Cordoba Mini II M 03951 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Cordoba Mini II M is a compact classical guitar model from the acclaimed Spanish guitar maker Cordoba. As the name suggests, it's a scaled-down instrument with a smaller body size than a full-size classical guitar. This makes it an excellent choice for younger players, travelers, or anyone looking for an easy-to-handle nylon-string guitar.

The Mini II delivers Cordoba's signature tone and playability in a 3/4 size body. It produces a bright, balanced sound with good projection thanks to its solid Canadian cedar top. The smaller body size reduces volume slightly compared to a full-size classical, but the Mini II still packs an impressive voice. Meanwhile, the comfortable neck and narrower string spacing make it an accessible instrument for small hands. This is a high-quality beginner classical guitar that can transition with you as you advance on the instrument.

Construction

The Cordoba Mini II is built with a solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Mahogany is a popular traditional tonewood that provides a balanced sound with clear mids and treble. The satin finish gives it a nice smooth feel and allows the wood's natural resonance to come through.

The neck is made from mahogany as well, with a rosewood fingerboard and 19 frets. Overall the materials used in the Mini II are high quality for its price range. While not as ornate as their more expensive models, Cordoba has crafted an impressive student classical guitar here.

When comparing the Cordoba Mini II to other beginner classical guitars, it stands out for its all-solid wood construction. Many guitars in this price range will have laminate back and sides instead of solid wood. The solid mahogany build is a big factor in the Mini II's full, rich tone. It provides better resonance and sustain than laminate alternatives.

Another comparable beginner classical guitar is the Yamaha PA012RM. This model also features an all-solid mahogany body, resulting in a similar warm, balanced sound. However, the Yamaha has a slightly wider neck profile that some find less comfortable for smaller hands. The Cordoba Mini II's neck is slimmer and more accessible. While the Yamaha is an excellent instrument as well, the Cordoba gets the edge for playability and comfort.

In summary, the materials and construction of the Cordoba Mini II are truly impressive for an affordable starter classical guitar. The all-solid wood body produces rich tone expected from higher-end instruments. Paired with comfortable playability from its slim neck, the Mini II is an ideal choice for new classical guitar students.

Tone

The Cordoba Mini II has a surprisingly full and balanced tone for such a small guitar. The European spruce top is responsive and resonant, producing clean and articulate notes across the frequency range. The mahogany back and sides add some warmth and sweetness to the sound.

Despite its compact size, the Mini II is capable of considerable volume and projection thanks to its solid wood construction. It has ample sustain and resonance even on the treble strings. The nylon strings have a mellow but focused character. Notes are clear, balanced, and evenly decaying.

This little guitar is able to achieve a remarkable tonal palette, from bright and lively treble to warm and rounded bass. The sound quality defies expectations for a 3/4 size instrument. While it doesn't have the power of a full size classical guitar, the Mini II's musical voice is impressive given its travel-friendly form factor.

With its solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and comfortable body size, the ADM JC613-39-NR is an excellent choice for new players looking for great tone in an easy-to-handle classical guitar. The cedar produces a sweet, resonant sound with singing overtones. The mahogany adds depth and richness to the midrange and bass frequencies. Together they create a balanced and nuanced tonal palette.

This guitar has volume and projection that belie its petite proportions. The strings speak clearly and notes decay evenly across the registers. Articulation is precise even during faster passagework. The nylon strings have a focused and bright character while still being smooth and playable.

From sparkling trebles to rounded basses, the JC613-39-NR can voice complex chords with clarity. The sound is balanced across the tonal spectrum with no obvious holes in its musical range. Considering its affordability and maneuverable size, this model delivers an impressive musical voice for practice, travel or stage use.

The JC613-39-NR's smaller body lends itself well to younger players or those with smaller frames. Yet it retains the rich voice of a full-size instrument. The smooth satin finish and comfortable proportions make this a great choice for new classical guitarists seeking big tone in a fitting-size instrument.

Playability

The Cordoba Mini II has a very playable neck and fingerboard. The neck width is 1.96” at the nut, which is a comfortable width for most players’ hands. The string action from the factory is set medium-low, making it easy to press the strings down without excessive finger effort.

The fretboard material is rosewood which provides a smooth feel under the fingers. The fretwork from the factory is nicely done with no sharp fret ends to irritate your hands. The frets themselves are narrower than a full size classical guitar, but they have a polished feel that aids in both comfort and playability.

The scale length is 580mm, which is shorter than a full size classical. This shorter scale length reduces the string tension slightly, making the guitar a little easier to play, especially for smaller hands. However, the tone and feel is still very much like a classical guitar acoustically.

Overall, the Cordoba Mini II provides a very playable neck and fingerboard for classical guitar, especially considering its reduced size. The comfortable neck width, smooth rosewood fingerboard, and medium-low action allow for easy pressing and fingering of chords and melodies. The high quality fretwork also enhances playability.

Hardware

The Hardware on the Cordoba Mini II is high quality for a guitar in this price range. It features gold tuners, a rosewood bridge, and a compensated bone saddle and nut.

Tuning Machines

The Mini II has gold open-geared tuning machines. They keep the guitar in tune well and are smooth to turn. Upgrading to sealed tuners could improve tuning stability slightly, but the open gears are decent for a beginner guitar.

Bridge

The rosewood bridge has a traditional look and pairs nicely with the rosewood fretboard. The material gives it a pleasing visual appearance and strong, stable feel. The bridge holds its position and intonation well.

Nut & Saddle

Both the nut and compensated saddle are made of bone. This is an upgrade over cheaper plastics and helps improve sustain and resonance. The bone nut is cut well, with the slots properly supporting each string. The compensated saddle sets the intonation accurately up the fretboard.

Electronics

The Cordoba Mini II M comes equipped with Fishman Sonitone electronics, featuring a built-in Fishman Sonicore pickup and Sonitone preamp system. This allows you to plug the nylon-string guitar directly into an amplifier or PA system for live performances or recording scenarios.

The integrated pickup accurately captures the warm, rounded tone of the Mini II's solid European spruce top. The Sonitone preamp provides volume and tone control knobs, allowing you to shape and optimize your amplified classical guitar sound. No batteries are required, as the preamp draws power via the output cable when connected.

Overall, the Fishman preamp and Sonicore pickup offer natural sound reproduction and flexible tone-shaping options. The easy plug-and-play connectivity makes this a great choice for nylon-string players who want stage-ready amplification without installing aftermarket electronics. The Mini II delivers excellent amplified sound quality in a small-body classical package.

Comfort & Ergonomics

The Cordoba Mini II is designed to be comfortable and easy to play, even for smaller hands. At just under 3 lbs, it is lightweight enough to hold comfortably for extended playing sessions without causing fatigue.

The Mini II features Cordoba's signature asymmetrical hourglass body shape, providing a nice balance between the upper and lower bouts. This makes the guitar feel very balanced and natural to hold, whether seated or standing. The smooth contours and compact size allow the instrument to nestle nicely against the player's body.

The short 24.75" scale length is ideal for smaller hands. The neck has a comfortable C-shape profile that feels great in the hand. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for smooth shifting up and down the frets. Overall, the Mini II offers an exceptionally comfortable and ergonomic playing experience.

Value

The Cordoba Mini II M 03951 offers excellent value in the sub-$300 classical guitar market. It provides impressive playability and tone for the price point. Most comparable models from reputable brands in this category, like Yamaha, Ibanez or La Patrie, have an MSRP around $200-250. However, the Cordoba Mini II punches above its weight with premium appointments like a solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back/sides. The polished finish and ornate inlays add a level of sophistication not often found on entry-level classical guitars. Experienced players looking for an affordable travel or practice guitar will appreciate the quality and craftsmanship. Beginners can feel confident investing in an instrument with long-term playability. Overall, the Mini II gives buyers professional sound and feel without breaking the bank.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact size makes it highly portable and easy to travel with
• Warm, balanced tone typical of Cordoba guitars
• Easy to play narrowed neck
• Lightweight construction reduces fatigue during long practice sessions
• Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings provide crisp sound
• Attractive design available in several finishes

Cons

• Small body sacrifices some volume compared to full-size classical guitars
• Limited sustain due to short scale length
• Not as full sounding as spruce topped models
• Higher tension strings may be harder on beginner's fingers
• Lack of cutaway can hinder access to upper frets
• Minimal ornamentation may be plain for some players

Verdict

The Cordoba Mini II M is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate level players looking for an affordable nylon-string guitar with great sound and playability.

With its spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar produces a balanced, resonant tone that works well for various classical and flamenco styles. The comfortable neck and compact body size also make it a great option for younger students and travelers.

The upgraded Aquila strings and quality tuners help the Mini II M hold tune stability during practice and performances. While the electronics and cutaway add versatility, the guitar retains a traditional feel and strong construction.

Overall, the Cordoba Mini II M punches above its price range with impressive features like the hybrid top bracing and hand-finished body. If you want an easy-playing nylon-string guitar with rich tone at a budget price, the Mini II M is tough to beat. Its quality and sound rival more expensive models, making it a smart choice for new players.