Ortega Guitars RCE138SN-L Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega RCE138SN-L is an affordable nylon-string classical guitar made in China by Ortega Guitars. Ortega is a well-known brand that produces a range of classical and acoustic guitars at budget-friendly prices.

The RCE138SN-L is a full-sized classical guitar with a traditional fan bracing design. It features a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination aims to provide a balanced and rich tone. The nylon strings and wider neck of the RCE138SN-L give it the smooth playability and mellow sound classically trained guitarists look for.

While it doesn't have the prestige of a handmade classical guitar from Spain, the Ortega RCE138SN-L punches above its weight class. It offers students and budget-conscious players a quality instrument to learn and perform on. This review will examine the guitar's build, sound, and playability in more detail.

Physical Features

The Ortega RCE138SN-L classical guitar has a traditional nylon-string guitar shape with a cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck. It features a full-sized body for rich resonance and projection.

The neck is made from select mahogany and has a standard classical width of 2” at the nut. It has a rosewood fretboard with 19 frets and a pinned rosewood bridge. The tuning machines are gold with pearl buttons.

Overall, the materials used in the construction of this classical guitar are high-quality and built to last. The all-mahogany body produces a balanced, warm tone. The cedar top adds brightness and responsiveness. The rosewood fretboard allows for comfortable playability.

With its traditional design and quality materials, the Ortega RCE138SN-L classical guitar provides an excellent platform for nylon-string guitar playing. The full-bodied construction gives it a rich, nuanced sound perfect for playing classical pieces as well as other fingerstyle genres. The cedar and mahogany combination delivers a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.

For guitarists looking for an affordable but well-made classical guitar, the Donner DMT-100 EC1374 is another option to consider. This model features a Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also made from mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. It has 18 frets and chrome enclosed tuning keys.

Like the Ortega, the Donner DMT-100 EC1374 is built using all solid wood construction. This allows it to resonate freely and project sound with authority. The cedar top provides sweet, bright tones while the mahogany back and sides add depth and warmth. The slim neck allows for comfortable playability across the fretboard.

The Donner has a slightly smaller body depth compared to a traditional classical guitar. This makes it a bit more comfortable for smaller-framed players. It comes equipped with nylon strings and can handle various musical styles. Overall, the Donner DMT-100 EC1374 provides great quality and sound at a very affordable price point.

When choosing between the Ortega RCE138SN-L and the Donner DMT-100 EC1374 classical guitars, players should consider their budget and playing style. The Ortega may suit more traditional classical players with its full body shape producing robust sound. The Donner offers similar tonewoods and construction in a slightly more accessible package.

Both of these nylon-string classical guitars deliver rich, balanced acoustic tones perfect for fingerstyle playing. By selecting high-quality solid wood materials, they offer great value for aspiring classical guitarists looking for an affordable but well-constructed instrument. Whether choosing the traditional Ortega or the accessible Donner, players get classic nylon-string sound and quality construction without breaking the bank.

Sound and Tone

The Ortega RCE138SN-L classical guitar produces a warm, rich tone with excellent projection and dynamics. The solid cedar top provides a lush, complex sound that opens up nicely over time. The mahogany back and sides add depth and resonance, emphasizing the guitar's rich lower mids and bass frequencies.

When strummed, the RCE138SN-L has a very balanced and responsive voice. Notes ring out clearly with long sustain. The guitar is capable of dynamic nuance, from delicate pianissimos to forceful fortissimos. The tone is well-rounded, with no frequencies sticking out or getting lost.

Overall, the RCE138SN-L offers an impressive tonal palette. The woods provide exceptional warmth and character, while still allowing projection and dynamics to shine. From hushed passages to aggressive strumming, the guitar's tone remains balanced, nuanced and pleasing. This makes the RCE138SN-L very versatile for various genres and playing styles.

The Ibanez PS60SSL is another high-quality classical guitar that produces beautiful tone and resonance. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. The PS60SSL generates a bright, vibrant sound with great clarity in the treble range. The mahogany back and sides provide a balanced midrange, allowing the crisp trebles to sparkle without getting harsh or overpowering.

When played, the PS60SSL has excellent sustain and resonance across the tonal spectrum. Bass notes are full and rich, while treble notes sing out with just the right amount of brilliance. The guitar is very responsive, capable of conveying subtle tonal shadings and dynamic variation. The tone remains focused and consistent when played forcefully.

With its combination of spruce and mahogany woods, the Ibanez PS60SSL offers the best of both worlds - the warmth and sweetness of mahogany balanced by the shimmer and projection of spruce. The guitar is voiced exceptionally well for classical playing, with the woods working together seamlessly to produce a complex, nuanced tone. The result is a versatile instrument suitable for diverse repertoire from Renaissance to modern eras. Many players find the PS60SSL to be an excellent value, providing impressive sound and playability at a reasonable price point.

For guitarists seeking an affordable classical guitar with professional-grade tone and resonance, the Ibanez PS60SSL is definitely worth considering. While not as warm and lush sounding as a cedar-top instrument like the Ortega RCE138SN-L, the PS60SSL offers a bright, focused voice perfect for tackling intricate classical pieces.

Playability

The RCE138SN-L has excellent playability right out of the box. The mahogany neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile that fits nicely in the hand. The action is very good for a guitar in this price range - the strings are easy to press down without buzzing, even for beginners.

The rosewood fingerboard is smooth and comfortable. The 25.6" scale length provides enough room for intricate fretwork, while still being manageable for smaller hands. The guitar stays in tune very well, thanks in part to the diecast chrome tuners. They feel solid and turn smoothly when making adjustments.

The compensated saddle helps maintain proper intonation across the fretboard. Overall, the playability of the RCE138SN-L punches above its weight class. While not as buttery smooth as premium classical guitars, it provides a very playable experience that belies its affordable price tag.

Hardware

The Ortega RCE138SN-L classical guitar comes equipped with several high-quality hardware components that enable it to produce a rich, resonant sound.

Strings

The guitar has nylon strings, which are typical for a classical guitar. The strings are clear nylon trebles and silverplated copper wound basses, providing a bright, warm tone and good intonation across the fretboard. The string gauge allows for easy bending and vibrato techniques.

Tuning Machines

The Ortega uses open-geared chrome tuning machines with pearloid buttons. The tuning machines keep the guitar in tune well and make re-stringing an easy process. The open gear design provides a classic look.

Nut and Saddle

The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone, which helps transfer string vibrations efficiently. The nut is cut precisely for accurate intonation, while the compensated saddle offsets the lengthening of the bass strings.

Electronics

Since this is an acoustic classical guitar, it does not come equipped with any electronic pickups or preamps. The guitar produces all of its sound acoustically without needing amplification.

Craftsmanship

The Ortega RCE138SN-L is made with high quality materials and excellent craftsmanship that exceeds its affordable price point. The guitar features a solid carved Canadian cedar top, mahogany neck, back and sides, and a rosewood fretboard. The construction and finish are clean and consistent, with tight seams and a high gloss that gives the guitar an elegant look.

The tonewood combination of cedar and mahogany provides a balanced sound with good projection and volume. The thin cedar top helps generate a warm, nuanced tone while the mahogany provides midrange punch and crisp bass response. The dovetail neck joint and wooden binding also enhance resonance for a full-bodied acoustic voice.

Some standout elements of the build include a hand-fitted adjustable truss rod for optimal neck relief, smooth frets with rolled fingerboard edges, and a compensated nut and saddle for improved intonation. The satin finished mahogany neck has a comfortable C profile that makes playing across the fretboard an enjoyable experience.

Overall, the solid woods, precise build quality, and attractive appointments make this an impressive guitar for the price that should provide years of rich resonant tone and playing enjoyment. The craftsmanship and attention to detail really shine through despite its budget-friendly cost.

Value

Getting a lot of guitar for your money, the Ortega RCE138SN-L offers excellent value for the price. While not the cheapest classical guitar you can buy, it delivers premium sound and playability well beyond its modest cost.

The all-solid wood construction provides rich, warm tone not often found on guitars under $200. Between the skillful hand-crafted construction and quality tonewoods, you'd expect to pay much more for an instrument of this caliber. It's a great choice for beginners who want a real classical guitar that will sound good and play well as their skills progress.

More advanced players on a budget will also appreciate the Ortega RCE138SN-L. It gives up little compared to flagship classical guitars costing two to three times more. The premium appointments like the Savarez strings and Indian rosewood fretboard exceed expectations for this price point.

Overall, the Ortega RCE138SN-L punches well above its weight class, giving you professional sound and playability without breaking the bank. If you want an affordable classical guitar that doesn't compromise on quality, it's easy to recommend based on the price to performance ratio.

Pros

• This guitar has a beautiful and rich tone that works well for a wide variety of classical and flamenco styles. The solid cedar top provides warmth and resonance while the mahogany back and sides add balance and clarity.

• The playability of this model is excellent, especially for the price point. The action is low and comfortable right out of the box, making it accessible for beginners but also enjoyable for more advanced players. The slim neck and shorter scale length facilitate comfortable fingering and fast runs.

• The guitar feels very solidly constructed, with quality materials and good attention to detail. The tuning machines in particular operate smoothly and hold tune reliably. The lightweight construction also makes this guitar comfortable to play for extended periods.

• Considering the quality of construction and materials, this Ortega classical guitar represents an excellent value. It punches above its weight class in terms of tone and playability compared to other guitars in this modest price range. The Ortega RCE138SN-L is an ideal entry-level instrument.

Cons

• The bone nut and saddle on this guitar are merely serviceable and may need upgrading for optimal intonation and playability. While functional, they lack the precision and responsiveness of higher quality nut and saddle materials.

• The machine heads can sometimes feel a bit unstable and loose. Tuning stability may become an issue over time as a result. Upgrading to higher quality tuning machines could help improve tuning stability.

• The thin matte finish, while attractive, seems to scuff and scratch easily. The guitar may show signs of wear more quickly than models with more durable or glossy finishes. Proper care is essential to prevent cosmetic damage.

• While suitable for beginners, the guitar offers limited potential for more advanced players. The tone, hardware, and build quality reflect the instrument's lower price point, rather than delivering pro-level features. Upgrading key components could improve sound and playability.

Conclusion

The Ortega RCE138SN-L classical guitar offers excellent value for money and is a great choice for beginner and intermediate players. Its solid top construction produces a rich, full-bodied tone that improves over time. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and resonance. The traditional fan bracing provides a balanced sound across the strings.

While not as responsive or nuanced as more expensive models, the playability is impressive for the price. The wider nut width and moderate action allow comfortable fingering and facilitate techniques like barre chords. The guitar feels lightweight yet sturdy. The hardware performs reliably, staying in tune through practice sessions.

Overall, the Ortega RCE138SN-L punches above its weight class. The quality materials and workmanship result in a surprisingly good instrument considering the budget-friendly price tag. For a starter classical guitar or even a solid backup choice, the RCE138SN-L is easy to recommend. Its warm, balanced tone and comfortable playability make it a pleasure to play for classical guitarists of all levels.