Best Flamenco Guitar Brands (2024 Update)

The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a rare gem among acoustic classical guitars. Once you hold it and hear the incredible tones it offers your ears, you not want to put it down. Pure ear candy that plays like soft golden butter as you easily slide your fingers on the fretboard and bend the strings. After playing many other acoustic and classical guitars over the years as a professional musician, the GK Studio Negra was ‘the one’ I’d been searching for. It just feels good and the woods are so well balanced not only in tones but beautifully designed. It’s truly a work of art and has much character. The value is unbelievable for what you get because this remarkable guitar plays and has the appearance of one three times it’s cost. There’s no other way to say it except that you will fall in love with it. I did. For classical, jazz, folk or blues it’s a wonderful companion on or off the stage plugged in or not. With dynamic rich low end and gorgeous sustain, you will be inspired to play this versatile guitar for many years. The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a graceful friend that you will cherish.KH singer songwriter and produce

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

This guitar is great. I've had no real qualms with it so far, albeit I've only had it since April 1st. I used to play about a decade ago, but life happened and I stopped playing consistently. I bought a Jasmine S34-C about a month back to start up playing again, but it didn't revitalize my love for guitar quite like this one did. I had only played an acoustic before up until I picked up this GK Studio. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. The ebony/gold tuning keys look very refined and the guitars "negra" or black style looks sooooo good. The contrast between the lighter and darker colors does a lot for me. The sound(for me) is just right. Not too soft, but not excessively punchy. I am not someone to perform at gigs as I've only ever played at home, but this guitar definitely has made me want to give it my all and try new things! When things finally get back to 100% here in the states I'll be giving this guitar a shot at a few spots. I've seen a few reviews online that suggest that this is a great gig guitar as well and has a great sound when plugged in so I can't wait to try that out even more so! The only (minor)thing I can think of that I would call a "con" is the Fishman tuner built onto the side of the guitar. I have not had a chance to test out the different options when it is plugged into an amp, but the on-hand guitar tuner setting can be a bit fidgety at times. Its not anything severe as I usually just tune by ear, but I personally only use it for a guide to get back to standard when I'm done messing about with other alt. tunings. I wouldn't say it docks a star from this review, but its just something to look out for if anyone is wondering about it.Ruben S

The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a rare gem among acoustic classical guitars. Once you hold it and hear the incredible tones it offers your ears, you not want to put it down. Pure ear candy that plays like soft golden butter as you easily slide your fingers on the fretboard and bend the strings. After playing many other acoustic and classical guitars over the years as a professional musician, the GK Studio Negra was ‘the one’ I’d been searching for. It just feels good and the woods are so well balanced not only in tones but beautifully designed. It’s truly a work of art and has much character. The value is unbelievable for what you get because this remarkable guitar plays and has the appearance of one three times it’s cost. There’s no other way to say it except that you will fall in love with it. I did. For classical, jazz, folk or blues it’s a wonderful companion on or off the stage plugged in or not. With dynamic rich low end and gorgeous sustain, you will be inspired to play this versatile guitar for many years. The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a graceful friend that you will cherish.KH singer songwriter and produce

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

This guitar is great. I've had no real qualms with it so far, albeit I've only had it since April 1st. I used to play about a decade ago, but life happened and I stopped playing consistently. I bought a Jasmine S34-C about a month back to start up playing again, but it didn't revitalize my love for guitar quite like this one did. I had only played an acoustic before up until I picked up this GK Studio. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. The ebony/gold tuning keys look very refined and the guitars "negra" or black style looks sooooo good. The contrast between the lighter and darker colors does a lot for me. The sound(for me) is just right. Not too soft, but not excessively punchy. I am not someone to perform at gigs as I've only ever played at home, but this guitar definitely has made me want to give it my all and try new things! When things finally get back to 100% here in the states I'll be giving this guitar a shot at a few spots. I've seen a few reviews online that suggest that this is a great gig guitar as well and has a great sound when plugged in so I can't wait to try that out even more so! The only (minor)thing I can think of that I would call a "con" is the Fishman tuner built onto the side of the guitar. I have not had a chance to test out the different options when it is plugged into an amp, but the on-hand guitar tuner setting can be a bit fidgety at times. Its not anything severe as I usually just tune by ear, but I personally only use it for a guide to get back to standard when I'm done messing about with other alt. tunings. I wouldn't say it docks a star from this review, but its just something to look out for if anyone is wondering about it.Ruben S

When I went shopping for an upgraded acoustic steel string, I had no idea that my favorite guitar I picked up would end up being a classical hybrid. I had never played a nylon string guitar. I kept coming back to this amazing Alvarez in the store, and had a huge smile on my face every time I played it. It is so comfortable, and the sound is so lovely. It is fun for strumming and finger picking. It's got a great tone to sing along with. The arm rest makes it extra comfortable. And, it's so pretty! I am very happy with my purchase. I highly recommend this guitar.Julie

I can't quite believe they could build a guitar of this quality for the price, the build and finish are excellent, what you would expect on a guitar costing far more than this. In usage, the neck has the same width as a standard classical but the depth of a steel string, coupled with the thinner body and light weight it makes this guitar extremely comfortable to play. The sound /tonal quality is also excellent, though perhaps due to the thinner body it is "quite" compared to standard classical, this was easily resolved by fitting carbon strings. The only real criticism is there is no dot at the twelfth fret and with the longer neck it can take a bit of getting used to if you are a novice player Overall this is an exceptional guitar for the price, novice or professional, this guitar has something for everyone.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: You've read reviews by guys who have been playing 40 years and owned every imaginable alternative to the guitar in the ad. Yep, I'm that guy. And this Alvarez CC7CE blows away every other guitar in its category. The tone is balanced, vibrant and responsive, never tubby. Fit and finish flawless. And right out of the box it is the best factory set up on a nylon string I've seen (3mm at the 12th fret, .090 at the first fret, 10mm at the bridge). I did smooth and polish a couple of fret ends and degloss the neck. But Alvarez has done their research and the slightly longer 660mm scale, thinner top and Ramirez-style bracing sing with D'Addario hard tension strings. Very glad I pulled the trigger on this beauty!Mark

I use my C10sp mainly to study and play classical music at home. I own another classical which I use for gigs. I don't want my C10SP to get bumped up and scratched. The sound is well balanced with excellent bass and crisp trebles. The intonation is perfect across the fretboard. The action was standard so I lowered a bit to my taste. The wood is beautiful, the spruce top has a nice color with bear claw marks that makes it unique. The rosewood back and sides has a nice color with a beautiful rose/brownish grain. The tuners are beautiful as well and functional as it keeps the guitar tuned very well all the time. The C10SP is an excellent classical guitar at an incredible price.Guitarmonsterz

I went to a guitar store specializing in classical guitars, and tried out a whole lot. For the price, I could not find a better-sounding guitar (if you are after the flamenco sound). Other options: While I originally intended to buy a Cordoba with cutaway and electronics, I found that those guitars (despite from being 50% more expensive) lacked in the quality of sound. A pickup from something like Kremona would cost a lot less. Sound: This guitar has a very clear sound – something you want regardless of the type of guitar. The notes do not sound muffled or dead. The flamenco construction adds to this by producing a shorter sustain, and a very bright tone. At times, it sounds similar to bells ringing. Additionally, there is a little bit of fret buzz on the bass strings when played hard – nowhere near the amount of buzz a flamenco requires, but the bridge had a lot of room to be sanded down if that's what you are after. This should go without mention, but this guitar is made for a flamenco/percussive style of playing. It is entirely possible to play classical music on it, but that music will sound better on the classical equivalent (Cordoba C7). For percussive playing, tapping various regions of the top produces a range of sounds from dull to sharp and bring – lots of potential there. Construction: I found that this guitar is built very well. It would be nice to see book-matched top and bottom, but this is after all an entry level flamenco guitar. Value: I think this is a great guitar for the price. Nothing sounds better (flamenco-wise) in guitars up to two or three times the price. Not to mention the gig bag, and truss rod – something a lot of guitars do not come with.VladimirK

I just purchased my Cordoba C9 Parlor, and I'm so excited. Since I previously owned a Taylor GS Mini with steel strings, I was looking for a smaller size guitar with nylon strings. I tried several smaller-feel, nylon guitars (Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size, Cordoba C5 CET Thinner Body and F7 Paco Flamenco Guitar). The first guitar I tried, the Cordoba Cadete, felt too small. The Cadete is smaller than my Taylor GS Mini. The second guitar, the Cordoba C5 CET, had a slimmer body and a thinner neck. Both of these characteristics made the C5 CET easier to play. However, I felt that its sound was slightly compromised due to its slimmer body. The third guitar I tried, the F7 Paco, was very light and comfortable, but I wasn't akin to playing flamenco, so instead I went with the Cordoba C9 Parlor. I could not be happier with my purchase. Though the D string broke within 3-days of owning my new C9 Parlor, Sam Ash's staff replaced the string same day. Additionally, the C9 Parlor comes with Cordoba's polyfoam case. Please note that this polyfoam case is not a Humicase. Although the case is beautiful, it is heavy and the straps are a flimsy. I wish Cordoba would make a smaller, lighter polyfoam case with more comfortable and durable straps.Dulci

Since I bought this guitar from a Sam Ash store, it's only fair that I review it here as well. I am giving five stars for the guitar that I purchased. Other 172sf's would only only get three or four stars because of differences in their build quality. No two guitars ever play the same, even though they are identical models. This holds very true for luthier built guitars or the Yamaha CG172sf, which is mass produced in a factory in China. While each 172sf that I played, sounded fine and was put together well, this one had several characteristics that simply made it better than its conterparts. The solid Engelmann top has a much tighter, straighter grain pattern with zero run out. The top also shows a consistent silking throughout. The neck is perhaps a hair thinner than the average 172sf, making this guitar, for me, that much easier to play. The fretwork is exemplary, though none of the other 172sf's I tried fell short in this department. I simply cannot find a better sounding or playing instrument at this price! The inexpensive gold tunners are mounted perfectly. There are no creaks to be heard from the headstock when tunning up. The nut is as close to perfectly intonated as any builder could get. The only thing I replaced was the saddle which I made custom to set my own preference for the action. I play both flamenco and classical and this guitar is now perfect for both with my custom saddle. This is now the guitar I currently compare all other nylon string guitars to. It is that good! My guitar has those sonic qualities that one has trouble describing. I don't know what combination of factors truly are at work but the above mentioned traits I think are a good indication of why this particular 172sf sounds and plays so well. I would recomed playing several of these guitars before purchasing the one you will keep. For me, this is the perfect guitar. The top continues to age nicely, and there is a nice balanced sustaian somewhere between a flamenco guitar and a concert classical. The top responds well to being driven hard and percusive to being gently set in motion. I have been playing this guitar almost everyday for over two years, and it has held up superbly and only continued to improve with use. I can't say that for any of the other more expensive guitars I have owned in the past including my prize Ramirez.classical guitar aficionado

I bought the cedar top version at first but it was damaged in transit so I returned it and decided to go with the spruce version. I was a little concerned about the action being to high because I had purchased the cg192c and the action was totally unacceptable. However, I was able to sand down the saddle with enough remaining to get the action I wanted, I've owned more expensive Yamahas {cg 180 and 201s}, and I actually prefer the tone of the cg162s because of its lighter build; it has more clarity and better balance. Also, I think a lot of the so called "defects" are really accidents that happened in transit or are a result of poor storage conditions , especially warpage. I wouldn't buy an open box classical. I should also mention that the top has an amazingly tight grain all the way out to the edges. The ovankol back and sides look very much like rosewood,Mo'Brio

I use my C10sp mainly to study and play classical music at home. I own another classical which I use for gigs. I don't want my C10SP to get bumped up and scratched. The sound is well balanced with excellent bass and crisp trebles. The intonation is perfect across the fretboard. The action was standard so I lowered a bit to my taste. The wood is beautiful, the spruce top has a nice color with bear claw marks that makes it unique. The rosewood back and sides has a nice color with a beautiful rose/brownish grain. The tuners are beautiful as well and functional as it keeps the guitar tuned very well all the time. The C10SP is an excellent classical guitar at an incredible price.Guitarmonsterz

I just purchased my Cordoba C9 Parlor, and I'm so excited. Since I previously owned a Taylor GS Mini with steel strings, I was looking for a smaller size guitar with nylon strings. I tried several smaller-feel, nylon guitars (Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size, Cordoba C5 CET Thinner Body and F7 Paco Flamenco Guitar). The first guitar I tried, the Cordoba Cadete, felt too small. The Cadete is smaller than my Taylor GS Mini. The second guitar, the Cordoba C5 CET, had a slimmer body and a thinner neck. Both of these characteristics made the C5 CET easier to play. However, I felt that its sound was slightly compromised due to its slimmer body. The third guitar I tried, the F7 Paco, was very light and comfortable, but I wasn't akin to playing flamenco, so instead I went with the Cordoba C9 Parlor. I could not be happier with my purchase. Though the D string broke within 3-days of owning my new C9 Parlor, Sam Ash's staff replaced the string same day. Additionally, the C9 Parlor comes with Cordoba's polyfoam case. Please note that this polyfoam case is not a Humicase. Although the case is beautiful, it is heavy and the straps are a flimsy. I wish Cordoba would make a smaller, lighter polyfoam case with more comfortable and durable straps.Dulci

I use my C10sp mainly to study and play classical music at home. I own another classical which I use for gigs. I don't want my C10SP to get bumped up and scratched. The sound is well balanced with excellent bass and crisp trebles. The intonation is perfect across the fretboard. The action was standard so I lowered a bit to my taste. The wood is beautiful, the spruce top has a nice color with bear claw marks that makes it unique. The rosewood back and sides has a nice color with a beautiful rose/brownish grain. The tuners are beautiful as well and functional as it keeps the guitar tuned very well all the time. The C10SP is an excellent classical guitar at an incredible price.Guitarmonsterz

I just purchased my Cordoba C9 Parlor, and I'm so excited. Since I previously owned a Taylor GS Mini with steel strings, I was looking for a smaller size guitar with nylon strings. I tried several smaller-feel, nylon guitars (Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size, Cordoba C5 CET Thinner Body and F7 Paco Flamenco Guitar). The first guitar I tried, the Cordoba Cadete, felt too small. The Cadete is smaller than my Taylor GS Mini. The second guitar, the Cordoba C5 CET, had a slimmer body and a thinner neck. Both of these characteristics made the C5 CET easier to play. However, I felt that its sound was slightly compromised due to its slimmer body. The third guitar I tried, the F7 Paco, was very light and comfortable, but I wasn't akin to playing flamenco, so instead I went with the Cordoba C9 Parlor. I could not be happier with my purchase. Though the D string broke within 3-days of owning my new C9 Parlor, Sam Ash's staff replaced the string same day. Additionally, the C9 Parlor comes with Cordoba's polyfoam case. Please note that this polyfoam case is not a Humicase. Although the case is beautiful, it is heavy and the straps are a flimsy. I wish Cordoba would make a smaller, lighter polyfoam case with more comfortable and durable straps.Dulci

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

I mostly play rock/popular music gigs but wanted a classical nylon guitar for that particular sound on home recording projects. I researched intermediate level guitars and thought I'd found what I wanted when I chanced on a review of the Cordoba C7 and decided to spend a little more and go with that. I haven't been disappointed. The build quality and tone have been worth that little extra. It would have been nice if a gig bag was included to give it some protection but it wasn't a deal breaker.David

I had a misconception regarding this brand. The only Cordoba's I noticed in stock at the store were inexpensive ukuleles. So when I began the search for a proper classical guitar, Cordoba was nowhere on my list. I ordered a used european built guitar by a reputable brand. It arrived with a bad up-bow in the neck. That's when I learned that traditional classical guitars have no truss rod. (Just my opinion, but wood isn't what it used to be, and you aren't going to get an instrument built with old growth timber under several thousand dollars.) So began my search for a "traditional classical guitar", but with a truss rod. That google search led straight to Cordoba. (All their models have truss rods.) I ordered a C7 (built in China) and a 45CO (built in Spain) to see what this brand was about. It would be a battle royale for build and sound quality. The loser is… my bank account, because I'd like to keep both. The two have a different build and likewise a different feel and sound. (see Cordoba's website for details.) Fit and finish is impeccable on both guitars. The C7 projects more, while the 45CO has perhaps a slightly more refined tone. My past experience has been that nylon string guitars are difficult to play, have poor intonation and need to be tuned more than played. None of that is the case with these two. My steel string acoustic and electrics are collecting dust while I obsess over this genre of guitar. My conclusion is… classical guitars are awesome, and Cordoba should definitely be on your test drive list. What I received are well priced instruments that are not only well made but intoxicatingly fun to play.JRH

I have played and owned a lot of guitars over the years. Cordoba as a guitar brand does a lot of things right. They provide exceptional value, bang for buck, so to speak. This guitar is not quite that, I think it is excellent guitar but it is priced little high for what it is. Out of two GK Pro negras that I have played one sounded amazing and other was just good. Both guitars had very strong mid range, decent bass and weak/ok highs. Both had excellent build. One had unfortunate wood choice (with a lot of "character")Andre

I'm very happy with my purchase. The guitar came in a beautiful humidified case. The instruments looks great, plays great and sounds very good. I was amazed by the perfection of the details and the wood in general. The sound is very balanced, deep but with good definition on the low strings and warm yet clean on the high strings. Since it's brand new still sounds slightly muffled and overall is not as loud as expected but hopefully it'll change in a couple of months (to be honest i was also expecting a crispier sound, typical of the flamenco guitars but maybe a new set of good strings will do the trick). It comes with a great fishman pickup (love em!) and Savarez strings. I haven't tried the pickup yet though. The action is perfect and it may take a little bit, after a proper tuning, to settle… which is absolutely normal for new gear. It's made in China, and this could be a deal breaker for some of you but the construction is flawless. I've only played the Cordoba for a couple of days and in my house, fyi. I'll give it 4 out of 5 because of my first impressions, but it's more like a 4.5.Gianni

I was so ready to buy this guitar. I couldn't find one locally, so I drove out of town about 45 miles away. They had one. I knew about the crack at the input jack, so the first thing I did was to look for the crack. There it was. This is not an isolated case. There are several reviews online about the crack at the input jack. There are several used ones for sale, stating that there is a crack at the jack. If not for that flaw in the design that causes them to crack, I would have bought it by now. Otherwise, it does sound GREAT! Not all sound the same. You have to try them out before buying. The one with the crack did not sound as good as another one I fell in love with. I'm not knocking Cordoba guitars. I'm just pointing out the flaw in this one. I own the Cordoba Fusion Natural and it sounds good. I also will be buying the Cordoba "Mini" soon.Bokeoyaji

Overall: My review is based on only my first day of receiving it. It arrived one day late with no damage which in winter time is reasonable. The treble bar claim of improving the treble strings response was one of my reasons for purchase. I did notice a slight improvement in the high E string so no complaint there. Overall I’m pleased with the guitar, the price is fair, your getting your money’s worth. The neck and fingerboard are very good. The action is set high but that gives you plenty of room to set it to your desired height. If I was at a guitar store and could try the guitar before buying, I would buy it, so there is no buyers remorse from buying online without being able to try it first. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I’ve only had it for part of a day and will need more play time on it to fully evaluate it.Richard

Just a lovely guitar for the price. The Alvarez Cadiz line are extremely well made, affordable guitars. These are hand crafted, not mass produced. Made by independent luthiers in China who have been making guitars for Alvarez for many years. Great midrange classical and flamenco guitars. Plays and sounds best with Savarez 540R Alliance Strings (carbon filament, not nylon). A bit crispier and louder and also thinner. I will put a set of genuine Schaller tuners on it with the real ebony knobs (basically the very ones that Alvarez copied for this guitar).Kevin

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

I mostly play rock/popular music gigs but wanted a classical nylon guitar for that particular sound on home recording projects. I researched intermediate level guitars and thought I'd found what I wanted when I chanced on a review of the Cordoba C7 and decided to spend a little more and go with that. I haven't been disappointed. The build quality and tone have been worth that little extra. It would have been nice if a gig bag was included to give it some protection but it wasn't a deal breaker.David

I had a misconception regarding this brand. The only Cordoba's I noticed in stock at the store were inexpensive ukuleles. So when I began the search for a proper classical guitar, Cordoba was nowhere on my list. I ordered a used european built guitar by a reputable brand. It arrived with a bad up-bow in the neck. That's when I learned that traditional classical guitars have no truss rod. (Just my opinion, but wood isn't what it used to be, and you aren't going to get an instrument built with old growth timber under several thousand dollars.) So began my search for a "traditional classical guitar", but with a truss rod. That google search led straight to Cordoba. (All their models have truss rods.) I ordered a C7 (built in China) and a 45CO (built in Spain) to see what this brand was about. It would be a battle royale for build and sound quality. The loser is… my bank account, because I'd like to keep both. The two have a different build and likewise a different feel and sound. (see Cordoba's website for details.) Fit and finish is impeccable on both guitars. The C7 projects more, while the 45CO has perhaps a slightly more refined tone. My past experience has been that nylon string guitars are difficult to play, have poor intonation and need to be tuned more than played. None of that is the case with these two. My steel string acoustic and electrics are collecting dust while I obsess over this genre of guitar. My conclusion is… classical guitars are awesome, and Cordoba should definitely be on your test drive list. What I received are well priced instruments that are not only well made but intoxicatingly fun to play.JRH

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

I mostly play rock/popular music gigs but wanted a classical nylon guitar for that particular sound on home recording projects. I researched intermediate level guitars and thought I'd found what I wanted when I chanced on a review of the Cordoba C7 and decided to spend a little more and go with that. I haven't been disappointed. The build quality and tone have been worth that little extra. It would have been nice if a gig bag was included to give it some protection but it wasn't a deal breaker.David

I had a misconception regarding this brand. The only Cordoba's I noticed in stock at the store were inexpensive ukuleles. So when I began the search for a proper classical guitar, Cordoba was nowhere on my list. I ordered a used european built guitar by a reputable brand. It arrived with a bad up-bow in the neck. That's when I learned that traditional classical guitars have no truss rod. (Just my opinion, but wood isn't what it used to be, and you aren't going to get an instrument built with old growth timber under several thousand dollars.) So began my search for a "traditional classical guitar", but with a truss rod. That google search led straight to Cordoba. (All their models have truss rods.) I ordered a C7 (built in China) and a 45CO (built in Spain) to see what this brand was about. It would be a battle royale for build and sound quality. The loser is… my bank account, because I'd like to keep both. The two have a different build and likewise a different feel and sound. (see Cordoba's website for details.) Fit and finish is impeccable on both guitars. The C7 projects more, while the 45CO has perhaps a slightly more refined tone. My past experience has been that nylon string guitars are difficult to play, have poor intonation and need to be tuned more than played. None of that is the case with these two. My steel string acoustic and electrics are collecting dust while I obsess over this genre of guitar. My conclusion is… classical guitars are awesome, and Cordoba should definitely be on your test drive list. What I received are well priced instruments that are not only well made but intoxicatingly fun to play.JRH

I use my C10sp mainly to study and play classical music at home. I own another classical which I use for gigs. I don't want my C10SP to get bumped up and scratched. The sound is well balanced with excellent bass and crisp trebles. The intonation is perfect across the fretboard. The action was standard so I lowered a bit to my taste. The wood is beautiful, the spruce top has a nice color with bear claw marks that makes it unique. The rosewood back and sides has a nice color with a beautiful rose/brownish grain. The tuners are beautiful as well and functional as it keeps the guitar tuned very well all the time. The C10SP is an excellent classical guitar at an incredible price.Guitarmonsterz

I went to a guitar store specializing in classical guitars, and tried out a whole lot. For the price, I could not find a better-sounding guitar (if you are after the flamenco sound). Other options: While I originally intended to buy a Cordoba with cutaway and electronics, I found that those guitars (despite from being 50% more expensive) lacked in the quality of sound. A pickup from something like Kremona would cost a lot less. Sound: This guitar has a very clear sound – something you want regardless of the type of guitar. The notes do not sound muffled or dead. The flamenco construction adds to this by producing a shorter sustain, and a very bright tone. At times, it sounds similar to bells ringing. Additionally, there is a little bit of fret buzz on the bass strings when played hard – nowhere near the amount of buzz a flamenco requires, but the bridge had a lot of room to be sanded down if that's what you are after. This should go without mention, but this guitar is made for a flamenco/percussive style of playing. It is entirely possible to play classical music on it, but that music will sound better on the classical equivalent (Cordoba C7). For percussive playing, tapping various regions of the top produces a range of sounds from dull to sharp and bring – lots of potential there. Construction: I found that this guitar is built very well. It would be nice to see book-matched top and bottom, but this is after all an entry level flamenco guitar. Value: I think this is a great guitar for the price. Nothing sounds better (flamenco-wise) in guitars up to two or three times the price. Not to mention the gig bag, and truss rod – something a lot of guitars do not come with.VladimirK

I just purchased my Cordoba C9 Parlor, and I'm so excited. Since I previously owned a Taylor GS Mini with steel strings, I was looking for a smaller size guitar with nylon strings. I tried several smaller-feel, nylon guitars (Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size, Cordoba C5 CET Thinner Body and F7 Paco Flamenco Guitar). The first guitar I tried, the Cordoba Cadete, felt too small. The Cadete is smaller than my Taylor GS Mini. The second guitar, the Cordoba C5 CET, had a slimmer body and a thinner neck. Both of these characteristics made the C5 CET easier to play. However, I felt that its sound was slightly compromised due to its slimmer body. The third guitar I tried, the F7 Paco, was very light and comfortable, but I wasn't akin to playing flamenco, so instead I went with the Cordoba C9 Parlor. I could not be happier with my purchase. Though the D string broke within 3-days of owning my new C9 Parlor, Sam Ash's staff replaced the string same day. Additionally, the C9 Parlor comes with Cordoba's polyfoam case. Please note that this polyfoam case is not a Humicase. Although the case is beautiful, it is heavy and the straps are a flimsy. I wish Cordoba would make a smaller, lighter polyfoam case with more comfortable and durable straps.Dulci

Pleasantly surprised, great guitar at any price. Bright and snappy to dark and broody. Plenty of growl in the lower registers and a balanced clear mid to highs. Actually, very well balanced and articulate. Also very dynamic as you will hear all your imprecise playing.kingflexor

I love this guitar. It is easy to play and has that distinctive flamenco sound. She is beautiful to look at and to listen to, even when I play it.patty

I own a 2013 Rosa Blanca and was pleasantly surprised upon arrival. Its a TRUE flamenco guitar with great neck shape for flamenco, shallow body depth and quick response with the right flamenco tone. The string spacing at saddle is 60mm separation which is exactly the same as Conde Hermanos and Manuel Reyes guitars. The build and quality is top notch and much better than guitars double the price that I used to own from Spain. The Kremona guys in Sophia just got the design right on these Rosa models as they truly are great guitarra flamencas!Don

I am an experienced player. Thought that this guitar would keep me, intonation-wise, in flamenco realm. I was wrong. Use it with much pleasure and effect on any musical situation (bossa, blues, jazz, latin). Would take any playing style (finger-style, with a pick, or strumming). Excellent and beautiful construction. And, most importantly, great tones. Cordobas are the best in its price point and easily among the best guitars in the 3 to 5 thou range.Ricardo Moraes Pinto

The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a rare gem among acoustic classical guitars. Once you hold it and hear the incredible tones it offers your ears, you not want to put it down. Pure ear candy that plays like soft golden butter as you easily slide your fingers on the fretboard and bend the strings. After playing many other acoustic and classical guitars over the years as a professional musician, the GK Studio Negra was ‘the one’ I’d been searching for. It just feels good and the woods are so well balanced not only in tones but beautifully designed. It’s truly a work of art and has much character. The value is unbelievable for what you get because this remarkable guitar plays and has the appearance of one three times it’s cost. There’s no other way to say it except that you will fall in love with it. I did. For classical, jazz, folk or blues it’s a wonderful companion on or off the stage plugged in or not. With dynamic rich low end and gorgeous sustain, you will be inspired to play this versatile guitar for many years. The Córdoba GK Studio Negra is a graceful friend that you will cherish.KH singer songwriter and produce

This was my upgrade from a Lucero 150se and what a difference it made. In terms of playability there's no comparison, the Cordoba is superior in every way. Start with the tuners/nut which are perfectly smooth allowing you to make small adjustments even on steel strings. Playing the Cordoba is simply easier and there were things I could not do well on the Lucero due to the thickness of the wood neck. Mind you I'm not talking about the nut width which is 50mm on both, I'm talking the actual thickness of the wood neck itself below the fret board. The slimmer profile of the Cordoba meant reaching certain chords easier, changing chords faster, and giving my hands the ability to put pressure when needed. The factory strings on the Cordoba appear to be superior as well although I would still upgrade them if you can afford it; the steel strings on the Lucero wore out at about 85hrs. No fret noise of any kind on the Cordoba (so long as you play the chord right) whereas on the Lucero I would get buzzing on frets 5 & 6 from both 5th and 4th strings with anything other than light strumming, even with perfect finger placement. The sound of the Cordoba is more sharp, crisp, and clear than the Lucero. My only con is that the shallower body does create a slightly more "twangy" sound than I'm used to but its a negligible difference I quickly settled with in exchange for the other qualities. You get what you pay for. This is a very solid guitar for the price. I would recommend nothing less for serious beginners.Joe T

This guitar is great. I've had no real qualms with it so far, albeit I've only had it since April 1st. I used to play about a decade ago, but life happened and I stopped playing consistently. I bought a Jasmine S34-C about a month back to start up playing again, but it didn't revitalize my love for guitar quite like this one did. I had only played an acoustic before up until I picked up this GK Studio. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. The ebony/gold tuning keys look very refined and the guitars "negra" or black style looks sooooo good. The contrast between the lighter and darker colors does a lot for me. The sound(for me) is just right. Not too soft, but not excessively punchy. I am not someone to perform at gigs as I've only ever played at home, but this guitar definitely has made me want to give it my all and try new things! When things finally get back to 100% here in the states I'll be giving this guitar a shot at a few spots. I've seen a few reviews online that suggest that this is a great gig guitar as well and has a great sound when plugged in so I can't wait to try that out even more so! The only (minor)thing I can think of that I would call a "con" is the Fishman tuner built onto the side of the guitar. I have not had a chance to test out the different options when it is plugged into an amp, but the on-hand guitar tuner setting can be a bit fidgety at times. Its not anything severe as I usually just tune by ear, but I personally only use it for a guide to get back to standard when I'm done messing about with other alt. tunings. I wouldn't say it docks a star from this review, but its just something to look out for if anyone is wondering about it.Ruben S

It's hard to find a high quality affordable nylon guitar with a 48mm neck. I have both the Cordoba Orchestra CE Crossover and the Kremona Verea. I like the Cordoba CE a lot more. I'm surprised that there aren't more favorable reviews for the Cordoba compared to the Verea. I admit that I took the Cordoba to a luthier and had the action lowered. They told me high action was normal for nylon, but I convinced them to lower it, now it's really nice; low action and no buzz. Maybe if I did that to the Verea I would like it more, but it seems like the neck on the Cordoba is better. The Verea is fatter with a flat finger board, while the the Cordoba is thiner and maybe a slightly rounder finger board. The Verea looks a little better and the tuning pegs are nicer, but all that stuff is somewhat superficial. The bottom line is that I find myself playing the Cordoba all the time and when I pick up the Verea it just doesn't do it. To me, the Cordoba design and craftsmanship is superior but maybe that's why it cost a little more. That's ok because at the end of the day you want a guitar that you're going to keep forever, and not sell back to Guitar Center.CY

Having always been a steel string/electric player I wanted to add a classical/nylon string to the collection and after a lot of trials and research I ended up with one of these. Appearance and feel wise, it could easily stand up against guitars twice the price in my opinion and sound wise I'd have to say the same. It's got a wonderful rich warm sound but the highs just cut through beautifully and that's before plugging it, as it truly comes to life then. The pickups sound ace and the blended mic/pick up makes it sound absolutely mind blowing giving an airy clear sound, but with lows that resonate. Definitely recommend checking one of these out, especially if moving from steel strung.T M.

It's hard to find a high quality affordable nylon guitar with a 48mm neck. I have both the Cordoba Orchestra CE Crossover and the Kremona Verea. I like the Cordoba CE a lot more. I'm surprised that there aren't more favorable reviews for the Cordoba compared to the Verea. I admit that I took the Cordoba to a luthier and had the action lowered. They told me high action was normal for nylon, but I convinced them to lower it, now it's really nice; low action and no buzz. Maybe if I did that to the Verea I would like it more, but it seems like the neck on the Cordoba is better. The Verea is fatter with a flat finger board, while the the Cordoba is thiner and maybe a slightly rounder finger board. The Verea looks a little better and the tuning pegs are nicer, but all that stuff is somewhat superficial. The bottom line is that I find myself playing the Cordoba all the time and when I pick up the Verea it just doesn't do it. To me, the Cordoba design and craftsmanship is superior but maybe that's why it cost a little more. That's ok because at the end of the day you want a guitar that you're going to keep forever, and not sell back to Guitar Center.CY

Having always been a steel string/electric player I wanted to add a classical/nylon string to the collection and after a lot of trials and research I ended up with one of these. Appearance and feel wise, it could easily stand up against guitars twice the price in my opinion and sound wise I'd have to say the same. It's got a wonderful rich warm sound but the highs just cut through beautifully and that's before plugging it, as it truly comes to life then. The pickups sound ace and the blended mic/pick up makes it sound absolutely mind blowing giving an airy clear sound, but with lows that resonate. Definitely recommend checking one of these out, especially if moving from steel strung.T M.