natural when plugged in.
Within that big California family are a few sub-ranges. The ones we stock sit mainly in the California Standard and California Player tiers – perfect for students, hobbyists, working musos and electric players looking for a “real” acoustic that doesn’t fight back.
Shared Features You’ll Notice Across Our Range
While each model has its own personality, the Fender California Series acoustics we stock share some big themes:
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Bold looks – finishes like Seafoam and Fiesta Red come straight from the electric world, so your acoustic doesn’t have to look “traditional” unless you want it to.
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Comfortable necks – slim, modern neck profiles and familiar Fender headstocks help electric players feel at home straight away.
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Durable, gig-friendly builds – the California Standard models use all-laminate construction that’s tough, stable and less fussy about temperature and humidity than many solid-timber acoustics.
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Stage-ready electronics on AC/EL & Player models – “AC/EL” in the product name is our shorthand for acoustic-electric, meaning there’s a pickup and preamp onboard so you can plug straight into a PA or acoustic amp.
FENDER California Standard Monterey AC/EL Seafoam
If you’re after a comfortable, slightly smaller acoustic that still has plenty of personality, the FENDER California Standard Monterey AC/EL Seafoam is a very fun option.
Key points:
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Concert-style body – more compact than a dreadnought, easy to handle for smaller players, couch strummers or singer-songwriters who don’t want a huge box under the arm.
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All-laminate sapele body – built from tough laminated sapele with a hardwood bridge and fingerboard, giving you a balanced, clear tone with great durability for everyday use.
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Fishman Presys Plus electronics – onboard preamp with EQ and tuner, so you can go straight into a PA or acoustic amp and still have control over your sound on stage.
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Seafoam finish – classic Fender custom-colour look you’d usually expect on a Strat, not an acoustic.
Who it suits:
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Electric players wanting an acoustic that doesn’t feel huge
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Students and hobbyists who want something reliable to gig with
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Singer-songwriters needing a compact, plug-in-and-go guitar for open mics, church or small bars
FENDER California Standard Redondo – Big Dreadnought Energy
The California Standard Redondo models we stock are all about that full-bodied, dreadnought punch – but with Fender’s twist.
On the Fender spec sheet, the California Standard Redondo is described as:
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Dreadnought body shape / Redondo body – large and loud, great for strumming and ensemble playing
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All-laminate construction – spruce top with sapele back and sides, for a robust, deep tone and long-term durability
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Walnut fingerboard and bridge, modern Viking-style bridge and sealed-gear tuners for stable tuning and easy upkeep
At Colemans Music, we carry a mix of purely acoustic and acoustic-electric (AC/EL) Redondo models:
FENDER California Standard Redondo Natural
FENDER California Standard Redondo Black
These are your straightforward acoustic versions:
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Great for home playing, songwriting and recording with microphones
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Laminate spruce/sapele body gives a warm but focused sound that sits nicely in a mix without being boomy
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A solid option if you don’t need to plug in just yet, or you prefer to mic your acoustic
FENDER California Standard Redondo AC/EL Black
FENDER California Standard Redondo AC/EL Fiesta Red
These models add onboard electronics so you can plug straight into a PA or acoustic amp:
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Same dreadnought/Redondo body shape and laminate build for a strong, reliable tone
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Built-in pickup and preamp (features vary by batch, but typically with volume/EQ controls and tuner on the upper bout)
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Ideal for cover bands, worship teams, buskers or anyone gigging regularly
Who the Redondo suits:
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Players who want a big, full acoustic sound that can keep up in a band
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Strummers and singer-songwriters who like a bold, present voice
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Electric guitarists who want a dreadnought that still feels “Fender” rather than super-traditional
FENDER Redondo Player, Walnut Fingerboard – Natural
If you’re looking for a step-up California Series acoustic with more focus and projection, the FENDER Redondo Player, Walnut Fingerboard – Natural is the standout in our range.
According to Fender, the Redondo Player features:
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Solid spruce top – more dynamic response and better resonance as the guitar opens up over time
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Sapele back and sides – warm, balanced tone with plenty of midrange presence
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Cutaway Redondo body – dreadnought-style volume with easier access to the upper frets
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Slim “C”-shape neck with a tilt-back 6-in-line headstock – feels very familiar to Fender electric players
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Walnut fingerboard and bridge – smooth feel and a clear, articulate top end
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Fishman Flex electronics – high-quality onboard pickup/preamp with simple but effective controls, designed to sound natural when amplified
In short: this is the “do-a-bit-of-everything” guitar in our California line-up. It’s comfortable to play, records well, and is absolutely ready for stage use.
Perfect if you:
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Want a solid-top acoustic-electric that will grow with you as you improve
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Need one guitar to handle home practice, recording and live gigs
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Play mostly electric but need an acoustic that doesn’t feel like a shock to the system
Which Fender California Series Guitar Is Right for Me?
A quick way to decide:
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You want a smaller, comfy body and plug-in capability
→ Start with the FENDER California Standard Monterey AC/EL Seafoam. -
You love big acoustic strumming and might not need electronics yet
→ Look at the California Standard Redondo Natural or Black. -
You’re gigging and want a bold dreadnought with built-in electronics
→ Check out the California Standard Redondo AC/EL Black or Fiesta Red. -
You want a solid-top, stage-ready all-rounder that feels like a Fender electric
→ Go for the FENDER Redondo Player, Walnut Fingerboard – Natural.
Remember, ranges and colours can change, and stock moves quickly – the exact finishes listed here are what we’re carrying at the time of writing on our California Series acoustic collection page.
Try the Fender California Series at Colemans Music
If you’re curious about the Fender California Series, the best thing you can do is sit down with a few and play:
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Visit us in South Melbourne to feel the different body shapes and necks for yourself
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Chat with our team about what you’re playing now, what you’re plugging into, and where you want to take your sound
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Or order online and get your new California Series Fender delivered anywhere in Australia, with free shipping on many orders over $200
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or adding a laid-back, West Coast-flavoured acoustic to your collection, the Fender California Series guitars we stock at Colemans Music are a great place to start.
