Cordoba C10 Crossover

[dr461]

Just got my Cordoba C10 crossover. It is utterly awesome—great tone, incredible workmanship, and a neck that facilitates easy playability. It suits my style—some classical, some Spanish, lots of fingerpicking. Beats the hell out of classical guitars i’ve owned at a fraction of the price. Very clear, and great bass response in a small guitar, comparatively. Workmanship is A+++.

My Martins will get jealous, since I love my new Cordoba so much!

[DownUpDave]

Originally Posted by dr461

Just got my Cordoba C10 crossover. It is utterly awesome—great tone, incredible workmanship, and a neck that facilitates easy playability. It suits my style—some classical, some Spanish, lots of fingerpicking. Beats the hell out of classical guitars i’ve owned at a fraction of the price. Very clear, and great bass response in a small guitar, comparatively. Workmanship is A+++.

My Martins will get jealous, since I love my new Cordoba so much!

I feel the same about mine and friends that have played it do too. This is not a $3000 serious thoughbred of a classical guitar but for around $1000 it punches way above its price tag. Espiecally for steel string players that are more comfortable on a 1-7/8" nut width and radiused fretboard.

The C9 in cedar/mahogany has a beautiful tone that I like even a little more. But the spruce rosewood is better suited for what I do.

[PraisePicker]

I own 4 guitars (and played a whole lot more) before trading my Cordoba GK Studio Negra flamenco in for the C10 Crossover. The neck is fantastic and I think the sound, at least in my example, is astounding. The only thing I really missed, and thought I could live without, was the access to the upper frets allowed by the GK's cutaway. After playing it for a while I found I wanted access after all. Not wanting to part with the C10, I simply modified it by adding my own Thurmon style cutaway/soundport.

I tested the procedure out on a $15.00 swapmeet classical before committing in a big way. I am pleased with the results. Believe it or not, removing the side & top sections in the treble side upper bout have had no perceptible, let alone negative, effects on the sound. When played in a more vertical position, it is simply louder. I did this fully understanding it would render my guitar practically worthless in the used marketplace. But I am very pleased with the results. And I am confident I woun't see another one anytime soon. And in my book, that goes to ELEVEN!

DanO

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by PraisePicker

... Not wanting to part with the C10, I simply modified it by adding my own Thurmon style cutaway/soundport.

I tested the procedure out on a $15.00 swapmeet classical before committing in a big way. I am pleased with the results. Believe it or not, removing the side & top sections in the treble side upper bout have had no perceptible, let alone negative, effects on the sound. When played in a more vertical position, it is simply louder. I did this fully understanding it would render my guitar practically worthless in the used marketplace. But I am very pleased with the results. And I am confident I won't see another one anytime soon. And in my book, that goes to ELEVEN!

DanO

Holy cow! You're one gutsy guy. I drilled into my New World Player to add a single side fret marker and I felt bad about that tiny alteration. I'd never attempt anything like this.

[PraisePicker]

Originally Posted by lpa53

Holy cow! You're one gutsy guy. I drilled into my New World Player to add a single side fret marker and I felt bad about that tiny alteration. I'd never attempt anything like this.

Well, doing something like this isn't for the casually curious or the faint of heart. I thought about it for quite some time. Once committed I had to work deliberately and carefully.

Once I masked it off and made the initial cuts, the very next step was to reinforce things before going any further. The side got 4 strip braces, 1 on each side of the opening and 2 evenly spaced between them. When I realized how delicate the spruce top really is, I added a small brace across the upper bout behind the opening and then laminated the leading edge with a piece of rosewood veneer.

Although I am very pleased with the results, this is something I NEVER would have done to my James Goodall steel string, or, for that matter, your Kenny Hill. I'm not that crazy.

[dkstott]

interesting mod... I'm not sure if I'd want that on the bottom of the guitar. But, I've been considering adding a side port hole to the top of my GK Pro.

I've already added several side markers and upgraded the tuners on it.

Dave

[PraisePicker]

Now that I got away with moding my C-10 crossover, I have become very curious about taking a guitar building course and making something different. Thinking of having sound port/cutaway in both upper and lower forward bouts and dispensing with the traditional sound hole - similar to Steve Grimes' Beamer nylon guitars. Would need to rework the bracing in order to allow nearly the entire guitar top to produce sound. I think doing something different would be a lot more interesting than simply making a copy of a traditional guitar.

DanO

[DownUpDave]

Originally Posted by PraisePicker

Now that I got away with moding my C-10 crossover, I have become very curious about taking a guitar building course and making something different. Thinking of having sound port/cutaway in both upper and lower forward bouts and dispensing with the traditional sound hole - similar to Steve Grimes' Beamer nylon guitars. Would need to rework the bracing in order to allow nearly the entire guitar top to produce sound. I think doing something different would be a lot more interesting than simply making a copy of a traditional guitar.

DanO

Go check out Jay Lichty, he does what you are talking about on his Ziggy modified baritone ukulele. It's a very attractive design that might interest you.