Cordoba C7-CE 04704 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba C7 is a nylon-string classical guitar that provides excellent playability and tone at an accessible price point. Cordoba Guitars was founded in 1997 in California and has become well-respected for its nylon-string instruments.

The C7 model features a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a rich, warm tone that is balanced across the tonal spectrum. The cedar top provides sweet and mellow highs, while the mahogany back and sides offer strong midrange response and clear bass notes.

Overall, the Cordoba C7 is an ideal choice for beginner to intermediate players looking for an affordable way to experience the dry, bright sound of a nylon-string classical guitar. Its high-quality materials and construction make it a step above other guitars in its price range in both sound and playability.

Construction

The Cordoba C7-CE Classical Guitar features a solid Canadian cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides. The combo of cedar and rosewood produces a guitar with excellent projection, balanced tone, and good resonance.

Cedar is a popular choice for classical guitar tops because it is lightweight and responsive. It's able to articulate the nuances of the player's technique. The thinness of the solid cedar top contributes to the comfortable playability of this guitar.

Indian rosewood is known for its rich bass and excellent sustain. It adds depth and complexity to the C7-CE's sound. The all-wood body construction allows the guitar to resonate freely, enhancing its acoustic tone.

Overall, the woods used in the C7-CE Classical Guitar are high-quality tonewoods that provide balanced articulation, depth, and resonance. This luthier-grade construction contributes to the full bodied voice and expressive response of the instrument.

The Yamaha CPX600 BL is another excellent classical guitar option worth considering. This guitar features a solid Engelmann spruce top with rosewood back and sides for a robust, balanced tone. The CPX600 BL has a narrower nut width and reduced body depth compared to a traditional classical guitar, making it comfortable for fingerstyle players.

Some key features of the Yamaha CPX600 BL include its Yamaha SRT2.0 passive piezo pickup system, which allows for natural amplified tones, and an adjustable truss rod for optimal neck relief. It has a matte finish that protects against scratches and fingerprints. The guitar comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings for excellent intonation and playability.

This Yamaha nylon string guitar provides exceptional playability, comfortable ergonomics, and versatile amplified and acoustic tones. The quality tonewoods and thoughtful design details make the CPX600 BL a great choice for guitarists looking for a high-end crossover or hybrid classical guitar. With its excellent construction and flexible features, the Yamaha CPX600 BL balances tradition and innovation.

Whether you prefer a traditional classical guitar like the Cordoba C7-CE or a comfortable crossover like the Yamaha CPX600 BL, it is important to evaluate your needs as a player. Consider the tonewood combination, body shape and size, neck width, and any built-in electronics. Testing the actual guitar is ideal before purchasing to get a sense of playability and sound. Investing in a high quality classical or nylon string acoustic guitar will provide years of musical enjoyment.

Playability

One of the most important aspects of any guitar is how it feels to play. The Cordoba C7-CE gets high marks in this category.

The neck has a comfortable 50mm nut width, which is a happy medium between being too narrow or too wide. This allows for easy fretting and chord changes. The action is set low but still has a nice buzz-free feel. Lower action makes playing easier for beginners while advanced players will appreciate the speed it allows.

The ebony fretboard is beautifully finished with nicely rounded fret ends. Bending notes and slides are smooth and comfortable. The fretwork is excellent overall with no sharp fret edges to irritate your hands during long practice sessions.

The C7-CE's excellent playability makes it a joy to play. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned player, you'll find this to be a very comfortable and playable classical guitar. Another excellent classical guitar option to consider is the Ortega Guitars RST5M. This nylon string guitar also gets high marks for its comfortable playability. It has a slightly wider nut width at 52mm which some players prefer. The action is low and comfortable right out of the box. The neck is slim with a satin finish that feels smooth during playing. The RST5M has a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a warm, balanced sound that is great for classical guitar styles. The onboard electronics allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for louder performances. Overall, the Ortega RST5M is another excellent choice in this price range if you are looking for great playability and warm classical guitar tone.

Tone

The C7-CE produces a warm, balanced tone with good projection and volume thanks to its solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The cedar top provides a sweet, singing treble, while the mahogany adds warmth and resonance to the midrange and bass.

This guitar sounds fantastic across all registers. The treble strings have clarity and brightness without being harsh or tinny. The midrange is focused and articulate. The basses have enough punch and boom without being muddy or overpowering. Notes up and down the fretboard have a balanced tonal character.

The lightweight construction helps the C7-CE deliver a responsive and lively tone. It's very resonant and sustaining, with excellent note separation even during complex passages. The tone remains balanced whether playing delicate fingerstyle or aggressively strummed chords. Overall, the C7-CE offers professional-grade sound quality at an affordable price point.

Hardware

The Cordoba C7-CE comes equipped with quality hardware that enables stable tuning and comfortable playability.

The tuning machines are gold open-gear tuners with pearloid buttons. They provide precise and accurate tuning that holds well once the strings are brought to pitch. The tuners turn smoothly without any binding.

The nut and saddle are both made from Tusq, an artificial bone material known for resonance and durability. The nut helps the strings transition cleanly from the headstock to the fretboard, while the saddle transfers string vibrations into the top of the guitar for full sound projection. Both nut and saddle are cut for proper string spacing and action height.

Overall, the hardware components on the C7-CE are thoughtfully designed and well-made. They contribute to this guitar's reliability and musicality. The tuners, nut and saddle work together seamlessly to help deliver excellent tone and playability.

Electronics

The Córdoba C7-CE features a Fishman Isys preamp and tuner combo. This lightweight and compact system is discreetly mounted inside the guitar for clean looks.

The preamp has tone and volume controls. There's also a 3-band EQ for adjusting bass, middle and treble frequencies. This allows shaping the amplified sound to your preference. The 2-band mid scoop is useful for cutting through the mix when performing live.

An onboard tuner is very handy for quick tuning between songs without needing a separate tuner. The tuner toggle and display are located on the side of the guitar. It uses advanced Piezo sensing for accurate tuning.

The preamp runs on a 9V battery so no cables are needed. Battery life is approximately 100 hours. The preamp only engages when plugged in, so unplugged acoustic tone is unaffected.

Overall the electronics offer versatility for plugging in without altering the guitar's great unplugged sound. The discreet preamp maintains a traditional aesthetic.

Comfort

The Cordoba C7-CE has a very comfortable feel and is lightweight for a classical guitar. The traditional fan bracing and spruce top help keep the weight down to just under 3 lbs, making it easy on the shoulders during long practice sessions or performances.

The body shape features Cordoba's signature asymmetrical design with a slightly narrower lower bout that contours nicely to the player's body. This allows for a more natural left hand position and accessibility up the neck. The smooth cutaway provides unfettered access to the upper frets as well.

The neck has a fast, slim profile that makes it easy to play for those with smaller hands. The satin finish also promotes smooth, fast playing by reducing friction against the hands. The lightweight build and ergonomic body shape provide excellent balance as well, with the guitar feeling very stable and secure whether playing seated or standing.

Overall, the C7-CE's lightweight construction, contoured body shape, fast neck profile, and excellent balance make it a very comfortable classical guitar suitable for extended playing time. The ergonomic design helps reduce fatigue and allows players to concentrate on the music.

Value

The Cordoba C7-CE offers exceptional value for its price point. This nylon-string classical guitar is handmade in Spain and utilizes high-quality solid Canadian cedar for the top, mahogany back and sides, and a Honduran mahogany neck.

Despite its traditional construction using premium tonewoods, the C7-CE manages to keep costs down with its laminated cypress back and sides. This allows Cordoba to offer the crisp, bright tone of cedar tops and the balanced, rich voice of mahogany for under $500.

Considering the all-solid wood construction found on classical guitars in the $1000+ range, the combination of select solid woods with high-quality laminate makes the C7-CE a remarkable value. The hybrid build provides pro-level tone and playability at a price that working musicians and advancing students can afford.

While not the most budget-friendly nylon-string on the market, the C7-CE punches far above its weight at this price point. It's an ideal classical guitar for those looking to upgrade from a laminate learning instrument to a handmade solid top guitar capable of studio-quality recording and performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Solid cedar top produces warm, balanced tone
• Mahogany back and sides offer deep bass and crisp trebles
• Easy to play slim neck with comfortable feel
• Electronics allow plugging in for live performance
• Excellent value and build quality for the price

Cons:

• Not as loud as spruce top guitars
• Electronics could be improved, prone to feedback at high volumes
• Lack of cutaway limits upper fret access
• May not satisfy players looking for extremely bright sound

Overall, the Cordoba C7-CE combines high-end features like a solid cedar top and electronics in an accessible package. It punches above its price range in terms of tone, playability and aesthetics. A versatile classical guitar suitable for various styles and ability levels.

Verdict

Overall, the Cordoba C7 CE is an excellent option for players looking for a nylon-string classical guitar with built-in electronics. It's exceptionally well-made from quality tonewoods that produce a balanced, nuanced sound. The neck is comfortable and easy to play, with the wider string spacing that classical guitarists expect. The onboard electronics effectively amplify the guitar's natural acoustic tone.

The Cordoba C7 CE punches above its price point in terms of craftsmanship, components, and musicality. There are more affordable classical-electric models available, but they don't match the C7 CE's premium appointments and refined audio. Players who want an affordable nylon-string guitar suitable for performing plugged-in should definitely consider the Cordoba C7 CE. It's an impressive guitar for the money.

Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars