The concept of hidden Fermi surface nesting was introduced to explain the general observation that certain low-dimensional metals with several partially filled bands exhibit charge density wave (CDW) instabilities, although their individual Fermi surfaces do not reveal the observed nesting vectors. This concept was explored by considering the Fermi surfaces of the purple bronze AMo(6)O(17) (A = sodium or potassium) and then observing the CDW spatial fluctuations expected from its hidden nesting on the basis of diffuse x-ray scattering experiments. The concept of hidden Fermi surface nesting is essential for understanding the electronic instabilities of low-dimensional metals.