Ortega Guitars R133-7 Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega R133-7 is a 7-string nylon classical guitar made by Ortega Guitars, a company known for producing quality and affordable classical guitars. This model offers an accessible option for players looking to expand into the extended range of a 7-string classical guitar.

With its spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the R133-7 provides traditional classical guitar tone and playability. The wider neck and extra low B string allows for richer bass notes and wider chord voicings. While requiring some adjustment from a standard 6-string, the R133-7 lets players explore new compositions and arrangements.

Overall, the Ortega R133-7 brings accessible 7-string range to classical guitarists on a budget, while maintaining Ortega's reputation for well-crafted and great sounding instruments. It provides an excellent entry point into the world of 7-string nylon string guitars.

Construction

The R133-7 features a solid Canadian cedar top paired with mahogany back and sides. This combination of tonewoods produces a balanced sound with good projection and warm overtones in the mids and low end.

The solid cedar top is lightly braced allowing it to vibrate freely. This helps bring out the guitar's volume and allows the top to open up with an articulate and clear treble response. Cedar is valued for its blend of strength, lightweight properties and balanced tone.

The mahogany back and sides offer a rich low-mid presence while also giving some brightness. Mahogany is known for its warm, rounded tone which fills out the R133-7's voice nicely. The mahogany's semi-bright characteristics complement the cedar top well.

Overall the all-wood body construction of cedar and mahogany makes for a responsive and resonant classical guitar with excellent tonal balance. The solid Canadian cedar and mahogany tonewoods are quality materials that give the R133-7 a full, warm sound. If you're looking for a great entry-level classical guitar, be sure to check out the Grote MG-404 which features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. This budget friendly model delivers surprisingly good tone and playability for the price. With a hand-rubbed gloss finish, the MG-404 looks as good as it sounds. The MG-404's smaller body size makes it comfortable for beginners to handle while still providing rich classical guitar tone. The nylon strings have a smooth feel that is easier on the fingers than steel strings. Whether you're a new player or seasoned guitarist, the Grote MG-404 is an excellent choice for classical guitar on a budget. With quality appointments like a bone nut and saddle, chrome tuners and rosewood fretboard, the MG-404 punches above its weight class. See the Grote MG-404 here for an affordable classical guitar that doesn't compromise on tone: Grote MG-404.

Finish

The Ortega R133-7 features a high gloss natural finish that enhances the visual appeal of the instrument. The finish gives the guitar an elegant and refined look, with the natural wood grains shining through beautifully.

Unlike some budget classical guitars that use basic matte finishes, the high gloss finish on the R133-7 adds a layer of depth and sophistication to its appearance. When light hits the guitar, it reflects off the smooth glossy surface, showcasing the natural color variations and patterns in the wood. This not only makes the guitar more aesthetically pleasing to look at, but gives it a premium feel that belies its affordable price point.

The gloss finish is smooth to the touch and appears durable and well-applied. There are no signs of uneven patches or flaws in the finish that would detract from the guitar's looks. Overall, the high gloss treatment gives this Ortega model a stylish, polished appearance fitting for a classical concert guitar. It's a testament to the attention to visual details that offer added value despite the reasonable cost.

The finish of a classical guitar like the Ortega R133-7 is an important factor in its visual appeal. While budget models may opt for basic matte finishes, the high gloss treatment on the R133-7 provides an elegant, refined look. When light reflects off the smooth surface, it showcases the natural wood grain patterns and color variations beautifully. This level of detail contributes to a sophisticated appearance belying the guitar's affordable price tag. For players seeking both quality construction and attractive aesthetics, the Fender 0971170521 is another option worth considering. With a laminated spruce top and mahogany back/sides treated with a smooth natural gloss finish, it offers comparable visuals to the Ortega model. While it may lack some of the same attention to detail, Fender compensates with its trusted brand name and reputation in guitar manufacturing. For budget-conscious buyers, it represents a viable alternative for an attractive beginner classical guitar.

Neck

The R133-7 features a traditional Classical guitar neck construction with a Canadian cedar neck and rosewood fingerboard. This combination provides stability while allowing the guitar to resonate freely.

The neck has a slightly wider nut width of 2 inches compared to a standard classical guitar, which accommodates the additional low 7th string. However, it retains a comfortable rounded profile that fits nicely in the hand. The rosewood fingerboard has a radius of 400 mm, with boxed ebony bridge pins on a matching rosewood bridge.

Overall, the neck feels smooth and easy to play, even when navigating the wider 7-string fretboard. The Canadian cedar contributes to the guitar's balanced tone while the rosewood fingerboard provides clarity in the treble registers. Even when playing complex chords and scale runs, the neck remains comfortable and playable.

Hardware

The Ortega R133-7 features chrome enclosed tuning machines and a rosewood bridge. The tuning machines hold the tuning stability well and are smooth to turn. The chrome finish gives them an attractive look. The rosewood bridge matches the fretboard and provides a solid anchor point for the strings. Its curved shape helps with the playability. Overall, the hardware components are decent quality for this price range of guitar. They function well and complement the instrument aesthetically.

Sound

The Ortega R133-7 produces a rich, warm tone with excellent projection that is suited for both practice and performance settings. The wider string spacing compared to a 6-string classical guitar contributes to the fullness of its sound.

The fan bracing and solid cedar top provide the R133-7 with a balanced tone across all seven strings, allowing the bass notes to ring out clearly without overwhelming the treble strings. Players report that it has a focused yet nuanced classical guitar voice.

While not as loud as some high-end 7-string classical guitars, the Ortega R133-7 offers impressive volume and dynamic range. The sound is clear, balanced, and resonant enough to fill a small to medium sized room without amplification. It's a responsive instrument that is sensitive to different playing dynamics.

Many users describe the R133-7 as having a mature, seasoned sound that exceeds its modest price point. The solid wood construction provides the warmth and character expected from a classical guitar, making this a great choice for aspiring classical players.

Playability

The Ortega R133-7 boasts superb playability with its low action and comfortable neck profile. The action, referring to string height above the fretboard, is set exceptionally low from the factory without any fret buzz. This allows easy pressing of the strings without undue finger effort. Beginners in particular will appreciate the low action, as it enables forming chords and notes cleanly even with minimal finger pressure and strength.

The neck profile on this model is described by Ortega as "Traditional Classical." It has a rounded C-shape that fits comfortably in the hand. The width at the nut is 52mm, which allows ample room for fingering while still feeling manageable. The neck is crafted from mahogany and has a satin finish, allowing smooth movement up and down the fretboard. The fretwork from Ortega's workshops is impressively smooth and consistent along the neck.

Overall, the easy playability provided by the low action and comfortable neck make this an accessible instrument for novice players while still satisfying more advanced guitarists. The smooth feel and freedom of movement allow one to concentrate on the music rather than struggling with the mechanics of playing.

Pros

The Ortega R133-7 7-string classical guitar has several notable pros that make it a quality instrument for the price.

• Quality Materials: The R133-7 features a solid Canadian cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. These tonewoods provide a rich, warm sound with good resonance and projection. The all-wood construction gives the guitar a natural acoustic tone.

• Good Sound: Reviewers praise the R133-7 for its full-bodied, balanced sound that belies its lower price point. It produces clean treble tones and robust bass notes. The wider neck and extra bass string allow for expanded range and possibilities.

• Easy Playability: This Ortega classical guitar has a comfortable neck profile and low action that make it very playable right out of the box. The slim neck and shorter scale length reduce tension, making it easier to fret notes and chord shapes. It's an accessible instrument even for beginners.

Cons

Some potential downsides to consider with the Ortega R133-7 7-string classical guitar:

• May need a setup: As with many guitars in this price range, the R133-7 may benefit from a professional setup out of the box to optimize the playability. The nut slots, neck relief, and string height could require adjustment for optimal playability.

• Fit and finish could be better: There are some reports that the overall fit and finish is just okay and not comparable to more expensive classical guitars. For example, some users note the saddle and nut edges being a little sharp and the binding around the body not being perfectly smooth. The matte finish is convenient but also less refined looking.

Conclusion

The Ortega R133-7 7-string classical guitar provides great value for those looking to expand into the extended range that a 7-string classical offers. With its spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it produces a balanced and nuanced tone that works well for both traditional and contemporary classical pieces. This would make a nice entry-level instrument for a beginner or intermediate player who wants to explore the possibilities of the 7-string format without a huge investment.

The playability is quite good for the price, with a comfortable neck and quality hardware. Intonation and action were good out of the box. While not as refined in tone and playability as more expensive models, the Ortega R133-7 punches above its weight class. For classical guitarists looking to dip their toes into 7-string territory, the Ortega R133-7 is easy to recommend.