RockJam W-560-N Classical Guitar: Full Review

RockJam is a company known for making quality, affordable musical instruments and accessories. Founded in 2009, they aim to help aspiring musicians access the gear they need to learn and play music.

Their Classical Guitar RockJam W-560-N is an excellent starter nylon-string acoustic guitar. With its comfortable design, warm sound, and very wallet-friendly price tag, it's a great choice for beginners looking to learn classical guitar techniques or more experienced players on a budget.

Let's take a closer look at the W-560-N's design, sound, and overall performance to see if it lives up to RockJam's reputation for value.

Overview

The RockJam W-560-N is a full-size classical guitar made for beginners or students. It has a traditional nylon string classical guitar sound and feel. This model comes in at the lower end of the price range for a full-size classical, making it an affordable option for those looking to start learning on a nylon string guitar without breaking the bank.

The W-560-N is a standard full size classical guitar body measuring 48 inches long. It has a 2 inch nut width and comes strung with nylon strings, as is typical for a classical guitar. This gives it a mellow, warm tone that is great for playing classical and flamenco style music. The spruce top helps provide good volume and clarity.

For new players, the W-560-N's nylon strings are easier on the fingers than steel strings, making it more comfortable to learn on. The wider neck also allows for easier fingering of notes and chords. This RockJam model comes with an adjustable truss rod inside the neck to provide some relief against string tension and allow for proper action height adjustment.

The guitar has a laminated linden body with a spruce top. The back and sides are made of basswood. While not a solid wood construction, this helps keep costs down while still providing decent tone and durability. The bridge is rosewood, which is typical for classical guitars. It comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings, a known brand in the classical guitar world.

In terms of sound, buyers report the W-560-N as having good volume and clarity for the price. It produces the warm, bright tones expected of a nylon string classical. The spruce top in particular helps project the sound. While not at the level of a professional classical guitar, it provides very decent tone for a beginner instrument. Many owners upgrade to better strings which further improves the sound.

The guitar comes with a nylon gig bag, so you'll need to buy a hard case separately if you want more protection. It does not come with a built-in pickup or preamp system, so you'll need to mic it up for amplification. Overall, the RockJam W-560-N is an excellent entry-level choice for those wanting to learn classical guitar on a budget.

Another good beginner classical guitar option to consider is the Ibanez PF15NT. This is also an affordably priced nylon string guitar aimed at students and novices. It features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The body is a little smaller than a full size classical. The PF15NT produces a bright, balanced tone and comes with an Ibanez headstock and quality tuners. The smaller body size makes it comfortable for younger players or those with smaller hands. While it doesn't have the full projection of a pro classical guitar, it provides warm nylon string tones at a budget friendly price point.

Appearance

The RockJam W-560-N has a classic nylon-string guitar design with a flamed maple top, back and sides that give it an attractive appearance. The headstock features the RockJam logo on a walnut finish.

This model comes in multiple rich finish options like Blue Burst, Vintage Sunburst and Natural. The transparent and high-gloss layers help bring out the woodgrain patterns and hues of the maple beautifully. The carefully applied finish gives the instrument a smooth, polished and elegant look.

The W-560-N has a thinline body depth which makes it comfortable for both younger players and adults to handle. The sleek single-cutaway style allows easy access to the higher frets while retaining the traditional nylon-string shape. Overall, the RockJam W-560-N has an aesthetically pleasing and accessible design suitable for classical guitarists of all ages and playing levels.

The appearance of a classical guitar is an important factor for many players when selecting an instrument. Along with sound and playability, having an attractive and inspiring look can enhance the overall experience of playing and motivate musicians in their practice. Many classical guitar models feature high quality tonewoods, intricate inlay designs, and glossy finishes to produce a refined and elegant aesthetic.

For example, the GLARRY AEG-Green-69 classical guitar has a striking visual design centered around its vibrant green finish. The all-laminated spruce and mahogany body produces a lively green hue that is eye-catching and distinctive. White binding along the body and fretboard provides an attractive contrast. The clean lines and symmetry of the traditional classical shape are enhanced by the bold color. This model offers a unique take on classical guitar aesthetics that could appeal to players looking to stand out.

While sound and feel are more critical for finding the right instrument, the visual appearance should not be overlooked. An inspiring and beautiful design can make you excited to pick up and play the guitar. For some, a flashy look may motivate and add more passion to their practice routine. Considering the aesthetic appeal along with other factors can lead to greater enjoyment and connection with your classical guitar.

Playability

The RockJam W-560-N classical guitar features a slim nato neck and rosewood fingerboard that combine to offer smooth, comfortable playability. The neck has a standard classical width of 52mm at the nut, providing ample room for fingering chords and melodic passages.

The action height on this model is set reasonably low, making it accessible for beginner and intermediate players. The strings sit close enough to the fingerboard to not require excessive pressure, yet high enough to deliver clean notes without buzzing. This setup allows for easier forming of barre chords and rapid runs up and down the neck.

The W-560-N is strung with nylon strings, as is typical for a classical guitar. The strings have a warm, mellow tone and the slack tension facilitates bending notes and vibrato. The nylon strings are gentler on the fingertips compared to steel strings, enabling longer, more comfortable practice sessions.

Overall, the neck shape, fingerboard width, action height, and string type of the RockJam W-560-N come together to provide a very playable instrument for a diversity of playing styles and techniques. It's an inviting classical guitar for everyone from students to experienced players.

Sound Quality

The RockJam W-560-N classical guitar produces a warm, mellow tone with good volume thanks to its combination of spruce and mahogany woods. The spruce top contributes brightness and projection, while the mahogany back and sides add depth and richness to the sound.

The nylon strings help produce a smooth, rounded tone that is typical of classical guitars. The wider string spacing compared to steel-string acoustics allows for more room between notes, enabling clear articulation and resonance.

While not as loud as steel-string models, the W-560-N has enough volume to play for small audiences thanks to its hand-picked spruce top. The sound is balanced across the tonal spectrum, with defined bass notes and singing trebles.

Overall, the guitar offers an authentic nylon-string tone and respectable volume that belies its budget-friendly price point. The all-laminate wood construction means it may lack some of the complex overtones of solid wood classical guitars, but it still delivers pleasing sound quality.

Hardware

The W-560-N features chrome enclosed tuning machines, providing stable and accurate tuning. The tuning machines are durable and turn smoothly without any sticking.

The guitar has a synthetic bone nut and compensated saddle made from a durable composite material. The nut and saddle are cut precisely to the correct string spacing, enabling low action and buzz-free playing. The compensated saddle provides proper intonation across all frets.

The hardware components are high quality for a beginner classical guitar. The tuning machines hold tune well and allow easy tuning adjustments. The nut and saddle are crafted from quality materials and cut for optimal action and intonation. Overall, the hardware supports good playability right out of the box.

Comfort

The RockJam W-560-N classical guitar is designed with comfort in mind. Despite its full size, it feels lightweight and well-balanced when holding it or with a strap.

The body shape features smooth, contoured edges that fit nicely against your torso. The neck has a matte finish that promotes smooth shifting up and down the fretboard.

At just under 8 pounds, this classical guitar is easy on the shoulders and back even during longer practice or performance sessions. The width of the neck is beginner-friendly as well, measuring 1.69 inches at the nut.

Overall, the RockJam W-560-N offers very comfortable ergonomics for most players. The smooth neck, contoured body, and light weight make it a pleasure to hold and play.

Durability

The RockJam W-560-N classical guitar is designed to hold up well to regular use and practice. The materials and construction quality make it a good choice for new players who want an instrument that will last.

The spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and nato neck are all tonewoods commonly used on classical guitars. These woods are selected for their sturdiness and ability to stand up to string tension over time. The matte finish protects the woods while still allowing them to vibrate and produce sound.

The neck joint where the neck meets the body appears cleanly cut and securely attached using a mortise and tenon method. This traditional Spanish heel neck joint helps transfer resonance while providing stability. The tuners turn smoothly and hold tune well under normal playing conditions.

The bridge stands up securely against the tension of the nylon strings. Owners report no issues with lifting or looseness even after months of use. Overall the hardware is made from metals and synthetics that should hold up well over time with proper care and maintenance.

The quality control and setup from the factory is reasonably good, with most customers reporting no major flaws or structural issues out of the box. The guitar arrives ready to play, with good string action and neck relief straight from the factory.

While lower in cost than premium classical guitars, the materials and construction of the RockJam W-560-N are designed for beginning student use rather than professional concert performance. Provided it is properly cared for, it should endure well for regular practice and amateur playing for years to come. The quality and durability make it a practical choice as a new player's first classical guitar.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good build quality for the price

• Nylon strings provide a warm, mellow tone

• Neck and fretboard are smooth and comfortable

• Comes with useful accessories like strap, picks, and extra strings

• Affordable option for beginners

Cons

• Sound and intonation may require some setup

• Lower quality hardware and electronics

• Limited tone shaping controls

• May not stay in tune as precisely as higher priced models

• Some compromises in fit, finish, and aesthetics expected at this price point

Conclusion

For a beginner classical guitar, the RockJam W-560-N delivers impressive value at an affordable price point. Though not a professional-grade instrument, it provides a solid foundation for new players to learn on.

The cedar top and sapele back/sides produce a warm, balanced tone that's very pleasing for the price. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box. While the hardware and tuners are just average, they get the job done for a starter instrument.

Overall, the W-560-N punches above its weight given the low cost. It's an ideal choice for new guitarists, children and teens, or even seasoned players looking for an inexpensive beater or travel guitar. Those seeking top-tier woods and components may want to upgrade eventually, but this RockJam model makes an excellent first classical guitar.

If you need more volume and projection, the Yamaha C40 or Cordoba C5 are great alternatives to consider in the next higher price tier. However, for most beginners on a tight budget, the RockJam W-560-N Classical delivers impressive quality and playability.