Ortega Guitars R131L Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega R131L is an entry level classical nylon string acoustic guitar made by Ortega Guitars. As part of Ortega's R Series, it offers a traditional fan braced nylon string guitar at an affordable price point, making it a good choice for beginners or those looking to try the nylon string guitar for the first time.

With its spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the R131L produces a balanced warm tone expected of nylon string guitars in this price range. The smaller body size makes it comfortable for younger players or those with small hands. While it may lack some projection and volume compared to more expensive models, the R131L provides an authentic nylon string playing experience at a fraction of the cost.

Overall, the Ortega R131L is a decent quality entry-level classical guitar for the price. While not the most resonant instrument, it gives beginners a usable and enjoyable option before committing to a more professional nylon string guitar.

Construction

The Ortega R131 is constructed with a combination of quality tonewoods that provide a great foundation for the sound and playability of the guitar.

The back and sides of the R131 are made from mahogany, which is a popular tonewood known for its balanced tone with clear lows, pleasant mids, and crisp highs. Mahogany produces a well-rounded sound that works well for various playing styles and techniques.

The top of the R131 is made of spruce, which is the most common wood used for the tops of classical and nylon string guitars. Spruce is lightweight and responsive, providing excellent projection, richness, and complexity to the overall tone. The spruce top allows the R131 to have volume and resonance you can feel throughout the guitar's body.

The neck is also crafted from mahogany, which gives it stability and sustains notes cleanly. Overall, the use of mahogany and spruce gives the R131 a very resonant and harmonically rich voice that is suited for classical guitar repertoire and fingerstyle playing.

When selecting a classical guitar, it's important to consider the construction and how the combination of woods contributes to the instrument's sound and playability. The Ortega R131 utilizes traditional tonewoods that produce a balanced, nuanced, and projecting tone. This makes it a great choice for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable nylon string guitar with professional sound and feel. If you're interested in a similarly constructed classical guitar, check out the Dean EC BKB. Like the R131, it has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides for a rich, resonant sound. The Dean EC BKB also features a mahogany neck for stability and sustain. When comparing different classical guitar models, be sure to research the woods used and how they impact the instrument's sound and response. Thoughtful construction with quality tonewoods will allow you to get the most out of your playing across various styles and techniques.

Neck

The Ortega R131L features a mahogany neck with a 5-piece maple top that gives it a comfortable and balanced feel in the hand. The mahogany provides warmth and resonance while the maple adds crispness and definition.

The neck has a traditional classical guitar width of 52mm at the nut which will feel familiar and comfortable to most players. It has a C-shaped profile which fits nicely in the hand. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for smooth playability and easy movement up and down the fretboard.

The neck join where the neck meets the body is carefully carved to allow excellent access to the higher frets. Even up in the upper registers, the neck feels comfortable and playable. The neck is also set into the body at a slight angle which helps with projection when playing.

Overall, the neck on the R131L feels great for various playing styles and hand sizes. The combination of tonewoods provides a pleasing acoustic response. And the playability from nut to fretboard allows beginners and advanced players to enjoy this guitar equally.

If you're looking for a high-quality classical guitar with excellent playability, be sure to check out the Takamine GC5-NAT. This all-solid guitar features a spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides for rich, resonant tone. The mahogany neck provides stability and sustain. At 52mm, it has a traditional classical width nut for comfort. And the body depth produces balanced bass and projection. The GC5-NAT is an excellent choice for the advancing classical guitarist looking to upgrade their instrument. With quality construction and woods, it will reward players with inspiring tone as their technique develops. This Takamine nylon string classical guitar represents a great value for those seeking an instrument to last from beginner to intermediate levels and beyond.

When shopping for a new classical guitar, tonewoods are an important consideration. Solid wood construction with a spruce or cedar top will provide the best sound. Back and sides of rosewood, mahogany or maple will also affect the tonal characteristics. Neck width, nut material and guitar bracing are other specs to look at. Ultimately finding a guitar that feels comfortable and inspires you to play more is one of the best investments. The Takamine GC5-NAT balances playability and rich tone at an attractive price point. For classical guitarists ready to take their playing up a notch, it warrants a close look.

Fretboard

The Ortega R131 comes with a typical rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is a dense, oily wood that provides a smooth feel and bright, warm tones that complement the classical guitar sound.

The fretboard has 19 frets, which is standard for a nylon string classical guitar. The frets are medium in size, not overly chunky but not super slim either. They have a nice rounded feel that is easy on the fingers during long practice sessions.

The frets are traditional nickel-silver style as opposed to stainless steel. This again gives a nice warm, vintage tone that you expect from a classical guitar in this price range. The frets are cleanly installed and leveled well from the nut to the body joint. No sharp edges were noticed when playing up and down the neck.

Overall, the rosewood fretboard provides a great foundation for the R131. It has a classic look and feel that contributes to the guitar's warm, resonant tone. The smoothly finished frets are very playable right out of the box.

Hardware

The Ortega R131L classical guitar features quality hardware to provide stable tuning and clean articulation.

The tuning machines are open-geared with butterbean knobs. The open gear design exposes more of the cog surface for smoother tuning and increased torque. The distinctive butterbean shape also provides a nice classic look. While not as precise as enclosed tuners, these traditional machines are effective at holding the R131L in tune.

The bridge utilizes a rosewood saddle and tie block for balanced resonance. This is an upgraded bridge from many entry-level nylon string guitars. The rosewood integrates warmth into the guitar's voice. Intonation remains accurate up and down the fretboard thanks to the solid anchor point of the bridge.

Overall the hardware on the R131L classical guitar provides the components necessary for good functionality and tone. The guitar stays in tune well and projects with clarity.

Electronics

As an acoustic nylon-string classical guitar, the Ortega R131 has no electronics. It produces sound entirely through the vibration of the strings over the soundhole rather than through pickups and amplification.

While the lack of electronics limits your ability to plug the guitar into an amp or PA system for live performance, it also provides a pure acoustic sound that many players prefer. The guitar projects well acoustically, especially for small venues, practice, and recording.

Some players may wish to add a passive undersaddle piezo pickup down the road to amplify the R131 for certain situations. But in keeping with its classical design, this guitar focuses on unplugged acoustic tone.

Sound

The R131L produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its all-mahogany construction. Mahogany is known for its rounded lows, pronounced midrange, and clear, strong treble. The mahogany top, back, and sides work together to create a focused yet versatile sound.

This is an Orchestra model guitar, so it's designed to project sound effectively. The lower bout and sides are crafted to resonate and amplify the guitar's voice. Whether you're playing up the neck or closer to the soundhole, your tones will ring out cleanly. The R131L fills a room well when played unplugged.

The smooth matte finish on the R131L allows the mahogany to vibrate freely, increasing acoustic resonance. Overall the guitar sounds balanced across the tonal spectrum - neither too bright nor too bassy. The mahogany produces a vintage tone that works for various genres, from Classical to Latin to Folk.

Playability

The Ortega R131L's playability makes it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike. The low action allows for easy fretting without buzzing, even for those with small hands or lacking finger strength. The wider classical neck may take some adjusting from players used to steel-string acoustic sizes, but it provides very comfortable playing.

The cedar top and mahogany back and sides offer a balanced, mellow tone while remaining resonant enough for various styles of playing. The warmer sound gives flexibility for both fingerpicking and strumming rhythms. While not as loud as spruce-topped guitars, the R131L projects enough for practice and jamming with reasonable volume expectations.

This budget classical guitar delivers very playable performance right out of the box. The setup and intonation provide relatively easy fretting up and down the neck. Beginners will appreciate how the low action allows you to press the strings down without tiring out your hands. The soft neck also helps reduce soreness during longer practice sessions. Overall, the R131L offers remarkable playability at its accessible price point.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid spruce top provides a balanced and clear tone
• Mahogany back and sides offer a warm, mellow sound
• Nato neck allows smooth playability up and down the fretboard
• Rosewood fretboard is comfortable on the fingers
• Chrome covered machine heads keep the guitar in tune
• Palatino tailpiece and bridge provide good intonation
• Comes with lightweight gig bag for easy transport

Cons

• Laminated construction may lack the full resonance of solid wood
• Limited electronics compared to other guitars in this price range
• May require a professional setup for optimal playability
• Not as ornate in appearance compared to premium classical guitars
• Gig bag lacks the protection of a hard case

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ortega R131L is an excellent entry-level classical guitar that provides very good value for the price. The solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides produce a warm, mellow, balanced tone that is ideal for classical repertoire and various styles of fingerpicking. The comfortable neck, slim fretboard, and low action also make this an accessible instrument for beginners and students to learn and progress on.

While the hardware and electronics are basic, they are reliable and functional. This is not the guitar for someone looking for lots of advanced features, but it excels at the fundamentals. Considering the affordable price point, the Ortega R131L delivers impressive build quality, playability and sound. For a new classical guitarist on a budget, it's easy to recommend the Ortega R131L as a top choice that will provide years of enjoyment.