Cordoba GUCLCOR-02819 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba Cadete is an entry-level classical nylon-string guitar aimed at students and beginners. As part of Cordoba's Cadete series, it offers a high-quality handmade instrument with a focused, resonant tone at an accessible price point.

This model features a European spruce top and mahogany back and sides in a comfortable 7/8 size body. The smaller body size makes it ideal for younger players or those with smaller frames. The satin finish gives it an elegant, understated look.

Overall, the Cordoba Cadete Classical delivers warm, balanced sound in an easy-to-play package for new classical guitarists. Its smaller size sets it apart, making it a smart choice for children, teens, or small-statured adults looking to learn on a quality beginner classical guitar.

Construction

The Cordoba Cadete is constructed with a solid Canadian cedar top paired with mahogany back and sides. This combination produces a warm, balanced tone that is characteristic of classical guitars.

The top is made from solid cedar which provides a mellow and sweet tone. Cedar is a common wood choice for classical guitars as it offers an articulate and nuanced sound.

The back and sides are mahogany, which adds depth and richness to the overall voice of the instrument. Mahogany is known for its mid-range focus. This adds body to the typically bright sound of a cedar top.

The neck is also mahogany which complements the tonal qualities of the back and side wood. Mahogany necks offer stability and sustain.

Overall, the all-wood construction of the Cadete revolves around the pairing of cedar and mahogany. This pairing creates an instrument with complex overtones, great resonance, and an expansive tonal palette. The traditional tonewoods produce a versatile guitar suitable for various classical guitar techniques and repertoire.

The construction of a classical guitar like the Cordoba Cadete is very intricate and requires great attention to detail. Master luthiers carefully handcraft each instrument to achieve optimal sound and playability. From the choice of woods to the bracing patterns and finishing touches, every element impacts the final product. This meticulous approach results in a finely crafted instrument capable of outstanding musical expression. While machined manufacturing allows for greater affordability and access, the artistry of handmade classical guitars is unparalleled.

In contrast, the Ibanez RGD61ALETMGM has a very modern and innovative construction geared towards electric guitar playing. This model features a mahogany body with a flamed maple top for a striking visual aesthetic. The slim, fast neck is made of 5-piece maple and walnut for maximum stability and contoured for ease of playing. It uses a 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge for radical, dive-bombing effects. The pickups are active humbuckers made for high-gain metal tones. Everything about this Ibanez model from the materials to the design cater to modern electric guitar performance.

While the Cordoba relies on traditional principles of acoustic lutherie, the Ibanez leverages contemporary electric guitar engineering. Each instrument fulfills a different musical role and style. The Cordoba aims for nuanced classical tones relying on delicate wood resonance while the Ibanez pursues bold electric tones with active electronics. Both represent quality craftsmanship yet for wholly separate playing experiences. Choosing between them depends on your musical goals and preferences. For classical repertoire or mellow acoustic playing, the Cordoba Cadete creates an optimal experience. For aggressive and effects-heavy electric styles, the Ibanez RGD61ALETMGM stands out as an exceptional choice.

You can learn more details about the Ibanez RGD61ALETMGM model here.

Sound

The sound of the Cordoba Cadete is defined by its solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a warm, balanced tone that is typical of classical guitars in this price range.

The cedar top provides a sweet, melodic sound with good note separation and clarity in the treble registers. It has a relatively soft and lightweight feel that allows the top to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent resonance and sustain. The cedar projects the sound outward with ease.

The mahogany back and sides offer a rounded, mellow bass response that complements the brighter tones of the cedar top nicely. The mahogany adds depth and richness to the overall tonal profile. Its dense properties help give this classical guitar's sound some punch and volume to fill a room, especially in the low end.

Overall, the Cordoba Cadete has a very balanced and articulate voice. The tonewoods work together seamlessly to deliver a sound that is warm yet bright, with excellent projection and sustain. This makes the Cadete a versatile classical guitar suitable for various musical settings and styles.

When comparing the Cordoba Cadete to other beginner classical guitars, it stands out for its quality materials and craftsmanship. Many budget classical guitars use laminated wood tops and plywood back and sides. The all-solid wood construction of the Cadete gives it better resonance and a more complex tone. The playability is also smoother and more comfortable than cheaper models.

Those looking for an affordable nylon-string classical guitar would do well to consider the Cordoba Cadete. It provides exceptional value by combining high-end appointments and great attention to detail in a very accessible package. Players who are just starting out on the classical guitar will appreciate its easy playability and rich, nuanced sound.

For those interested in exploring other classical guitar options, the Fender CD-60 AUS-0970110221-COMBO-DLX is another model worth considering in this price range. It features a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The tone is balanced and projects well. The slim neck profile and low action facilitate easy playability. It comes with a padded gig bag, picks, extra strings, digital tuner, polishing cloth, and instructional DVD. Overall, the Fender CD-60 AUS provides great value and quality in an affordable classical package.

Playability

The Cordoba Cadete has a comfortable and playable 25.6" scale neck made of mahogany. The neck has a soft C shape that feels great in the hand. The nut width is 2 3/16" which is a good middle ground, suitable for most playing styles.

The string action on this model is set nice and low, great for beginners and also makes it easier to fret notes and chord shapes. The Indian rosewood fretboard is highly polished and smooth. The frets are well finished with no sharp edges. Overall the playability makes this an excellent choice for new players, while still meeting the needs of more advanced guitarists.

Hardware

The Cordoba Cadete has quality hardware that enhances its sound and playability. The tuning machines are open-geared gold Riolo machines with pearloid buttons. They provide precise and smooth turning for stable tuning. The bridge is a rosewood pyramid bridge, a traditional design that gives excellent vibration transfer and ample room for resonance. Overall, the hardware components on the Cadete are well-made and designed to get the most out of the guitar's tonewoods and construction. The guitar stays in tune very well and intonates accurately up and down the fretboard thanks to this high-quality hardware.

Electronics

The Cordoba Cadete C1 Classical Guitar features high-quality electronics that provide excellent tonal representation and natural acoustic sound.

Pickup

The guitar has a built-in piezo pickup under the saddle. This allows it to effectively capture the guitar's natural acoustic resonance and dynamics. The undersaddle piezo design prevents alteration of the tone that can occur from soundhole pickups.

Preamp

It comes equipped with a preamp with 2-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone. The preamp has volume and bass/treble controls. This allows you to easily adjust and optimize the output level and tonal balance when plugging into an amplifier or PA system.

Controls

The volume knob controls the overall output level. The bass and treble controls have a +/- 15dB cut/boost. This gives you a wide tonal range to find the perfect sound. The preamp also features a built-in tuner that mutes the output when engaged. The jack is discreetly located on the side of the guitar for easy access.

Comfort

The Cordoba Cadete has an overall comfortable feel and is suitable for extended playing sessions. The petite body shape and small scale length make it a good fit for smaller players. However, some adult players may find the body size too small for comfort.

The Cadete weighs just under 3 lbs, making it one of the lightest classical guitars in its price range. This light weight helps reduce fatigue during longer practice times. The weight is very evenly distributed across the guitar, providing good overall balance. There's no noticeable neck dive or top heaviness.

The smooth satin finish on the back of the neck allows for fast, comfortable movement up and down the fingerboard. The neck has a soft C shape that fits nicely in the hand. The 12" fingerboard radius adds to the comfortable feel. While fingerstyle players may need to adjust, most find the flatter radius facilitates easier fretting and chording.

Overall, the Cordoba Cadete offers a high level of playing comfort for the price point, especially for smaller-framed guitarists. The light weight and thoughtful ergonomic design make extended playing sessions enjoyable.

Value

The Cordoba Cadete represents an excellent value in the sub-$300 classical guitar market. At a retail price around $249, it competes very favorably with other entry-level nylon-string guitars. The all-solid wood construction and hand-finished satin neck give it a feel and sound comparable to more expensive models. While the hardware and electronics are basic, they perform well for a guitar aimed at students and beginners.

The Cadete's solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides provide great bang for your buck. Most guitars in this price range use laminated woods, which don't resonate as nicely. The nylon strings and lightweight construction also make the Cadete easy to play for long periods without fatiguing the hands. While the tuners and nut and saddle materials are unremarkable, they hold tune and intonate correctly.

Overall, the Cordoba Cadete punches above its weight class in terms of materials, construction, and sound quality. The smooth neck and comfortable body size encourage new players to stick with it. The Cadete compares very favorably to other sub-$300 classical guitars from Yamaha, Rogue, and Fender. While it lacks the craftsmanship and ornamentation of high-end models, the Cadete delivers where it counts - with its warm, balanced tone and playability.

Alternatives

When looking at classical and nylon string acoustic guitars in this price range, the Cordoba Cadete is certainly a top contender. However, there are a few other models that are worth considering as alternatives:

Yamaha C40II

The Yamaha C40II is another very popular entry-level classical guitar that competes directly with the Cordoba Cadete. It features a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and mahogany neck. The tonewood combination produces a balanced, warm tone. The playability is very comfortable right out of the box. The hardware and electronics are basic but get the job done. Overall, the Yamaha C40II gives you great bang for your buck if you're looking for an affordable beginner classical guitar.

La Patrie Etude

At the next price point up, the La Patrie Etude is an all-solid wood guitar made in Canada. It has a cedar top and mahogany back and sides. This combination emphasizes the midrange frequencies, giving the La Patrie Etude a focused, articulate voice. The construction and components are a step above entry-level models. The Etude excels at fingerstyle playing. It's an excellent choice for intermediate players looking to upgrade from their first classical guitar.

Alhambra 4P

The Alhambra 4P is a Spanish-made classical guitar with solid German spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. It produces a balanced and refined tone. The Alhambra 4P features higher end appointments like a hand-carved headstock, ebony fretboard, and gold tuners. This is a great option in the mid-range price tier if you want something with premium fit and finish.

Summary

The Cordoba Cadete Classical Acoustic Guitar offers a premium solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides at an entry-level price point. This combination produces a bright, focused sound with good volume and resonance. The smaller body size makes it an excellent choice for younger players and those with smaller frames.

Some of the key pros of this model include the solid wood top construction, lightweight and comfortable nato neck, and premium Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings. The guitar feels well-made and fun to play. The sound is balanced across the tonal spectrum with good note separation for an entry-level classical.

Potential downsides are the laminate back and sides, which don't resonate as well as solid wood. The tuners are also very basic friction pegs without any gear mechanisms. Upgrading to better tuners could help keep this guitar in tune better.

Overall, the Cordoba Cadete offers fantastic value in a beginner's classical guitar. The solid cedar top helps it stand out from other models with laminate tops in this price range. The comfortable neck and smaller body size also make it a great choice as a child's first classical guitar. If you're looking for an affordable, quality classical to start learning on, the Cordoba Cadete is an excellent option to consider.