Classical Guitar Cordoba C9 Review

Overview

The Cordoba C9 is a nylon-string classical guitar with a crossover design that combines traditional construction with modern electronics and hardware. This allows it to work well for both classical and contemporary styles.

Cordoba guitars are made in Spain and aim to capture a traditional Spanish guitar sound and feel. The C9 has the typical hourglass body shape with fan bracing that you expect from a classical guitar. It features a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides.

What makes the C9 a crossover model is the addition of a dual-source pickup system coupled with a 3-band EQ. This allows you to amplify the guitar and shape your tone. It also has a cutaway for easier access to upper frets.

The C9 aims to deliver the warmth and nuance of a classical guitar, combined with just enough modern features for amplified playing. This makes it a versatile option suitable for nylon-string purists as well as players who want to explore classical technique on an electric-acoustic hybrid.

Construction

The Cordoba C9 features solid wood construction using top quality tonewoods. The top is made from solid Canadian cedar which provides excellent resonance and crisp treble tones.

The sides and back utilize solid mahogany which adds warmth, clarity, and balanced midrange frequencies. Overall the combination of solid cedar and mahogany produces a rich, full-bodied sound with nice articulation and definition across the tonal spectrum.

The all-solid-wood construction results in an instrument that is lightweight yet durable. It's built to withstand changes in humidity and temperature while retaining the original tone. The solid woods allow the guitar to vibrate and resonate freely, projecting sound with excellent volume and sustain.

High quality tonewoods like cedar and mahogany are essential for producing the rich, complex sound that classical guitars are known for. The wood type affects every aspect of the sound, from the attack and decay to the harmonics and overtones. Solid wood construction allows the guitar to resonate fully and project the nuances of the tonewoods.

Many budget classical guitars use laminate woods or plywood. While more affordable, these materials don't resonate as freely or produce as complex tones. They tend to sound duller and less responsive. For discerning classical players, all solid wood construction is a must.

The Cordoba C9 uses traditional Spanish fan bracing to provide strength and rigidity to the thin solid wood top. This allows the top to vibrate freely while maintaining structural integrity. The bracing pattern is carefully designed and carved to maximize resonance while avoiding dead spots.

High end classical guitars may use alternative bracing patterns like lattice bracing. But Spanish fan bracing remains popular for its balance of strength and vibration. When combined with solid Canadian cedar, it helps the C9 sing with excellent clarity and projection.

The bridge utilizes rosewood which is a dense, hardwood that transfers string vibrations efficiently. This allows the top to vibrate as freely as possible. Rosewood is a traditional material prized for its acoustic properties.

The nut and saddle are both made of bone which is preferred for its organic warmth. Plastic materials can sound harsh and sterile in comparison. The bone nut and saddle integrate seamlessly into the all wood construction.

Overall the use of premium solid tonewoods, traditional Spanish bracing, and natural materials like bone results in an responsive, organic instrument with the singing tone expected from a high quality classical guitar.

For those seeking an affordable classical guitar with professional grade construction, check out the Pyle PEAG99.9. It features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides. The fan bracing and bone nut/saddle provide excellent resonance and articulation. While not at the same level as the Cordoba C9, the Pyle PEAG99.9 delivers impressive value in its price range.

Sound

The Cordoba C9 produces a warm, resonant tone that projects well. The all-solid wood construction helps produce a full-bodied sound across the frequency spectrum, from the rich lower registers to the bright treble notes.

The cedar top is responsive and articulate, allowing nuances in your playing to come through clearly. Mahogany back and sides add depth and sweetness to the overall tone. There is a nice sustain too, with notes ringing out cleanly.

Volume-wise, the C9 has no trouble filling a room. It has enough projection to play for small audiences while retaining an intimate, organic quality. The sound is nicely balanced without being overly bright or boomy. Fingerstyle and strumming are both well served by the C9's dynamic range and tonal palette.

Overall, the Cordoba C9 delivers a refined yet organic Spanish guitar voice. From soulful progressions to upbeat rhythms, the warm and nuanced sound pairs nicely with many musical styles. Players looking for a nylon-string with excellent presence and balanced tone will enjoy the C9.

The Yamaha CG122MCH is another excellent classical guitar to consider. With a solid Engelmann spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard, the CG122MCH produces a rich, resonant tone. The matte finish helps project the sound outward, resulting in impressive volume and sustain. Treble notes ring brightly, while the mahogany boosts the midrange and bass. This guitar offers a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The playability is also noteworthy, with a comfortable neck profile and smooth frets facilitating intricate fingering. The CG122MCH represents a quality classical model from Yamaha's acclaimed C series. Players who want an affordable nylon-string guitar with professional-grade materials and tone will appreciate this instrument. Check out the Yamaha CG122MCH for another great option in this price range.

Playability

The Cordoba C9 has a very comfortable and playable feel thanks to its high quality construction. The neck is made from mahogany which provides a smooth surface for fast playing. Cordoba guitars are known for their comfortable neck profiles that feel great in the hand.

The action on this guitar is also set up very well from the factory. The strings sit close to the frets while still having enough clearance to avoid buzzing. This makes chords and scales very comfortable to play, even for long practice sessions. The action is low but still has enough height to accommodate aggressive strumming styles.

Overall, the playability of the C9 is one of its strongest assets. The smooth neck and comfortable action give you the feeling of playing a high-end instrument without the steep price tag. It's easy to get lost in practice sessions because this guitar feels so natural to play.

Electronics

The Cordoba C9 Crossover comes equipped with the L.R. Baggs Isys T electronics system, which gives it excellent amplified sound for live performances or recording situations. This is an under-saddle piezo pickup system that accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone and nuances.

The Isys T system has a built-in tuner and EQ controls for adjusting bass and treble response. There is also a phase switch, which helps reduce feedback at higher volumes. The preamp has a discrete design for pure, clean amplification that doesn't color the original acoustic tone.

Overall, the electronics package on the C9 Crossover is high-quality and versatile for amplified applications. The under-saddle pickup combined with the Isys T preamp provides a very accurate and balanced amplified tone without excessive EQing needed. This makes the C9 a great choice for gigging musicians or recording in the studio.

Hardware

The Cordoba C9 Crossover Nylon String Guitar features high-quality hardware that complements its excellent craftsmanship and beautiful appearance.

It utilizes gold tuners that provide precise and smooth tuning functionality. The gold color matches nicely with the guitar's aesthetic. The tuners turn effortlessly and hold tune very reliably, even during vigorous playing sessions.

The nut and bridge are both constructed from solid rosewood. Rosewood is known for its hardness and ability to transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body. This enhances the guitar's resonance, sustain and tone. The material also matches the fretboard and ties in aesthetically with the rosette and purfling.

Overall, the hardware components on the C9 are durable and have been carefully chosen to optimize the guitar's sound, playability and visual styling. The gold tuners and rosewood parts create an elegant look while also serving important functional purposes.

Appearance

The Cordoba C9 has a thin matte finish that gives it an elegant and refined look. The rosette around the soundhole has a subtle and delicate design, adding to the guitar's visual appeal.

The matte finish prevents reflections under stage lighting, making the C9 a good choice for performers. It also gives the guitar a smooth, satin feel that is comfortable against the player's body.

Some guitarists may prefer a glossier finish, but the matte texture suits the C9's aim of merging classical and steel-string aesthetics. It provides an understated elegance befitting a nylon-string guitar, while having a modern, stripped-back look.

Overall, the C9 has an attractive and stylish appearance, with little ornamentation beyond the rosette. This allows the figured mahogany back and sides to stand out as the most eye-catching visual feature.

Price

The Cordoba C9 crossover is priced in the mid-range for a nylon-string guitar with electronics, coming in around $500-600 USD. This positions it as an accessible option for guitarists looking to invest in a quality classical crossover instrument without spending over $1,000. While not cheap, the Cordoba C9 offers good value considering its solid top construction and onboard EQ electronics. For players on a stricter budget, Cordoba does offer more affordable classical and nylon-string models without electronics. However, the C9 hits a nice sweet spot between price and features for a versatile nylon-string electro-acoustic.

Pros

The Cordoba C9 Crossover features high-quality materials and electronics that produce warm, rich tones. The all-solid Rosewood back and sides paired with the solid Canadian cedar top generate a full-bodied and nuanced acoustic sound. The LR Baggs Anthem pickup and preamp system captures the C9's natural resonance with clarity and presence. Users praise the rounded bass, articulate mids, and sparkling highs from this crossover classical guitar. The EQ controls allow shaping the amplified tone, maintaining the C9's balanced voice. Whether unplugged or amplified, the C9 rewards players with a lush, warm, and highly resonant acoustic guitar tone.

Cons

The C9's preamp and pickup can be prone to feedback at high volumes. The undersaddle piezo pickup and 3-band EQ preamp provide plug-and-play flexibility, allowing you to plug into an amp or PA system. However, some owners report issues with feedback and excess bass when playing at higher volumes, likely due to the piezo pickup being very sensitive to vibrations. This can result in an amplified booming or buzzing sound emanating from the guitar. The use of a feedback destroyer/suppressor pedal could help tame some of the feedback. It's also worth noting that feedback is a common challenge with many acoustic-electric guitars, not limited to just the C9. Finding the right balance of EQ settings while also using proper mic technique can go a long way in managing feedback. So some tweaking may be required if you intend to play the C9 live at louder volumes.