Cordoba 7122 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba 7122 is a professional-level classical guitar that delivers detailed tone, superb playability, and elegant design. Part of Cordoba's Master Series, it represents the pinnacle of traditional Spanish guitar making.

Handmade in Spain, the 7122 model features an all-solid wood construction with Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Canadian cedar top. This pairing produces a full-bodied yet articulate sound. The fan bracing allows the top to vibrate freely for excellent tonal response across the entire register.

Ideal for demanding players, the 7122 provides ease of play thanks to its comfortable neck and hand-polished ebony fretboard. It projects beautifully and handles both complex classical compositions and fingerstyle techniques with ease. The gold hardware and intricate rosette provide visual flair worthy of a concert hall performance.

Overall, the Cordoba 7122 is a high-end classical guitar that delivers pro-level construction, rich Classical tone, and exquisite playability. It satisfies even seasoned players while retaining Cordoba's core values of quality materials and meticulous Spanish craftsmanship.

Construction

The Cordoba Master Series 7122 is constructed with solid Canadian cedar top paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The all-solid wood construction produces a warm, balanced tone favored by classical players.

The cedar top is lightly braced allowing it to vibrate freely for excellent resonance and projection. Cedar is a common tonewood choice for classical guitars as it offers warmth and complexity in the midrange frequencies.

The rosewood back and sides add depth and richness to the sound with lots of overtones in the lower mids and bass. This combination of cedar and rosewood creates a versatile classical guitar suitable for various musical genres and playing styles.

The 7122 features a mahogany neck with a 2-way truss rod for stability and perpendicular string pull. The slim neck profile makes playing for long periods comfortable. The guitar has a hand-carved heel allowing easy access to the higher frets.

Sound

The Cordoba 7122's tonewood combination of solid Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Canadian cedar top creates a warm, balanced tone that is pleasing to the ear. The all-solid wood construction allows the guitar to resonate freely, producing full low end, sweet mids, and singing trebles.

The cedar top contributes brightness and clarity while the rosewood back and sides add depth and richness. Together they strike an ideal tonal balance. This guitar has impressive dynamic range, able to go from hushed, delicate tones to loud and projecting based on your attack. Notes bloom nicely and have good sustain.

Whether playing Baroque, classical, Spanish, or Latin music, the 7122's versatile sound profile suits it well. It has enough warmth for Romantic era pieces but also the clarity for more articulated phrasing. From lush chords to single-note melodies, the tone remains balanced across the frequency spectrum.

The all-solid woods allow this guitar to open up and improve over time. As the wood ages it will mature tonally, becoming even more nuanced and responsive. For an all-solid rosewood and cedar guitar at this price point, the 7122 delivers exceptional sound quality and musicality.

Playability

The Cordoba Master Hauser 7-string classical guitar has a very comfortable and playable feel overall. The nut width measures 52mm, which is standard for a classical guitar. This provides enough room for the fingers to fret notes and chords cleanly, without feeling too cramped.

The neck has a traditional c-shape profile that is nice and slim. It fits comfortably in the hand. The satin finish on the back of the neck also allows for smooth gliding up and down the fretboard. The neck feels fast and easy to play.

The action on this particular model is set medium-low. The strings are close enough to the fretboard to permit easy pressing down and shaping of notes, yet still high enough to avoid significant buzzing. The action can also be adjusted to suit personal preferences.

With its combination of nut width, neck shape, and comfortable action height, the Cordoba 7122 offers a very playable classical guitar experience for musicians of all levels. It feels natural and intuitive in the hands.

Hardware

The Cordoba 7122 features high quality hardware that enhances its playability and tuning stability. The guitar has top-notch tuning machines made by premium classical guitar hardware brand Gotoh. The Gotoh tuning machines are precise and allow for accurate and stable tuning. They have an elegant brushed gold finish that matches nicely with the woods.

The 7122 also comes equipped with a rosewood bridge made from high quality solid rosewood. The bridge is skillfully cut and fitted to the top, allowing for excellent energy transfer from the strings to the body of the guitar. The shape and carving of the bridge also contribute to the guitar's rich tone. Overall, the hardware components on the 7122 are high-end and built to last.

Electronics - Focusing on the Classic

As a traditional classical guitar, the Cordoba 7122 is completely unplugged - no pickups, preamps, or electronics of any kind. This allows the 7122 to focus purely on its nylon-string acoustic tone, without concern for amplifying or modifying the sound electronically.

Some players may desire electronics for volume or to shape the tone with EQ. However, electronics can sometimes degrade the natural resonance of an acoustic instrument. The 7122 takes a purist approach, channeling centuries of classical guitar tradition with an organic, all-acoustic design.

Without built-in electronics, the 7122 produces a rich, nuanced classical tone relying solely on its materials and construction. From the solid Canadian cedar top to Indian rosewood back and sides, the 7122 is carefully crafted for optimal unamplified sound projection and purity.

Going electronics-free highlights the 7122's voice with complete authenticity. The guitar vibrates naturally without electronic components potentially dampening resonance. And its unplugged volume and projection make it ideal for rehearsals, practice, and intimate performing scenarios.

For players who prefer an unamplified classical experience, the Cordoba 7122 provides exactly that - a traditional nylon-string voice expressed on its own acoustic terms. It's a pure, honest classical guitar true to its all-wood form and construction.

Comfort

The Cordoba Master Series Hauser nylon-string classical guitar is exceptionally comfortable to hold and play, thanks to its lightweight construction and meticulously shaped body.

Weighing in at just under 3 pounds, this guitar is lighter than many classical guitars, making it easier on the shoulders and back during long practice or performance sessions. The smooth, contoured body shape fits nicely against the torso without digging in sharplly anywhere.

The neck has a very playable slim profile that doesn't cause fatigue in the fretting hand. The wider nut width provides a nice fingerboard space for classical technique and facilitates quick lateral movements. The matte finish on the back of the neck promotes solid grip without sticking.

Overall, the Cordoba 7122 is designed for playing comfort, with its lightweight build and ergonomic body shape that cradle nicely against the player's body. The slick neck and nut enable easy, fatigue-free fingering for extended musicality. This is a guitar built for practice marathons and recital endurance.

Value

The Cordoba 7122 provides exceptional value for a handmade classical guitar of this quality. At around $500, it compares very favorably to other classical guitars in this price range from major brands like Yamaha, Takamine, and Alhambra.

Considering its all-solid wood construction and hand-built craftsmanship, the 7122 punches well above its weight class. Most guitars under $1,000 rely on laminate back and sides. The 7122's solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides would be expected at twice the price.

While not the cheapest beginner classical on the market, the 7122 is an intermediate instrument suitable for serious amateur players. It's a noticeable step up from basic student models, with richer sound, smoother playability, and more refined aesthetics. The lifetime warranty provides peace of mind on the investment.

Overall, the Cordoba 7122's combination of premium tonewoods, detailed craftsmanship, and lifetime guarantee make it an unmatched value proposition. It's a lot of classical guitar for the money.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich, warm sound from solid Indian rosewood back and sides
• Spruce top produces balanced tone across treble and bass
• Narrower neck profile makes playing comfortable
• Smooth satin finish for great feel and easy movement
• Premium abalone rosette and binding for beautiful aesthetics
• Hand-built craftsmanship and attention to detail

Cons

• Higher price point compared to other nylon-string models
• Lack of electronics limits usefulness for live performances
• sparse and dark Starfish rosette design may not appeal to all
• Not as loud as spruce/cedar topped guitars in this range
• No cutaway for easy upper fret access

Verdict

The Cordoba 7122 is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced classical guitar players looking for quality construction and refined tone at an accessible price point.

With its all-solid wood body and Indian rosewood back and sides, this guitar produces a bold, nuanced sound that improves with age. The soft European spruce top allows for expressive dynamics, while the Savarez Cristal Corum high tension strings provide crisp articulation.

The playability is very comfortable thanks to the hand-shaped mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard. The wider nut width gives more room for fingering complex chords and passages. The lightweight construction makes the 7122 easy to play for extended periods.

This Cordoba model is ideal for dedicated classical guitarists who have progressed beyond a beginner instrument. While not as affordable as a student model, the superior tonewoods and thoughtful design justify the higher cost for serious players looking to invest in an instrument to last many years.

The impressive quality at this moderate price point makes the Cordoba 7122 a win for those seeking an authentic Spanish classical guitar without breaking the bank. It's the best value option before stepping up to a luthier-made instrument.