Cordoba C5 CD Withouth Gig Bag Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba C5 is a nylon-string classical guitar that provides excellent sound and playability at an accessible price point. Part of Cordoba's Iberia series, it is constructed in a traditional Spanish style using quality solid Canadian cedar for the top along with mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a rich, warm, and balanced tone perfect for classical guitar repertoire. Despite its lower cost compared to premium classical guitars, the C5 maintains high standards with hand-selected materials, hybrid fan bracing, and high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. It's an ideal instrument for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable starting classical guitar that will keep sounding great even after years of practice and playing. Light in weight yet sturdy in its build, the C5 offers a comfortable playing feel in an attractive package. For those seeking an expressive, resonant classical guitar without breaking the bank, the Cordoba C5 is an excellent option to consider.

Construction

The Cordoba C5 is made with solid Canadian cedar for the top and mahogany back and sides, giving it a rich, warm, balanced tone. The build quality on the C5 is excellent, as is typical for Cordoba's guitars in this price range. The solid cedar top provides clear articulation and response while the mahogany back and sides add depth and sweetness to the sound. The matte finish gives the cedar top a silky feel and allows the top to vibrate freely. The neck is mahogany as well, joining the body at the 12th fret in a comfortable cutaway.

The binding along the neck, body, and headstock gives the C5 an elegant look and the abalone rosette around the soundhole is an attractive touch of detail. Overall the materials and construction are high quality for a guitar at this price point. The Cordoba C5 has a traditional fan bracing pattern inside which provides a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The nut width is 52mm which is comfortable for most playing styles. The machine heads are premium quality keeping the guitar in tune well. The saddle and nut are both bone giving crisp and bright tone production.

This guitar has a rich musical voice that projects pleasingly while still intimate enough for practice sessions and recording. The playability is very good right out of the box with comfortable action and easy fretting. It has the warm nylon-string sound without being boomy or muddy in the bass registers. The treble has nice presence and clarity without being harsh. Overall an excellent option in the mid-range price tier.

If you're looking for a more affordable nylon-string classical guitar, the Grote LPYS-006 is a great choice. This model has laminated construction with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck. It produces a balanced warm tone and comes at a budget-friendly price point. The Grote has a rounded neck profile that is comfortable for most hand sizes. It comes strung with nylon strings and is ready to play right out of the box.

While it doesn't have the projection and dynamic range of a solid wood classical guitar, the Grote LPYS-006 still delivers an authentic nylon-string sound. The playability is quite good for the price with comfortable action and no sharp fret ends. It stays in tune well and intonates accurately up the neck. If you're looking for an affordable entry-level classical guitar, the Grote LPYS-006 is an excellent option to consider before spending more.

Sound

The Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar produces a warm, balanced tone that is characteristic of high-quality classical guitars. The all-solid wood construction utilizing Indian rosewood back and sides paired with a Canadian cedar top allows the C5 to project sound cleanly and resonantly.

The cedar top is lightweight and responsive, providing excellent dynamics and good sustain. Cedar is known for its mellow and sweet tone, which blends nicely with the rosewood back and sides. The rosewood lends depth and richness to the overall voice of the instrument.

Together, these premium tonewoods allow the C5 to produce complex harmonics with excellent note separation. The bass notes are full-bodied without being boomy, the midrange is focused yet warm, and the treble has presence without being harsh or brittle.

Overall, the Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar offers players a very balanced and nuanced classical guitar tone. The woods are well-matched and crafted for projecting, responsive sound ideal for various classical guitar playing techniques and styles.

The Cordoba C5 has a rich, resonant tone, but there are other high-quality classical guitars to consider as well. The Ibanez PFT2NT is another excellent option with a focused, balanced sound. It features a solid Engelmann spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The tonewood combination produces clear trebles, warm mids, and full low end. The PFT2NT uses a traditional fan bracing pattern that allows the spruce top to vibrate freely. This results in excellent dynamics and responsiveness. The Ibanez has a refined tone with complexity and nuance. It excels at both fingerstyle playing and when strummed. The PFT2NT is comparable to the Cordoba C5 in terms of quality materials, construction, and resulting musicality. Both are great classical guitars that will satisfy players looking for a resonant, balanced tone.

Playability

The Cordoba C5 has an easy-playing neck and low action that make it comfortable right out of the box. The neck has a traditional C shape that fits nicely in the hand. Cordoba guitars are known for having excellent fretwork, and the C5 is no exception - the frets are smoothly finished for fluid playing all along the neck.

The action is set low at the factory, providing very comfortable playability without buzzing. Players with a light touch will appreciate this, while those who use a heavier attack may want to raise the action slightly, but overall the C5 offers great playability.

The nylon strings have a nice slinky feel and are very easy on the fingers, even during long practice sessions. The width of the neck and string spacing make complex fingering and chord changes smooth and enjoyable. All in all, the C5 provides outstanding playability and comfort that will satisfy beginning to advanced classical players.

Hardware

The C5 features quality hardware that enables smooth and stable tuning. The tuning machines are sealed chrome die-cast tuners that provide accurate and slip-free tuning. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone, which has a smooth surface that reduces string friction.

The nut width of 52mm gives comfortable room for fingering while still keeping the strings close together for easy playing. The slots are cut to the proper depth for ideal string height and buzz-free playback.

The compensated synthetic bone saddle provides precise intonation across all strings. Its curve is engineered to set each string's length and height optimally, resulting in chords and melodies that play in tune up and down the neck. This high-end bridge design enhances the C5's musicality.

Overall, the hardware components on the C5 Classical Guitar are well-made and allow for fuss-free tuning stability and intonation. Players can depend on the solid setup and quality build of these parts.

Electronics

The Cordoba C5 comes equipped with an onboard preamp and controls that allow the performer to shape and amplify their sound when playing live. The preamp system features a 3-band EQ and an adjustable notch filter to help reduce feedback. There is a volume control knob and a built-in tuner to aid in quick on-stage tuning adjustments. The preamp requires a 9V battery but can be powered with the included power supply for performances and recording situations where a battery is not practical.

The preamp system provides 25dB of clean gain with impressively low noise, allowing the C5 to be amplified while retaining the nuance and warmth of the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The 3-band EQ gives you control over bass, mid and treble ranges to adjust the amplified tone to suit different rooms or styles. The notch filter is useful for targeting and eliminating any narrow feedback frequencies when performing live on stage.

Overall, the onboard electronics allow you to amplify and shape your tone with the C5 while maintaining the true nylon-string sound that makes playing classical guitar so expressive and enjoyable. The preamp and controls are thoughtfully designed for live performance and recording applications.

Versatility

The Cordoba C5 is a remarkably versatile classical guitar that can handle a wide variety of genres and playing styles. Despite being optimized for classical and flamenco, its well-balanced tone and comfortable playability allow it to excel in other styles like folk, country, pop, rock, and more.

The C5's spruce and mahogany construction gives it a balanced and articulate voice that projects clearly when fingerpicking melodies and arpeggios. This makes it an excellent choice for classical, flamenco, folk, country, and Latin music. The nylon strings have a warm, mellow tone that works well for pop ballads and soft rock. The comfortable neck and lower string action also facilitate easy fingering up the fretboard, allowing the C5 to handle lead lines in rock, blues, and jazz. Overall, the C5 is an agile and sonically versatile classical guitar suitable for both traditional and contemporary styles of playing.

Comparable Models

The Cordoba C5 is a popular classical guitar model, but there are some other comparable options in the same price range to consider:

• Yamaha C40 - Yamaha is known for making quality classical guitars at accessible prices. The C40 has a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and a nato neck. It produces a balanced tone and is comfortable to play. The build quality is very good for the price.

• La Patrie Etude - This classical guitar from the Godin family of brands offers cedar or spruce tops with mahogany backs and sides. It has excellent reviews for its warm, balanced tone and easy playability. The craftsmanship and attention to detail stand out.

• Kremona Sofia - The Sofia model from Bulgarian company Kremona Guitars has a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. It produces a complex tone with bright treble and rich bass. The build quality and aesthetics are impressive for the price range.

• Alvarez Masterworks - Alvarez offers all solid wood construction with their Masterworks series. The MC70 model has a cedar top, rosewood back and sides, and a Spanish cedar neck. It produces a robust, nuanced sound. The tone improves even more over years of playing.

• Cordoba C7 - At the top of the Cordoba Iberia series, the C7 steps things up with solid Canadian cedar top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and mahogany neck. It produces a louder, richer sound than the C5. The premium materials and expert craftsmanship are evident.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Made of solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides for warm, balanced tone
• Nylon strings are easy on fingers for comfortable playability
• Neck feels smooth and fast for easier fingering and shifting
• Cutaway offers easy upper fret access
• Excellent intonation up the neck
• Crisp treble and rich bass tones from the combination of woods
• Mid-range voice is focused yet complex
• Ideal for various styles like classical, latin, folk, flamenco
• High-quality construction and components
• Great value for the price point

Cons

• Lacks electronics or built-in pickup for amplifying
• Not the most ornate rosette or purfling work
• Finish could be more lustrous for a fine classical
• Doesn't come with a case or bag
• Strings may take longer to break in than composite material
• Fingerboard edges are not as smoothed as premium models
• Intonation consistency could be improved on highest frets

Conclusion

Cordoba continues to produce exceptional classical guitars for beginner and intermediate players in the C5 model. It has a traditional fan bracing design paired with solid Canadian cedar and mahogany back/sides that generate a warm, balanced tone. The hand-finished satin neck provides smooth playability across the fingerboard.

While it may lack some projection and complexity compared to more expensive models, the C5 punches above its weight class. The craftsmanship and attention to detail make this an excellent choice for new classical guitarists or those on a budget.

The C5 embodies the ideal student classical guitar. It’s comfortable yet responsive, and the balanced tone rewards good technique. Cordoba packs in impressive quality considering the accessible price point. For classical guitarists looking to grow their skills without breaking the bank, the C5 is easy to recommend.