Yamaha Cg172Sf Nylon String Flamenco Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

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 was looking for a good beginner's guitar, and I wanted something with nylon strings. I did a pretty extensive search in order to find an instrument that was relatively inexpensive yet had some degree of quality. I read reviews on this particular model, and most seemed to be pleased. I was able to purchase one that, I'm guessing, had been returned, and I was very pleased with both the reduced price and the condition/quality of the guitar. The guitar itself has a very beautiful and mellow tone. It stays in tune, only requiring minor adjustments from time-to-time. I would not recommend this for young people or those adults with smaller hands, as the neck is somewhat wider than one might expect. All-in-all a very fine instrument for the price.Swewpa

This is the best beginner/student classical guitar there is bar none. It's full size and the intonation is spot on, the tuners (whilst basic) are fully functional and consistent. The bridge saddle has 3rd string compensation and is set to a low-ish action. Putting a new set of EJ45's opens up the sound considerably (don't play with the crappy strings that are on it). Great second or studio guitar for the experienced player. Stick it in a half decent case and you'll have a fantastic holiday guitar for around £150. The spruce soundboard already sounds good and will improve with age. Buy, play it – chuck it about. – it's very well made and robust. Finish is shiny and cleans with a wipe. Buy it today.Warwick M.

We purchased two of these for my pre-teens, who have been studying guitar in school. Both loved the instruments, which match the model they use in school. Nice, clean, warm sound, and clearly well-made instruments.Amy Beee

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 bought this for my friend that wants to learn how to play the guitar. I chose this for him because it's a nylon string so it wouldn't hurt his fingers which I noticed that most beginners easily gets frustrated when the steel strings hurts their fingers and then stops learning how to play the guitar. The guitar is well made and it looks like that it will last a long time of course with proper care. It's very light weight and compact so it's easy to maintain and store this guitar and also good for traveling.Rome

This Yamaha classical guitar is sold as a 'student' guitar but it's also a great travel size instrument. It's affordable, stays in tune, intonates well and has a great full body sound even though its a 3/4 size guitar. The nylon strings are easier on the fingers than steel strings and are great for someone just starting out. This one arrived with smooth fret ends and played perfectly right out of the box. Yamaha is one of best quality guitar brands, this one proves it.bascorulesright

This was my first time trying out Musiciansfriend. I must say I wish l had I known about them sooner. I bought a guitar for my daughter's lessons. The guitar came well protected in the box. The shipping was super fast and it arrived on time. The color of the guitar is gorgeous – my daughter loves it. The price too was very good compared to other sites. I also bought a case separately and the foot stool which I am happy with. I will definitely be shopping here for all our instrument needs. To top it all off. I received a purchase follow up call from the team at Musicianfriends. It's important to make sure your customers are happy with their purchase or address any questions or concerns.Noma N

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 upgraded from a Yamaha CG162 to this guitar a couple of months ago. The price difference is significant but worth it. With the extra money you are getting a very high quality guitar that plays well, and sounds amazing. The first thing I noticed was how much lighter the GC12 is, and how finely it's put together. The second thing I noticed was how much richer and fuller the sound is. The guitar body vibrates and hums. It's a really big step up in quality. All solid wood at this price is really nice too. The ebony fretboard is really smooth and deep black with no marks or imperfections of any kind. I passed on the spruce top and ordered the cedar based on the reviews here. The cedar is very full sounding, and projects nicely. Very happy I bought this guitar.Tony

This is the guitar for when you're ready to leave all those beginner guitars behind. The guitar is clear and crisp and snaps in the trebles, and has a beautiful tight low end. Quality tuners and built extremely well. I have three pieces of advice if you buy this guitar: 1. Get an arched back hardshell case. The case that comes with the guitar is really nice and lightweight, but I just don't trust all of these zippered polyfoam cases on the market right now. 2. Replace the factory strings with high tension strings. D'Addario 46s are great. 3. Get the cedar top version. You could shell out about twice as much for the GC32, and never have to buy another guitar again, if you have the money. But the GC12C is a really nice guitar on it's own.Green Leaf

Yamaha's equivilant to the Cordoba C9, both with solid mahogany back and sides and solid spruce or cedar top. I've played both. The Yamaha is a much better instrument all around, and sounds and plays like a dream. VERY refined tone. Cordoba likes to put heavy truss rods in their guitars, for some unknown reason. It makes the guitar heavy and awkward, and you will never ever adjust it. The cedar is much nicer than the spruce, by the way. This guitar is NOT bass heavy, or "favor the lower registers" as some reviewers have said. That's a general statement for cedar/mahogany, and does not apply to the GC12 cedar. This guitar sparkles in the trebles, and has a tight, refined tone in the bass. Put on high tension strings and lower the action, which is too high from the factory, as on most guitars. If you can't afford a 5,000 – 10,000 guitar, but want a very high quality factory made instrument, go for this. Another reviewer is right in that the rosewood models (GC22 and up) are not worth the extra money, in my opinion.Arlene

This guitar is the replacement for the CG171S that I have. Mine is sitka spruce, while this is european. Prior to owning this guitar I had a couple of Taylor nylon stringed guitars, but when I got this I was pleasantly surprised at the tonal quality and projection. Taylor nylons pale in comparison, and though the nut width is wider, the neck profile is thinner which makes it very comfortable. The only thing that could be better is if it had a solid back & sides, but the solid top is the most important.kats

This was a birthday present for my wife and this did not disappoint. She was very happy and loves playing it. Spunds excellentReviewed by guitarguitar custome

Delivery was amazing! So fast and well packaged. Very happy with the overall quality of my guitar. My one "con" is that the factory nylon strings go out of tune each time I play it. New to classical guitars, so I'm not certain if that is normal? The strings definitely feel more loose than what I've been used to, but I expected this.Kane

I purchased this guitar (the cedar version) and have played it for a few years. The action is very smooth from the factory, and the sound is very good for the price point — balanced and mellow, with crisp overtones, allowing one to play expressively. I have compared it with many guitars off the rack, some even costing twice as much (several cordoba models), as well as a friend's spruce topped classical guitar that was slightly more expensive (~$400), and we both agreed this was better. Surprisingly my guitar was both louder and had a more balanced tone despite its top being cedar, a wood which is generally can be quieter than spruce. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking to buy a first classical guitar new. Unless you spend quite a bit more money or buy a used instrument, I doubt you'll really find a more usable instrument. It makes a perfect instrument to start on (and probably maximizes your bang for buck), and also gives you a good base should you ever want to upgrade (in which it makes sense to skip some of the models of guitars above it and pay the price for a true premium instrument). In my experience yamaha is very consistent and really shines at making guitars in the entry level price range; their quality control is impressive out of the box, whereas some other brands seem to have a broader mix of good and bad units. This model also doesn't make some of the compromises of the guitars in the price range below it, which from my experience just aren't as loud or crisp due to their laminate tops. Lastly, I like the matte finish of this instrument and it looks better in person than in pictures. This is one of the only matte classical guitars I've seen, which makes it somewhat unique. Rather than being overly glossy and perhaps trying to look more expensive than it sounds, like some of the other guitars in this price range, it has its own charm in looking attractive and more modest; other people I know have complimented its finish as well.Louis

Just an outstanding guitar. Tone is just as good as higher priced versions, and the action has been lowered from previous versions. BUT-I would strongly suggest getting the CG122MCH/Red Cedar Top in Matte Finish. It sounded better than the gloss versions, and WAY better than any of the spruce tops of this series! Also, you can spend more for different types of laminate sides, but I wouldn't. This is the best new guitar I have bought for the price, and a nice change from steel string acoustics. I bonded with this guitar from the start and just found music pouring out of it immediately. May upgrade to bone nut and saddle, but the tone already floors me. I checked out several other classical guitars, and this one was better than some $500 models. I liked it more than the popular Cordoba C5, but again, make sure to get a new one in Red Cedar and a Matte finish.Kasey

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.

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

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.

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 bought this guitar, my opinion is, this guitar is very very very bad guitar, the song is not clear, it's guitar for student, when this guitar is not good when it doesn't electronic system, the electronic system is good, I use two times and I decide to sale directly, IT'S VERY VERY BAD GUITAR but the service to shop fanatic guitar are very very goodalain

This guitar has been very addictive for me. I've never enjoyed an acoustic guitar more than this one. Now that may be because I'm 5'6" and this guitar just fits me better but the tone of the particular one I got is VERY good for a parlor guitar at this price point. I've only had 1 other guitar that I really can say sounded better to me but that 1 cost me 5 times as much as I paid for the Godin Rialto and it was to big for me so I didn't play it much. GODIN DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS ONE !!mike smith

I bought this guitar from a local shop strictly as a worship instrument for Sunday mornings. It absolutely destroyed every other guitar at the music shop +/- 500 in either direction. I still hold that it is likely the best guitar in its price range for the quality of its construction and sound quality. There is virtually not a single flaw this instrument possesses… But can we talk about the electronics? The guitar is super odd… I mean, if you are odd too, it is probably your dream guitar. It has a poor-man's tone wood amp build in. When you turn it on, it runs 90's sounding special effects out the soundhole, which is pretty cool. Here is the problem, the controls are super minimal. So minimal that you can't tell whether this bad boy is on or off. We found out the hard way that when this guitar is plugged in, the battery is always draining, even when the sound system is off. This is not atypical, but it gets weirder. The guitar won't turn off when plugged in, but sometimes needs to be turned on (?) when the batteries are dying. There is no indicator to tell you when it is running low on power, so you might find out on stage halfway through Glorious Day. There is actually no indicator for anything electric on this guitar, except for a sliding piece of plastic that sits under the dials that might be useful if it didn't look like you were supposed to cut it out and throw it away. The whole control setup is just annoying and unnecessarily vague. Long story short, with an electronics upgrade, this guitar would be unbeatable. It has more power than it deserves, almost like the guys a Yamaha are professionally sound-profiling the tops, which is something you would expect only on guitars above the 2000 range.Benjo

Where to start with this… Out of the box, once tuned the guitar feels like a quality product. The fitted Elixir strings (I'm guessing a 0.12 brass or bronze set) give the guitar a very bright, clear tone, exactly what I wanted. It is a bright sounding instrument, so others may want to experiment with other string sets. The action is good and low, although compared to the guitar I was playing the fretboard is very flat, not much of a camber at all, a minor complaint which may not apply to everyone and I got used to it quickly. The neck itself is comfortable with a slightly matte finish which I find aids playability, somehow. The design is conservative with small inlays and a transparent scratchplate; I may replace the scratchplate with something more interesting one day but not while it's so new. All in all, a great, solid instrument for its price bracket. Oh yeah, it's also got this on board soucery which applies reverb and chorus through the body of the guitar. These effects are awesome but their real benefit is to make you want to play for longer, simply because you sound better. These effects also apply to the line out; this is also a fully-fledged electro-acoustic. The only drawback here is that the preamp lacks any kind of equaliser, but who cares about that when any amp or sound desk has these functions? That all makes this guitar an all-rounder. A solid acoustic instrument with on board tricks for busking or practicing (your buddies will be jealous if you're having an unplugged jam on the beach, too) as well as being the electro-acoustic you want if you're gigging. I swear, I am not being paid by Yamaha. Check it out on YouTube – some great demos of this guitar on there.Adam W.

Every time I pick this guitar up, I get more joy out of than the last time I picked it up. As others have noted: this guitar sounds amazing even without the transacoustic sound effects! IMO, it sounded better than much more expensive Taylors! So, yeah, not only does this guitar "sound great," but it's price is absolutely reasonable too! What's even more amazing: reviewers who pick this guitar up, on YouTube, seem to gush over it! I'm so happy to have one!Michael

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

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

Alhambra is a very premium making that has started making factory guitars, this ones not bad- probably the best beginner guitar I've seen at guitar center. However it's pretty pricey and you basically are paying the price to get it shipped from Spain and at that price there are many handmades from Spain that are better. Still not badDan, I

I just received my handmade Linea Profesional built by Alhambra in Spain. This is perhaps one of the absolute best professional level classical guitars you can buy for the money. It has a cedar soundboard giving the guitar a deep melodious, Spanish tone with excellent sustain. The innovative strut design offers the guitar magnificent projection. It came with two saddles. I use the lower saddle without buzz. The tuning machines are beautiful and compliment the instrument. The rosette, saddle decoration, and binding are all beautifully matched. You cannot find a better classical guitar in this price point. I recommend it without reservation. This is my forever guitar.frona-22

Great guitar for the price point. Tried all of the other classical models in the store at this price point and below, and walked away with this one due to both sound and aesthetics. Particularly good for the Brazilian jazz stylings I was looking to play. Definitely recommended as an entry point into the classical world.Brian

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