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A look at Fender's beautiful new travel-sized acoustic.
Fender introduced its Paramount Series of premium acoustic guitars last year and received Editors’ Pick Awards from the GP staff. At Summer NAMM 2017 in Nashville, Fender added the Paramount Standard Travel acoustic-electric to the Paramount Series, and we requested a closer look straight away. The PM-TE arrived in a deluxe hardshell case, rather than a gig bag (like most instruments designed with portability in mind.) It’s a clear indication that this traveler is to be taken seriously as a musical instrument, and a peek inside confirmed that notion.
The Paramount Travel does not fall into the travel-guitar trap of appearing like some quirky, dwarf, trail companion. Rather, it meets the eyes as a classy, scaled-down “orchestra” model. The bindings are crisp, and the twin soundhole rosettes help round out the look, despite the bottom piece of Sitka appearing slightly tanner than the upper piece (The PM-TE is also available with a solid mahogany top). The headstock inlay resembles a staff with a kite-shaped head consisting of two silver side wings, and a piece of green abalone shining forth from the middle. Craftsmanship on our review instrument was very good overall, with neat bracing inside and no blemishes apparent anywhere.
Fender’s “open pore” satin finish offers an organic feel and visual appeal, and perhaps facilitates a slightly more open, resonant sound, as the PM-TE does not suffer the boxiness that plagues many smaller instruments. Chords are well balanced, single notes sound articulate yet spacious, and the guitar’s surprisingly full tone flows forth on whatever you chose to play—and this guitar is wondrously easy to play.
The PM-TE’s slim profile neck is extremely accommodating and the easy-action setup facilitates cross-picking patterns, sweeping arpeggios, and fluid lines up and down