Gayetana Guitars Velazquez V56 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Gayetana Guitars Velazquez V56 is a high-quality nylon string classical guitar made in Spain by luthier Juan Ramón Gayetá. Gayetana Guitars was founded in 1995 and has become known for crafting excellent classical and flamenco guitars.

The Velazquez V56 model pays homage to the romantic style of Francisco Tárrega and Antonio de Torres. It produces a warm, balanced tone perfect for playing Spanish classical and romantic era compositions. This guitar combines traditional design with modern innovations to create an instrument that is both aesthetically pleasing and excellent sounding.

The V56 features a solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. It has a comfortable hand-rubbed high-gloss lacquer finish available in a reddish hue. With its fan bracing, ebony fretboard, and excellent playability, the Velazquez V56 provides musicians with a responsive and expressive classical guitar.

Construction and Materials

The Velazquez V56 uses high quality tonewoods for excellent resonance and sustain. The back and sides are solid Indian rosewood, which produces a rich low end with beautiful overtones. The top is made of solid Engelmann spruce, which provides crisp highs and responsive dynamics.

The neck is Spanish cedar with an ebony fingerboard, a classic combination known for stability, playability, and bright tone. Ebony is a dense tropical hardwood that brings out the clarity of each note. The thinner neck profile with medium frets feels comfortable and fast for intricate playing.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction from quality tonewoods gives the Velazquez V56 a full-bodied, balanced sound with excellent projection suited for both fingerstyle techniques and strumming. The woods are carefully chosen and matched for their acoustic properties and handcrafted in Spain by luthiers with decades of experience.

The Velazquez V56 classical guitar demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail in both materials and craftsmanship. The tonewoods are dried naturally and seasoned for years before being hand-selected for their acoustic qualities. The bracing and construction are customized to amplify the inherent resonance of the woods. Small details like the rosette and purfling are done with care to enhance the look and protect the guitar body. From the quality control in the Spanish workshop to the final setup before shipping, each Velazquez guitar is built to last generations.

Another high quality classical guitar to consider is the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02684. Like the Velazquez V56, the Cordoba uses all solid woods including a Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The Cordoba has a slightly wider nut width of 2 inches, providing more room for the fingers that some players prefer. The aesthetics feature mother of pearl accents, giving the Cordoba an ornate decorative flair compared to the simpler and more traditional looks of the Velazquez model. Both are excellent classical guitars crafted from quality materials, so trying them in person can help decide which sound and feel you like better.

Sound and Tone

The V56 creates a rich, warm, and balanced tone that is characteristic of high-end classical guitars. The solid cedar top vibrates freely, producing clear and resonant treble notes with a sweet singing quality. The Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and body to the midrange and bass. There is a balanced projection across the tonal spectrum. Notes are well-defined yet blended together smoothly. The guitar has a balanced midrange that is neither too forward nor overly scooped. Basso notes have warmth and lyrical richness. There is no boominess or muddiness in the low end. Trebles have clarity, brilliance, and bell-like sustain. The guitar handles both aggressive and delicate playing articulation well. The V56 produces a vibrant and nuanced tonal palette suitable for various classical guitar styles and pieces. The sound is focused yet has room-filling projection. Overall the tonal profile is balanced, refined, responsive, and concert-hall ready. The V56's tone profile makes it a versatile classical guitar suitable for both practice and performance. While the V56 offers professional-grade tone, beginners may also appreciate its accessible and balanced voice. Much like the fine classical guitars played in concert halls worldwide, the V56 rewards the player's technique and expression with resonant, singing tone. For guitarists seeking an inspiring musical voice, the rich V56 tone provides strong motivation to progress on the instrument. With its blend of warmth, balance, clarity and projection, the V56's musical voice brings out the best in classical players. The Kadence A06-EQ is another excellent classical guitar with a focused and direct tone. See our overview of the Kadence A06-EQ for details. While the V56 aims for a concert hall-ready projection, the A06-EQ goes for a more intimate parlour guitar vibe. Both offer excellent workmanship and tone, and appeal to serious classical players. The choice comes down to tonal preference and playing context. The V56's well-rounded musical voice makes it a safe choice for most players.

Playability

The Gayetana Velazquez V56 features a comfortable C-shaped neck that is slim without being too thin. The neck width measures 52mm at the nut, which provides ample room for fingering chords and scales while still being manageable for players with smaller hands.

The action on the V56 is set low and responsive right out of the box. The strings sit close to the fretboard, allowing for easy pressing and fast runs without buzzing. This makes the V56 a very playable instrument whether you are a beginner or experienced player. The low action also reduces hand fatigue during long practice or jam sessions.

Some players may want to raise the action slightly to allow for more vigorous strumming, but the factory setup provides a nice balance of playability for various techniques. Overall the neck shape and string action of the V56 make it a smooth and enjoyable guitar to play.

Hardware

The Gayetana Velazquez V56 features high-quality hardware that enhances the guitar's playability and tuning stability. The guitar has frictionless machine heads made by D'Addario Planet Waves. These allow for precise tuning and have a very smooth tuning action. The tuning machines are gold in color which matches nicely with the rosette and other accents on the guitar.

The V56 uses a rosewood bridge which helps transmit the vibration of the strings out to the body. It gives a nice balance of warmth and articulation. The bridge has a bone nut and saddle which many guitarists prefer over plastic parts. The nut spaces the strings properly across the fretboard while the saddle sets the string height for easy playability. Overall the hardware components on the V56 are thoughtfully designed for both aesthetics and functionality.

Electronics

The Velazquez V56 features high-quality Fishman Presys Blend electronics with an integrated preamp and pickup system. This allows the guitar to be plugged directly into an amp or PA system for stage use.

The guitar has a Fishman Presys Blend pickup with discrete piezo transducers under the bridge and an undersaddle transducer. This combination captures the intricate details and dynamics of the guitar's natural acoustic sound.

There are volume and tone controls discreetly mounted inside the guitar. These allow the player to shape and optimize the amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner and phase switch.

The Presys Blend system provides excellent feedback rejection and natural sound amplification. The guitar has enough volume for stage use while retaining the nuance and warmth of the traditional nylon string sound.

Overall, the electronics equip the Velazquez V56 for live performances while staying true to the guitar's acoustic character. The controls give plenty of tonal options without being overly complicated.

Craftsmanship

The Velazquez V56 showcases excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout its construction. The solid cedar top is carefully bookmatched and graduated for beauty and balanced resonance. The back and sides are made from top grade Indian rosewood that is precisely cut, bent and seamlessly joined.

The binding and purfling feature multi-ply maple and ebony construction that is cleanly executed with no gaps or messy glue joints. The neck joint and heel are smoothly sculpted for seamless playability up and down the fretboard. The mahogany neck has a sleek profile that fits comfortably in the hand.

The satin finish allows the natural wood grain to shine through while protecting the spruce and rosewood materials. It is evenly applied with no drips or uneven spots. Overall the V56 demonstrates a commitment to quality, from the selection of tonewoods to the precision of each carved detail. This is a thoughtfully conceived and meticulously executed classical guitar.

Pros

The Gayetana Guitars Velazquez V56 classical guitar has many excellent features that make it stand out.

• The solid Indian rosewood back and sides produce a rich, warm, deep tone that is ideal for classical guitar music. The sound has excellent projection and sustain.

• The European spruce top is lightweight and responsive. It helps provide clarity, brightness, and volume to the guitar's voice.

• Playability is exceptional thanks to the slim neck profile and low action. The guitar feels very comfortable and natural to play.

• The build quality and attention to detail are superb, reflecting the craftsmanship of Gayetana's luthiers in Spain.

• It stays in tune very well, even during extended practice or performance sessions. This adds to the playability and reliability.

• The guitar has a beautiful, elegant aesthetic. The wood grain patterns are striking, and the rosette design around the soundhole is intricate.

• The hard case included provides premium protection for storage and transportation. This is important for an intermediate-level classical guitar.

Cons

The Velázquez V56 is a classical guitar aimed at beginners and students, so more advanced players may find it lacking in some areas.

• The spruce top is not solid wood, but rather a laminate. While this helps keep costs down, it can negatively impact tone and volume. The laminate top may not resonate or project as well as a solid wood top.

• Similarly, the sides and back are made of mahogany laminate instead of solid mahogany. This can reduce the warmth and character of the tone.

• The nut and saddle are plastic instead of bone. Bone nuts and saddles can improve sustain and clarity.

• The tuners are basic open-gear tuners. Upgraded tuners could provide more smooth and accurate tuning stability.

• There is no truss rod inside the neck. This means adjusting relief in the neck to match string tension and playing style is not possible.

• The included gig bag provides basic protection, but lacks the more rigid support of a hardshell case.

• The high-gloss polyurethane finish, while attractive, can inhibit the wood's natural resonance. A thinner satin finish may enhance vibration and tone.

• Made in China construction results in lower costs, but Spanish or American craftsmanship could provide more attention to detail.

Overall, the materials and appointments reflect the affordable price point, but those seeking professional features may need to spend more. However, the V56 still provides good playability for the cost.

Summary

The Gayetana Guitars Velazquez V56 is a beautifully handcrafted classical guitar that produces a rich, warm sound. It's made in Spain from solid spruce and Indian rosewood, giving it great resonance while retaining a balanced tone.

The playability is very comfortable, with a flat neck and low action that make it easy to maneuver up and down the fretboard. It has a robust projection that fills the room, making it a great choice for aspiring classical guitarists.

Overall, the Gayetana Guitars Velazquez V56 punches above its weight class. While not the cheapest model, it provides professional sound and playability at an accessible price point. If you're looking for an inspiring, handmade classical guitar backed by centuries of Spanish luthier tradition, the V56 is an excellent option worthy of serious consideration.