The Cordoba CP100 is an entry level classical guitar pack designed to provide everything a beginner needs to start playing classical guitar. This convenient bundle from Cordoba includes a Cordoba CP100 spruce top classical guitar, gig bag, tuner, strings, picks, polishing cloth, and instructional DVD.

The CP100 guitar features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, providing a balanced tone across the frequency spectrum. The nylon strings and wider fingerboard of a classical guitar facilitate playing with the correct right hand technique. The guitar comes in a natural satin finish.

This pack makes an excellent choice as a first classical guitar outfit. The included accessories ensure new players have all the gear they need in one purchase. The Cordoba brand is known for making high quality classical and nylon string guitars across a range of price points. Let's take a more in-depth look at what this guitar and bundle have to offer.

Construction

The Cordoba CP100 classical guitar features a solid spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. The combination of spruce and mahogany is a traditional tonewood pairing used in classical guitars that provides a balanced sound.

The spruce top is known for its clear, bright, and responsive tone that projects the treble notes well. Spruce is a popular choice due to its lightweight yet strong properties that allow the top to freely vibrate and produce a full sound. The solid spruce top used on the CP100 contributes to its nice volume and sustained notes.

Mahogany lends a warm, rounded quality to the midrange tones. The mahogany back and sides add depth and richness that balances well with the crisp treble from the spruce top. Together, these tonewoods deliver the quintessential classical guitar voice.

The neck is also made from mahogany and is joined to the body in a dovetail joint for stability and efficient energy transfer. Overall, the all-wood construction provides quality materials capable of maturing well over time.

Another excellent classical guitar option to consider is the Mantic M01DCESB. This model features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, resulting in a warm and balanced tone. The cedar top provides excellent resonance and dynamics while the mahogany adds richness and depth. Together they create a very responsive and expressive classical guitar voice.

Some additional specs on the Mantic M01DCESB include a mahogany neck with ebony fretboard and bridge. It has a traditional fan bracing pattern under the top to allow it to vibrate freely. The body binding and rosette are made from high quality materials that give it an elegant look. It comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high tension strings for optimal sound. The Mantic has a full and nuanced tone that makes it great for various classical guitar techniques and repertoire.

When it comes to construction, the Mantic M01DCESB is meticulously handcrafted using traditional methods. It features dovetail neck joints and high quality tonewoods that are lightweight yet strong. The wood is specially selected and aged to allow the guitar to mature well over time. The attention to detail and craftsmanship result in excellent playability right out of the box.

Many reviewers praise the Mantic M01DCESB for its big, complex tone that belies its accessible price point. It punches above its weight when compared to more expensive handmade classical guitars. Players note its ability to convey emotion and dynamics beautifully. The crisp and clear treble pairs nicely with the warm midrange. It's capable of both intimate musicality as well as projecting in a performance setting.

The Mantic M01DCESB represents an excellent value at its price point. For guitarists looking for an affordable handmade classical guitar that can hold its own against pricier models, the Mantic M01DCESB is worth checking out. Its quality materials, construction and lovely sound make it a great option for new and advancing classical guitarists. If you're exploring classical guitars, be sure to audition the Mantic M01DCESB to hear its excellent tone and playability.

Sound Quality

The CP100 produces a warm, balanced tone that is pleasing to the ear. Though not a full-sized classical guitar, the smaller body size provides good volume and projection. The spruce and mahogany construction gives a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum, with clear and resonant treble notes as well as robust bass tones.

The smooth satin finish on the CP100 also contributes to its overall balanced resonance. With no thick glossy finish to inhibit vibration, the wood is able to resonate freely for an open sound. The end result is a classical guitar that produces a mature, nuanced tone belying its entry-level price point.

While it won't have the complex overtones of an expensive hand-made classical guitar, the CP100's sound quality exceeds expectations for a beginner's instrument. The warm, balanced tone makes this a very versatile choice for various music genres beyond just classical. If you're looking for an affordable classical guitar with impressive sound for the price, be sure to check out the Pyle PGACLS82BLU. This model also provides a rich, resonant sound at a budget-friendly cost.

The spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a robust, well-balanced tone. The nylon strings have a mellow sound perfect for classical playing. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate easy fingering and clear note definition. Like the CP100, the Pyle PGACLS82BLU punches above its weight class sonically.

While it may lack some projection compared to a full-size instrument, the Pyle offers surprising volume thanks to its resonant construction. The tone remains clear and balanced across the tonal range. For an inexpensive classical guitar, it has an impressive tonal palette capable of nuanced dynamic expression.

The Pyle PGACLS82BLU proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get excellent classical guitar sound. Players say it has a mature, richer tone than expected for such an affordable instrument. The quality materials and construction allow the sound to bloom and the guitar to sing.

If you're interested in exploring the world of classical guitar, the PGACLS82BLU is a great choice that won't break the bank. It gives you the ability to create beautiful classical tones and start developing technique on a great-sounding instrument. The value offered makes this classical guitar from Pyle hard to beat.

Playability

The CP100 features nylon strings and a 2" nut width, which provides a comfortable playing experience whether standing up or seated. The wider neck and softer nylon strings make it easy to press down and fret notes, even for beginners getting started on a classical guitar. Though the action may be a bit high out of the box, it can be adjusted to suit your playing style. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows your hand to easily glide up and down. Overall, the CP100 provides a very playable classical guitar platform for practice and performance. The ergonomic design and accessible neck make this a great choice for new players, younger musicians, or anyone looking for a comfortable nylon-string guitar that's enjoyable to play.

Hardware

The Cordoba CP100 comes equipped with chrome tuners and a tortoise pickguard that adds to its visual appeal. It has a raised fretboard which makes playing easier, allowing more room for fingers between the strings and fretboard.

The chrome tuners keep the guitar in tune well and are an upgrade from cheaper tuners found on beginner guitars. While the tuners work smoothly for regular tuning adjustments, the knobs themselves are a bit small and can be difficult to grip for those with larger fingers. Still, they get the job done and hold tuning reliably.

The tortoise pickguard not only looks nice against the spruce top, but also protects the guitar body from pick scratches. It's made from quality materials and blends in nicely with the natural wood aesthetic.

The raised fretboard, also called a fingerboard radius, contours the width and curvature of the neck for ergonomic playing. This allows more space between the strings and frets, reducing hand fatigue. The fret ends are smoothly finished as well. Overall, the radiused fretboard offers very comfortable playability.

Accessories

The CP100 comes with several useful accessories to help you get started playing classical guitar.

• Gig bag: The included padded gig bag protects the guitar when transporting it from place to place. The bag features backpack straps, making it easy to carry.

• Clip-on tuner: A clip-on tuner attaches to the headstock of the guitar for quick and accurate tuning. No need for a separate tuner.

• Strings: A new set of nylon classical guitar strings are included, so you can start playing right out of the box. The strings are a quality composite material.

• Picks: Cordoba includes a variety of guitar picks to suit different playing styles and techniques. Both thin and thick picks are provided.

The handy accessories let you focus on playing instead of worrying about buying additional gear. Everything needed to start learning classical guitar comes in one convenient bundle.

Pros

One of the main pros of the Cordoba CP100 is the quality of materials you get for the price. With a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides, the CP100 delivers a warm, balanced tone that stands out compared to other beginner classical guitars.

The CP100 also provides good sound projection and sustain. While not as loud as a high-end classical guitar, it has enough volume and resonance to practice and perform with. The nylon strings deliver a bright, crisp sound.

Another pro is the CP100's playability. The neck has a comfortable C-shape that allows easy fretting, even for beginners with smaller hands. The shorter scale length reduces string tension, making it easier for new players to press down the strings. The low action facilitates clean fretting without buzzing. Overall, the CP100 is designed for new classical guitarists to get started and progress.

Cons

The Cordoba CP100 has a few downsides to consider. Some users note that the electronics and preamp could be higher quality and have a tendency to buzz or hum. As this is an entry-level classical guitar, the fit and finish is not as perfect as more expensive models. Some buyers mention issues like rough fret ends or cosmetic imperfections.

The onboard electronics, while functional, are basic and may not satisfy more advanced players looking for nuanced tone shaping. The pickup and preamp add cost but don't quite deliver pro-level performance.

The hardware is also on the lower end of the quality spectrum. The tuners in particular may not hold tuning as precisely as higher-end options. The nut and bridge material, while serviceable, leaves room for improvement on a future upgrade.

For a beginning student, these cons may not be dealbreakers. But intermediate players may want to consider spending a bit more to get electronics, hardware, and fit/finish that are more refined. The CP100 hits a low price point by cutting some corners in parts and construction.

Comparable Options

The Cordoba CP100 classical guitar is a good beginner guitar, but there are other options in a similar price range worth considering as well.

Yamaha C40

The Yamaha C40 is another top beginner classical guitar choice. It features a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and nato neck. The tonewood combination produces a balanced sound with good projection. The shorter scale length makes it an easy guitar for smaller hands to navigate. The matte finish gives it an elegant look. Overall it provides great bang for your buck if you're just starting out learning classical guitar.

Ibanez GA5TCE

For those wanting an electro-acoustic classical guitar, the Ibanez GA5TCE is an affordable option under $300. It has a smaller body size, making it comfortable for smaller players. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a rich classical guitar sound. The onboard tuner and EQ give you control over your amplified tone. The GA5TCE delivers versatile plugged-in and unplugged potential.

Summary

The Cordoba CP100 is a good value classical guitar pack for beginners and students looking to get started with nylon-string guitars. While it may not have the refined construction of more expensive models, it delivers on providing an affordable and playable instrument.

The spruce and mahogany body produces a balanced tone suitable for various styles and techniques. The neck feels smooth and allows comfortable fingering of notes up the fretboard. The hardware is functional, if unremarkable, and allows proper tuning and intonation.

While the quality control could be better, and the included accessories are very basic, the CP100 offers a lot for the low price point. With proper setup and light upgrades over time, it can serve as a solid foundational instrument. Students with restrictive budgets should give the CP100 strong consideration.

More advanced players will want to opt for a classical guitar with higher grade woods and craftsmanship. But for kicking off one's nylon-string guitar journey, the Cordoba CP100 is a decent option worth checking out. It hits the standards for an inexpensive starter model - just don't expect it to blow you away.