Cordoba C5-CET 04662 - Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba C5-CET nylon-string acoustic-electric classical guitar is an excellent choice for players looking for a high-quality nylon-string guitar with built-in electronics. Part of Cordoba's Luthier series, the C5-CET combines modern playability with Old World craftsmanship.

This nylon-string guitar features a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides, delivering a balanced and articulate tone. The mahogany neck provides stability and sustain, while the Indian rosewood fingerboard enhances projection and clarity. Gold tuners keep the guitar in tune during performances.

With its onboard Fishman Presys Blend pickup and preamp system, the C5-CET offers natural amplified tone perfect for the stage. The guitar's fan bracing allows for expressive dynamics when playing, while the hand-inlaid rosette and mosaic back stripe showcase Cordoba's artisanal detail. From solo classical playing to amplified ensemble gigs, the Cordoba C5-CET is a versatile nylon-string acoustic-electric.

Construction

The Cordoba C5-CET is crafted with a solid European spruce top with quartersawn mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a bright, focused tone from the spruce top with warmth and richness from the mahogany.

The mahogany neck features a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood is known for its density and resonance which enhances the tone and sustain. The neck is designed for comfort with a traditional Spanish heel joint and slight "C" shape profile.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction of the C5-CET provides excellent resonant properties for a full-bodied and balanced acoustic sound. The spruce and mahogany pairing generates brightness, clarity and warmth expected from a high quality acoustic guitar.

In comparison, the Hola! Music HG-39GLS is another quality entry-level acoustic guitar option constructed with laminated wood instead of solid wood. It features a laminated spruce top, laminated nato back and sides, and mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard. While laminate construction is less resonant than solid woods, it provides good tonal balance and clarity for the price. The slim neck profile with smooth satin finish is comfortable for smaller hands. Overall, the HG-39GLS delivers nice playability and classic acoustic tone expected from a beginner guitar. With laminate build, it sacrifices some resonance compared to solid wood models but makes up for it with great value and quality construction. For aspiring guitarists looking for their first acoustic, the HG-39GLS is an affordable choice to start learning and playing.

When choosing between acoustic guitars like the Cordoba C5-CET and Hola! Music HG-39GLS, the construction is a key difference. Solid wood guitars like the C5-CET use resonant tonewoods throughout that vibrate freely for full-bodied sound. Laminates limit vibration versus solid wood, making models like the HG-39GLS sound less open and complex. However, laminate guitars are more affordable and durable. The C5-CET would be the better long term investment for improving skills and tone over years of playing. But the HG-39GLS is ideal for new players looking for a quality entry-level acoustic before upgrading down the road. Either way, choosing a guitar with comfortable playability allows focusing on learning and having fun with music.

Electronics

The C5-CET features an excellent electronics system designed for amplification and live performance. It utilizes a Fishman Presys blend pickup and preamp.

The Fishman Presys pickup uses a combination of undersaddle piezo pickups and body sensors to capture both the vibrating strings and resonance of the guitar body. This produces a robust amplified tone very similar to the natural acoustic sound.

The Fishman Presys preamp provides volume, bass, and treble controls to shape your amplified tone. It also has a tuner, phase switch, and notch filter to fine tune the feedback rejection and reduce unwanted noise. An easy-to-access battery compartment powers the preamp.

Overall, the electronics package on the C5-CET delivers excellent plugged-in performance while retaining the nuances of the all-solid wood construction. The Fishman Presys system captures the warmth and dynamics beautifully and gives you the controls needed for both stage use and studio recording.

When looking for a great acoustic guitar, it's important to consider the electronics and amplification system. A quality preamp and pickup can make all the difference in how an acoustic guitar sounds when plugged in. One excellent option to consider is the Ortega Guitars R122-1/2-L. This guitar features a B-Band T35 preamp and undersaddle transducer pickup that provide robust amplified tone and control over EQ shaping.

The B-Band preamp has simple controls for volume, bass, midrange, and treble, allowing you to easily dial in your ideal amplified sound. The undersaddle pickup captures string vibrations accurately for excellent amplification of the guitar's natural acoustic voice. Together, these high-quality electronics deliver great plugged-in performance whether on stage or in the studio.

Beyond the electronics, the Ortega R122-1/2-L is an all-solid wood guitar made with quality tonewoods like solid cedar and mahogany. This construction gives it a rich, warm, balanced acoustic voice that sounds fantastic when amplified through the B-Band system. It's comfortable to play as well with its slim mahogany neck and smooth rosewood fingerboard.

So if you're looking for an acoustic-electric guitar that sounds just as good plugged in as it does unplugged, the Ortega Guitars R122-1/2-L is an excellent choice. The quality electronics and all-solid wood construction provide exceptional amplified tone and sustain. Give this Ortega model a try if great acoustic amplification is a priority.

Playability

The Cordoba C5-CET has fantastic playability right out of the box, as one would expect from a premium Cordoba guitar. The CET neck has a comfortable and slender "C" profile that fits nicely in the hand. It's not too beefy like some acoustic-electrics, yet still substantial enough for solid grip and control.

The action on this guitar is also set up nicely from the factory. The strings are easy to press down without excessive force, yet still high enough off the fretboard to not buzz. There's no fret sprout or sharp edges along the neck either. The frets themselves are smooth and level, allowing for fluid up-and-down transitions during faster lead lines or riffs. The polished nut also has just the right string spacing for standard tuning and easy transitions between chord shapes.

Overall, the Cordoba C5-CET offers incredible playability and premium feel that both beginners and experienced players will appreciate right away. The comfortable neck, ideal action, and quality fretwork make this a very enjoyable guitar to play for extended periods.

Sound

The Cordoba C5-CET produces a balanced, warm tone that projects nicely without being overly bright or boomy. The solid Canadian cedar top contributes to a pleasant, mellow sound while the mahogany back and sides add depth and richness to the overall tone.

The cedar and mahogany tonewood combination results in good volume and sustain. You can strum and pick hard without the sound getting harsh or distorted. Notes ring out clearly even when playing complex chords up the neck. The guitar has enough natural projection to fill a room without needing heavy amplification.

The onboard electronics allow you to plug in without compromising the Cordoba's inherent acoustic sound. The tone stays balanced between the lows, mids, and highs when amplifying through a PA or amp. The pickup captures the nuances well, providing a very accurate representation of the guitar's unplugged voice.

Hardware

The C5 features high quality hardware that enables stable tuning and a bright, articulate sound.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed die-cast chrome tuning machines that keep the strings tuned precisely, even during vigorous playing. The tuning pegs turn smoothly and hold tension well for consistent intonation up and down the neck.

Bridge

It has a rosewood bridge with a compensated bone saddle. This improves sustain and provides a balanced harmonic response across all strings. The material and design help transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings into the body.

Nut and Saddle

Both the nut and saddle on the C5 are made from bone. This material has a smooth surface to prevent binding and allows precise intonation adjustments. The bone nut and saddle improve definition and resonance, contributing to the guitar's detailed tonal qualities.

Comfort

The C5-CET is a very comfortable guitar to play thanks to its compact concert-size body shape. Though concert guitars are slightly smaller than their dreadnought and jumbo counterparts, the C5-CET's body still provides a nice balanced feel.

Weighing in at just under 3.5 pounds, the C5-CET is relatively lightweight for an acoustic-electric guitar. The smooth matte finish and contoured edges make the guitar sit nicely against your body. Together with the short 25.6" scale length, these design elements make the C5-CET comfortable for both seated and standing playing positions, even during longer practice or gigging sessions.

The neck has a pleasing C-shape that fits comfortably in the hand. The 20-fret fingerboard and nut width of 1.96" give a nice amount of room for various chord shapes and lead playing. The smooth satin finish on the back of the neck allows for easy shifting up and down the fretboard.

Overall, Cordoba has designed a very ergonomic and well-balanced instrument that most players will find comfortable right out of the box. The C5-CET's streamlined body and neck design make it a great option for players of all styles looking for a comfortable and playable acoustic-electric guitar.

Accessories

The Cordoba C5 comes with a padded gigbag that provides protection during transportation and storage. The gigbag has backpack straps, making it easy to carry the guitar.

The guitar comes strung with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings. These strings provide a bright, crisp tone well-suited for classical and flamenco styles. However, players can experiment with other string sets based on preference.

An optional pickguard can be purchased separately if desired. The pickguard attaches below the soundhole and prevents scratching to the guitar's top. Since classical guitarists typically don't use picks, the pickguard is more of an aesthetic choice than a functional necessity. Some players appreciate how a tortoise style pickguard complements the look of a traditional spanish guitar.

Pros

The Cordoba C5-CE is praised for its high-quality craftsmanship, electronics, and playability.

High-Quality Craftsmanship

The C5-CE features solid mahogany back and sides paired with a cedar top, providing warm and balanced tone from a durable construction. Attention to detail is evident in the satin polyurethane finish and ivory and black binding.

Quality Electronics

The C5-CE comes equipped with an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system, allowing you to plug in for live performances or recording. The onboard tuner and volume control add convenience. Reviewers compliment the electronics for accurately capturing the C5's natural acoustic tone.

Excellent Playability

With its comfortable neck, low action, and slim 1.96" nut width, the C5-CE excels in playability. The shorter 24.9" scale length makes it very accessible, especially for fingerstyle players. The C5-CE plays fast up and down the neck.

Cons

• The Cordoba C5-CET has a solid top, but the back and sides are made of mahogany laminate instead of solid wood. This can affect the guitar's resonance and tone.

• The built-in electronics and preamp add to the cost, but some reviewers find the onboard preamp only decent, not great. It may be worth upgrading if you want optimal amplified sound.

• The wider nut width of 2.2" may feel uncomfortable for those with smaller hands who are used to narrower acoustic guitar necks. It's ultimately a matter of preference.