Cordoba CP100 3634 Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba CP100 is an affordable nylon-string acoustic guitar that offers impressive value and quality. Part of Cordoba's Protege series, it's an ideal choice for beginner and intermediate classical guitarists looking for a well-built instrument with excellent playability and tone.

Despite its budget-friendly price point, the CP100 doesn't compromise on craftsmanship or materials. It features a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides, with a hand-finished satin finish. The combination produces a warm, balanced sound with good projection and sustain. Though not as loud or complex as premium classical guitars, the CP100 provides very satisfying tone that belies its price tag.

The Cordoba CP100 manages to pack pro-level appointments into an accessible package. It delivers the comfortable playability expected from classical guitars twice its price. The CP100's excellent balance of quality and value makes it a smart choice for aspiring nylon-string players.

Construction and Materials

The Cordoba CP100 is an all-solid nylon string classical guitar made with quality tonewoods. The top is made from solid Canadian cedar which provides a warm, rich and resonant sound. The back and sides are made from mahogany which gives a balanced tone and adds depth and character to the sound.

The neck is also made from mahogany and topped with an Indian rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is a popular and traditional fretboard material for classical guitars as it has a hardness that provides crisp note definition while still being comfortable to play. The neck is joined to the body at the 14th fret with a dovetail joint, a method known for providing excellent stability and tone transfer.

Overall the choice of all solid wood construction from quality tonewoods gives the Cordoba CP100 a full and nuanced acoustic voice. The combination of cedar, mahogany and rosewood produces a guitar suited for various classical and fingerstyle playing techniques.

When choosing a classical guitar, it's important to consider the wood construction and materials used. Solid wood from quality tonewoods will provide better resonance, sustain and tonal complexity compared to laminate or plywood construction. The Cordoba C4-CE 02697 is another excellent choice featuring all solid wood construction with a European spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The spruce top offers crisp articulation and volume while the rosewood contributes depth and richness to the tone. The mahogany neck provides stability and is comfortable to play. Overall the C4-CE 02697 delivers a balanced and nuanced classical guitar voice well-suited for various techniques and styles. You can learn more about this model here: Cordoba C4-CE 02697

When evaluating classical guitars, the wood materials are an important factor as they directly impact the acoustic tone and voice of the instrument. Solid woods like cedar, spruce, mahogany and rosewood each contribute unique tonal characteristics. Laminates and plywoods cannot match the resonance and complexity of solid woods. High quality classical guitars will specify the exact wood materials used, such as solid Canadian cedar or European spruce for the top and Indian rosewood for the back and sides. This attention to detail provides insight into the tonal qualities of that particular model. The all solid wood construction of the Cordoba CP100 and C4-CE 02697 demonstrate a commitment to quality materials that enable a rich and nuanced classical guitar voice.

Sound and Tone

The CP100 has a balanced, warm sound that is characteristic of Cordoba guitars. The all-laminate construction provides a balanced tonal response across the strings, without the boominess that can sometimes occur in all-solid guitars.

The wider nut width (50mm) gives the CP100 a richness and complexity to the sound. The notes have good sustain and definition. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and sweetness to the tone.

The cedar top has a sweet, lyrical sound when played gently, with nicely articulated and separated notes. When played more aggressively, the cedar has enough strength and brightness to hold its own without getting too muddy. The end result is a very versatile classical guitar tone.

This is an ideal guitar for the beginner or intermediate player looking for an affordable Cordoba option with their signature balanced and warm Spanish guitar sound. The tone is well-suited to any style, from classical and flamenco, to fingerstyle and Latin genres.

Another comparable guitar in this price range is the Ibanez AZES40. This is an acoustic-electric guitar with a slimmer neck profile and smaller body size, making it comfortable for electric guitarists transitioning to acoustic. It has a bright, focused tone thanks to its mahogany top and mahogany back and sides construction. The AZES40 has an onboard preamp and tuner for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. While it lacks some of the warmth and bass response of the Cordoba CP100, the Ibanez AZES40 offers versatility for stage and studio use. Its slimmer design also makes it a great choice for younger players and those with smaller hands. The AZES40 provides another quality option around $300 for intermediate players seeking an affordable, gig-ready acoustic-electric guitar.

Playability

The Cordoba CP100 offers smooth and comfortable playability that's ideal for beginners. The neck has a classical C shape that provides a comfortable and natural feel while also giving you easy access to the higher frets.

The neck width measures 2" at the nut which provides a good balance between space for the left hand while still being manageable for smaller hands. The action height from the factory is set medium-low, making it easy to fret chords and notes without undue finger pressure. This makes the CP100 a great choice for new players who are just building up finger strength and dexterity.

The fretwork from the factory is also nicely done, with smooth fret ends that don't cause irritation to the left hand. The frets bars themselves are finished well and don't have any sharp edges that can create discomfort during longer practice sessions. Overall the quality of the fretwork matches what you would expect from more expensive classical guitars.

The CP100's playability makes it an excellent beginner's choice that provides a comfortable playing experience right out of the box. The well-done neck, action, and fretwork come together to offer smooth playability ideal for new musicians.

Hardware

The Cordoba CP100 features quality hardware that enables stable tuning and bright resonant tones.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed chrome tuning machines that hold tune reliably. The tuning pegs have an elegant aged ivory color that matches the rosette and bindings. The tuning machines turn smoothly and allow for precise tuning adjustments.

Bridge

It comes equipped with a rosewood bridge that transfers vibrations efficiently for full and balanced tone across all strings. The bridge has a classic slotted design with bone saddle and pins. The pins hold the strings firmly in place.

Nut and Saddle

The nut and saddle are both made of bone. This adds clarity and articulation to the tone. The bone nut is cut for proper string spacing and height while the rounded saddle compensates for intonation. Overall the nut and saddle are well-crafted for optimal intonation and resonance.

Electronics

The Cordoba CP100 features a Fishman Presys pickup and preamp system, which helps accurately reproduce the guitar's natural acoustic tone when plugged into an amplifier or PA system. The undersaddle transducer captures the vibration of the strings for a balanced and clear amplified sound.

The preamp has volume and tone controls so you can dial in your amplified tone. There's an onboard tuner as well, which is very handy for quick tuning on stage. The preamp requires a 9V battery. While the electronics add versatility for performing, the CP100 retains the organic, acoustic quality that nylon string players desire. The pickup and preamp are neatly integrated so they don't detract from the instrument's traditional aesthetics.

Comfort and Feel

The Cordoba CP100 has a very comfortable and natural feel thanks to its lightweight construction and compact body size. Though it has a full-size neck, the CP100 weighs just 3.5 lbs, making it easy to play for extended periods without fatigue.

The slim neck profile and smooth satin finish on the back of the neck also enhance playability. The neck feels slick and fast in the hand without feeling sticky. The Cordoba neck has a very shallow "C" shape that accommodates most hand sizes and playing styles comfortably.

Despite its budget-friendly price point, the CP100 has excellent fit and finish. The bindings are cleanly cut and installed, the bridge and fretwork are smoothly finished, and the satin finish on the spruce top and mahogany back/sides is evenly applied. The spruce and mahogany construction gives the CP100 a lightweight but resonant feel.

Overall, the CP100 is designed for comfort, with a compact, lightweight body and fast, slim neck that make this an easy guitar to play for hours on end. The quality materials and construction also give it a resonant, responsive acoustic tone.

Pros

The Cordoba CP100 has many excellent features that make it a great value for beginner and intermediate players.

• The spruce top produces a bright, focused tone that projects well. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and balance.

• The comfortable C-shaped neck and smooth rosewood fingerboard make it very playable right out of the box.

• The Cordoba gig bag provides decent protection for transportation and storage.

• The dual-action truss rod allows for neck adjustments over time. This is an important feature not always found on entry-level models.

• The matte finish is attractive and seems quite durable. It minimizes glare under stage lights.

• The premium Aquila strings provide excellent tone and playability.

• The passive electronics give you the option to plug into an amp or PA system. While basic, they perform adequately for most needs.

• At around 5 lbs, it has a nice lightweight feel that makes it comfortable for extended playing sessions and travel.

• The wider nut width (52mm) makes it a good choice for those with larger hands or for fingerstyle playing.

• Overall, it punches above its weight class given the quality materials, construction, and sound. It's an excellent value for the price.

Cons

• The Cordoba CP100 is on the lower end of Cordoba's range of classical guitars, so it may not satisfy more advanced players looking for top notch sound and playability.
• The spruce top is not solid wood, but rather a laminate. While this helps keep costs down, it can negatively impact tone and projection compared to solid wood tops on higher end models.
• The action may be slightly high for some players' preferences, making it more challenging to fret notes, especially for beginners. This can potentially be adjusted, but it requires a guitar setup.
• The thinner padded gig bag provided does not offer as much protection as a hardshell case. For a guitar in this price range, a hardshell case is recommended for travel or storage when not playing.
• The look and feel is fairly basic, lacking some of the ornamentation and fine details found on high end classical guitars. The satin finish may be prone to scratches over time.
• Only comes with nylon strings installed. Those wanting to experiment with other strings like carbon fiber will need to purchase and install them separately.
• There are some reports of minor quality control issues on rare occasions, like slightly uneven frets. This emphasizes the need to inspect carefully when purchasing.
• May lack the loud, rich projection required for professional classical guitarists playing larger venues. Best suited for practice, students, and smaller performances.

Summary

The Cordoba CP100 is an excellent starter classical guitar that provides great value for the price. Its spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a bright, balanced tone that works well for classical and fingerstyle playing. Though not a professional-grade instrument, the CP100 has very good playability right out of the box, with a comfortable neck, slim fingerboard, and low action. The Savarez Cristal Corum strings are high quality and help bring out the guitar's voice.

Overall, the CP100 punches above its weight given its affordable price point. While the hardware, electronics, and fit and finish are basic, they perform adequately for a beginner's needs. Upgrading to a solid wood version like the C10 or C12 down the road is recommended for more seasoned players. For those looking to start their classical guitar journey, the Cordoba CP100 is easy to recommend. Its quality materials, comfortable feel, and impressive sound make it a perfect first nylon-string guitar.