Ortega Guitars R122-1/2-L Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega R122 is a nylon string classical guitar model from the respected Spanish guitar maker Ortega Guitars. As an entry-level instrument in the Ortega lineup, the R122 offers beginners and students an affordable option for learning and playing classical guitar repertoire and techniques.

With its traditional fan-braced spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar produces the warm, balanced tone expected from a classical instrument. The R122 features a comfortable neck and body size for younger players or smaller-statured guitarists. Hardware includes sealed chrome tuning machines and a compensated saddle for improved intonation.

Overall, the Ortega R122 provides an excellent value as a budget-friendly classical guitar for new players that still delivers solid construction, sound, and playability. This review will take a closer look at the materials, sound, comfort, and other key features of this model.

Construction and Materials

The Ortega R122 1/2 size classical guitar features a high quality spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, and rosewood fretboard and bridge. The specific combination of tonewoods produces a balanced and resonant tone that is characteristic of classical guitars.

• The spruce top contributes to the guitar's bright and responsive tone. Spruce is a popular choice for classical guitar tops due to its balanced tone across the frequency spectrum and good resonance. The stiffness and lightness of spruce supports sound projection.

• The back and sides are made from mahogany which provides a balanced sound with clear mids and highs. Mahogany is known for its acoustic properties and works well for classical guitars. Its mid-range focused sound complements the spruce top.

• The mahogany neck aims for stability, playability and sustains notes well. The rosewood fretboard is a common pairing with mahogany and offers a smooth playing feel. Rosewood's hardness and density produce clear notes.

• The rosewood bridge transfers string vibrations into the top nicely. Its dense properties help project sound. Overall, the tonewood combination produces a rich classical guitar tone. When paired together, these materials create the quintessential classical guitar sound.

The construction materials used in the Ortega R122 are typical for classical guitars in this price range. Another comparable model is the Pyle PGACLS82BLU classical guitar. Like the Ortega, it features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. Its neck is also made from mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The Pyle PGACLS82BLU produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. While it may not have the same build quality as more expensive models, it offers good value as a budget classical guitar. The material combination aligns with the Ortega and aims to provide a traditional classical guitar sound.

Sound and Tone

The Ortega R122 classical guitar produces a warm, balanced tone that is typical of high-quality nylon string guitars. The solid cedar top provides sweet and mellow highs, while the Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and richness to the midrange and bass.

Though not as loud as a spruce top, the cedar top offers a refined, nuanced voice. It has enough projection to play solo or in small ensembles, though it may struggle to be heard over louder instruments. The bass notes have good resonance despite the smaller body size.

Overall, the R122 has a focused and balanced classical guitar tone. It's not as dark as an all-rosewood guitar nor as bright as an all-cedar construction. The combination of tonewoods creates a versatile sound palette suitable for various playing styles and genres.

Advanced players will appreciate the R122's harmonic complexity and ability to shape phrases musically. It's a responsive instrument that reflects the player's technique and articulation. From lush chords to single-note lines, the Ortega R122 delivers a rich classical guitar voice.

The Fender AUS-0970710103-COMBO-DLX classical guitar is another excellent option for players looking for a quality nylon-string instrument. This guitar features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a slim "C"-shaped neck profile. The spruce top provides crisp, bright treble tones while the mahogany adds warmth and sweetness to the midrange.

The Fender produces a balanced, nuanced classical guitar tone. It has excellent projection and volume, making it a good choice for solo performers. The bass is tight and focused. Overall, the guitar offers great playability and a versatile sound suitable for various techniques and styles.

Some key differences between the Ortega R122 and Fender AUS-0970710103-COMBO-DLX: the Ortega has a cedar top which gives it a warmer, mellower tone compared to the Fender's spruce top. The Fender produces a louder, brighter sound with more headroom. The Ortega has an Indian rosewood back/sides compared to the Fender's mahogany, resulting in a richer low end.

Both are high quality classical guitars with slightly different tonal characteristics. The Ortega R122 offers a refined, balanced voice perfect for nuanced playing. The Fender produces big volume and projection for soloists. Players should evaluate their needs and playing style when choosing between these two excellent nylon-string guitars.

For more information on the Fender model, check out this page: Fender AUS-0970710103-COMBO-DLX classical guitar.

Playability

The Ortega R122 has excellent playability thanks to its comfortable neck profile, low action, and well-finished frets.

The neck has a slim C-shape that is comfortable to grip and makes playing across the fretboard effortless. It has a satin finish which allows your hand to glide smoothly up and down. The nut width of 48mm provides ample room for fingering chords and notes cleanly without buzzing.

The action on this guitar is set exceptionally low right out of the box. You can easily press the strings down without undue finger pressure. Yet there is still enough clearance from the frets so notes ring clearly. This makes the R122 very beginner friendly, as new players won't have to struggle with high string action.

The fretwork on this guitar is impressive for its price range. The frets are carefully polished with smooth, rounded edges. Bends and vibratos flow naturally without catching on rough frets. There are no sharp fret ends poking out past the edges of the fingerboard. Overall the fretwork helps the playability immensely.

Hardware

The Ortega R122 1/2 features quality hardware that enhances the playability and sound of the guitar. The tuning machines are chrome sealed-gear tuners that do a great job of holding the guitar in tune. The nut is made from synthetic bone which provides a smooth surface for the strings to pass over.

The saddle is also synthetic bone, which transfers vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body of the guitar. The combination of the nut and saddle materials helps produce a bright, focused tone. While the hardware is fairly basic, it is durable and functions well to allow the solid top to resonate freely. Upgrades could include higher-end tuners and a bone nut and saddle, but overall the hardware complements the guitar nicely without driving up the cost.

Electronics

The Ortega R122-1/2-L classical guitar features no onboard electronics. As an entirely acoustic nylon string guitar, it does not have pickups or a preamp. The focus is on the natural acoustic sound and tone from the solid spruce top, rather than utilizing any electric components.

This is typical for most entry-level and intermediate classical guitars in this price range. The lack of electronics helps keep costs down while still providing quality construction and an authentic nylon string sound. Some more premium classical guitars will include electronics like piezo pickups, but they also command a higher price point.

The Ortega R122-1/2-L relies solely on the guitar's intrinsic acoustic properties to project its sound. There are no pickups, preamps, EQ controls, or onboard tuners on this model. It's designed for pure acoustic playability and tone. Players who want to amplify or record the R122-1/2-L would need to utilize a standalone microphone or soundhole pickup.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The Ortega R122 1/2 has a traditional classical guitar body shape with a cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and satin finish. This makes it lightweight and balanced for playing comfort.

The cedar top helps reduce the overall weight, while the mahogany back and sides provide some mass and stability. The rounded body edges and arm rest allow the guitar to sit comfortably against the player's body.

At around 4 lbs, this guitar has an ideal weight for extended playing sessions without causing fatigue or strain. The satin finish also enhances comfort, since it's smooth to the touch.

The neck meets the body at the 12th fret, ensuring comfortable access to even the highest notes. The c-shaped neck profile will feel familiar and natural to most players. Overall, the Ortega R122 1/2 offers a comfortable and ergonomic design suitable for practice and performance.

Value for Money

The Ortega R122-1/2-L guitar offers fantastic bang for your buck. At around $150, it's one of the most affordable classical guitars on the market from a reputable brand. Despite the low price point, Ortega hasn't cut corners on components or build quality.

The solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides produce rich, warm tones that you'd expect from a much more expensive instrument. It's also thoughtfully constructed with a dovetail neck joint and fan bracing for excellent resonance and sustain. The satin finish is attractive and allows the wood to vibrate freely.

While the hardware is basic, it's durable and functions well to keep the guitar in tune. The slim neck and low action facilitate comfortable, easy playability ideal for new players.

Overall, the Ortega R122-1/2-L punches well above its weight class, offering professional sound and construction at a novice-friendly price. It's an unbeatable value for a first classical guitar or for budget-conscious musicians.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:

  • Made with solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for warm, full tone

  • Solid construction and high-quality materials

  • Easy to play neck and comfortable feel

  • Nice high-end look with detailed rosette and satin finish

  • Comes with gig bag for easy transportation

• Cons:

  • Lack of electronics may limit usage for some

  • Action may be high for beginners' taste

  • Not as loud as spruce/rosewood models

  • Less projection than concert-size classical guitars

  • No cutaway for access to higher frets

• Overall, the Ortega R122 provides very good value as a 1/2 size nylon-string guitar. While not for professional performance, it offers pleasant sound, comfortable playability, and quality construction at an accessible price point. An excellent starter classical guitar for beginners and younger players.

Conclusion

The Ortega R122-1/2 is a solid entry-level classical guitar that punches above its weight. It offers great sound, playability and comfort at an affordable price point.

The spruce and mahogany construction produces a balanced tone that works well for a variety of classical repertoire. The nylon strings have a smooth feel, and the slim neck profile is comfortable to play. The guitar stays in tune and intonates well up the fretboard thanks to quality hardware and setup from the factory.

While it doesn't have the projection or rich resonance of a high-end classical, the Ortega R122-1/2 provides very good value for any beginner or budget-conscious player looking to get started on nylon-string guitar. It's well-made, sounds nice, and is enjoyable to practice on.

If you're searching for an accessible classical model to learn on, the Ortega R122-1/2 is an excellent choice worth considering. It has the essential elements covered to support student progression and makes playing classical guitar easy right out of the box.