Cordoba Crossovers - C9 and C10

[rdeane]

I am in the first stage of learning fingerstyle guitar. I already am a flatpicker/strummer. I am looking for a nylon string crossover and am considering the Cordoba C9 and C10 crossovers. What words of wisdom do you have (especially those who already own and/or play these models)? I have played a Cordoba C10 regular classical model and a C7. I liked the C10 best of those two, but the crossover models seem very attractive.

None of the local guitar stores have the C9 or C10 crossover models, so I am relying on the experience with the regular C10 to give me a basis for a decision, along with whatever advice I can get here from forum members. Thanks.

[ewalling]

I briefly owned the C10 Crossover. I thought it was a beautiful guitar, and between that and a regular classical C10, I'd choose the C10 Crossover every time for its added ease in playability. However, when I had the C10, I also had (and still have) the C9 Parlor, and I found, as an originally steel-string player with steel-string tastes and methods of playing, the Parlor somehow felt better. It does have the flat classical fretboard, but the nut width is reduced to 1 7/8"; the guitar is, after all, 7/8 the size of a standard classical. But this a real feel thing. The C10 was gorgeous, but somehow I just preferred the added intimate feeling of the slightly smaller Parlor body. Right now, I'm even considering buying the C10 Parlor so that I can use one parlor in standard and the other in dropped D.

[dkstott]

I own a C10 crossover guitar and the Cordoba gk pro negra guitar. While I love the C10, I grad the gk pro for playing much more often.

[rdeane]

Do you find the crossover much different as far as ease of playing? Is the action lower?

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by rdeane

Do you find the crossover much different as far as ease of playing? Is the action lower?

I've tried a GK Pro in GC. The action was no different from the C10 Crossover, as far as I remember.

[dkstott]

The C10 crossover has a radiused fretboard and is 1 7/8"wide at the nut. The GK series has a flat fretboard and is 1.9" at the nut.

Dave

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by dkstott

The C10 ... is 1 7/8"wide at the nut. The GK series ... is 1.9" at the nut.

Is there a difference between 1 7/8" and 1.9"? If there is, it must be infinitesimally small.

[zhunter]

Originally Posted by dkstott

The C10 crossover has a radiused fretboard and is 1 7/8"wide at the nut. The GK series has a flat fretboard and is 1.9" at the nut.

Dave

Not to split hairs but the GK is 1.96" wide (50mm). More like 1/8" wider.

hunter

[dkstott]

you're absolutely right. My mistake, the GK is indeed 1.96 wide.... typo on my part trying to enter messages using my phone.. My apology.

The added width & the flat fretboard on the GK make it seem huge when I play my C10 Crossover. But the thin neck on it makes it awesome to play for me.

I typically have issues with the 2 inch wide classicals, but the GK is a breeze to play for me.

[ewalling]

These small numerical fractions do have a significant impact on playability and preference.

[zhunter]

Originally Posted by dkstott

I typically have issues with the 2 inch wide classicals, but the GK is a breeze to play for me.

The GK neck is very thin front to back compared to the typical classical/flamenco neck. Maybe that is why it works better for you. As for action, I have often found non-flamenco Cordobas to have pretty high action in the store even by classical standards. The GK models tend to be lower but I did have the saddle cut down on my first Studio.

hunter

[dkstott]

it's funny, I needed to lower the saddle a bit on the C10 crossover and the GK to get the action I wanted out of them. The nuts on both guitars were fine for me.

The GK Pro's overall neck was way to straight for me, so it got a bit of a truss rod adjustment to put some relief in the neck. It was probably set up for pure classical / flamenco playing at the factory.

I play my GK pro for at least an hour a day.

[zhunter]

Originally Posted by dkstott

it's funny, I needed to lower the saddle a bit on the C10 crossover and the GK to get the action I wanted out of them. The nuts on both guitars were fine for me.

The GK Pro's overall neck was way to straight for me, so it got a bit of a truss rod adjustment to put some relief in the neck. It was probably set up for pure classical / flamenco playing at the factory.

I play my GK pro for at least an hour a day.

Corrected, I meant saddle!!

hunter

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by zhunter

As for action, I have often found non-flamenco Cordobas to have pretty high action in the store even by classical standards.

I've found this to be unpredictable in this price range. One Cordoba can have high action, while the next one seems low. I've found this with Kremona, Rodriguez, and a number of other makes that hang on the walls of GC.