A Piece of Fender History You Don't See Every Day
The Fender El Rio doesn't show up very often, and for good reason — it was part of Fender's California Series, a line of acoustic-electrics that ran from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s. What made the El Rio stand out then still makes it interesting now: it wore a Stratocaster-style headstock on a flat-top acoustic body, bridging the gap between Fender's electric identity and the acoustic world. If you've spent years on Fender electrics and want an acoustic that still feels like home, this is a guitar worth knowing.
This Fender El Rio is in Good condition. It has fine finish scratches noted on the body, a small scratch imperfection by the front heel, and a finish milking imperfection on the back. Please review the photos carefully, as they provide the best representation of the instrument's overall condition.
A Dreadnought with an Identity
The El Rio wore a dreadnought body shape — broad-shouldered and full-voiced — paired with the kind of slim, electric-friendly neck that Fender was known for. The Stratocaster-style headstock with inline tuners is the obvious visual signature, but players tended to appreciate the familiar neck feel just as much. It's a guitar that lets acoustic newcomers from the electric side skip a lot of the "getting used to it" phase.
The spruce top gives the El Rio a focused, articulate voice with good note separation. Sycamore back and sides — a species closely related to maple — contribute a bright, clear character that complements the top. Together, the combination leans brighter and more even than an all-mahogany guitar, which suits fingerpicking and strumming alike.
Built-In Electronics for the Stage
The El Rio was designed to be plugged in. The built-in electronics system — featuring volume, tone, and notch filter controls — let you dial in your amplified sound without a clip-on or soundhole pickup getting in the way. For its era, the active onboard electronics were a practical, well-integrated solution for players who needed to be heard live.
The rosewood fingerboard and bridge add warmth to the feel and look of the instrument, while the tortoiseshell pickguard and multi-strip rosette give it a classic aesthetic that has aged gracefully. Inline tuners on the Strat-style headstock keep the look cohesive and the tuning stable.
Product Features:
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Body Style: Dreadnought, part of Fender's California Series
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Top: Spruce
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Back & Sides: Sycamore
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Fingerboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
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Bridge: Rosewood
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Headstock: Stratocaster-style with six-inline tuners
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Electronics: Built-in active system with volume, tone, and notch filter controls
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Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
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Includes: Gig bag
This is a used guitar from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual item you will receive.
All used gear is sold AS IS.
Brand: Fender
Model: El Rio
SKU: U-EL-RIO|ISI3915
Condition: Used
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