New Cordoba

[Irondale]

Hi folks. Just got me a new cordoba C5 the other day, and I love it. But the fingertips are a little sore from playing non-stop.

I'm a bit surprised that nylon strings would hurt more than steel strings. I thought it'd be the other way around. The guitar sounds beautiful, so I don't want to mess with the truss rod or sand the saddle.

I think the guitar came with high tension strings. Would going to normal tension ease up on the soreness a little. Again, it's not really THAT bad, they just feel a little numb/dull, not a sharp, cutting pain like sometimes w/ steel strings, so I'm just looking for something that would help, not solve the problem. Thanks/

[mc1]

you could switch to lighter tension strings. different manufacturers have different ideas about what makes a string normal or high tension.

you could get a second saddle and file it down.

you could drop the tuning a bit. i might try this first.

you could take it to a tech to check it out. it might be a little high at the nut.

have fun!

[menamestom]

Tune down for a bit like mc1 says. I just got a new Alhambra that came with extra high tension strings on, I tuned to drop D for a few days, then Eb now back up to standard tuning and they no longer feel stiff. Could be that the guitar and strings have relaxed a hit too.

[Vognell]

Get it to a tech. Action at the nut usually is a little high on the Cordobas. A switch to normal tension strings isn't a bad recommendation.

[Blueser100]

Congrats on your new guitar. I had a C5 for time but sold it. I now have C9 Parlor 7/8 which I love. I also keep a C3M (a satin finish version of the C5) at my moms house.

[Twilo123]

stop trying to bend the strings like a regular steel string

[GHS]

The Savarez Alliance strings that came on my Cordoba Fusion sound and feel great. Maybe you just need a set up or have been playing too long when you first got it, I can understand, they do sound good. Go to their web site Cordoba.com and see what they recommend on that model.

[harpon]

If the strings were high tension on a full sized guitar I personally would change them to normal tension. But I don't think they normally put high tension on that model- could be wrong- don't know, are you sure? I don't have nails that are a very good bite, and so I don't like a lot of tension while my fingers "gum" the strings otherwise

Cordobas are sorta known for high action but that wouldn't be affecting right hand

I typically lower the action on almost everything- if you like the height them fine- I usually will turn the truss rod as far as it will go easily - the first time that is usually a half or 3/4 turn-


Then I start cutting down the nylon bridge piece from there- generally grinding the bottom with a grinding drill bit

and/or filing the bottom even then on a flat file

The truss rod nut also tends to settle in , and can be more easily turned more with time- I never like to pressure the nut much- a half turn can make a lot of difference, and you may be able to do it again just as easily a year later

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by Blueser100

I now have C9 Parlor 7/8 which I love.

Me too! What an excellent guitar it is. The slightly reduced dimensions make a big difference in playability.

Anyway, Cordoba is very much leading the way, I think, with good quality, affordable classical and nylon string guitars. It was a market that was waiting for someone to step in, and Cordoba have established a really strong foothold. I don't think anyone else comes close to them for quality, price and variety.

[Irondale]

Well I solved the problem. The action was too high. I sanded the saddle a bit, tightened up the truss rod just a hair, and now no more sore fingers. Sweet guitar.

[The Old Anglo]

Congrats!!!!. I have a Cordoba C5ce,worth every penny paid. Enjoy yours!.