Cordoba C9 Crossover vs GK Studio Negra: Ease of Play

Lapo · #1 08-03-2020, 12:12 PM

Hi All, I'm wondering if anyone's played both and can give their impressions on ease of play. I know the crossover has the narrower 48mm nut compared to 50. But I know that flamenco guitars are generally designed for super low action, so that might change things. I have nerve damage I'm working on so I'll be going for maximum ease. As an aside, if anyone has a C9 crossover with a spruce top, let me know as I may be interested. Thanks

Dustinfurlow · #2 08-03-2020, 12:24 PM

Hey bud,

I have owned both and can make an observation... The main difference with the crossover you may find advantageous (other than the nut width being slimmer) is that it has a less-flat radius. I've found that makes a huge impact as I am mostly a steel string player, where my steelstrings' radius are normally 16". I had the Negra for a bit then sold it once I played a crossover because it just felt easier to barre and more like playing a nylon 12-fretter with the 1 7/8 nut.

Enjoy!

JERZEY · #3 08-03-2020, 12:24 PM

The GK Studio Negra has a flat radius finger board. The C9 Crossover has a slightly thinner nut but it also has a radiused finger board much like a steel string. I would say ease of play generally goes to the C9 Crossover. The negra is going to be pretty dark compared to the C9. The C9 is a pretty standard classical tone you get from Cordoba. The C9 is a full sized classical body and is louder with better projection. You will find the Negra to have faster note decay, be darker but dryer sounding at the same time.

neomastino · #4 08-03-2020, 01:15 PM

I do not know your price point but you may also like the Furch GNc nylons, i just picked up their 4-SR and absolutely love it. the price points ranges from $1,500 to the 4-SR at $2,600

Lapo · #5 08-03-2020, 02:07 PM

Thanks Alot guys! Very helpful info. The Furch looks sweet. A bit out of budget, but I'll keep it in mind. Dustin, so cool that you've played both, that's what I was really hoping for. I'll be going for a crossover. Btw, I'm a big fan of you music and compositions! And the tone you coax out of those Beneteaus! Possibly the nicest acoustic guitar sounds I've ever heard... I love Doug's Claxton recordings and Tony McManus's Greenfield ones, but prefer the sound you get out of those guitars. Now if I could only find a spruce top crossover. They seem to be pretty hard to find.

Dustinfurlow · #6 08-03-2020, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapo

Thanks Alot guys! Very helpful info. The Furch looks sweet. A bit out of budget, but I'll keep it in mind. Dustin, so cool that you've played both, that's what I was really hoping for. I'll be going for a crossover. Btw, I'm a big fan of you music and compositions! And the tone you coax out of those Beneteaus! Possibly the nicest acoustic guitar sounds I've ever heard... I love Doug's Claxton recordings and Tony McManus's Greenfield ones, but prefer the sound you get out of those guitars. Now if I could only find a spruce top crossover. They seem to be pretty hard to find.

Thanks for the kind words...

I agree about your last statement as well. As I said I had a Studio Negra for a bit then tried a cedar crossover at Guitar Center and realized how big of a difference having the more curved radius made, so I was snagged a Spruce/Indian Cordoba Crossover that is apparently discontinued. It doesn't sound like a Kenny Hill or a Kobler but it certainly gets the job done for me

See if this link below is something you're after...this is what I would've gotten if I didn't find a used rosewood model.

https://reverb.com/item/7341448-cord...used-fretboard

Gcunplugged · #7 08-03-2020, 07:18 PM

If you’re looking for a Córdoba crossover with spruce top, check out the Fusion series, and specifically the ones tagged “SP/IN”, e.g. Spruce top over Indian Rosewood B/S.

https://reverb.com/item/13601031-cor...stra-pro-sp-in

Hope that helps,
Gary
P.s. the one I linked is B-Stock, so be aware of that.

Lapo · #8 08-05-2020, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Thanks for the kind words...

I agree about your last statement as well. As I said I had a Studio Negra for a bit then tried a cedar crossover at Guitar Center and realized how big of a difference having the more curved radius made, so I was snagged a Spruce/Indian Cordoba Crossover that is apparently discontinued. It doesn't sound like a Kenny Hill or a Kobler but it certainly gets the job done for me

See if this link below is something you're after...this is what I would've gotten if I didn't find a used rosewood model.

https://reverb.com/item/7341448-cord...used-fretboard

Man Thanks! That was some Jedi level recomendation. I'm more a mahogany guy than rosewood. I was also hoping for something with an undersaddle pickup to blend with the phenomenal Close Up mic system I just got. I was vaguely aware of the fusions, but kind of remember reading a so so review and kind of wrote them off. Funny how the mind does that. I just ordered a spruce/mahogany from Alamo music. They offered a 10% coupon for signing up to the newsletter, so it was 494$ shipped. It'll be here mid next week. Thanks for all the responses guys, this is a truly great forum.