FENDER PARAMOUNT PD-220E
W
ith all the excitement
around Fender’s
Acoustasonic models
you’d be forgiven for
overlooking the
company’s extensive array of
more traditional fl at-top steel
string models alongside those
bold hybrids. The Paramount
series is especially one to watch,
and we feel it’s perhaps the
company’s most underrated line.
Back in 2017 we were impressed
by the fi rst Paramount mahogany
models we tried and felt they stood
up to anything in their electro-
acoustic £500 bracket. They
even included a hard case.
Nearly fi ve years later and
a hard case is still included here
on this enhanced model, but the
acoustic market as a whole has
gone from strength to strength;
the quality you can get for your
money nowadays continues to
astound us. Does Fender’s latest
Paramount dreadnought stand
up in this contemporary context?
This 2022 mahogany model
off ers off set X-bracing for
optimised resonance and looks
more refi ned than before (read:
higher end). Rather than natural
mahogany stain for the top we
have an Aged Cognac Burst, plus
a matte black headstock. It wears
it very well indeed, and one again
Fender shows a keen eye for pizazz
with the details. The 2017 models
had a 1930s Weissenborn-style
checked pattern around the body,
back and soundhole, and the
green, blue and red feather pattern
here again looks back to the 1930s
and 40s. Add in the snowfl ake
inlays and it looks fantastic.
The guitar is a very tidy build
and the aesthetic balances classy
detail with the more rustic look
mahogany builds can off er,
alongside the comfort of a satin
neck where you can still feel the
grain. This makes a really strong
fi rst impression. It’s lightweight for
a solid, back and sides mahogany
dreadnought at 3.8lbs and the
action here is relatively low for
an acoustic and without any
fretbuzz issues.
In our experience, mahogany
acoustics tend to off er more
midrange push in the tonal
spectrum, and that’s a great
attribute to have in a mix with
other instruments. If you’re
looking for deep bass boom and
shimmery hi-fi trebles, they’re
not usually an obvious port of
call and so it proves here; this
is a quintessential mahogany
dreadnought experience. It can
take hard strumming and
dexterous fi ngerpicking in its
stride, with its mid and treble
character clear and defi ned.
Like the Acoustasonic, the
PD-220E fi nds Fender and Fishman
joining forces on the pickup side of
things for the undersaddle Sonitone
Plus piezo pickup that can be
blended with a body-sensing
pickup for the top vibrations.
You’re limited to blend and volume
controls just inside the soundhole,
but comparing it to our own
mahogany dread’ with an original
Sonitone system with our acoustic
amp, it’s a signifi cant upgrade with
less compression and represents
the unplugged sound well.
With street prices of around £100
under the RRP, we’re looking at one
of the very best electro-acoustics
available in this price range.
Rob Laing
FENDER PARAMOUNT
PD-220E
A new benchmark?
1
2
3
AT A GLANCE
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SUMMARY
Photography Phil Barker
1
FISHMAN
SONITONE PLUS
The bass response is
impressive but not
overbearing plugged
in, and blending in the
transducer with the
piezo adds warmth but
if you’re looking for
more EQ control for
yourself at gigs, invest
in a preamp pedal or
acoustic combo.
2
TUNERS
Open gear tuners
work well with the
1930s vibe here.
3
POWER
A 9-volt battery
powers the preamp
and it’s located in small
fabric wallet fixed on the
inside of the neck heel.
It offers up to 100 hours
of continuous use.
TYPE: Electro acoustic
dreadnought
BODY: Solid mahogany
top, back and sides
NECK: Mahogany
SCALE LENGTH:
25.3”/643mm
NUT/WIDTH:
Bone/43mm
FINGERBOARD:
Ovangkol
FRETS: 20
TUNERS: Nickel
open-back
STRING SPACING,
BRIDGE
: 55mm
ELECTRICS: Fender/
Fishman Sonitone Plus
piezo and transducer
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 1.7/3.8
FINISHES: Satin
urethane Aged Cognac
Burst (as reviewed),
Natural with Sitka
spruce top, 3-Color
Vintage Sunburst with
Sitka spruce top.
CASE: Fender Deluxe
Black hard case included
CONTACT: Fender,
www.fender.com
£649
JULY 2022 TOTAL GUITAR
REVIEW
93
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