Fender FR-50CE Resonator, Sunburst, Acoustic-Electric - Used
The resonator guitar exists because players needed more volume before amplification made that problem disappear — a metal cone instead of a soundhole, vibrating at a frequency and intensity that a wood-topped acoustic simply cannot match. The sound that came out became the sound of Delta blues, and it has never really gone away. The Fender FR-50CE is the company's practical take on the format: a round-neck resonator with a cutaway for upper-fret access and a dual-pickup system that makes the whole instrument as useful on a stage or in a studio as it is acoustic in a room.
The electronics on this guitar are genuinely interesting. A Fender Telecaster single-coil sits in the neck position with its own independent volume and tone controls, while a Fishman Powerchip resonator pickup handles the cone itself with a separate volume control. The stereo output jack allows splitting the two signals to separate amplifiers — one clean, one with whatever effect chain you want on the resonator — which opens up a range of tonal possibilities that most acoustic-electric instruments cannot touch. All electronics on this one are working cleanly and well.
The action runs comfortable but not low, which is exactly right for this instrument. Resonators traditionally play best with a little more height than an electric — enough clearance for slide technique and open-chord playing to ring freely without buzzing. Good for chording and slide in the way that a resonator should be. The chrome cone and Fender F-holes look and sound right. The Nato neck is comfortable under the hand.
Condition is Very Good with play wear throughout — surface marks and light wear consistent with a played instrument, nothing structural and nothing that affects playability or tone. All electronics functioning correctly. Check the photos for the full picture on cosmetic condition. No case included.
- Make: Fender
- Model: FR-50CE Resonator
- Body: Single cutaway, laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, Sunburst finish
- Binding: White
- F-holes: Custom Fender "F" style
- Neck: Nato, round profile, set-in
- Fingerboard: Sonokelin, dot inlays
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Nut: TUSQ, 1.62" width
- Frets: 20
- Resonator: Chrome-finish spun aluminum cone, spider bridge
- Bridge: Split Micarta saddle
- Neck pickup: Fender Telecaster single-coil
- Resonator pickup: Fishman Powerchip
- Controls: Volume (Tele pickup), tone (Tele pickup), volume (resonator pickup)
- Output: Stereo jack (splits Tele and resonator pickup signals independently)
- Tuners: Chrome die-cast
- Hardware: Chrome
- Weight: 6 lbs 5 oz
- Modifications: None
- Includes: None
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
