Cordoba guitars
 

Hi all. I'm just starting to learn classical style guitar playing. I've got a cheap Yamaha C40 right now but would like to buy a better instrument. A shop about 15 miles away stocks Cordoba. They have C3, C5, C7, C9, Fusion 12 Series and GK Ltd Edition in stock. Hoping to get there this coming Saturday to try some.
Are Cordoba models of this level a reasonable step up in playability from my Yamaha? All advice gratefully accepted. Many thanks. Ian

I'd say that the C7 model and up are definite steps up from your C40.

Going with the C3 or C5 is probably a side step from the C40.

Then comes your personal preference in sound that you want from your guitar.

The Fusion and GK series are great guitars, but they don't have the "true classical style" sound. They might have a bit of Flamenco sound to them.

I loved my GK Studio and only sold it to purchase a GK Pro Negra with all solid wood. It's capable of sounding great in a number of genres outside of classical. BUT, I also play quite a few classical pieces on it that sound nice.

The Fusions are nice guitars too & have a lot of fans. But I didn't like the narrower 1.75" width at the nut necks with nylon strings.

If you are looking for the true classical sound, then the C7 or C9 are great choices. FWIW... There only difference between the C9 & the C10 is the materials used on the sides and backs.

Hope this helps

Dave

I have played the Yamaha C40, Cordoba C5, C7, C9, and C10. The C9 cedar top appealed to me the most, by far. I thought the were all very good guitars for their respective prices.

Thanks Dave. Appreciate the information. I accept that that Fusion Series have a narrower nut width. Presumably so that steel string players can get the sound of nylon with the feel and playability they are used to with their usual guitars. How does the tone of the Fusion and GK compare with the 'classical' C7 and C9 please?
Ian

Many thanks. Appreciate your help
Ian

In simple terms, the fusion and the GK series have slightly thinner bodies. So the acoustic sound isn't quite as full as what a "classical" guitar might sound.

In a lot of ways, that's a good thing. The fusion and GK series are capable of playing a wide variety of musical genre's.


QUOTE=Yanto;5600189]Thanks Dave. Appreciate the information. I accept that that Fusion Series have a narrower nut width. Presumably so that steel string players can get the sound of nylon with the feel and playability they are used to with their usual guitars. How does the tone of the Fusion and GK compare with the 'classical' C7 and C9 please?
Ian[/QUOTE]

Córdoba does a very good job of providing great guitars in pretty much every one of their price points. Personally, I prefer the more pure acoustic, traditional body types for byline string guitars. I had a Yamaha NTX Series nylon string and it was a great guitar for plugged in tone. However, I actually found the slightly narrower nut width caused problems for me, given the large string diameter and slinky nature of nylon strings. Also the thin body really hindered the normally sweet tone and resonance of a classical guitar. So now I have a Córdoba C5 and an Esteso and love them both.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks again Dave. Looking at the Cordoba website, the body widths of the C7, C9 and Fusion 12 seem the same. The GK Studio Ltd is thinner.
I must admit that after playing them, I'm very interested in the Fusion 12.
Ian

What about the c12 is it worth the price

Dave

Personally, I don't think that the price increase from the C10 to the C12 is worth it. Some people may love the elevated fretboard, but it didn't do anything for me.

The C9 & the C10 are the same guitars with changes to the woods.

Bottom line is it all comes down to your personal preference.

The C12's are lattice braced - a different animal tonally to my ear. The 9's and 10's are fan braced and definitely the sweet spot in the lineup.

I've got a C9 spruce that I wouldn't give up for anything. I've modified it a bit and it's sent some 3k used guitars down the road.

It's not the thin body that hinders the sweet, lively acoustic tone. The NTX line and guitars similar to them are just built heavier, and inhibit vibration IMO. I had Spanish-made Cordoba FCWE, 55FCE (cypress) and 55FCE Ltd (ziricote). All had very thin bodies, but had great response and tone. No, they didn't have as bold, full and loud of an acoustic tone as the thicker-bodied Chinese Cordoba Luthier series that I prefer. But they sounded surprisingly good unplugged, and just as good plugged in. I'd say that they had 70-90% of the acoustic tone that the thicker bodies have.

The only reason that I sold them is because the necks are chunkier (I have small hands) and because I was unable to get the string action as low as I've been able to get my Luthier series instruments. Even with minimum neck relief set on the truss rod, and the saddles shaved all the way to the bridge... the action was higher than I wanted to live with. The Spanish Cordoba plant could learn some things from the Chinese plant about how to build a proper flamenco guitar (as wacky as that may sound).

I loved the bold response, and excellent fit&finish of my C12. It was an awesome classical. But yeah, the elevated fretboard wasn't the be all end all that I imagined it would be. I'm not Elliot Fisk playing Paganini. If I need to get up that high on the fretboard, then I prefer a cutaway.

I haven't owned a C9 or C10, but my F10 is one of my favorite Cordobas (which is why I still have it).

Quick update. Went back to the shop this morning and replayed C7, Fusion 12 Series and GK Ltd Edition. To my untrained ear the GK Ltd Edition stood out easily. And was lovely and comfortable to play. As I intend playing different genres on it, I bought the GK. Very happy so far.
Thanks to those who offered information and advice. I appreciate it
Ian

can you tell what the main differences are between lattice braced and fanned braced on tone?

As a mainly-steel string player, I liked the Fusion series, but they are fairly "polite", not how I would think of a flamenco guitar. :) The nut width is 1 7/8"/1.88", and the neck profile is C-shaped, more like a steel string than a typical classical.

I tried a Fusion 12. To me it lacked tone and projection vs the GK.

I offer my experience in case it is of help. I own a Cordoba C9 Crossover with 59mm string spacing at the bridge and 39/40mm at the nut (48mm nut width). I also own a Cordoba C9, which has the same spacing at the bridge, but 42mm at the nut (52mm nut width). This specifications are standard for classical guitar. For proper classical technique, I find the C9, with its extra spacing at the nut, much more comfortable on the left hand. Also, I am much less prone to inadvertently dampening or buzzing on neighboring strings when playing certain passages. I tell you this because I assumed that coming from playing steel strings for a long time meant that the tighter spacing of the Crossover would be best for me, but I was wrong. The GK has slightly wider string spacing at the nut than the Crossover, but I am not sure that many classical players would find it adequate. One last thing - many on AGF talk about nut width when, in my estimate, the issue is string spacing at the nut. You play the strings, not the nut, and nut slots can and are cut in different ways on the same sized nuts.

I hope this helps.

Many thanks for the reply and the information. Very useful. I am currently beginning to learn classical techniques. But I'm intending using the GK for other genres too. As you rightly say it may not suit those who play only classical. And I also may I time decide to purchase another model for my classical playing. Ian

And maybe it will work for you for classical...

That would save money and keep the wife happy too!

C9 - Parlor
 

Can anyone share experience with regard to the C9 - Parlor?

This is the 24.8 scale.

Mike. Hi sorry I can't help you re the C9. I noticed that you have a GK Studio. I just bought the GK Studio Limited Edition. How long have you had yours and what is your opinion please? Thanks. Ian

FWIW.... My 1st Cordoba was a GK Studio with the cypress sides and back... Loved the light weight and feel. It was a dream to play. :):)

My only reason for selling it was to purchase a GK Pro Negra with rosewood sides and back. I wanted a bit more warmth in the acoustic sound than the Cypress wood provided.

Dave

Hi Ian
 

Hi Ian,
I bought mine used at a GC. I just picked it up and immediately felt the action was unusually low, which I really liked. With the slim neck profile, it was extremely playable. I think Cordoba is giving a good value for your dollar.

As I read a little more about the flamenco guitar, I learned that they set the neck angle to allow for the very low action.

The reason I am curious about the C9-Parlor is it has a 24.8 scale, which I think might be a little easier to play. I am concerned that since it is a classical; however, that perhaps they are not made to have the same very low action. I never see them in any stores.

How do you like your GK-limited? Is that the Ziracote back and sides?

I just fooolishly sold an amazing cordoba c10. lot of guitar for the money - especially if you can catch a 15% off coupon at a big box store.

For MikeB1 I have the C10 Parlor, and I love it. I wasn't sure I wanted another guitar with a flat fretboard, but I did want one very nice smaller classical, and specifically cedar over rosewood.

I did have to adjust the neck relief and shave the saddle to get the action where I wanted it, it's about 3.5mm at the 12th on the bass side, 3mm on the treble. I was previously focusing on my steel strings and am used to a radius and 1.75 inch nut width, but really like the feel and shape of the neck and the smaller body. I also like the shorter scale and understated elegance.

Hi Mike. Thanks for the reply and the information. Yes my GK Studio Limited Edition is the one with Ziricote back and sides. Very comfortable to play to be honest. Nice tone and clarity too. I'm intending using it for different genres. Nice lowish action too
Ian

Decisions...
 

HI Ian,
My GK Studio has the Cypress b/s and I was wondering how the tone might differ with the Zirocote. I never got to play one, then I saw the parlor with the 630mm scale, which may be better for me. Enjoy your guitar!!!


[QUOTE=TKT;5613232]For MikeB1 I have the C10 Parlor, and I love it. I wasn't sure I wanted another guitar with a flat fretboard, but I did want one very nice smaller classical, and specifically cedar over rosewood.

Thanks so much TKT! I didn't realize they had a C10-Parlor. I just looked at the specs and this may be more to my taste. As I see it, the difference is that the C9 is Cedar and Mahogany b/s, whereas the C10 has rosewood b/s.

Also, the C10 has an ebony fretboard whereas the C9 has rosewood.

Thanks for the information.

The C9 comes with a spruce or cedar top, as does the C10. You might already know this, but I was not sure after reading the last post.