Angel Lopez EC3000CN Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN is an affordable nylon-string electro-classical guitar designed to appeal to beginners and intermediate guitarists looking for an entry-level classical guitar with some nice features. Angel Lopez is a brand of the Samick Musical Instruments company, which has been around since 1958 manufacturing guitars, pianos and other instruments. They produce a range of classical and acoustic guitars under the Angel Lopez brand that aim to provide good quality and playability at lower price points than premium classical guitars.

The EC3000CN is one of their more popular nylon-string electro-classical models that comes at an attractive price while still offering solid spruce and mahogany construction, comfortable playability and built-in electronics to plug into an amplifier. This guitar is an excellent choice for new classical guitarists who want an instrument that is easy to play, sounds good and doesn't require a huge investment. It also suits gigging musicians who need an affordable and dependable electro nylon-string guitar for performing amplified with other instruments.

Appearance and Design

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN classical guitar has an elegant and minimalist design with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The guitar features a traditional classical body shape with smoothly curved edges and an hourglass waist.

The top is made of solid cedar which gives it a light tan appearance while the back and sides are mahogany which provides an appealing contrast of colors. The body has a satin finish that allows the natural wood grain to show through beautifully. There are no excessive or fancy ornamentations on this guitar, just simple sound hole rosettes and a black pickguard.

The neck is also mahogany which matches well with the body. The fretboard is rosewood and has 19 frets. Overall the appearance focuses on the high quality tonewoods and craftsmanship rather than flashy aesthetics. Those looking for a more traditional and refined classical guitar will appreciate the EC3000CN's design.

The Luna Guitars GYP E BWE is another quality classical guitar with a unique design. It features an eye-catching body made of flamed maple with a transparent blue sunburst finish. The top is solid European spruce which gives it a light and resonant tone. The fretboard and bridge are rosewood. The rosette is made of mother of pearl and has an intricate floral motif. Compared to the minimalist Angel Lopez, the Luna has more decorative elements like the rosette and burst finish. However, the craftsmanship and tonewoods are still top-notch. Some guitarists prefer the striking aesthetics of the Luna over more plain classical guitars. See the Luna Guitars GYP E BWE here: Luna Guitars GYP E BWE

Both the Angel Lopez EC3000CN and Luna GYP E BWE are high quality classical guitars with excellent tonewoods and craftsmanship. The Angel Lopez has a more traditional minimalist design that showcases the natural wood grain. The Luna has a flashy burst finish and decorative appointments. Guitarists should choose between them based on their aesthetic preferences. Those wanting a more ornate guitar may prefer the Luna while others find the Angel Lopez more tasteful.

Hardware

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN classical guitar features quality hardware that contributes to its full and rich tones. The guitar has a rosewood bridge and a synthetic bone nut. The nut and bridge work together to provide accurate intonation across the fretboard.

The tuners are silver diecast sealed tuners with pearl buttons. They do a great job of holding the strings in tune. The tuner pegs have a smooth action that makes tuning easy and fast.

The matte black finish hardware such as the tuners, bridge pins, and strap buttons have a subtle but elegant look. The minimalist design places the focus on the guitar's tonewoods and hand-crafted construction.

Overall, the hardware components on the EC3000CN are well-made and durable. They allow this classical guitar to achieve excellent intonation and stable tuning while complementing its visual aesthetic. The hardware works seamlessly with the solid spruce top and other tonewoods to produce the guitar's full bass and bright treble tones.

When looking for a high-quality classical guitar, it's important to consider the hardware components along with the wood construction. Hardware like the tuners, nut, bridge, and more have a significant impact on playability and tone. One excellent option to consider is the Oscar Schmidt OA10CE Mini OA10CEFN-A-U. This is a 3/4 size classical guitar made with select spruce and mahogany tonewoods. It features chrome enclosed tuners, a rosewood bridge, and a compensated saddle for precise intonation. The hardware is durable yet lightweight, maximizing the guitar's resonant tones. The OA10CE Mini is an outstanding choice for beginners, younger players, or anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality classical guitar with great hardware and construction.

Neck and Fretboard

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN features a handcrafted mahogany neck with a C-shape profile that is comfortable and easy to play. The fretboard is made of quality rosewood and has 19 frets.

The C-shaped neck has a smooth, rounded contour that fits nicely in the hand. It's not too thick or too thin. The rosewood fretboard is high quality and smooth, allowing for comfortable, fast playing up and down the neck. Many guitarists prefer rosewood for its rich, warm tone.

With 19 frets, this guitar provides ample room for playing riffs and solos up and down the neck. The smoothly finished medium-jumbo frets maximize sustain and are comfortable on the fingers when bending notes. Overall, the neck is well-crafted and designed for optimal playability.

Electronics

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN is equipped with three custom-wound Roswell humbucker pickups that provide a warm, balanced tone perfect for nylon strings. The neck and middle pickups are Roswell P90H Mini Humbuckers while the bridge pickup is a Roswell P90FH humbucker.

The guitar has master volume and tone controls, allowing you to easily shape your sound. There is also a 3-way pickup selector switch that lets you choose between the neck pickup, middle and bridge pickups, or all three pickups together.

The output jack is located on the side of the lower bout, providing quick access when needed. There is no onboard preamp or EQ on the EC3000CN, allowing the natural acoustic sound of the guitar to shine through when unplugged.

Overall, the electronics package on the Angel Lopez nylon string electric guitar provides excellent amplified tone and flexibility, while keeping things simple and focused on pure sound. The P90 humbuckers are voiced perfectly for nylon strings, giving clear articulation and a very musical voice.

Sound and Tone

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN produces a rich, warm acoustic tone thanks to its solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The cedar provides sweet and mellow highs, while the mahogany adds some depth and boom to the midrange and low end. It's a nicely balanced sound profile that works well for classical and other fingerstyle genres.

When amplified, the EC3000CN maintains its balanced tonal character. The under-saddle piezo pickup reproduces the guitar's natural tone accurately without coloring the sound significantly. The tone comes through clear and detailed in the lows, mids, and highs. There's enough dynamics and nuance to hear the guitar's resonance and articulation. The amplified sound is clean enough for stage use or recording while retaining the EC3000CN's acoustic spirit.

The preamp provides some tone shaping control with its 2-band EQ. The bass and treble controls allow boosting or cutting frequencies to further refine the amplified tone. This comes in handy for dialing in tones suited for certain styles or performance spaces. The preamp also has a built-in tuner which is very convenient. Overall the electronics complement the EC3000CN well and don't get in the way of its great acoustic qualities.

Playability

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN classical electric guitar offers very comfortable and smooth playability. The neck has a C-shape profile that fits nicely in the hand, providing a natural and familiar feel for classical guitarists.

The action on this guitar is set low and buzz-free, making it easy to fret notes and chords cleanly without undue pressure. Strings are spaced wide enough for fingerstyle playing, but not so wide as to make stretchy reaches difficult. The satin finish on the back of the neck also promotes effortless shifting up and down the fretboard.

The wider nut width of 2.09" gives your fingers room to maneuver, especially when executing classical repertoire that requires wider string spacing. Intonation up and down the neck is accurate and reliable. Overall, the EC3000CN offers a very playable experience that makes practicing and performing Classical music accessible and rewarding.

Pros

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN classical electric guitar has several excellent features that make it stand out:

• Quality construction - The guitar is very well-made with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fretboard, and die-cast tuners. It feels solid and durable.

• Built-in pickup and preamp - The guitar comes equipped with a professional grade pickup and preamp system that provides excellent amplification and lets you plug directly into an amp or PA system. The tone is very accurate and clear.

• Smooth playability - The action and neck are set up very well right out of the box. The neck is comfortable and makes it easy to play complex classical pieces. The wider nut width also helps with fingerpicking technique.

• Impressive sound - Both the acoustic tone when unplugged and the amplified sound are top-notch. It captures the true classical guitar voice. The strings resonate brightly with good bass response.

• Attractive looks - The EC3000CN has a classy appearance with clean lines, neat rosette and body binding, and smooth natural satin finish. It looks as good as it sounds.

• Great value - Considering the high build quality, electronics, and performance, this guitar provides excellent value at this price point. It punches above its class.

Cons

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN classical electric guitar has several drawbacks to consider.

• The guitar's nylon strings can be more challenging to play than steel strings, especially for those used to electric guitars. The action and tension may require an adjustment period.

• The onboard preamp and pickup add some weight compared to a traditional classical guitar. While still lightweight overall, it may tire the playing hand during longer practice sessions.

• The tonewood construction aims to produce acoustic resonance, but some reviewers find the amplified sound can be overly bright and brittle through an amp. It may not have the warmth and nuance expected from a classical guitar.

• The control knobs located on the upper bout can be prone to accidental bumps and changes during playing. Their placement is not ideal ergonomically.

• While functional, the no-frills gig bag lacks the padding and protection of a hard case. Owners may need to invest in a sturdy case for travel or storage.

• There are some reports of quality control issues, like strings coming loose at the bridge upon arrival. Exchanging under warranty is an option, but an inconvenience.

Conclusion

The Angel Lopez EC3000CN is a great entry-level classical electric guitar. It delivers balanced tone and playability at an affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for beginners interested in exploring nylon-string sound.

The slender neck and ergonomic body design allow for comfortable playing during longer practice sessions. The onboard electronics produce a mellow, resonant acoustic tone when amplified. While not as rich sounding as a high-end electro-classical, the sound is pleasant for the price.

Some compromises were made to meet the budget-friendly price tag, like the laminated spruce top and lack of cutaway. However, the guitar's quality craftsmanship and tone still impress considering the cost.

Overall, the Angel Lopez EC3000CN punches above its weight class. For a classical guitar under $200, it's tough to beat. The accessible price paired with its enjoyable playability makes this a great first nylon-string electric for novice players.