Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 Classical Guitar: Full Review

Cordoba is a respected brand in the world of classical and nylon string acoustic guitars. Based in California, Cordoba draws inspiration from traditional Spanish guitar making to create their instruments.

The Cordoba Requinto is part of their handmade Luthier series. It's a requinto body guitar, which is slightly smaller than a standard classical guitar. The scale length is just under 19 inches, making it easy and comfortable to play. This also gives the Requinto a bright, focused tone thanks to the smaller body size.

This model combines modern construction techniques with elements of Old World craftsmanship. It delivers the resonant, balanced sound that Cordoba guitars are known for. The Requinto is an excellent choice for guitarists looking for a high quality nylon string guitar in a requinto size.

Construction

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 classical guitar is built with a solid cedar top. Cedar is a popular choice for classical guitars because it produces a warm, bright, and balanced tone. The back and sides are made of mahogany, which gives it a rich, deep sound.

The build quality on this Cordoba guitar is excellent. The pieces of wood are finely crafted and expertly joined together. The bracing inside is scalloped and carved by hand for optimal strength and resonance. The neck is attached securely for stability and sustain. The nut and saddle are made of bone, providing crisp note definition.

Overall, the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 features high-quality solid wood construction with intricate Spanish details. This guitar is precision built to last while delivering impressive acoustic tone. The combination of tonewoods produces a versatile classical guitar ideal for practicing, performing, and recording.

Another excellent classical guitar to consider is the Yamaha CG192C. This model features a solid Engelmann spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. The Yamaha CG192C produces a rich, complex tone perfect for the classical repertoire. It has a comfortable neck profile and narrower string spacing preferred by many classical players. The matte finish is durable yet aesthetically pleasing. Overall, the Yamaha CG192C is a fantastic choice for intermediate to advanced classical guitarists looking for great playability and tone at an affordable price point. For more details, check out this review of the Yamaha CG192C.

When comparing the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 and Yamaha CG192C, they are both well-constructed and great sounding classical guitars. The Cordoba may have a slight edge in craftsmanship and attention to detail. It produces a balanced, nuanced tone. Meanwhile, the Yamaha offers incredible quality and performance for the money. Its tone is focused and clear. Either model would suit most players' needs. Trying them in person is recommended to determine which classical guitar is the best personal fit based on feel, sound, and budget.

High-end classical guitars require intricate hand craftsmanship to optimize their acoustic properties. Master luthiers carefully select and carve the wood pieces to allow the top to vibrate freely. They also brace the inside to provide strength and tailor the resonance. Necks must be straight and stable to facilitate proper technique. Nut and saddle materials like bone or ivory promote note clarity. Overall, every detail of a classical guitar's construction impacts its tone and playability.

Sound

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 creates a rich, mellow tone that has made requinto guitars so popular. The all-mahogany construction provides a warm, resonant sound that is nicely balanced across the tonal spectrum. The mahogany back and sides offer plenty of bass and low-midrange punch, while the cedar top provides sweet and open highs.

Volume-wise, this requinto guitar projects very nicely for its small size. The responsive cedar top allows the GUCLCOR-02684 to be played with a sensitive touch while still producing enough volume for practice or performing in an intimate setting. Even when strummed forcefully, the guitar remains clear and focused instead of getting too boomy.

The mahogany and cedar tonewood combination also gives this requinto excellent sustain. Both woods are known for their resonant properties, allowing notes to really ring out. This adds impact and expression to melodies, riffs, and chordal playing. The guitar's smaller scale length also lends itself well to long, singing notes across multiple strings.

When it comes to sound quality, the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 punches above its weight. Despite its small size and affordable price point, this requinto guitar delivers a surprisingly full, nuanced voice. The all-wood construction and premium tonewoods give the GUCLCOR-02684 a maturity beyond other entry-level requintos. From the first strum, this little guitar immediately rewards the player with rich, complex tones.

For guitarists looking to add a requinto's sweet, nylon-string voice to their collection without a big investment, the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 is an excellent option. It captures the essence of the requinto guitar's inviting sound in an accessible, high-value package. Paired with a full-size classical guitar, this requinto is a great tool for expanding your nylon-string tone palette without breaking the bank. It's an easy way to open up new possibilities for classical and Latin acoustic playing.

If you want to explore the requinto but need a more affordable model, be sure to check out the Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX. This beginner requinto guitar from Fender's Aus series offers great quality and playability for the price. It features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, producing balanced tone and good volume. The slim neck profile is comfortable for smaller hands. And the Aus series attention to detail and craftsmanship ensure this budget model still looks, plays, and sounds like a proper classical guitar. For an easy entry point into the world of requintos, the Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX is an excellent choice to consider.

Playability

The Cordoba Requinto's playability is defined by its comfortable neck width, low string action, and quality fretboard.

The neck has a width of 50mm which is considered a "classical width" that many players find comfortable and accessible. Wider necks can feel too large for smaller hands while narrower necks don't provide enough room between strings. The 50mm width hits the sweet spot for most classical guitarists.

The action, referring to the distance between the strings and fretboard, is set low from the factory. Lower action makes pressing the strings down easier on the left hand fingers. Beginners in particular benefit from low action when building finger dexterity and strength. The action here has just enough room for the strings to vibrate clearly.

The fretboard itself is made of rosewood which is an attractive, high-end wood. It has a smooth feel that enables effortless shifting up and down the neck. The fretwork from the 1st to 12th frets is cleanly cut and carefully crowned for comfort. Overall the neck and fretboard combine to offer a very playable classical guitar experience.

Hardware

One of the standout features of the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 is its high-quality hardware that enhances the guitar's design, playability, and overall quality.

Tuners

The Cordoba comes equipped with Cordoba's own Savarez Cristal Corum high-precision machine heads. These are not just functional tuners, but works of art in their own right, with a beautiful and unique floral engraving pattern. The gold tuners coordinate elegantly with the guitar's rosette and other gold accents. More importantly, they do an excellent job of keeping the guitar in tune through changes in humidity and temperature. The gears turn smoothly and allow for accurate and sensitive tuning.

Bridge

Complementing the tuners is an Indian rosewood bridge with clean, modern lines. The bridge transfers strings vibrations efficiently for optimized tone and volume. The bone saddle provides a dense yet responsive material that brings out the best in the guitar's sound. Its uncompensated design maintains the guitar's intended tone. Overall, the bridge is perfectly matched to the guitar's construction and musical voice.

Electronics

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 is an entirely acoustic classical guitar, so it does not have any electronic components such as built-in pickups or preamps. This gives the guitar a very traditional, pure acoustic sound without any electronic coloring or effects.

Some players may desire electronics to amplify the guitar in certain live or recording situations. However, purists often prefer the unadulterated acoustic tone of a guitar like the Cordoba. The lack of electronics also eliminates some potential points of failure and allows the top to vibrate as freely as possible.

Overall, the electronics, or lack thereof, are typical for a high-quality classical guitar in this price range. Those wanting to amplify the sound can easily add an external pickup or microphone. But players looking for that classic nylon-string acoustic tone will appreciate the Cordoba's traditional design.

Aesthetics

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 has a traditional yet elegant flamenco style with ornate detailing that gives it visual flair. The all-solid wood construction lends an organic, natural aesthetic.

It comes in a high gloss polyurethane finish that enhances the striking two-tone look, with the spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides providing light and dark contrasts. The striking rosette around the soundhole has multi-layered black and white acrylic rings, bordered by thin wood rings.

The bridge has a traditional tie block design with geometric pyramid motifs. The fretboard and headstock have attractive ebony wood bindings with mother of pearl mosaic fretboard inlays. The gold tuners and cream binding add to the ornate detailing. Overall, the aesthetics capture the passion and artistry of flamenco in a gracefully constructed classical guitar.

Who It's For

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 is ideal for classical and acoustic guitar players looking for a high-quality nylon string guitar with a warm, rich sound.

It's an excellent choice for:

• Beginner and intermediate players - The Cordoba offers great playability and a comfortable neck that makes it easy to learn on. The wider string spacing is also ideal for those with larger hands or those still developing finger dexterity.

• Classical guitarists - With its traditional fan bracing, nylon strings, and Spanish-inspired design, the Cordoba delivers the warm, round tone suited for classical repertoire. It's a great option for students progressing beyond a beginner instrument.

• Fingerstyle players - The balanced and articulate sound of the Cordoba allows for clear note separation when playing fingerstyle. Dynamic range across the strings makes it easy to control volume and expression.

• Gigging musicians - Despite its lower price point, the Cordoba offers the projection and quality to hold its own for live performances. The onboard electronics also make it stage-ready.

With its accessible price point and appealing tone, the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684 is a great choice for a wide range of developing nylon string players ready to invest in a quality instrument.

Pros & Cons

Positives

• The Cordoba CUCLCOR-02684 is an excellent choice for a classical guitar with bright, warm tones at an accessible price point.

• The solid spruce top helps produce a rich, resonant sound expected from a higher-end instrument. The mahogany back and sides also add warmth and clarity to the tone.

• This guitar features a comfortable neck that is easy to play, even for long practice sessions. The action and playability make it a great choice for students.

• Lightweight construction makes this an ideal guitar for travel or carrying to lessons and performances.

• Attractive, high-gloss finish gives this guitar a polished aesthetic that looks great on stage.

• Comes with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings installed for optimal sound.

Negatives

• While well-constructed, some buyers felt the hardware and fittings were lower quality than expected at this price point.

• The guitar may require a professional setup and adjustments out of the box for best playability.

• The thinner body means it lacks some of the robust bass tones of other classical guitars. The sound favors brightness over depth.

• Does not come with a case or other accessories besides the strings. Must purchase separately.

• Only available in one color and finish option. Those wanting more visual customization will need to look elsewhere.

Verdict

The Cordoba Requinto R580-CE is a beautiful instrument that offers a lovely, rounded tone thanks to its solid European spruce top paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. It's comfortable to play, with its narrower neck width and shorter scale length that's tailored to requinto playing. The Fishman Prefix Plus pickups and preamp provide flexibility to plug in for amplification as needed.

This guitar is best suited to nylon-string requinto enthusiasts looking for a high-quality instrument with classic requinto proportions. The soft tone and smooth playability make it a delight to play for fingerstyle requinto techniques. While it's on the higher end of Cordoba's price range, the quality craftsmanship and gorgeous sound justify the investment for dedicated players.

The Cordoba Requinto R580-CE would make an excellent choice for requinto players looking to upgrade to a lifetime instrument. It provides beautiful requinto tone and playability in an expertly crafted package.