Ortega Guitars RST5-1/2 Classical Guitar: Full Review

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Ortega Guitars was founded in California in 1994 by Pacific Music Company and has grown to be one of the most popular classical guitar brands for beginners and students. Known for producing affordable nylon-string guitars, Ortega aims to make quality classical guitars accessible to all levels of players.

The RST5-1/2 model reviewed here is one of Ortega's best-selling starter classical guitars. It delivers solid construction and sound at a very reasonable price point, making it an ideal first classical guitar. With its comfortable nylon string neck and mellow tone, this Ortega model allows beginning players to start experiencing the joy of classical guitar.

Body Style and Design

The Ortega RST5-1/2 has a traditional classical guitar body shape with a rounded lower bout and shoulders. It features a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a natural satin finish.

The spruce top is finely grained and provides a nice balanced tone. Spruce is a popular choice for classical guitars as it offers a good balance of strength, lightness, and resonance.

The mahogany back and sides offer a warmer, rounded tone. Mahogany is known for its rich low-midrange character. The natural satin finish allows the woods' natural beauty to shine through.

Overall, the RST5-1/2 has an elegant and refined aesthetic perfect for classical guitar playing. The traditional body shape and wood combination deliver excellent sound while retaining a classic nylon-string look.

When comparing the Ortega RST5-1/2 to other classical guitars, it stacks up well against competitors. The Yamaha CG192C is another excellent entry-level classical guitar with a spruce top and nato back and sides. It has a slightly wider nut width of 52mm compared to 51mm on the Ortega. This can help accommodate wider fingers. The Yamaha also features scalloped bracing which can project sound more efficiently. Overall, the CG192C delivers full low end with bright treble tones. See more details on the Yamaha CG192C classical guitar here: Yamaha CG192C.

Both guitars use quality tonewoods and are designed to be comfortable for new players. The Ortega may edge out the Yamaha slightly when it comes to craftsmanship and attention to detail. However, the Yamaha offers slightly better high-end presence. For the price, either model makes an excellent beginner classical guitar. Starting out, features like playability, comfort, and tone are more important than small details in wood grain and binding.

When researching classical guitars, you'll also want to consider options from Cordoba, LaPatrie, and Kremona among others. Pay attention to neck width, wood materials, and brand reputation from both retailers and other players. Narrow your choices down to a few models, then try to test them in person if possible. See which guitar feels, sounds, and looks best to your individual taste. An entry-level classical guitar like the Ortega RST5-1/2 or Yamaha CG192C will give you an excellent foundation on which to build your classical guitar skills.

Neck

The RST5-1/2 has a classic Spanish neck design with a solid cedar neck. The neck is thin and comfortable, making it easy to grip and play.

The fretboard is made of rosewood, which provides a smooth feel and warm, rounded tone. Rosewood is a popular and traditional choice on classical guitars. The frets are nicely finished and offer a good balance between playability and longevity.

The nut and saddle are both plastic, which helps keep costs down on this budget model while still providing proper string spacing and break angle. Upgrading to bone nut and saddle could potentially improve tone and resonance. Overall, the neck is well-crafted on the RST5-1/2 considering the affordable price point. The thin profile and rosewood fretboard make it very playable for classical repertoire.

The neck is one of the most important parts of any guitar, especially for classical guitars where intricate fingerwork is required. The neck must be comfortable to grip and playable across the entire fretboard. Budget classical guitars can sometimes compromise on neck quality and use cheaper materials, but the RST5-1/2 manages to deliver a great neck for the price. The cedar neck provides a solid feel while the thin profile makes stretching your fingers easy. The Ortega Guitars RST5 balances playability with traditional design in its neck construction.

Many classical guitarists prefer a thinner, nylon-string friendly neck profile. The RST5-1/2 fits into this category with its slim neck that fits comfortably in your hand. Gripping and fretting notes is made easier by the smart Spanish neck design. The smooth rosewood fretboard is also ideal for fast runs and precise fingering. While some cheaper guitars use laurel or other woods for fretboards, the RST5-1/2 uses traditional rosewood which classical players expect. The wood type impacts tone, resonance and feel under the fingers.

Overall the neck is one of the strongest features of this budget classical model. While hardware like the tuners and strings may be areas to upgrade, the neck itself punches above its class. The profile, materials, fretwork and width come together to offer playability that belies the affordable price tag. For new students or experienced players on a budget, the RST5-1/2's neck is comfortable and easy to play.

Hardware

The Ortega RST5-1/2 features sealed die-cast chrome tuners that do a great job of keeping this guitar in tune. The tuners are smooth and precise, allowing for accurate and fine tuning adjustments. Overall, the tuners perform very well and are a nice upgrade from the open style tuners often found on lower-priced classical guitars.

In terms of the bridge, the RST5-1/2 utilizes a rosewood bridge with a synthetic bone saddle. The bridge and saddle are both well-made and help transfer vibrations evenly across the soundboard. The fit and finish is good, with no obvious flaws or issues. The bridge height can also be adjusted to set the action to a comfortable playing height for each individual user. Some players may choose to swap out the saddle for a hand-carved bone option, but the synthetic bone that comes stock gets the job done perfectly fine.

Overall, the hardware on the Ortega RST5-1/2 classical guitar is high quality for the price point. The sealed die-cast tuners and rosewood bridge with synthetic bone saddle both function as expected on an entry-level classical guitar.

Pickups and Electronics

The Ortega RST5-1/2 is an acoustic classical guitar, so it does not have any pickups or electronics. This is typical for classical guitars, as they are designed to be played acoustically without amplification.

Some key points about the lack of electronics:

• Produces a natural, unamplified acoustic sound. The guitar must be played in settings suitable for an acoustic instrument.

• No ability to amplify or modify the sound with effects. Players who want electronic features would need a guitar with built-in pickups.

• Avoiding pickups helps keep costs down and allows more budget to be allocated to high-quality acoustic craftsmanship.

• Gives the guitar a traditional classical aesthetic without visible pickups and knobs. Electronics can alter the look and feel of an instrument.

Overall, the lack of pickups and electronics is expected for the RST5-1/2's design as an acoustic classical guitar focused on all-natural sound. Players wanting amplification or effects would need to look at other models or use a soundhole pickup.

Sound and Tone

The Ortega RST5-1/2 produces the warm, resonant sound that classical guitars are known for. The cedar top provides a sweet, melodic tone with good sustain and enough projection for solo playing or ensemble work.

The mahogany back and sides add depth and richness to the sound. There's a pleasing roundness to each note that enhances the nylon strings' natural warmth. The guitar resonates nicely when strummed, with the top vibrating freely to allow the sound to bloom.

This model delivers a balanced and nuanced classical guitar voice. It's responsive across the tonal spectrum, allowing for expressive dynamics. The sound is focused yet expansive, and notes ring out with clarity. While not as loud as premium classical guitars, the Ortega RST5-1/2 provides very nice acoustic projection and bloom for the price range.

Overall, the guitar's materials and construction allow it to produce a refined classical guitar tone. The sound is clean, warm, and resonant, ideal for a wide range of musical styles.

Playability

The Ortega RST5-1/2 has excellent playability for a guitar in this price range. The action out of the box is set low and comfortable, making it easy for beginners to press the strings down to the frets. The fretwork is nicely done as well, with smooth and rounded fret ends that don't scratch or poke fingers.

The neck has a comfortable C-profile that should accommodate most hand sizes. It's not overly chunky but has enough thickness to feel sturdy. The satin finish on the back of the neck also helps your hand glide easily up and down during playing. The wider classical guitar neck width provides ample room for fingering chords and notes.

Overall, the playability of the RST5-1/2 exceeds expectations considering its budget-friendly price point. The low action and quality fretwork allow beginners to easily play chords and notes without discomfort. And the comfortable neck profile and finish make it a joy to hold and play for extended periods.

Pros

The Ortega RST5-1/2 is a great value for an all-solid wood classical guitar. The solid spruce top produces a bright, balanced tone. The Indian rosewood back and sides add warmth and richness to the sound. The guitar projects very well with plenty of volume and sustain.

The guitar is very playable right out of the box. The low action and comfortable neck make it easy to play complex classical pieces. The wider nut width provides room for fretting notes clearly. The guitar stays in tune very well even during longer practice sessions.

For a beginner or intermediate level classical guitar, the Ortega RST5-1/2 punches above its weight in terms of sound quality and playability. The all-solid wood construction and quality hardware provide professional level tone and performance at an affordable price point. Overall, an excellent value classical guitar for the money.

Cons

• The neck may feel too wide for some players with smaller hands. The nut width is 52mm which is on the wider side for a classical guitar.

• The tuners are regular chrome sealed tuners rather than higher end open gear tuners. They hold tune well enough but could be upgraded.

• The fretwork is not as refined as more expensive models. You may encounter some sharp frets or uneven spots.

• The entry level strings and bridge that come on the guitar can make it harder to control the intonation. Upgrading strings and the bridge saddle can improve intonation accuracy.

• While functional, the looks are a bit plain. Those wanting a more ornate classical guitar may be disappointed in the simple styling.

• The slim body depth provides comfort but loses some projection versus deeper bodied classicals. The tone is not as loud unplugged.

• There is no cutaway for access to higher frets. Difficult to play extremely high on the neck.

• The pickup and preamp are very basic. It works for practice but lacks the nuance of higher end electronics.

Conclusion

The Ortega RST5-1/2 classical guitar provides excellent value in an entry-level instrument, suitable for beginners looking to learn classical style guitar. Its spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, warm tone. The guitar's nylon strings are easier on fingers than steel strings, facilitating longer practice sessions. While the hardware and electronics are basic, they perform adequately for an instrument in this price range.

The wider classical neck may take some adjusting for those used to steel-string acoustics, but improves nylon string tone and playability. Intonation and action are set up well out of the box, and the guitar stays in tune nicely. The Ortega RST5-1/2 lacks the projection and richness of tone found in more expensive classical guitars, but delivers an impressive sound considering its affordable price point.

Overall, the Ortega RST5-1/2 is recommended for new classical guitarists, or experienced players looking for an affordable secondary instrument. While not suitable for professional performance, it provides excellent value as a practice and learning tool. The combination of quality materials, construction and sound make this a wise choice for aspiring classical guitarists ready to buy their first nylon-string.