Kala KA-GTR-NY23 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a full-size classical acoustic guitar with a mahogany back and sides. Part of Kala's New York series, it's an affordable entry-level instrument aimed at beginner and intermediate players. Some key features include its solid spruce top, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and chrome covered tuning machines. With its traditional fan bracing, the KA-GTR-NY23 produces a balanced tone expected of a classical guitar in this price range. Though not as refined as more expensive models, it provides a solid option for new players and those on a budget. Its playability and sound make it a great choice for learning classical technique or exploring the genre.

Construction and Materials

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a full-size classical guitar with a traditional mahogany body. Mahogany is a popular tonewood that produces a balanced sound with good bass, warm mids, and clear treble. It also looks great with its reddish-brown color and wood grain pattern.

The guitar's neck is made from nato, which is similar to mahogany but slightly brighter sounding. The neck has a smooth satin finish that makes it very comfortable and easy to play. The fretboard and bridge are rosewood, a dense tropical hardwood known for its rich tone.

Overall, the materials used in the KA-GTR-NY23 are high quality for a guitar in this price range. The all-wood construction gives it a full, resonant voice. The mahogany and nato woods provide a pleasing blend of warmth and clarity.

Another popular classical guitar to consider in a similar price range is the Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX. This model also features an all-mahogany body and neck for a balanced, warm sound. The top is solid spruce, which adds crispness and clarity to the tone. The fretboard and bridge are rosewood. Overall, the Fender offers comparable build quality and tonewoods to the Kala at around the same price point. It comes with an adjustable truss rod in the neck for setting up the action and intonation. The guitar has a smooth natural finish and mosaic rosette around the soundhole. The Fender is a great choice for beginners looking for their first classical guitar or more advanced players on a budget.

When choosing between the Kala KA-GTR-NY23 and the Fender AUS-0971170187-COMBO-DLX, you can't really go wrong. Both use traditional tonewoods found on more expensive models. The Kala may be slightly better for fingerstyle playing with its wider nut width, while the Fender has slimmer neck for those transitioning from steel-string acoustics. The Kala comes strung with nylon strings, while the Fender uses nylon trebles and wound bass strings for a different feel. Whichever you choose, you'll get an affordable classical guitar built with quality materials and craftsmanship.

Playability

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 classical guitar has excellent playability thanks to its beginner-friendly features. The neck has a standard width of 2 inches, which is comfortable for most hands. The action height is also set low, making it very easy to fret notes and chords up and down the neck without finger fatigue.

The rosewood fretboard contributes to the buttery playability as well. It has a smooth surface that allows fingers to easily glide between chord shapes. The fretwork from the 1st to 12th frets is nicely done, with each note ringing out clearly. Overall, the guitar's fantastic playability makes it a great choice for new players who are working on developing dexterity and building calluses.

If you're looking for another classical guitar with top-notch playability, check out the Cordoba C7-CE 04704. This model features a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides for a warm, rich tone. The mahogany neck is slim and fast, allowing for easy maneuvering during complex pieces. The ebony fretboard is sleek, promoting fluid playing across the fretboard. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box. Overall, the Cordoba C7-CE 04704 is another excellent classical guitar option for new players focused on playability and ease of use.

When evaluating playability on classical guitars, some key factors to look for include neck width, string action height, fretboard material, and overall construction quality. Most beginner classical guitar models aim for a neck width around 2 inches, which fits most hand sizes well. If the neck width is too narrow or wide, it can cause hand cramping and hinder technique. The action height, which refers to the distance between the strings and fretboard, should also be low for effortless pressing down of strings.

The material of the fretboard impacts playability too. Rosewood and ebony are common fretboard woods prized for their smoothness. The smoother the fretboard, the easier it will be to transition between chords and navigate the neck. Lastly, high build quality and proper setup is key for playability. Precise fretwork and neck relief allow for buzz-free, clear tone production. Evaluating classical guitars on these playability factors will lead you to an instrument that feels comfortable and inspiring to play.

Sound

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its solid mahogany top, back, and sides. Mahogany is a popular tonewood for classical and nylon string guitars, providing good resonance and volume projection. The midrange-focused sound profile brings out the lushness and richness in nylon strings.

Reviewers note the KA-GTR-NY23 has impressive projection and sustain for its price point. The mahogany construction allows the guitar to ring out, filling a room with full-bodied classical guitar tone. The ample size also contributes to the projection capabilities. While not as loud as more expensive classical guitars, the KA-GTR-NY23 holds its own and works well for practice and smaller performances.

The smooth, rounded tone makes the KA-GTR-NY23 great for classical repertoire as well as other fingerstyle genres. It provides a balanced and nuanced sound across the frequency range. The warm mahogany matches well with the mellow tone of nylon strings. Overall, the KA-GTR-NY23 delivers pleasing classical guitar tone and good bang for your buck.

Hardware

The hardware on the Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is fairly standard for a classical guitar in this price range. The tuning machines are chrome sealed die-cast tuners, which provide smooth and accurate tuning. The nut and saddle are both made from urea, which is a synthetic material that is durable and has good acoustic properties.

Urea nuts and saddles are known for providing clear note definition and avoiding the dullness that can occur with some other synthetic materials. The nut width on the KA-GTR-NY23 is around 1.96" which allows a comfortable fit for the nylon strings without creating excessive string spacing. This nut width works well for most playing styles.

The chrome tuners combined with the urea nut and saddle make for hardware that offers reliability and good functionality on the KA-GTR-NY23 without driving up the cost. While higher-end classical guitars may use ebony or bone for the nut/saddle, the urea performs well for a guitar at this price point. The hardware is fitting for this instrument's role as a quality entry-level classical guitar.

Electronics

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 utilizes a passive pickup and preamp system that provides excellent acoustic tone and amplification. The under-saddle piezo pickup accurately captures the nuances of the guitar's natural sound. The preamp allows for simple EQ control via bass and treble knobs, giving you the ability to dial in your ideal amplified tone.

The preamp is powered by a 9V battery, allowing you to take your amplified classical guitar sound anywhere without the need for external power. The preamp circuitry is transparent, adding minimal noise and distortion to your signal. This allows the true character of the guitar to shine through when playing live or recording direct.

Overall, the electronics offer a dynamic way to amplify your classical guitar while retaining the authentic nylon-string sound. The preamp gives just enough tone-shaping control without going overboard on effects or modeling. For players needing a quality amplified classical guitar in this price range, the KA-GTR-NY23 delivers.

Comfort

The Classical Guitar Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is designed with comfort in mind. The body shape is contoured for sitting and playing, with a curved rear to fit against your torso.

The guitar has a medium weight of around 5 pounds, avoiding feeling too heavy yet still providing stability on your lap. The weight is distributed nicely across the body, preventing neck dive or imbalance.

The narrower nut width and slimmer neck profile make chording and playing over long periods comfortable, even for smaller hands. The smooth neck finish allows your hand to easily glide up and down.

The position of the strap buttons allows the guitar to be played standing up without feeling unbalanced or sliding around. The rounded edges prevent any digging into your leg or body.

Overall, the Kala KA-GTR-NY23 classical guitar offers a comfortable playing experience for a variety of hand sizes and playing positions. The shape, weight distribution and neck design allow you to play for extended periods without fatigue.

Value

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a very good value for the price. It typically sells for under $150, which is quite affordable for a solid laminate-top classical guitar. Players are often impressed with the warm, balanced tone and comfortable playability this guitar provides at such a reasonable cost.

While it may not have some of the premium appointments and refined sound of more expensive classical guitars that cost $500-2000+, the KA-GTR-NY23 delivers on the essentials. For beginners and intermediate players, it's a great way to get an enjoyable playing experience without breaking the bank.

The all-mahogany construction and hand-carved top help this guitar punch above its weight class in terms of sound quality. The hardware, tuners, and electronics are all decent for an instrument at this price point as well. Considering what you get, the Kala KA-GTR-NY23 represents excellent value.

Players looking for a high-quality classical guitar at an entry-level price will find this model offers impressive performance and playability relative to other guitars in its class. The value proposition of the KA-GTR-NY23 makes it easy to recommend for new players or those shopping on a budget.

Alternatives

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a good entry-level guitar, but it has some limitations in quality compared to more expensive models. Here are some alternatives to consider at different price points:

Yamaha C40

The Yamaha C40 is another popular beginner classical guitar. It has an all-laminate construction with meranti back and sides. The tuners and nut are higher quality than the Kala. The tone is balanced and clear. The playability is also very good out of the box. The Yamaha C40 sells for around $150-175.

Cordoba C5

A step up in the $300-400 range is the Cordoba C5. It features solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides. The tone is more complex and nuanced. The action and playability rivals more expensive guitars. The tuning machines are gold plated. Overall an excellent guitar for intermediate players.

Alhambra 5P

In the $500-600 range, the Alhambra 5P provides a solid German spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides. This guitar has a rich, warm, full-bodied tone. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb. The Alhambra 5P is a lifetime guitar for advanced players.

Ramirez 1A

At the top end, Ramirez Spanish guitars are the pinnacle of classical guitar making. The 1A models start around $2,000. They feature top-grade solid spruce and rosewood, immaculate craftsmanship, and incredible tone. Truly heirloom-quality instruments for professionals and the most discerning players.

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a great value for the price, but those looking for better construction, tone, and playability can find excellent alternatives at higher price points. Trying out different models is recommended to find your ideal classical guitar.

Summary

The Kala KA-GTR-NY23 is a quality entry-level nylon string classical guitar that offers good value for the price. Some of the key pros and cons are:

Pros

• Mahogany back, sides and neck provide good tone and durability
• Cedar top offers balanced and rich sound
• Nylon strings are smooth on fingers for comfortable playing
• Low action and slim neck make it easy to play
• Attractive high-gloss finish

Cons

• Lacks the projection and volume of more expensive models
• Electronics and built-in tuner would improve functionality
• On the larger side which may not suit smaller players

The KA-GTR-NY23 is best suited for beginner to intermediate level players looking for an affordable, well-constructed classical guitar for practice and performance. The quality craftsmanship and materials produce a pleasant sound that belies the budget price point. While not as loud or as finely crafted as professional-grade instruments, this represents a great starter guitar for new players.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars as a beginner classical guitar under $200.