Alhambra 2C-US Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Alhambra 2C-US is a classical guitar designed for beginner and intermediate players. Manufactured in Spain by Alhambra Guitars, it offers solid construction and balanced tone at an affordable price point. This nylon-string guitar features a cedar top with mahogany back and sides, providing a mellow sound focused on the mid and bass frequencies. The 2C-US has a traditional fan bracing system along with a hand-finished satin finish. Overall, it's a quality entry-level classical guitar well suited for students, though more advanced players may want additional projection and volume.

Construction

The Alhambra 2C-US Classical Guitar is a student model classical guitar made out of solid cedar wood. Cedar is a popular choice for classical guitars as it provides a bright, balanced tone that projects well. The 2C-US uses solid cedar for the top, back and sides of the guitar.

Unlike higher end classical guitars which use solid rosewood or mahogany for the back and sides, the all-cedar construction helps keep costs down while still providing excellent sound. The wood is nicely grained and given an attractive high gloss finish.

The use of all solid wood construction sets the 2C-US apart from cheaper laminate models. The solid cedar build gives the guitar better resonance and a richer more complex tone. While not at the level of more expensive classical guitars, the all-solid wood body allows the 2C-US to produce quality classical guitar sound.

Sound

The Alhambra 2C-US guitar produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its combination of solid cedar top wood and mahogany back and sides. The cedar top provides crisp highs and pronounced midrange, while the mahogany adds depth and richness to the low end.

The guitar's smaller concert body size helps project the sound outward nicely without being overwhelmingly loud. Volume is adequate for practicing and performing in more intimate settings. However, those looking to busk or play larger venues may find it lacks the projection required.

Sustain is moderately long, which is typical of a high quality classical guitar in this price range. The notes ring out clearly with a pleasant decay. Rapid passages sound connected without muddiness. Overall the 2C-US offers very nice resonance and balanced tone for student guitarist or experienced players looking for an affordable secondary option.

The tonewood combination produces a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The cedar and mahogany work together to create a warm, rich tone with nice sustain and resonance. While not as loud as a spruce top, the cedar provides a sweet, melodic voice perfect for fingerstyle playing.

Many players appreciate the Alhambra 2C-US for its ability to convey emotion and feeling through its warm, nuanced tone. It excels at intimate musical passages and chordal work. The mahogany backs add vintage character to the sound.

The 2C-US compares well to other guitars in its price range like the Yamaha APX600 OVS (see our review here). The Yamaha produces a slightly brighter tone thanks to its spruce top versus cedar on the Alhambra. However, the Alhambra counters with better note separation and sustain.

While not as loud or punchy as a spruce/rosewood combination, the cedar and mahogany create a sweet, melancholy voice perfect for softer musical styles. It brings out the emotion in both fingerstyle playing and romantic era classical pieces.

The 2C-US is an excellent choice for beginners looking for their first serious classical guitar. The balanced tone provides a great introduction to the instrument without favoring treble or bass too much. More advanced players appreciate its nuanced voice and ability to convey feeling.

While lacking the projection for stage use, the Alhambra 2C-US delivers quality sound perfect for practice, recording, and intimate performances. Players looking for an affordable classical guitar with pro-level tone will be very satisfied with this model.

Playability

The Alhambra 2C has a comfortable and easy to play neck profile that accommodates various hand sizes and playing styles. The smooth satin finish on the neck promotes fast movement up and down the fretboard.

The string action on this classical guitar is set low and buzz-free right out of the box, making it beginner friendly. The action is adjustable at the bridge if needed, but the factory setup provides very comfortable playability without fret buzz.

The fretwork on the 2C is nicely done with smooth, rounded fret ends that don't catch when sliding your fingers up and down the neck. The frets are evenly leveled and dressed for optimal playability across the entire fretboard.

Overall, the Alhambra 2C classical guitar offers excellent playability right from the factory that both beginners and experienced players will appreciate. The comfortable neck profile, low action, and quality fretwork come together to make this an easy and enjoyable instrument to play.

The Alhambra 2C is a great beginner classical guitar, but as players improve, they may want to upgrade to a more professional instrument. The Martin Guitar D-16E is an excellent choice for intermediate and advanced classical guitarists looking for superior tonewoods, craftsmanship and playability. This model features solid East Indian rosewood back and sides which provide rich, complex tone. The solid Sitka spruce top offers excellent resonance and projection.

With its comfortable neck profile, low action and high-end appointments, the Martin D-16E delivers outstanding playability. It has a 25.4" scale length and 1.96" nut width, with a modified low oval neck shape that is comfortable for most playing styles. The nut and saddle are bone, and the ebony fingerboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation. The D-16E is very responsive and easy to play, with excellent intonation up the neck.

Martin sets up their guitars carefully by hand, ensuring optimal playability right out of the case. The D-16E typically has very comfortable action that allows effortless fretting without buzzing. The fretwork is impeccable, providing super smooth playability across the fingerboard. Players can further customize the setup to their preferences with the adjustable truss rod and bridge saddle height.

From its premium tonewoods to advanced craftsmanship and set up, the Martin D-16E classical guitar provides incredible playability that caters to discerning musicians. Its comfortable neck profile and low action allow for easy fretting, while the immaculate fretwork and intonation facilitate intricate playing all across the fingerboard. For intermediate to advanced players seeking optimal playability, the Martin D-16E is an excellent choice.

Hardware

The Alhambra 2C features high quality hardware that contributes to its pleasant playability. The guitar has chrome enclosed tuning machines that hold tune well and make adjustments smooth. The nut and saddle are both made of plastic, which is typical for a beginner level classical guitar. The nut slots are cut precisely for accurate intonation.

The 2C has a rosewood bridge that fits the instrument's tone and resonates nicely. The bridge pins are made from an aged bone material that blends in aesthetically with the rosewood bridge. The pins hold the strings securely in place.

Overall, the hardware components like the tuners, nut, bridge and pins are well-made for an entry-level classical guitar in this price range. They function properly without getting in the way of the playing experience.

Electronics

The Alhambra 2C-US comes equipped with Fishman Presys blending electronics. This system utilizes an undersaddle piezo pickup paired with an active preamp and built-in tuner to accurately capture the classical guitar's natural tone.

The piezo pickup sits discreetly under the saddle and converts the vibrations of the strings into an electronic signal. Piezo pickups are known for providing a very accurate and balanced reproduction of an acoustic instrument's sound.

The Presys preamp allows for easy volume control and tone shaping directly from the guitar. It features bass, midrange, and treble controls so you can dial in your ideal EQ. There is also a phase switch to help reduce feedback at high volumes.

An LED display tuner is included in the preamp as well. This allows for quick and accurate tuning without the need for any additional accessories. The tuner can be easily activated with a button on the preamp.

Overall, the Fishman Presys electronics provide natural acoustic amplification and flexibility without compromising the traditional tone of the classical guitar. The controls are intuitive and give the player control over their sound.

Comfort

The Alhambra 2C has a comfortable classical guitar body shape that sits nicely against the body when playing seated. It has a modest weight of just under 5 pounds, making it lightweight enough for younger students but substantial enough for mature players.

The 2C features a cedar top with mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a lightweight guitar with balanced resonance. The slim neck has a U-shaped profile that fits comfortably in the hand. The width at the nut is 2 1/16 inches, providing ample room for fingering chords and melody lines without feeling too wide.

Some players may find the factory setup to have higher than ideal string action, but this is easily adjustable with a proper guitar setup. The smooth unfinished neck allows for easy shifting up and down the fretboard. The matte finish on the body is fast-playing and not sticky against the forearm.

Overall, the Alhambra 2C has a comfortable shape and proportions suitable for classical guitarists of all ages and skill levels. Its modest weight and balanced feel make it easy to practice for long periods without fatiguing the body. The smooth playability and comfort should aid in developing proper classical guitar technique.

Quality

The Alhambra 2C-US is very well-constructed for a beginner's classical guitar. The fit and finish is quite good, with nice bindings and clean glue joints. There is good attention to detail in the overall craftsmanship.

The back and sides are made of North American cedar, which gives the guitar a nice resonant tone. The solid Canadian cedar top also helps project the sound.

The neck is smoothly finished and feels comfortable to play. The fretwork is clean and consistent. The fret ends are carefully finished as to not be sharp or irritating to your hands.

The nut and saddle are both synthetic bone, which helps transfer string vibrations. The tuning machines keep the guitar in tune reliably.

Overall, the quality of materials and construction is impressive for a student model guitar in this price range. While not quite at the level of a professional instrument, the Alhambra 2C-US feels solidly put together.

Pros

The Alhambra 2C-US classical guitar has several notable benefits and strengths that make it a great choice for beginners and students.

• Excellent tone and volume for the price. The solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides produce a surprisingly full, balanced sound.

• Easy playability right out of the box due to its low action and comfortable neck profile. The slim neck and shorter scale length reduce tension, making it easier for small hands to form chords.

• Lightweight and comfortable to hold thanks to its smaller concert body size. Weighing under 3 pounds, it's easy for younger students to manage during long practice sessions.

• Attractive and classic design featuring traditional fan bracing, rosette, and headstock. Has a polished look beyond its budget price point.

• Comes strung with quality nylon strings installed. No need to buy new strings before starting to play.

• Durable construction that can withstand the bumps and knocks of daily practice. The all-laminate wood body is built to last.

• Budget-friendly price makes it accessible for beginners and families looking for an affordable first classical guitar. Provides great value.

Cons

The Alhambra 2C-US is an excellent starter classical guitar, however it does have some drawbacks to be aware of:

• The action may be high right out of the box, making it more difficult for beginners to press down the strings. The guitar may need a professional setup, at additional cost, to lower the action and improve playability.

• The factory strings are low quality and will likely need replacing soon after purchasing. Upgrading to better strings will improve sound quality but adds to the overall cost.

• The included gig bag provides minimal protection. For a more durable case, an optional hard shell case would need to be purchased separately.

• While aesthetically pleasing overall, some of the finer details like binding and rosette work are rough around the edges. The fit and finish is not on par with higher-end classical guitars.

• The tonewoods, while serviceable, are on the lower end. Serious players may want to eventually upgrade to a guitar with solid wood construction for increased acoustic resonance.

• The guitar doesn't come with any electronics built-in. Those wanting to amplify the guitar would need to purchase and install a pickup.

• The dynamic range is limited. Players looking for a wide tonal palette may be left wanting more in terms of expressiveness and subtlety.

• Intonation and tuning stability may be problematic, requiring more frequent tuning and setup adjustments.

• The resale value tends to be low if looking to upgrade down the road. This is not a guitar that will increase in value over time.

Overall, the Alhambra 2C-US is an excellent value for the price, but does require accepting some compromises in workmanship, materials, and features. As skills progress, more advanced players may desire upgrades not offered by this entry-level model.