Thin Neck Nylon String Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

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 is a great value package. The guitar sounds absolutely awesome, deep clean sound. I bought it for my son as an upgrade from 3/4 size to full size Instrument. The bag is high quality and protects the guitar very well. Thank you PitbullAudio.maxim118

The looks of the instrument are gorgeous. When I was buying there were very few reviews for this instrument on internet. I took a leap…. This guitar will not give you real classical sound unplugged. When you plug it in you can play with the sound settings depending on what you have available. I play classical guitar in an ensamble and can add some reverb and even a bit chorus. Being a classical musician I wanted depth and warmth, so you need a good EQ. I use just a bit of piezo and a lot of inside mic but right off the bet with such set up you have feedback issues with volume on the guitar all the way down. So there is the need for anti feedback feature. During live concert I had no choice but to bring the Low frequency down and it was very uncomfortable. The guitar is hot. Despite all of it I like the guitar and I suspect there is a lot of potential with this instrument. When you finally set the sound to your liking it's very rewarding! This combo of under the bridge Pic up and inside mic gives you a lot of room to explore the sound. I took the guitar to my Luther to try to eliminate some bazz especially on 4th string, he was able to somewhat do it via bridge and he said that the freeboard is done quite good and does not need adjustment. I like the playability as well. I have another Yamaha trans acoustic that is absolutely amazing and deep but wanted to expand the range of sound variations. Hope this info helps those on the fence about buying it. I was looking at this instrument ever since it came out and am glad that I got it.Natasha

My first guitar was a nylon-string classical guitar made in Spain. The neck was wide as expected, but that wasn't an issue for me when I was 11 years old. However, this guitar's neck is thinner and that's one of the reasons I went with this model. The action is also low right out of the box which I like. It is a joy to play. The sound when unplugged it's good, but the guitar really comes alive when using an amplifier. The built quality is great. And the case that comes with it is very, very good as well. If you want that nylon-string guitar sound with a friendly neck profile and low action, then this is a great choice.Carlos

Excellent instrument . It takes a while to get used again to a wide fingerboard but very good for finger style. I particularly liked the strap button near the heel and first class protective gigbag.. Very good tone and upper sring accessibility with cutaway. Refined appearance and a relief that batteries are easy to fit.John C.

Bought this mainly as a travel guitar. My go too guitars are a Taylor 12en and a Córdoba orchestra CE nylons along with a selection of steel stringed instruments. Compared to all those guitars the Yamaha is a disappointment and it serves me right for buying a guitar on line I'd never played. The action is high, even for a nylon, and makes playing tiring. Try to lower the action and there is buzz from the D string. The sound, either through quality headphones or an acoustasonic amplifier is really "synthetic". It is difficult to really pick out the ring of individual strings when playing relatively fast. So it doesn't help much during practice – the sound is just too "blurred". The much talked about STR electronics are not very useful in improving the sound. I'm debating taking it back to guitar center and trading it in. But it has its uses when I need to be quiet like in a hotel while traveling. But that's all it will be used for, because I never enjoy the sound it makes compared to a real nylon acoustic. It's really expensive too, worth $300 at best.Graeme A

I've played classical guitar for 40 yrs and fingerstyle jazz/blues for 25 yrs. Most of the guitars in my collection are expensive collector's instruments: Taylors, Gibsons, and a handmade classical guitar by the Spanish Luthier Ricardo Sanchis, to name a few. While I don't play publicly much anymore, I have performed classical guitar in concert. I'm no pro, by any means, but a good Saturday still includes at least 4 hours of playing. As for the SLG200NW, I am ALWAYS amazed at how great this guitar sounds. I run it through a Fishman Aura (get one), and the sound is nothing short of SPECTACULAR. When run through a good pre-amp (or imaging), it sounds like a VERY expensive instrument. This guitar is super responsive to touch, producing both delicate nuance and big sound without a hint of string buzz or hiss. Most remarkable for me is how playable it is. The fingerboard, action, and frets gives me the feeling of "glide" that I do not get with any other guitar. The machine heads are also very responsive, and the guitar stays perfectly in tune. Clearly one of the most obvious benefits (aside from the above) is the ability to play silently without disturbing anyone nearby. This is ESPECIALLY helpful when practicing scales or repeating passages hundreds of times; we all know how irritating this is to others. Slip on headphones and get lost, undisturbed and without disturbing others. This aspect (even without great sound) would've been enough for me. For true classical purists, get the wide neck. The feel is exactly like a good classical guitar. The version with the smaller neck is just too cramped for classical playing. Again I suggest using it with a good pre-amp. It's worth it. Final note on Yamaha classical guitars: Many years ago, I was in a master class at the Royal Academy of Music in Madrid. I had Yamaha classical (my first guitar). EVERYONE else had a Ramirez. My teacher, a pupil of Segovia, heard my Yamaha and could NOT believe his ears!Indigo

Two design flaws: The strap buttons screw in and out to attach the top of the "body." They loosen over time as the strap moves making it easy for them to fall out and the guitar to fall on the floor. Also the upper part of the "body" is very "sharp" and digs into my forearm much more than any other guitar leaving a lot of red creases. Aside from these flaws the quality is good but I just don't enjoy playing it possibly due to the action or the lack of tone/authentic feel. I also dislike it when I see people perform with this guitar. People should play real guitars in performance IMO.Christopher

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

I purchased a “blemished” until and it took me running my finger tips over every square inch of the guitar to figure out what they were considering a blemish. It turned out (at least I think) that the clear finish had a scuff on the bottom of the guitar that cannot even been see unless the light hits it at just the right angle. As far as playability, that guitar sounds great. I read as much as I could find before I pulled the trigger and like others stated, it is a tad bit bassy but not unpleasantly so. The nylon strings are a bit soft but that’s to be expected. This is my first classical guitar and I am greatly satisfied with all the aspects of my purchase from the appearance, sound and value for my money as well as another great experience from American Musical Supply. They always exceed my expectations.Butch

This guitar is perfect for me. I use it for writing, studio recording and playing live. It can project a full tone without microphones or, with microphones. I use a condenser mic to capture the full tones of it.Mike the Sound-man

From the headstock to the body of the guitar, this classical guitar is a unique eye catcher. The color of the white ebony on Cordoba 45 seem so mellow yet so vibrant in color variation. The solid European spruce top definitely contrasts very well with the ebony fretboard that is as dark as black coffee brewed in the morning. This is a serious upgrade for a player looking for a Spanish made guitar with superior quality without breaking the bank (For a Spanish made guitar). The only gripe I have is the factory strings. I personally play with light tension strings since I thin twigs for fingers, so if you don't have much finger strength or thick sausage fingers then I'd highly recommend getting a guitar set-up with light nylon strings from your local luthier.Peter R.

Im a nylon fingerstyle player, but not essentially a classical player, although I can play some classical pieces albeit badly. At first impression this is a good intermediate classical guitar. With 52mm nut width, at 12th fret neck join and 19 frets in total. So a standard classical Guitar. In fact it is basically a CG 162 with copied tonewood amp technology built in. That's where the criticism of price comes in. You are basically paying 500 pounds for a three hundred pound Guitar. But that was okay for me as I figured that if I bought the CG 162 and then bought the additional tonewood amp the cost would exceed the 500 price point. So I opted for the CGTA instead saved 50 quid and everything is integrated and less fiddly than fitting in a tonewood amp. This Guitar is perfect for me, and just what I wanted. It makes me play more and gives me my ambient tone without the hassle of turning on and plugging into my amp and useing pedals. It will never replace my very expensive Taylor nylon string guitar. Or my pedal board and acoustic amp. But I practice on this every time I walk past it. I dont have any problems switching from a 48mm nut width of a hybrid nylon to the 52mm nut width of a classical guitar. But bear this in mind as you may not like the flatter wider finger board of the standard classical Guitar. The instant ambient sound inspires me to keep playing it over my other guitars as we humans are lazy and choose the road with least resistance and picking up this and pressing a button is far easier than getting out my pedal board and amp. But I would never perform with this. I even take it out in my garden and get a sound I would never have dreamed of getting before. I can take it room to room and still have my ambient tone on tap at the press of a button So yes overpriced for what it is..but .. perfect for me and just what I was looking for.Kerry T.

My daughter plays classical guitar in chamber group and needed amplification to be heard along violins and other loud strings. She also didn't want a cutaway. I went down to mid-town Guitar Center, we tried two, and are happy with the purchase. This was a perfect price point. The next amplified classical acoustic without cutaway was over 1k USD. Also great sound without any amp or onboard preamp. Bright solid sound.Kian T

Let me tell y'all what it is! Lol. I am really into this classical nylon guitar; it is the best nylon guitar I've had in years. Over 20 years ago, I had bought a nylon guitar in Mexico. It was totaled, eventually. But, I've been meaning to get a classic Spanish nylon ever since. This particular model was a gift from my beautiful soon-to-be-wifey! She hit the nail on the head with this axe (she too is a musician). This model, I am really interested in pima, finger style and Huapango, and other Latin variations. My fingers have missed this kind of a fretboard; since I am used to my electric guitars (Ibanez, PRS, Epi.) A most excellent purchase, I strongly recommend it. I love the wood on it. Lol. December 2020.T.A.

This guitar is a lot of fun. I have played for a long time, and owned many guitars including some higher-end Taylor acoustics. Due to issues with my elbow, I didn't think that I would be able to play an acoustic guitar again. This nylon string guitar, however, doesn't aggravate my elbow and is super fun to play. It has a great sound for the money. Highly recommended.Dave S.

It's not cheap but it also doesn't feel cheap. Quality materials and construction. Sounds beautiful with the included steel strings but also with nylon strings. Intended as a learning guitar.dcchristopher

I feel confident that I was recommended the right guitar for my level of experience. I was also given time by myself to make a decision, which was helpful. Someone was always available for questions and I didn't feel overwhelmed. The quality of the guitar is excellent.Megan

This is just a fabulous instrument. Maybe I received an especially good one, but it's alive! Such response, clarity, tone! Loud! Beautiful string balance. Solid low end, with not a hint of confusion – indeed easily as good as a friends $2,000 guitar (which has more cosmetic "fanciness", but no better tone or playability). Great tuning response and stability, lovely to play, wonderful neck profile. I can't put her down!Nyk Fry

I was looking to graduate to a more intermediate model in the Cordoba line, having already purchased and enjoyed the C3M. The C7 is the perfect choice. First the appearance – The C7 is an exquisite looking guitar. The fit and finish are superior to other brands that I have researched. Fantastic looking rosewood back and sides, beautiful tight-grained cedar top, lovely rosette, beautiful gold and black tuning machines and the gloss finish is the icing on the cake. Now the playability features – Comfortable and smooth C shaped neck, outstanding warm tone and volume projection, standard classical string action, good intonation up the neck and the better quality tuning machines help to keep the instrument in tune. Throw in a real bone nut and saddle, lightweight adjustable truss rod, side fret markers and a sturdy padded Cordoba gig bag and you've got a total package that's tough to beat, especially at this price. I would easily recommend this guitar to anyone, especially an intermediate player like myself.Wayne C.

I was looking for an affordable entry-level classical guitar but I wanted one that was quality made and I knew I wanted an instrument with a solid top. I looked at other manufacturer's models and in my opinion they did not come close to offering as much as Cordoba does with this C3M model. With the C3M you get a solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fret board and bridge plus a bone nut and saddle. These are great features for the player and you really don't expect to see them on a guitar in this price range. The C3M has a terrific, warm tone. I find that the playability and intonation is excellent all the way up the neck. The guitar plays well right out of the box. My only criticism is that the pictures of this guitar on the Musician's Friend website don't really match what the guitar actually looks like. The guitar is much darker in appearance. However, this is not a deal breaker for me and shouldn't be for you either. It is still a beautiful looking and playing instrument with a very nice matte finish and nice appointments as I already mentioned. The folks at Cordoba have done a great job with this guitar. You'd be hard-pressed to find another guitar of this quality in this price range.Wayne T.

The C3M is an amazing value. Classical guitars I've owned: 1984 Ramirez 1A, 1974 Alvarez Yairi (modeled on 1A), and this Cordoba C3M. This is 650mm scale, (standard length, the 1A is long scale) but with perfect, wide string spacing on the 2 inch nut. A full size instrument ready for performance, no adjustment necessary. The resin nut and saddle are dense like bone with great tone. The solid cedar top produces a clear lovely sound. It is not as loud, but clear, good for counterpoint. There is a lot of break over the high saddle which must help set the top in motion but will bend over time. The intonation is perfect. The action is within spec, higher than a high end guitar but very playable. There is no buzz, except on the A string 9th-12th fret. The bracing and solid cedar top are strong enough to support the stock Savarez high tension strings, no distortion of top visible. High tension is necessary to produce as much volume with the standard (shorter than 1A) length. The construction is flawless. Again, because the tension is high on the normal 650mm scale, pitch changes are considerably on the trebles as the guitar warms up. The tuners have a solid feel. After 30 hours of playing, the original Savarez D string wore through at 3-5th frets. Another characteristic of high tension strings; the basses are under more stress and wear faster. Maybe that's just the brand, but I'm switching to a different brand hard tension that measures a little less tension than the Savarez. Cordoba understands what is required to make a performance ready instrument, even on this entry level guitar.Darien

My family had a music store when I was growing up which specialized in classical guitars, so I had more than enough chance to play different kinds when I worked after school at the store. That said, this guitar has the best tonality you can buy for $200. I got mine for $140 on SamAsh online which was marketed as a "used" one, which to this day I am convinced it was brand new because it did not have a single show of use. I am incredibly happy with my purchase. The only thing I did was lower the action which is easily possible on this guitar because it has a rod in the neck which is super unusual for a classical but so freaking convenient! I love it!Kaco

We got this mini acoustic for our 7year old Daughter to learn on! The size is perfect for her with room to grow! It's much easier than a standard size guitar due to the size of the neck and also having the nylon strings, they're softer on her fingers while playing. Also, the color and finish on this guitar are gorgeous! It's really well made, and the details are really pretty for a young girl!TwinMom

Sounds really cool. Amazing to have this in car or next to bed or table. Good companion. Loved it playing from the beginning.Arif, M

Great playing. Action was nice out of box. Really well made and beautiful. Great size for my 5 yr old daughter. It jas good solid strap lugs.River Rat

Bought this for my wife, and now it’s her “go to” guitar, she can’t leave it alone. Perfectly set up too, making it a real pleasure to play.David C.

I received this guitar for Christmas. Sounds nice, plays nice. Had bad buzzing on low E from first fret. Neck was ever so slightly bowed. Upon closer examination there was a long lineal split in the fret board starting at the first fret high E, skipping down to the 10th fret. A lame attempt was made to cover it up. The frets are sharp, like right off of the cutter, no sanding, mass production style. The rest of the guitar body was flawless and the FMH looks great. It has a reasonably full sound for a mini guitar. There are plenty of good reviews out there for you. I just wanted to let folks know about these potential issues. Despite these issues, I'm exchanging this guitar for another of the same and hope this particular one was a fluke. Cordoba has a good reputation.DRZ

The first thing I liked about the mini ii fmh was the action; it is nicely balanced and easy to reach the higher fret chords. The fret spacing is smaller, but it isn't too crucial. The guitar's body depth is really nice since it's fun to hold, it is lighter, and space-saving. Visually, it is different than my other guitars and draws me to pick up the instrument often. It reminds me of a ukulele, comfortability, but it is hard to believe it is an actual classical guitar. The instrument is very refined – highly recommend.neptune

Excellent fit and finish, especially for the price. Upgraded standard features not usually included with nylon-string guitars: truss rod (crucial), both strap buttons, and solid peghead (slotted pegheads are a hassle). The wide string spacing allows for best chord articulation at the left hand. The tone is crisp and full and the volume is good. Intonation is superior. Altogether a great guitar for a great price. I'm sure the regular Mini II would be just as good for even less money, but it was out of stock and I didn't want to wait.Bruce The Woodworker

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

As soon as I picked up this guitar, it felt like it had been my guitar my whole life! The narrow neck and quality craftsmanship make it probably the most playable guitar I've ever gotten my hands on. The materials and look of the guitar are absolutely beautiful, and it sounds even more gorgeous. The pickup and microphone blend option is amazing, so you can play percussion or really capture rhythmic slaps and plucks of your fingerstyle. The cut away gives you that extra freedom near that wonderful area past the 12th fret, and arrived out of the box with perfect intonation across the entire fret board. Cut away doesn't effect the quality of the sound, and also just looks very good. The gig bag is as nice as it gets. I could not be more pleased with this purchase.Colin O

This guitar is really excellent, plenty loud and round sound from the tight-grained cedar top. The saddle and nut are high quality, and the craftsmanship across the rest of the instrument is great! The headstock especially is beautiful. I purchased a scratch and dent instrument, there were several marks in the finish in seemingly random spots, hard to tell exactly what caused them. There were also a few pin-sized bubbles in the finish (specifically near the edges on the body) that easily scratched off, leaving a hole directly to the wood itself. Very minor, but unsure of it was a factory flaw or just the finish being naturally delicate. Of course, it doesn't really affect the sound or playability of this wonderful instrument!Dan

I just received my Solea SA-C guitar in the mail and I could not be happier with how beautiful this instrument is! I am quite literally blown away by the beautiful wood grain of the cocobola back and sides! The fit and finish seems very good although there are a few small imperfections that you can find if you look close but overall this guitar is a gem. I've never owned a classical guitar before and ordered this one after doing some research. I did not want a Chinese made guitar and I wanted all solid wood. I first ordered a Cordoba Solista but it was back ordered so I cancelled and ordered this Solea and I'm happy I did because it's simply gorgeous and sounds exactly how I had imagined it would. It's pretty loud and has a nice mellow balanced tone I would say. It sounds sweet to put it simply!Jesse

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

I have played guitars in this price range and have never been impressed until this guitar came out. I played it because I know Yamaha will not put their name on just anything. Wow was I amazed! My first guitar, which brand shall go unmentioned, was priced around $330-350. No way did it even come close to the warmth of the low strings or the snappy nylon sound of the high strings like this one does. My guitar also did not come with a bag or any sort of instructional items. Such a great buy! I am hands on reviewer, Sam Ash #41Wingman

I have several guitars of diffent styles but was lacking a nylon acoustic. I wanted to study some classical and flamenco music. I didn't want to make a huge purchase on something I wasn't going to get extremely invested in, so my guitar teacher recommended the Yamaha C40 Gigmaker. It is perfect! It's been several months now and still plays and sounds great. An amazing value for the dollar. So every now and again when I get the itch, it's there and ready for me. Whether this is for a beginner, a student or someone like me who just wants to add a nylon to the arsenal, there's no need to look further than this.Douglas

Fantastic for anyone younger showing interest in guitar. This Yamaha pack has everything for the beginning classical guitarist. Tuner and DVD are sure to get you on your way. Fantastic product at a great price that only Yamaha can offer. Does include Gig Bag, providing immediate protection from the elements. Great for beginners, but also anyone needing a spare classical at home. Included tuner makes sure you're always ready to play. This is a real hands on review from Christian @ Sam As.h ColumbusThe Riffer

Bought this mainly as a travel guitar. My go too guitars are a Taylor 12en and a Córdoba orchestra CE nylons along with a selection of steel stringed instruments. Compared to all those guitars the Yamaha is a disappointment and it serves me right for buying a guitar on line I'd never played. The action is high, even for a nylon, and makes playing tiring. Try to lower the action and there is buzz from the D string. The sound, either through quality headphones or an acoustasonic amplifier is really "synthetic". It is difficult to really pick out the ring of individual strings when playing relatively fast. So it doesn't help much during practice – the sound is just too "blurred". The much talked about STR electronics are not very useful in improving the sound. I'm debating taking it back to guitar center and trading it in. But it has its uses when I need to be quiet like in a hotel while traveling. But that's all it will be used for, because I never enjoy the sound it makes compared to a real nylon acoustic. It's really expensive too, worth $300 at best.Graeme A

Two design flaws: The strap buttons screw in and out to attach the top of the "body." They loosen over time as the strap moves making it easy for them to fall out and the guitar to fall on the floor. Also the upper part of the "body" is very "sharp" and digs into my forearm much more than any other guitar leaving a lot of red creases. Aside from these flaws the quality is good but I just don't enjoy playing it possibly due to the action or the lack of tone/authentic feel. I also dislike it when I see people perform with this guitar. People should play real guitars in performance IMO.Christopher

Since I was a teenager I wanted a guitar just like this one and I'm thrilled, it was even cooler than I expected. It arrived a bit earlier than expected in perfect condition. It's a wooden beauty, with excellent sound, it has a tuner built in, one treble knob, another one to adjust the heaviness of the lower sounds, another one to set an echo (3 modes), another one for the volume, another one for blend control, and volumes both for audio in and the guitar itself. It included a strap, the manual, some batteries and headphones as well. Oh, and a soft case, where it can be stored disassembled and it occupies less space than a regular-sized guitar. Thoroughly enjoying the purchase. I can play as loud as I want without disturbing anybody 🙂sebastipinznmendoz_0

I have been playing classical since age 12, I am now 72. I have found this instrument to be most comfortable and responsive to my needs. I still have my first guitar that was purchased by my parents in 1954. As I play for my own pleasure and an occasional recital, I have found much satisfaction with this product. My son gave it to me 2 years ago for a birthday present. This instrument "fits" me perfectly. The neck is of perfect dimension for my left hand and fingers. As I transitioned from my first guitar to this one, I found it to be so comfortable. As I do not use much, if any, amplification, it is nice for large rooms like church buildings or recitals. The most expensive is not necessarily the best. The instrument must compliment the human body. Thank you for allowing me to comment on this instrument.Sounds of the past

I have several classical guitars, and this was the least expensive. It has become my go-to guitar for gigging, including a few spots for TV. At home, this Ibanez is the one that was always out of the case on a stand, ready to pick up whenever. So it became comfortable, but then noticeably reliable. It stays in tune. The electronics sound better than the Fishman on another that I have, particularly the bass response. The tuners (particularly the low E) have withstood routine changes to drop D a few times while playing, without obvious sign of wear. When I first started gigging I used another great sounding guitar but then changed to the Ibanez to protect the other(s) from bumps, weather, people, and other hazards. If something terrible happened to my guitar collection, probably the first replacement might be this Ibanez.Tim - ATL

Guitar looked fine when I received it. Bought it on sale a little over a year ago and the guitar has developed a haze or blush under the finish that cannot be "buffed out" and looks horrendous. Everyone has told me it is from putting on the finish while the wood still contained moisture. The guitar has a 2-year "repair" warranty but I have to pay to ship both ways and there's no guarantee they'll even do anything. When they receive it they'll decide if its a manufacturing defect or not, which it clearly is. Then, If "they" decide it is, they couldn't tell me exactly what they would do. Is MF going to repaint and refinish the whole guitar, or try to buff it out anyway leaving it in worse condition than when I sent it? Or do absolutely nothing after I pay 40 for shipping both ways? I honestly don't care what their policy is, this is unacceptable, They sold me a defective product and it should be replaced at their expense. I have 2 Electric Ibanez guitars, but I'll never spend another penny at Musicians Friend or on Ibanez.MetalTeK

I twice received this guitar in sub-standard condition. The first one had two scratches and one polishing mishap, all of which were under the final gloss coat (so they couldn't be fixed). I called to request a replacement, was assured that problems like this were unusual, and that they'd send me a replacement right away. When I received it, it was worse than the first. There was a very visible semi-circle indentation about two inches below the sound hole, almost as if they went to stamp the sound hole there and then repositioned the machine. Because I had a gig that weekend and needed a guitar I had to keep one of the blemished versions (I kept the first one), and Musicians Friend did refund me a little money, but it was still quite disappointing. That being said, the guitar itself has a beautiful tone and plays with ease. The onboard tuner is convenient and accurate and I have no complaints about the overall performance.B&B