Ortega Guitars RCE125SN-L Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega RCE125SN-L is an entry-level classical guitar that comes with electronics. Ortega is owned by the company Schaller, which is known for high quality instrument parts and accessories. This model features a Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides, giving it a well-balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The slim nato neck and Indian rosewood fretboard make it comfortable and easy to play. It comes equipped with a passive undersaddle piezo pickup and preamp, allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for more volume. Overall, the RCE125SN-L offers good value for money as a starter classical guitar with built-in electronics. Its affordable price point and versatile sound make it a smart choice for beginners, students, and entry-level players looking to amplify their instrument.

Build Quality

The Ortega RCE125SN-L features impressive build quality for a classical guitar in this price range. The solid cedar top and mahogany neck offer a lovely combination of warm and bright tones. The back and sides are made from high-quality Dyed Black laminated and pressed woods.

The X-braced solid cedar top gives excellent resonance and durability. It looks lovely with multi-marbling visual Figuring. Ortega's signature drifting pattern rosette design provides an elegant accent around the sound hole.

The neck is made of mahogany with a smoothly finished satin feel. The fretboard and bridge are both rosewood. The delicate craftsmanship shows the attention to detail Ortega puts into each instrument.

The expert construction and smart choice of quality materials provide fantastic tone and playability at an accessible price point. This is a well-made and sturdy guitar built to last.

The solid cedar top is nicely responsive and projects sound clearly. The mahogany neck has a comfortable profile and silky feel that makes playing for long periods enjoyable. The fretwork is clean and consistent up and down the neck.

The body binding and rosette add visual flair. The gloss finish gives it an upscale look. The chrome tuning machines function smoothly and hold tune reliably. Overall fit and finish is impressive for the affordable cost.

The Cordoba GUCLCOR-05048 is another quality entry-level classical guitar with impressive construction. It features a solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and bridge. It produces a balanced warm and bright acoustic tone. The nylon strings have a smooth feel that is easy on the fingers. The satin finish gives it a refined look. This is an excellent choice for a beginner looking to learn on a well-built classical guitar. See the Cordoba GUCLCOR-05048 for more details.

The lightweight construction makes the Ortega comfortable to hold and play. The waist is contoured for ergonomic fit while seated. The wider classical neck encourages proper technique and makes fingering easier for beginners. The nylon strings have a gentler feel compared to steel strings.

This guitar comes with Ortega's limited lifetime warranty to the original owner. This provides peace of mind should any issues arise down the road due to defects in materials or workmanship. Ortega stands behind their products with strong customer support.

Considering the high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and sound, the RCE125SN-L is an incredible value. It punches above its weight for the reasonable price tag. This is an excellent choice for new classical guitar players or parents looking for a quality instrument for their child.

The Ortega RCE125SN-L classical delivers impressive tone and playability in an affordable package. The solid cedar top and all-mahogany body provide balanced warm and bright tones. The comfortable neck and quality construction make learning and practicing enjoyable. This is a fantastic entry-level classical guitar that will provide years of musical enjoyment.

Sound Quality

The Ortega RCE125SN-L produces a rich, resonant, full-bodied sound thanks to its solid spruce top. This tonewood is revered for its crisp, bright tone with excellent projection that works very well for fingerstyle playing. The solid mahogany back and sides also contribute to a balanced, nuanced tone profile.

The wider nut width (50mm) provides ample room between strings for fingerpicking while still retaining clear note separation. The mahogany neck promotes warm, rounded mids and bass. Overall, the guitar projects well with clear articulation across the tonal spectrum from bright treble to robust low end.

The combination of tonewoods and construction gives this Ortega model a well-balanced voice that is versatile for various playing styles. It has enough projection for solo performance yet dynamic range for playing with other musicians or accompanying vocals. The crisp highs cut through the mix while the mahogany body provides a pleasing resonance.

The quality of sound produced by a classical guitar depends on several factors, including the woods used, construction method, and hardware components. Spruce is commonly used for the soundboard as it provides brightness and volume. Mahogany backs and sides offer a balanced tone. The bracing pattern underneath the soundboard also affects resonance and sustain. High quality tuners and nut/saddle materials contribute to good intonation.

When evaluating guitars, it's advisable to compare instruments in a similar price range for the best indication of sound quality. While budget models may get the job done for beginners, stepping up to professional level classical guitars usually yields better tone and volume. The craftsmanship and materials are superior on pro guitars. However, you can find great sounding instruments without breaking the bank. The Grote LPYS-006 balances affordability with quality components to deliver an excellent student guitar option.

When testing guitars in person, listen for the complexity and separation within the tone. Pluck across the strings to hear if basses have enough punch versus muddiness and whether trebles are clear without being harsh. The resonance when strumming open chords shows how the woods interact. Solid wood construction will vibrate freely, while laminates may sound more constrained. See how musical the guitar feels by playing scales and arpeggios. An instrument with good sustain will let the notes ring out.

Recording or video demos can help when buying online. This gives a sense of tonal nuances. But videos only reveal so much, due to playback systems and recording quality. Pictures should show tight grain patterns with few irregularities. Ultimately, seasoned players can tell if an instrument has quality tone from a few strums. It takes time to develop this ear, so don't get discouraged! With practice, you'll learn how to discern good sound.

Playability

The Ortega RCE125SN-L features a full sized classical guitar neck that is comfortable and easy to play. The neck has a traditional c-shape that provides a nice rounded feel. The string action is set low and even, making it very comfortable for fretting chords and single note runs up and down the neck.

The frets are nicely finished with no sharp edges. They extend across the full width of the fingerboard, which allows clear tones when fretting on the treble or bass sides. The fingerboard itself is made of rosewood which is a smooth wood that is gentle on the fingers during longer practice sessions.

Overall the playability of the Ortega RCE125SN-L is excellent. The comfortable neck shape, low action, and smoothly finished frets come together to create an instrument that is a joy to play. Both beginners and experienced players will appreciate how easy this classical guitar feels in the hands.

Electronics

The RCE125SN-L features Ortega's Integrated Custom Active EQ preamp system with EquilibriaTM. The pickup is an internal under-saddle piezo pickup specifically designed for nylon string guitars. The preamp and EQ give you control over volume and tone, allowing you to shape the sound to your preferences.

The preamp has bass, middle and treble controls, so you can boost or cut frequencies to your liking. There is also a presence control to add brightness and clarity to the tone. A notch filter helps reduce feedback at problematic frequencies. The preamp requires a 9V battery, and has an LED indicator so you know when the battery is running low.

The volume and tone controls are located just inside the soundhole for quick and easy access while playing. The battery compartment is also conveniently housed inside the guitar. Overall the electronics setup on the RCE125SN-L provides flexibility for amplified performance situations like stage, studio or practice.

Hardware

The Ortega RCE125SN-L features quality hardware that enhances the playability and functionality of the guitar.

The tuning machines are die-cast chrome with pearloid buttons. They keep the guitar in tune well and are smooth to turn. The nut width of 52mm provides comfortable room for fingerstyle playing.

The rosewood bridge has a compensated saddle for improved intonation across the fretboard. The height is adjustable for optimizing the action to your playing style and preference.

The chrome hardware matches the finishes nicely for an attractive look. Overall the hardware components are well-made and functional without being overly fancy.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The RCE125SN-L has a traditional classical guitar body shape with a comfortable contoured back for improved ergonomics. The body is made from mahogany with a satin finish, providing a nice lightweight feel.

At around 4 lbs, this guitar sits in the average weight range for a classical model. The weight is well-balanced across the body, with no neck dive issues. This makes the RCE125SN-L comfortable to hold in either a seated or standing position for extended periods of practice or performance.

The neck has a standard classical width and C-shaped profile that most players will find comfortable and familiar. The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for smooth, fast transitions up and down the fingerboard. The tapered headstock design helps offset the weight at the end of the neck as well.

Overall, the RCE125SN-L offers a traditional and comfortable playing experience suitable for most classical guitarists. The lightweight body with contoured back, balanced weight distribution, and satin neck make this an ergonomic and accessible instrument.

Value for Money

The Ortega RCE125SN-L offers excellent value for money for a nylon string electric classical guitar. At around $250, it's very competitively priced compared to similar models from other brands.

You get a lot for your money with the Ortega. It has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which are tonewoods found on more expensive models. The build quality and attention to detail is impressive for the price point. The onboard electronics allow you to amplify your sound at gigs or recordings.

Considering the quality materials, workmanship, and electronics, the Ortega RCE125SN-L punches above its weight. While it may lack some bells and whistles found on pricier models, it provides an excellent bang for your buck. The value proposition makes it easy to recommend for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable nylon string electro-acoustic classical guitar.

Alternatives to Consider

When looking at classical and nylon string guitars in the same price range as the Ortega RCE125SN-L, here are some other recommended models to consider:

• Cordoba C5 - This all-solid wood classical guitar from Cordoba offers great quality and tone for the price. The European spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides provide a balanced and nuanced sound.

• Yamaha C40II - Yamaha is known for their quality classical guitars even at lower price points. The C40II has a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a nato neck. It delivers warm tones expected from a classical guitar.

• Kremona Sofia - This Bulgarian made classical guitar features a cedar top and walnut back and sides. It produces a bright and focused sound. The slim neck profile also makes it comfortable for beginners.

• La Patrie Motif - With a Canadian cedar top and laminated wild cherry back and sides, this guitar offers a balanced warm and bright tone. The slim neck and low action facilitate easy playing.

• Cordoba C7 - Moving up in Cordoba's lineup, the all-solid wood C7 provides professional level quality and voice for intermediate players. Spruce and Indian rosewood contribute to rich warm tones.

Summary

The Ortega RCE125SN-L is a high quality nylon string classical guitar that strikes an impressive balance between traditional construction and modern playability. It's an excellent option for beginner to intermediate players looking for their first serious classical guitar.

Pros:

• Solid cedar top and mahogany back/sides provide balanced, rich tone
• Canadian maple neck offers stability and sustain
• Easy upper fret access thanks to comfortable slim neck profile
• Onboard electronics allow for amplification
• Very good value for money

Cons:

• Electronics could be improved, slightly thin amplified tone
• Despite solid top, projection is just adequate

Ideal For: Beginners and budget-conscious intermediate classical guitarists who want a quality instrument with nice traditional looks and comfortable playability. The electronics add useful versatility.

Overall: With quality tonewoods, comfortable playability and useful electronics, the RCE125SN-L punches above its price point. A great choice as a first serious classical guitar.