Ortega Guitars RST5MBK Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Ortega RST5MBK is a classical nylon-string guitar designed for beginner to intermediate players looking for an affordable instrument to learn on. Crafted in China with a traditional fan-braced spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this guitar aims to deliver warm, balanced acoustic tone in an accessible package.

With its nylon strings and wider neck, the RST5MBK offers a comfortable playing feel that's ideal for classical technique and repertoire. The included gig bag provides protection for the instrument while keeping it portable for lessons, practice and performances. For those seeking a quality entry-level classical guitar backed by a trusted brand, the Ortega RST5MBK warrants a close look.

Physical Features

The Ortega RST5MBK is a full size classical guitar made from a combination of spruce, cedar, mahogany and rosewood. The top is made from solid German spruce which provides a bright, projecting sound. The back and sides are mahogany which offers a balanced tone.

This is a comfortable guitar to hold and play, with a traditional fan bracing design that provides good support. The neck width at the nut is 52mm which is a standard classical guitar width. The neck is made from cedar with a rosewood fretboard containing 19 frets.

The headstock houses open gear tuning machines with pearl buttons. These allow for smooth and accurate tuning adjustments. The overall dimensions of the guitar are 41 x 10 x 3.5 inches and it weighs approximately 3.3 pounds, making it a nice mid-weight classical.

The Ortega RST5MBK has a traditional classical guitar design and build quality that makes it a great choice for beginner to intermediate players looking for an affordable nylon-string instrument. The solid spruce top produces a bright, balanced tone that projects well. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and resonance. This is an easy to play guitar thanks to its comfortable neck profile and string spacing. It stays in tune reliably with the open gear tuners. The smaller body size makes this a nice guitar for younger players or anyone with smaller hands. Overall, the Ortega RST5MBK combines playability, sound quality and aesthetics in a competitively priced package.

Another popular classical guitar to consider in this price range is the Ibanez AC340OPN. This model has some similarities and differences compared to the Ortega RST5MBK. The Ibanez AC340OPN also has a spruce top, although it uses laminated spruce rather than a solid wood top. The back and sides are ovangkol which gives a slightly brighter tone than mahogany. It has a slimmer neck profile which some find more comfortable for smaller hands. The Ibanez features an open pore natural finish compared to the gloss finish on the Ortega. The Ibanez AC340OPN produces a balanced classical guitar tone and comes ready to play out of the box. It represents another good quality affordable classical worth checking out.

Sound Quality

The Ortega RST5MBK features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, a classic tonewood combination that produces a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The spruce top provides crisp treble tones and good volume and projection, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and richness to the midrange and bass registers.

Reviewers describe the RST5MBK as having excellent sustain. The solid spruce top allows notes to ring out clearly. There is enough bass response from the mahogany to provide fullness and depth, without becoming boomy or muddy. The tone stays balanced across all registers.

The overall sound is described as bright and balanced. The spruce and mahogany combination gives this guitar the typical classical guitar voicing - warm low end, balanced mids, and clear, ringing highs. It has enough volume to hold its own in an ensemble setting. The sustain allows complex passages to ring out fully. The sound quality makes this guitar well-suited for various classical and flamenco styles.

The Ortega RST5MBK's sound quality stands up well against comparable models in this price range, such as the Fender 0378300566. While the Fender has a slightly brighter and more articulate tone, the Ortega counters with a bit more bass warmth and richness. The Ortega may suit players looking for a more rounded classical guitar sound, while the Fender leans toward more projection and treble cut. However, both offer excellent sound and playability at an affordable price point.

Playability

The RST5MBK features a high quality cedro wood fretboard that is smooth and comfortable to play. The neck has a standard classical guitar width of 52mm at the nut which allows easy fretting for most hand sizes.

The action on this guitar is set low and even, making it very playable right out of the box. The intonation is accurately set, meaning chords played high up the neck stay in tune and notes ring true up and down the fretboard.

Some players may want to lower the action slightly to suit faster lead playing styles, but the factory setup provides a good balance of playability for both rhythm and lead work.

Overall the playability rivals more expensive classical guitars, with a fretboard and neck that feel great and allow intricate playing across the entire range. The low action and accurate intonation make this a very playable instrument.

Hardware

The Ortega RST5MBK classical guitar features quality hardware that enables stable tuning and good sustain. The tuning keys are chrome enclosed tuning machines, providing precise and accurate tuning that holds well during playing sessions.

The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone, which has similar acoustic properties as natural bone. The synthetic bones helps transfer string vibrations efficiently to produce a balanced and resonant tone. The strings glide smoothly along the nut slots as well.

The guitar has a rosewood bridge, which complements the rosewood fretboard well. Rosewood is known for its dense and hard properties that promote bright and crisp notes. The material gives the strings a solid contact point on the bridge to generate a strong,projecting sound.

Overall, the hardware components like the enclosed tuners, synthetic nut/saddle, and rosewood bridge equip the RST5MBK with the ability to stay in tune while producing balanced and resonant tones.

Craftsmanship

The Ortega RST5MBK displays excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The fit and finish of this classical guitar are well above its modest price point.

The glossy black finish has an elegant look and feels smooth to the touch. There are no uneven spots or blemishes in the paint job. The binding along the body edges and soundhole provides a nice decorative touch and protects against chipping.

Hardware pieces like the tuners, nut, and bridge are securely installed with no issues noted. The fretwork is cleanly done with smooth, well-leveled frets along the fingerboard. Overall construction seems very solid with no visible gaps between components.

You can tell the luthiers at Ortega took great care while assembling this instrument. The craftsmanship helps produce great sound and playability that punches above the model's weight class. The attention to detail makes the RST5MBK feel like a more expensive classical guitar.

Value

The Ortega RST5MBK provides a solid value in the classical guitar market. It typically retails around $200, which positions it as a low to mid-range model. Compared to other guitars in this price range from brands like Yamaha, it offers a competitive value.

The all-laminate construction keeps costs down while still providing good quality and playability. While the tonewoods used are not solid wood, the spruce and mahogany laminates produce a balanced and rich sound. The hardware, including sealed chrome tuners and a synthetic bone nut and saddle, are adequate for a guitar at this price point.

Considering the overall workmanship, materials used, and sound quality, the RST5MBK punches above its weight class. While more expensive models will offer better woods and craftsmanship, the Ortega represents perhaps the best value you can find before crossing over into the $500+ range. The combination of decent appointments, reliable hardware, and balanced sound make this a respectable classical guitar for the money.

Pros

Quality Sound

The Ortega RST5MBK classical guitar produces a rich, warm sound with good volume and projection thanks to its solid spruce top. The mahogany back and sides also enhance resonance for a balanced tone across the registers. The nylon strings have a mellow, rounded sound perfect for classical guitar repertoire.

Easy to Play

With its traditional fan bracing and slim neck profile, the Ortega RST5MBK offers comfortable, responsive playability. The action is set low and even, making it a nice choice for beginners learning basic chords and scales. The wider nut width provides room for fingerpicking techniques. Overall, the guitar feels natural to hold and play.

Durable Hardware

The guitar features quality hardware including an adjustable truss rod for neck relief, chrome tuners that hold tune well, and a rosewood bridge and fingerboard that withstand string tension and frequent playing over time. The matte finish is also durable and ages gracefully. Owners can enjoy this instrument for many years of playing classical guitar music.

Cons

• The strings it comes with may not be the highest quality and can cause issues staying in tune. Upgrading to higher quality nylon strings can help improve tuning stability.

• The action may be set high out of the box, making it harder to press down the strings, especially for beginners. This can potentially be adjusted by a guitar tech, but it requires some extra work.

• The tuners are regular open gear tuners, not higher end sealed ones. This can allow them to slip out of tune more easily over time as the gears get worn. Upgrading the tuners could improve tuning accuracy.

Summary

The Ortega RST5MBK is an excellent entry-level classical guitar that punches above its weight. Overall, this guitar provides great value and quality for the price.

The ideal user for this classical guitar is the beginner or intermediate player looking for an affordable, well-constructed instrument. The comfortable neck, rich tone, and easy playability make this a great choice for students and hobbyists.

While not as fancy as more expensive models, the Ortega RST5MBK still impresses with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It offers surprising fullness and resonance given its budget-friendly price point. The hardware and craftsmanship are well-executed for an instrument in this range.

In summary, the Ortega RST5MBK classical guitar comes highly recommended as a quality starter instrument. The impressive tonewoods, comfortable construction, and reasonable price make this a top choice for any budding classical guitarist. While not for professionals, it excels as an introductory classical guitar.