Caballero 500453 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Caballero MR Classical guitar is a quality entry level nylon string instrument produced by Guitar Finishes Corporation. Caballero guitars are made in China with the aim of providing great value and playability for beginning and intermediate classical guitarists.

The Caballero MR model features a traditional fan-braced spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It has a rosewood fretboard and bridge, and comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings. This is a full-size classical guitar with a 650mm scale length.

Overall, the Caballero MR aims to deliver a balanced and resonant sound, comfortable playability, and attractive looks at an affordable price point. It provides a great option for new classical guitar students looking for a reliable and enjoyable instrument to learn on. While it may lack some projection and refinement compared to more expensive models, the Caballero MR Classical punches above its weight given its low cost.

Construction

The Caballero MR Classical guitar features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides. Cedar is a common tonewood choice for classical guitar tops, providing a warm, sweet, and balanced sound. The tight, straight grain of solid cedar allows for good resonance and volume. Mahogany is also a popular back and side wood, offering a rich tone with good bass response. The all-wood construction contributes to the full, projecting tone of the Caballero MR. The combination of cedar and mahogany creates a versatile instrument suitable for various classical guitar repertoire from bright and percussive to warm and mellow.

When choosing a classical guitar, it is important to consider the construction and how the combination of tonewoods affects the sound. Solid wood tops like cedar are preferred over laminates for their acoustic properties. Mahogany is a tonewood that pairs well with cedar, adding warmth and bass response. The all-wood construction of the Caballero MR Classical results in excellent resonance and balanced tone across the frequency range. This makes it a versatile choice for playing diverse classical guitar music.

Other high quality classical guitars to consider are models like the Washburn EA15ATB-A. This classical guitar features solid Alaskan spruce top with mahogany back and sides, another great combination for resonance and balanced tone. The EA15ATB-A has a grand auditorium body shape with a soft cutaway for easy access to the upper frets. It comes equipped with a 2-way truss rod and ebony fretboard. The Fishman Presys Blend pickup system allows for amplified performances. Much like the Caballero MR, the Washburn EA15ATB-A classical guitar is an all-solid wood instrument made to provide excellent acoustic sound and versatility for various styles of classical repertoire.

Tonewood

The Caballero MR Classical Guitar uses quality tonewoods that allow it to produce a rich, warm sound.

The top is made from solid spruce, which is a classic and popular choice known for its balanced tone and excellent projection across all frequencies. Spruce tops are bright but resonant, helping the guitar sound loud and clear. The evenly distributed sound makes this wood a versatile option for the soundboard.

Mahogany is used for the back and sides. It has a warm, rounded tone that emphasizes the midrange frequencies, resulting in a sweet and mellow sound. The bass tones are enhanced due to the low stiffness and density of mahogany. This complements the brightness of the spruce top nicely.

The combination of spruce and mahogany tonewoods allows this classical guitar to achieve a nicely balanced sound profile that is both articulate when playing complex pieces yet warm during strumming. The construction and wood selections let each note sing with clarity.

Tonewoods are carefully chosen by luthiers to shape the sound and response of the guitar. The species of wood, grain patterns, density, stiffness, and more all factor into the tonal characteristics. While spruce and mahogany are common choices, other woods like cedar, rosewood, maple, and koa each contribute their own unique qualities.

The quality of the tonewoods, along with precise construction and setup, allows this classical guitar to resonate freely and project sound powerfully. From the first strum, players can hear the rich, nuanced voice of the Caballero MR.

Martin's 1100010E Classical Guitar is another excellent model that utilizes premium tonewoods. It features a solid European spruce top along with Indian rosewood back and sides. This all-solid wood construction produces exceptional resonance and sweet, singing tones perfect for classical repertoire.

Finish

The Caballero 500453 features a high gloss finish. This polyurethane finish enhances the natural beauty of the wood and provides durability.

The high gloss look gives the guitar an elegant, refined aesthetic. It also makes the guitar easier to clean and maintain over time.

Some players prefer a satin finish, which has a more muted look. But the downside is that satin finishes can show wear more quickly. The high gloss is generally more resistant to nicks and scratches.

The polished look highlights the wood grain patterns, especially on the spruce top. This allows the beauty of the tonewoods to shine through.

Overall, the gloss finish is smoothly applied for a seamless look. It brings out the best visual qualities of the mahogany back and sides. This finish suits the classical design and enhances the guitar's visual appeal.

Neck

The Caballero 500453 features a mahogany neck with a soft C shape that is comfortable for most hand sizes. The neck width at the nut is 52mm, which is a common width for classical guitars in this price range.

The mahogany neck provides stability and allows the soundboard to resonate freely. It has a hand-rubbed oil finish that gives it a smooth, natural feel during playing. The neck joins the body at the 12th fret.

Some players may prefer a slightly wider or narrower nut width, but 52mm will accommodate most classical guitar techniques comfortably. The neck has a moderate depth that supports strength and projection without being too bulky.

Overall, the neck design and materials aim to deliver playability without compromising the guitar's tone. The smooth neck and tapered heel provide easy access to higher frets.

Fretboard & Frets

The Caballero MR Classical guitar has a rosewood fretboard, which is a traditional and common choice for classical guitars. Rosewood provides a smooth playing feel. The width of the fretboard is 52mm at the nut, which is standard for a full-size classical guitar. This gives ample room for fingering and fretting chords and notes up the neck.

The frets are medium in size, made of nickel-silver alloy. They provide good definition for left-hand fingering, while not being overly tall or causing discomfort. The fretwork and finishing is neatly executed. Overall, the rosewood fretboard and medium nickel-silver frets offer a comfortable and playable feel that classical guitarists expect.

Bridge & Saddle

The Caballero MR Classical guitar has a rosewood bridge and saddle. The rosewood used for the bridge and saddle appears to be good quality and nicely cut. Rosewood is a traditional and popular choice of material for classical guitar bridges and saddles due to its density and ability to transfer vibrations well. The rosewood bridge and saddle should help produce a full, warm tone and allow the guitar to resonate properly. Overall, the bridge and saddle seem well-made and should perform well, supporting and transferring the strings' vibrations into the top of the guitar.

Strings

The Caballero MR comes strung with factory strings. These are standard nylon classical guitar strings, likely Savarez or D'Addario. The strings provide a warm, bright tone with good articulation and volume.

While factory strings allow you to start playing right out of the box, many players prefer upgrading to higher-end strings like Hannabach or Augustine. Aftermarket strings provide more complexity in the tone and allow better control over the voice of the guitar. However, the factory strings are certainly serviceable, especially for beginners and intermediate players.

The main downside of factory strings is they may need to be replaced sooner than premium strings. Mass-produced strings can occasionally have minor flaws or be inconsistent in feel and intonation. With regular playing, factory strings will probably need to be swapped out within a few months.

Overall, the factory strings on the Caballero MR are perfectly fine to start off with. Upgrading to aftermarket strings can wait until the originals lose their brightness.

Sound

The Caballero Classical Guitar has a beautiful, warm, and balanced tone that is great for classical repertoire as well as other fingerstyle genres. The solid cedar top provides nice clarity and articulation in the highs and treble, while the mahogany back and sides offer richness and resonance in the midrange and bass frequencies. This guitar has excellent sustain and projection, filling the room with its bold yet refined voice.

The tone is very balanced across the frequency spectrum, with no particular frequencies dominating. Notes ring out withgood clarity. It's not overly bright or bass heavy, but has an evenness that makes it suitable for various styles of playing. The mahogany contributessome natural compression and sweetness to the sound.

Overall the Caballero Classical Guitar offers players a very musical, nuanced, and responsive instrument. It has the warmth and character expected froma quality classical guitar, while still having enough power to hold its own in performance settings. The tone quality punches above its price point. This isa great choice for new players looking for an inspiring and beautiful sounding instrument.

Pros & Cons

The Caballero MR Classical Guitar has several pros and cons to consider.

Pros

• Beautiful hand-crafted appearance with nice glossy finish
• Solid cedar top provides a warm, rich classical guitar sound
• Mahogany back and sides offer balanced tone and sustain
• Comfortable neck with smooth satin finish
• Slotted headstock for more stability and tuning accuracy
• Quality tuning machines keep guitar in tune

Cons

• Action may be high right out of the box, requiring a professional setup
• Electronics and preamp are lower quality and lack warmth of the guitar acoustically
• Guitar case lacks plush interior padding
• Some users report fret edges being a bit sharp initially

Overall, the Caballero MR Classical Guitar delivers exceptional value with its great tone and playability that rivals more expensive models. A setup and electronics upgrade could make this instrument truly pro-level. For beginners and intermediates seeking an affordable nylon-string classical guitar, the Caballero MR is an excellent choice with very few downsides.