Back in the early 1960s in Southern California, a fearless creative culture was abound, and Leo Fender was on a mission to design a fresh collection of acoustic instruments that captured the innovative spirit that permeated the artists around him. In collaboration with legendary luthier Roger Rossmeisl, Leo released several unique acoustic models that embodied the character that made Fender a symbol of the rock-and-roll revolution, including unmistakable headstock shapes, easy-to-play neck profiles and radical styling, changing the face of Fender Acoustics forever. Today’s Fender California Vintage models draw directly from their mid-century origins with a retro visual vibe, adding 21st century performance and a rich, refined acoustic tone - a true modern alternative with classic Fender heritage.
Engineered with an innovative Performance X™ bracing pattern, the approachable concert-sized body of the Fender California Vintage Malibu is lightly crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid ovangkol back and sides to effortlessly produce a sweet, focused voice with exceptional nuance and balance. An ergonomic modern “V" profile was chosen for the the okoume neck along with a short 25“ scale length for warm tonal response, and a tilt-back 6-in-line headstock with a matching headcap for a distinctive look born from Fender’s electric guitar DNA. Other notable details include a bound ovangkol fingerboard with pearloid block inlays for a throwback look, vintage-style tuning machines for smooth, accurate tuning, and a bone nut and saddle for superior harmonic character. Designed for the performer, the onboard Fishman® Presys VT Plus preamp system features seamless soundhole-mounted controls that blend an undersaddle piezo and internal body transducer to allow faithful and reliable reproduction of the guitar’s natural sound when plugged into an amplifier or recording device. A vintage-style hardshell case is included.
Bold, eye-catching and unique, California Series instruments make no compromises balancing standout style, superior sound and effortless playability for those who aspire to play something different.
FEATURES
- Period-correct Malibu concert body shape
- Solid Sitka spruce top, solid ovangkol back and sides
- Ergonomic modern V-shape neck with tilt-back 6-in-line headstock
- Fishman® Presys VT Plus electronics with undersaddle piezo and internal body transducer
- Vintage-style hardshell case
HISTORICALLY-ACCURATE FENDER MALIBU CONCERT SHAPE
Faithfully and thoroughly duplicated from genuine 1960s examples, the body shape of the California Vintage Malibu is true to the original guitars design.
PERFORMANCE-X BRACING
Forward-shifted and scalloped, the innovative Fender Performance-X acoustic bracing pattern was designed and engineered to produce more movement of the top resulting in unsurpassed resonance and tonal nuance.
ALL-SOLID WOOD CONSTRUCTION
With a body crafted from all-solid woods, this instrument provides superior resonance, volume and dynamic range. Ovangkol is a premium tonewood revered for its smooth midrange, balanced bass and treble, and attractive grain pattern.
FISHMAN® PRESYS VT PLUS ELECTRONICS
Specially voiced for Fender instruments, this preamp features controls for volume and a knob for bending the body-sensing transducer with the undersaddle pickup for added nuance and detail. The soundhole-mounted controls preserve the vintage aesthetics.
MODERN V NECK PROFILE
The modern V profile combines a soft V contoured back shape with a slim depth for a neck that fits comfortably in the palm for chording while offering effortless feel along the entire length of the neck.
PERIOD CORRECT 6-IN-LINE HEADSTOCK WITH MAPLE HEADCAP
Crafted with an okoume neck for optimal acoustic resonance and balanced tonal character, the look of the original guitars maple neck is retained with a maple headcap, capturing quintessential vintage Fender aesthetics
Neck
Tilt-back Vintage Malibu
Okoume
Satin Urethane with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Modern "V"
16" (406.4 mm)
Ovangkol
Pearloid Block
Black
20
Bone
1.69" (43 mm)
Bone
Body
Solid Sitka Spruce Top with Solid Ovangkol Back and Sides
Gloss Polyurethane
Malibu Concert
Solid Sitka Spruce
Aged White
Solid Ovangkol
Solid Ovangkol
Solid Sitka Spruce Top with Solid Ovangkol Back and Sides
Performance "X"
2-Ring B/W/B
Black/White/Black/White
Hardware
Vintage Viking
White
1-Ply Antigua
Nickel
Vintage-Style with Aged White Buttons
Fender® 60L Phosphor Bronze (.012-.052 Gauges), PN 0730060403
Vintage-Style
Electronics
Volume, Blend (Body Pickup, Piezo)
Fender®/Fishman® Presys VT Plus Soundhole Pickup System
