Ortega Guitars RSTC5M-L Classical Guitar: Full Review

Ortega Guitars is a guitar manufacturer based in Spain that has been making quality classical and flamenco guitars since 1988. Founded by father and son Paco and Rafael Ortega, the company quickly gained a reputation for crafting affordable yet high-quality nylon-string guitars.

Ortega has factories in China and Indonesia to produce their beginner and intermediate models, while their professional-grade guitars are still handmade in Spain. They offer a wide range of classical and flamenco guitars to suit all playing levels and budgets.

Known for their excellent price-to-quality ratio, Ortega guitars often punch above their weight class in terms of tone, playability and construction. Many consider them to be an excellent entry-level brand for those looking to buy their first nylon-string guitar. At the same time, Ortega's pro-level instruments are played by accomplished guitarists around the world.

Overview

The Ortega RSTC5M-L is an affordable classical nylon-string acoustic guitar from one of Spain's leading classical guitar makers. This is a full-size model with a left-handed orientation, featuring a classic symmetrical fan-braced design.

The RSTC5M-L has a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. The neck is made from mahogany with a 12-fret rosewood fingerboard. Overall, this is an excellent entry-level classical guitar for left-handed players looking for a quality instrument from a reputable brand.

When shopping for a classical guitar as a left-handed player, it's important to find an instrument specifically made for left-handed playing. While some acoustic guitars can be strung for left or right-handed playing, classical guitars are asymmetrically braced and designed for optimal sound projection based on their orientation. Finding a true left-handed classical guitar like the Ortega RSTC5M-L ensures you get the proper tone and playability.

Another excellent left-handed option to consider is the Fender 144502515 classical acoustic guitar. This is another high quality, affordable classical model designed for left-handed players. It features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, and a smooth satin finish. Fender has a great reputation for making guitars accessible for all players, so their 144502515 model is definitely worth checking out if you want a solid lefty classical guitar without breaking the bank.

When shopping for your first classical guitar as a left-handed player, focus on finding an authentic left-handed model like the Ortega RSTC5M-L or Fender 144502515. Pay attention to the materials, craftsmanship and set-up to ensure it meets your needs. It's worth investing in a quality instrument even as a beginner, since a properly constructed classical guitar will be easier to play and stay in tune. With the right left-handed classical guitar, you'll be able to enjoy the warm, nylon-string tone that makes these instruments so expressive and enjoyable to play.

Construction

The Ortega RSTC5M-L is carefully crafted with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The combination of spruce and mahogany produces a balanced tone that is warm and rich in the low end, but still bright and responsive on the treble strings.

The spruce top is harvested from high quality tonewoods that provide the crispness and clarity that spruce is known for. The mahogany back and sides add depth and character to the overall sound.

This classical guitar is manufactured in China. While some lower-end models compromise on materials and craftsmanship, the RSTC5M-L uses quality tonewoods and attention to detail. The guitar features clean bindings and a smooth gloss finish.

Overall, the selection of tonewoods and manufacturing quality allow this budget-friendly model to deliver an impressive sound and playing experience, especially at this price point. The all-wood construction produces a resonant and balanced acoustic tone.

If you're looking for a high-quality classical guitar with premium tonewoods and excellent playability, the Fender 0370121554 is an excellent option to consider. This model from the world-renowned Fender brand offers solid cedar construction with a laminated mahogany back and sides. The combination produces a rich low-end with sparkling highs.

The cedar top provides an articulate and complex tone, allowing you to hear every nuance and overtone. It has a quick response and balanced resonance across the tonal spectrum. The mahogany back and sides offer a smooth midrange, pleasant sustain, and refined bass. This is an ideal pairing of tonewoods for classical guitars seeking a lush and refined voice.

In addition to premium materials, the Fender 0370121554 features high-end appointments like a bone nut and saddle. The nut and saddle have an impact on tone, sustain, and intonation. Upgraded materials like bone improve the transfer of vibration. There is also attractive binding and rosette detailing that gives this classical guitar visual elegance.

When it comes to playability, the Fender has a comfortable neck profile with a 25.3" scale length. The action is set low and allows easy fingering for beginners or experienced players alike. It comes strung with Fender 92B high carbon steel strings for excellent intonation and reduced fret wear.

As you can see, the Fender 0370121554 is an excellent choice if you want the quality and heritage of an iconic guitar brand in a nylon-string classical. It delivers professional grade materials, premium tonewoods, and easy playability. The resonant cedar and mahogany body produce a rich and nuanced acoustic voice. Check it out if you want an affordable classical guitar with pro-level specs.

Sound

The Orchestra model classical guitar from Ortega has a warm, balanced tone that projects well. This is thanks to its solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides construction.

Cedar is a popular tonewood for classical guitars as it produces a bright, sweet sound with good bass response. The cedar top allows each individual note to ring out clearly. Mahogany complements the cedar top by adding depth and richness to the tone. The mahogany back and sides boost the midrange frequencies, filling out the guitar's voice.

Together, the all-wood construction provides excellent resonance and sustain. The guitar has impressive volume and projection that allows it to stand out, even when played alongside other instruments. The tone remains balanced across the frequency range, with sparkling highs from the cedar and robust lows from the mahogany.

The Orchestra model produces a versatile and lively classical guitar tone. It's a great choice for solo playing as well as for ensemble work, where the sound needs to cut through a mix of instruments. The solid woods allow the true character of the guitar to develop over time, maturing into complex overtones.

Playability

The Ortega RSTC5M-L classical guitar features a cedar top and mahogany back and sides, allowing for a balanced and articulate tone. The guitar has a traditional fan-braced top, which helps project the sound.

The neck is made of nato wood, which is strong and stable. It has a standard classical guitar width of 52mm at the nut. This nut width provides comfortable room for the left hand to fret notes and facilitates fingerstyle playing.

The fingerboard is also nato wood. It has a slightly radiused surface which is easy on the fingers during bending and vibrato techniques. The fretwork from the factory is nicely done with no sharp edges.

The action on the RSTC5M-L is set up well out of the box at a medium height. This allows for reasonably easy fretting without excessive buzzing. The action can also be adjusted down to personal preference without much loss of volume or tone.

Overall, the construction and set up of the RSTC5M-L provides very good playability for intermediate players and students. The smooth neck, radiused fingerboard, and decent factory action accommodate both classical playing and various contemporary fingerstyle techniques.

Hardware

The Ortega RSTC5M-L Classical Guitar features chrome die-cast tuning machines with pearloid buttons. These provide precise and smooth tuning adjustment.

The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone. The synthetic bone nut promotes accurate note definition, while being less prone to cracking than natural bone. The saddle allows for customized string heights and intonation adjustments. Its synthetic composition avoids shrinkage over time compared to natural materials.

Overall, the hardware components on the Ortega RSTC5M-L are decent quality for an entry-level classical guitar in this price range. The tuning machines hold tune well. And the nut and saddle offer playable action and intonation out of the box. Upgrading to higher-end components could potentially unlock further tone and playability, but is not imperative for a beginner's needs.

Electronics

The Ortega RSTC5M-L classical guitar features simple but quality electronics to amplify its sound. It has a built-in piezo pickup under the saddle that captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The pickup connects to an active preamp with a volume knob and tone control located just inside the soundhole for easy access while playing.

The volume knob allows you to control the output level of the guitar plugged into an amplifier or PA system. The tone control lets you shape the EQ, adding more bass or treble as desired. The preamp requires a 9V battery to power it.

The guitar output jack is located on the side of the lower bout. It allows you to connect a 1/4-inch cable from the Ortega to an amp or mixer. The piezo pickup and preamp system produce a balanced, clear amplified tone comparable to an acoustic-electric guitar.

Overall, the electronics setup on the Ortega RSTC5M-L is straightforward but very functional. It's perfect for performers who need to plug their classical guitar into reinforcement systems for concerts or recordings. The electronics don't interfere with the guitar's natural acoustic properties either.

Pros

• Solid cedar wood top provides depth and warm tone in this entry-level classical guitar
• Nylon strings have a mellow, rounded sound compared to steel strings
• Comes with Savarez Cristal Corum high tension strings for excellent intonation and response
• Slim neck profile makes it very playable and comfortable for smaller hands

Cons

• The thin body and minimal bracing can lead to issues with sound projection for some players. The light construction prioritizes playability and portability over maximized volume and tone.

• The direct geared tuning machines are decent but lower quality than higher-end classical guitars. Some guitarists may want to upgrade the tuners.

• The synthetic bone nut and saddle are cost-saving measures that affect tone quality compared to natural bone or other upgraded materials.

• A limited two-year warranty and questionable long-term durability for heavy use. May not withstand as much wear and tear as solid wood models.

Conclusion

The Ortega RSTC5M-L classical guitar provides an excellent entry-level option for left-handed players looking to learn the instrument. Its spruce top and mahogany back/sides produce a balanced, clean tone suitable for a wide range of classical repertoire. The comfortable neck and slimmer body size also make it an accessible choice for younger students or players with smaller hands.

While it may lack some projection compared to more expensive models, the guitar offers great value given the solid top construction and very reasonable price point. The nylon strings have a soft, easy feel on the fingers that facilitates intricate fingerstyle playing. It's a well-made, attractive guitar that will give any beginner the tools they need to develop proper classical technique.

Overall, the Ortega RSTC5M-L is highly recommended for left-handed classical guitarists searching for their first serious instrument. The quality and playability rival guitars costing much more, making it an ideal choice.