Cordoba C12 SP 06541 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba C12 SP is an attractive Spanish-made classical guitar that offers great value for money. Part of Cordoba's C range designed in Spain, it features all solid wood construction with a Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. This combination produces a warm, balanced tone that works well for a variety of classical and flamenco guitar styles. With its hand-laid Indian rosewood headplate, matte polyurethane finish and ornate mother of pearl rosette, the C12 SP has an elegant and professional-grade appearance. While not as premium as Cordoba's L or Master Luthier Series, the C12 SP provides impressive quality and playability at a more affordable price point for intermediate players or experienced guitarists on a budget. Its comfortable neck, low action and lighter string tension make it a nice option for prolonged practice sessions and performing. Overall, the Cordoba C12 SP combines traditional Spanish craftsmanship with modern appointments to deliver an accessible classical guitar with rich sound and smooth playability.

Construction

The Cordoba C12 SP features classic construction with a solid spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and mahogany neck, back stripe and side ribs.

The solid spruce top gives the C12 SP a crisp, clear and balanced tone that projects well. Spruce is a popular choice for classical guitar tops thanks to its responsive sound.

The back and sides are made from Indian rosewood, which offers a warm, rich resonance to complement the top. Indian rosewood is known for its beautiful appearance and tonal qualities that enhance the bass and treble ranges.

The combination of a solid spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides makes the C12 SP tonally balanced and versatile for various playing styles and techniques. This conventional wood choice provides a great foundation for the instrument's overall sound.

The C12 SP's all-wood construction delivers the resonance and acoustic properties expected from a high quality classical guitar in this price range.

For guitarists seeking a portable classical guitar option, the Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert is worth considering. This unique guitar has a full 25.5" scale length but can fold in half for easy transport. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide authentic acoustic tone in a compact size.

The Redlands Concert's proprietary design allows it to achieve a comfortable balance between portability and playability. When folded, it can fit into spaces as small as 15.5” x 4” x 9”, drastically reducing its footprint. Unfolded, its full scale length neck and 12-fret fingerboard allow for comfortable playing position and technique.

Many travel guitars sacrifice acoustic volume for portability, but the Redlands Concert’s hollow body and soundhole design produce impressive volume and resonance for its size. The tone is clear and balanced, responding well to various playing dynamics. An onboard preamp provides acoustic amplification when needed.

While the nylon-string Cordoba C12 SP offers traditional construction, the Redlands Concert travel classical guitar brings innovation for guitarists needing portability without completely compromising on playability or acoustic tone. The ability to quickly fold it in half makes the Redlands Concert easier to transport than full-size classical guitars.

Sound

The Cordoba C12 SP produces a warm, well-balanced tone that you would expect from a high quality classical guitar. The solid Canadian cedar top provides a nice rounded sound across the tonal spectrum, with good sustain and resonance. The Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and richness to the bass and mids.

This guitar projects very nicely, filling a room with its bold classical voice. Many reviewers mention the impressive volume and liveliness from the C12 SP, which allows it to be heard even when fingerpicked lightly. The tone remains focused when played harder, without muddiness or too much boominess. The crisp and clear notes ring out nicely.

The voicing leans slightly toward the treble, giving it presence and cut through a mix. But the bass is still pronounced and the mids stay smooth. Overall it's a very balanced sound that provides the warmth and nuance classical players look for, along with enough power for performance situations.

When comparing the Cordoba C12 SP to other high-end classical guitars like the Yamaha L-Series LL6 ARE, they are quite similar in their overall tonal profile. Both produce a rich, resonant sound with great projection suitable for the concert hall. The Yamaha may have a bit more sparkle and brilliance in the high end, while the Cordoba leans toward a darker, bassier sound. But they are comparable instruments that any classical guitarist would be happy to own. The Yamaha does cost a bit more, so the Cordoba gives you great bang for your buck if you want pro-level tone on a budget.

In the end, the Cordoba C12 SP has a big, bold classical guitar sound that exhibits exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. The tonewoods produce a balanced, nuanced voice that brings out the warmth and color that nylon strings are known for. It's a responsive and lively instrument that projects beautifully. While the Yamaha LL6 ARE may have a bit more high-end shimmer, the Cordoba competes head-to-head in terms of overall quality and sound production. For the price, it's hard to find a better sounding classical guitar.

Playability

The Cordoba C12 SP features a mahogany neck with a 52mm nut width making it very playable and comfortable. The ebony fingerboard also helps create a smooth feel when moving up and down the neck.

With its wider nut and comfortable neck profile, the C12 SP is ideal for a classical guitarist looking for an instrument optimized for playability. The smooth ebony fingerboard allows fast runs and scales without resistance. The neck meets the body at the 12th fret, granting comfortable access to even the highest notes.

Overall, between the mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, and 52mm nut width, the C12 SP provides excellent playability right out of the box. It's designed for comfort during long practice sessions and performing.

Hardware

The Cordoba C12 SP delivers pro-level hardware that outperforms its price point. It comes equipped with gold tuners, which provide smooth and accurate tuning stability. The tuners are high-quality open-geared pegs that hold tune reliably once the strings are properly stretched and seated.

The nut and saddle are both made of nice polished bone, giving them a smooth feel that helps reduce string friction. This allows for easy playability up and down the neck. The saddle is compensated, meaning it is shaped to properly intonate each string.

The bridge utilizes a classic rosewood material with a simple and elegant design. It provides a solid foundation for transferring vibrations between the strings and top. The bridge pins are also made of rosewood. Overall the hardware supports the fantastic tone and resonance of this classical guitar.

Electronics

The Cordoba C12 SP is an entirely acoustic classical guitar. It does not contain any electronics or built-in pickups. This allows the C12 SP to focus purely on the acoustic sound and playability, without any electric components that could impact the wood resonance or acoustic tone.

Some players may see the lack of electronics as a drawback, as it limits amplification and recording options. However, purists and classical guitarists often prefer a pure acoustic instrument. The C12 SP produces a rich and nuanced classical guitar sound.

While it does not allow for plugging directly into an amplifier, the C12 SP can still be amplified through the use of external microphones or pickups. Overall, the all-acoustic design provides a traditional classical guitar experience focused on the resonance of the spruce and mahogany woods. Players looking for electronics would need to amplify the C12 SP externally or consider other hybrid classical/electric models.

Quality

The Cordoba C12 SP is handmade in Spain using traditional techniques that produce high quality classical guitars. The all-solid wood construction features Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a solid Canadian cedar top. This combination produces a full-bodied and balanced tone.

The hand-carved 7-fan bracing provides stability and resonance, allowing the solid woods to vibrate freely. The Indian rosewood neck has a traditional Spanish heel that gives the guitar extra strength. The build quality allows the C12 SP to stay in tune remarkably well, even with heavy playing.

Overall, the carefully selected tonewoods and meticulous handcrafted construction result in a very durable and reliable classical guitar that will provide many years of rich sound. Musicians praise the consistent high-end quality that Cordoba is known for.

Cons

The Cordoba C12 SP has a few drawbacks to consider. First, it does not have a cutaway, which can make it more difficult to access higher frets. This may frustrate more advanced players who need to play complex chords and melodies up the neck.

Additionally, the action on the C12 SP is set a bit higher than some beginners may prefer. Higher action requires more finger pressure and can be challenging for newer players with less developed finger strength and dexterity. Those looking for an extremely easy playing experience right out of the box may want to consider other beginner-friendly options with lower action.

Overall though, while these factors should be considered, they likely won't be dealbreakers for most. The lack of a cutaway preserves the C12 SP's traditional aesthetics and focused nylon-string tone. And the action, while on the higher side, helps optimize the instrument's volume and projection. With a little extra practice, the vast majority of players should adapt.

Alternatives

The Cordoba C12 SP is a quality classical guitar, but there are a few other models worth considering in a similar price range:

Yamaha C40

The Yamaha C40 is a very popular entry level classical guitar. It features a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and mahogany neck. The tonewoods produce a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The nato fretboard and bridge provide a nice look and feel. The hardware is chrome sealed tuners and a rosewood bridge saddle. At around $200, the C40 punches above its weight for sound and playability. The wide neck might be harder for players with smaller hands.

Taylor GA1

For those looking for a premium classical guitar, the Taylor GA1 is an excellent choice at around $1,100. It has a solid Sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. This combination produces rich bass, sparkling trebles, and an overall balanced tone. The ebony fretboard and bridge provide smooth playability. Appointments include an ebony peghead overlay, ebony bridge pins with abalone dots, and a rosette made from maple, blackwood, and ebony. The Taylor GA1 looks, feels, and sounds like a high-end classical guitar.

Summary

The Cordoba C12 SP Classical Guitar is a well-made classical guitar suitable for intermediate players. Its traditional fan bracing and solid Canadian cedar top produce a full, balanced tone. While not as loud as spruce, the cedar top offers a mellower, warmer sound. The Indian rosewood back and sides further enhance resonance and sustain.

This is an easy-playing nylon-string guitar with a comfortable neck and low action. The onboard electronics allow for amplification, though purists may prefer an acoustic-only classical guitar. Hardware is high quality, with gold tuners and a two-way truss rod for setup adjustments.

While not a professional-grade classical, the C12 SP punches above its price point. With quality tonewoods and solid construction, this Cordoba nylon-string guitar makes an excellent choice for advancing classical guitarists. Its amplified option also suits those needing a little extra volume for performances or practice. For classical guitar on a budget, the C12 SP delivers value along with rich, nuanced sound.