Cordoba C1M-CE Classical Guitar: Full Review

to the Cordoba C1M-CE Classical Guitar

The Cordoba C1M-CE is an acoustic-electric nylon string classical guitar made by Cordoba Guitars, a company known for its high-quality classical and flamenco guitars. This beginner-level instrument features a cedar top with mahogany back and sides, giving it a warm, balanced tone perfect for a wide range of musical genres.

With its cutaway body shape and built-in electronics, the C1M-CE offers comfortable playability and stage-ready amplified sound. While designed for novice players, its impressive construction and components make this an excellent choice even for more advanced guitarists. This versatile nylon string delivers an authentic Spanish guitar experience with enhanced accessibility and amplified versatility.

Construction

The Cordoba C1M-CE has a solid European spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck, bridge and fingerboard. The combination of tonewoods produces a warm, balanced sound with good volume and projection.

The spruce top is nicely grained and provides clarity in the treble registers, while the mahogany back and sides offer a rich, mellow bass response. The neck is made from mahogany which lends to smooth playability up and down the fretboard. Overall, the tonewood selection provides an excellent foundation for the nylon strings to vibrate and generate tone.

The bracing pattern inside the C1M-CE is fan braced, which allows the top more freedom to vibrate. The bracing is light yet sturdy enough to prevent bellying or warping. The guitar feels solidly built while still retaining resonance and sustain.

The neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which is a comfortable midpoint for most players. The width of the neck at the nut measures 52mm, giving ample room for fingering chords and notes up the neck. The C1M-CE presents a high-quality build and design at this price point.

When looking for a quality classical guitar, the Martin 11DX1E-01 is an excellent option to consider. This classical guitar model from Martin Guitars utilizes solid tonewoods and expert craftsmanship to deliver rich, nuanced tone in an accessible package. The DX1E-01 has a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck, which provide a balanced and articulate voice. The top is braced in a modified fan pattern that allows vibrancy and projection, while the dovetail neck joint and mortise/tenon body construction give the guitar stability and resonance. An ebony fingerboard and bridge enhance treble clarity and articulation. The DX1E-01 plays comfortably thanks to its hand-rubbed, low-gloss finish neck and 1.96" nut width. Onboard Fishman electronics accurately amplify the guitar's natural tone. Overall, the Martin 11DX1E-01 is an excellent choice for the advancing classical guitarist, offering beautiful craftsmanship, rich tone, and accessible price point from a top American guitar maker.

When shopping for a nylon-string classical guitar, there are many factors to consider such as tonewoods, construction methods, playability and electronics. Solid tonewoods like spruce and mahogany generally provide better resonance, projection and complexity versus laminate woods. Hand-built construction techniques passed down through generations of luthiers yield instruments with refinement not achievable through mass production. Neck dimensions and profiles must match a player's preferences and playing style. Onboard electronics like the Fishman Presys Blend system can accurately amplify the guitar's natural tone. Evaluating all these specifications and trying out different models is the best way to find your ideal classical guitar. Brands like Cordoba and Martin offer excellent quality and value across price points. Taking the time to find the right nylon-string guitar will reward you with an inspiring lifetime instrument.

Sound

The Cordoba C1M-CE classical guitar produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The cedar top provides sweet and mellow highs, while the mahogany body adds depth and richness to the midrange and bass. Together, these tonewoods create an evenly balanced sound across the frequency spectrum that is clear and articulate yet also warm and resonant.

The fan bracing underneath the cedar top allows it to vibrate freely, enhancing responsiveness and volume. Though not as loud as spruce, the cedar top projects the sound with clarity and immediacy. The mahogany back and sides have a naturally balanced resonance, providing good bass extension without overpowering the treble notes. This guitar is suited for playing fingerstyle and classical repertoire, with enough projection for performing solo or in small ensembles. While not as crisp and bright as spruce top models, the C1M-CE produces a pleasingly full-bodied tone ideal for classical guitar.

The Cordoba C1M-CE produces a balanced and nuanced sound, though players looking for more projection may prefer the Cordoba C10 CD/IN. This model features a solid Canadian cedar top like the C1M-CE, but paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The rosewood body provides additional bass response, volume, and clarity compared to mahogany. The cedar and rosewood combination generates a robust voice that maintains sweet treble definition yet with the power and resonance for performance settings. The rosewood's complex overtones enrich the tone while the cedar's crystalline highs retain their presence and articulation. Together, these woods allow the C10 CD/IN to produce a bold, vibrant classical guitar sound.

Both the Cordoba C1M-CE and C10 CD/IN are fine instruments for the advancing classical guitarist, with the choice between the two depending on your tonal preferences. The mahogany-backed C1M-CE provides an evenly balanced sound suitable for practice and small performances. Meanwhile, the C10 CD/IN with its rosewood body offers more projection and bass response for guitarists who do a lot of performing. Whichever you choose, both Cordoba models are quality classical guitars that produce an authentic Spanish guitar sound.

Playability

Playability of the Cordoba C1M-CE is enhanced by its nylon strings and adjustable truss rod. The nylon strings provide a soft and smooth feel that is easier on the fingers compared to steel strings. They allow for expressive vibrato and bend notes with ease. The nylon strings also produce a mellow, warm, resonant tone perfect for playing classical and flamenco style music.

The adjustable truss rod allows you to customize the relief and action to suit your playing style and preference. It can counteract string tension and prevent the neck from bowing too much. With the truss rod, you can set the action lower for easier fretting or raise it higher for more projection and volume. This guitar makes it simple to find your ideal playability through the adjustable truss rod. Overall, the nylon strings and adjustable truss rod allow beginners and experts alike to play comfortably and access the full range of tones and techniques on the classical guitar.

Electronics

The Cordoba C1M-CE features an excellent electronics system. It utilizes a state-of-the-art Fishman Presys preamp and pickup, allowing players to amplify the guitar's beautiful nylon-string sound for live performances or recording.

The Presys combines a uniquely thin piezo pickup with flexible preamp EQ controls. The pickup captures a balanced, dynamic representation of the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The preamp then allows for tone shaping with bass, mid, and treble controls, plus notch filtering to reduce feedback. There is also a built-in tuner and phase switch.

Overall, the Presys system results in excellent amplified tone that stays true to the C1M-CE's acoustic voice. The preamp is discreetly mounted inside the soundhole for a clean look. With the Presys, players can easily plug this classical-electric hybrid into an amp or PA system and get quality amplified sound. This makes the C1M-CE ideal for gigging flamenco or other nylon-string players.

Comfort

The Cordoba C1M-CE features an ergonomic neck design that promotes hours of fatigue-free playing. The neck has a soft C shape that contours nicely to the hand, providing a smooth feel up and down the fretboard. This comfortable neck shape makes it easy to reach even the highest frets without strain.

The neck is also slimmer than many classical guitars, measuring 52mm at the nut. This allows for easy fretting and quicker shifts up and down the neck. Those with smaller hands will appreciate the slimmer neck, as it requires less stretching to fret notes and chords.

The smooth matte finish on the back of the neck also increases playing comfort. It has a nice tactile feel and allows the hand to glide easily without sticking. Even during long practice or playing sessions, the neck remains comfortable and doesn't cause fatigue or irritation in the hand.

Overall, the ergonomic neck design of the C1M-CE makes it one of the most comfortable nylon-string guitars for extended playing time. The slim, contoured neck with smooth finish really caters to player comfort.

Design

The Cordoba C1M-CE has an attractive aesthetic featuring traditional fan bracing and mother of pearl inlays. The rosette is particularly striking, with an intricate mosaic-like pattern surrounding the soundhole.

The back and sides are mahogany, which gives the guitar a nice balanced tone. The top is solid Canadian cedar, a popular choice known for its warm sound.

The neck is mahogany as well, with a rosewood fretboard and 19 frets. The headstock has a 3-on-3 tuner configuration. The nut and saddle are bone.

Overall, the C1M-CE has a classic Spanish style with some ornate decorative touches. The inlays and rosette add visual interest, giving the guitar an elegance that matches its musicality. While simple in its fundamentals, the look and detailing help make this an attractive instrument.

Accessories

The Cordoba C1M-CE comes with a lightweight padded gig bag, providing convenient and secure transportation for the guitar. This is a nice added value, as many acoustic-electric guitars in this price range do not include a gig bag.

The gig bag has backpack-style straps, making it easy to carry the guitar on your back. It features a front pocket for storing small accessories, sheet music, cables, and more. The main compartment is padded to protect the guitar from bumps and scrapes.

The included gig bag is not a hard case, so it may not provide the most heavy-duty protection. However, it's perfectly suitable for taking your C1M-CE to local gigs, lessons, open mics, and jam sessions. For air travel or shipping, you may want to invest in a sturdier hardshell case.

Overall, the free gig bag adds nice extra value, convenience, and portability to this already affordable acoustic-electric classical guitar package. Just having a basic case included helps make the C1M-CE travel- and gig-ready right out of the box.

Pros

The Cordoba C1M-CE nylon string guitar has many excellent qualities that make it a great choice for players looking for a high-quality classical guitar.

Rich Sound

One of the standout features of the C1M-CE is its full, rich sound. The European spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides produce a robust, warm tone that is beautifully balanced across the tonal spectrum. Both the treble and bass registers ring out clearly. Players looking for an expressive classical guitar that can handle various musical lines and voicings will appreciate the dynamic range of this instrument.

Easy Playability

This Cordoba model features a comfortable neck profile and low action that make it very playable right out of the box. The nylon strings have a soft, smooth feel that is easy on the fingers. The wider nut width provides ample room for classical fingerstyle technique. Overall, the C1M-CE has a very inviting playing feel that lends itself well to long practice sessions and live performances. Even novice players should find this guitar easy to play.

Onboard Electronics

The built-in Fishman Presys Blend electronics system gives players flexibility for playing plugged in. It's easy to get amplified natural classical guitar tones thanks to the combination of a piezo pickup and mic. The discrete built-in tuner is also very convenient. Gigging musicians will appreciate being able to plug this Cordoba into an amp or PA system.

Cons

The Cordoba C1M-CE does come at a higher price point than some other beginner classical guitars. While still generally affordable, the cost may be prohibitive for some just starting out on the instrument.

The onboard electronics, while decent, could also be improved. The preamp doesn't offer much in terms of EQ or tone shaping. The pickup and preamp deliver an acceptable plugged-in sound, but lack some warmth and nuance compared to high-end acoustic-electric classical guitars. Some users may find the electronics a bit thin or sterile sounding. Upgrading to an aftermarket pickup could help, but adds further cost.

Overall, while a well-made instrument, the electronics leave a bit to be desired. The higher price tag may also push the C1M-CE out of reach for some beginners. However, for intermediate players or those willing to invest more, the Cordoba represents a quality classical guitar with electronics. The few downsides should be weighed against the many positives this guitar provides.