The Tario LC-220FL-L is a classical guitar that is left-handed and fitted with a proprietary fretless fingerboard. It offers players a unique fingerboard experience while maintaining the familiar body shape and construction of a traditional nylon-string classical guitar.

Tario is a relatively new brand, but they aim to bring innovation to classical guitar design. The LC-220FL-L model incorporates their fretless fingerboard technology, providing an unfretted playing surface with position markers instead of metal frets. This allows for enhanced note bending, vibrato, and glissando effects.

The guitar has a standard classical body with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. It comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings and an eq system built into the preamp. Overall, the LC-220FL-L gives left-handed players the chance to explore the nuances of a fretless fingerboard on a well-constructed nylon-string guitar.

Construction

The TARIO LC-220FL-L is crafted from solid cedar wood for the soundboard, mahogany for the back and sides, and mahogany for the neck. The materials used are high-quality and carefully chosen for optimal sound production and playability.

The soundboard is thin yet sturdy, allowing it to freely vibrate and project sound. The cedar provides a warm, bright, and well-balanced tone. The mahogany back and sides offer resonance while adding depth and richness to the sound.

The neck is also made from mahogany which lends to its stability and reliability in retaining proper neck alignment. The neck is smoothly finished with no sharp edges for comfortable playability.

The workmanship on the TARIO is precise and clean. The components are tightly fitted with no visible glue seepage or unsightly gaps. The edges and finishes are neat and consistent. There are no evident flaws in the materials or construction that would detract from sound quality or structural integrity.

Overall, the materials and construction of the TARIO LC-220FL-L reflect excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The guitar is an example of a well-made instrument using quality materials assembled with care and skill. Much like the Martin LX1, the TARIO LC-220FL-L demonstrates quality workmanship in its design and build.

From the selection of solid tonewoods like cedar and mahogany to the precision fitting of components, it is clear that skilled luthiers crafted this instrument. The woods are carefully chosen for their acoustic properties and ability to produce balanced, resonant tones. Just as Martin Guitars opts for quality solid woods for their acclaimed LX1 model, TARIO utilizes well-regarded woods for the critical soundboard, back, sides, and neck portions of the guitar.

In addition to premium materials, the construction of the TARIO reflects fine attention to detail. The guitar's components fit together seamlessly, with clean joints and no visible glue marks. The edges and finishes are neat and consistent. These attributes reveal the conscientious work of experienced builders. Like Martin's expertise gained over generations of guitar making, TARIO's craftsmanship is evident in the LC-220FL-L.

From the overall design to the smallest details, this classical guitar is a finely made instrument. Its quality materials and construction make it capable of excellent acoustic tone, resonance, playability and structural integrity. For players seeking a well-crafted and great sounding classical guitar, the TARIO LC-220FL-L is an excellent choice much like the renowned Martin LX1.

Sound

The TARIO LC-220FL-L produces a rich, warm classical guitar tone thanks to its all-solid Cedar top. The Cedar provides excellent responsiveness and resonance, allowing the guitar to breathe and project. While many classical guitars use Spruce for the top wood, the Cedar here gives the LC-220FL-L a darker, smoother voice.

The Indian Rosewood back and sides also contribute to the warm, mellow sound. Rosewood naturally accentuates the bass and overtones. This adds depth and complexity to each note. The resonance from the top wood and back/sides creates very good sustain. Notes ring out with prolonged decay.

The fan bracing helps the LC-220FL-L project sound clearly. There's no muffling or lack of clarity. It's an open, ringing classical guitar tone. The nut and saddle are bone, which also enhances resonance for better tone. Overall, the LC-220FL-L delivers a rich, warm, resonant classical guitar sound.

The Epiphone DR-100 EA10EBCH1 is another great option for players looking for an affordable classical guitar with solid sound. This model features a Select Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, and a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The combination of tonewoods produces a balanced, resonant tone. The Spruce top provides crisp highs while the Mahogany adds warmth and sweetness to the midrange and bass. The slim neck and low action make this an easy classical guitar to play. While it may not have the complex overtones of an all-solid wood classical guitar, the Epiphone DR-100 EA10EBCH1 delivers surprisingly good tone and playability for the price. Many beginners have started their classical guitar journey on this model thanks to its quality construction and value. More information can be found here: Epiphone DR-100 EA10EBCH1

The TARIO LC-220FL-L features carefully chosen tonewoods and quality craftsmanship to produce its rich classical guitar sound. The all-solid wood construction allows the Cedar top to resonate freely. This gives the LC-220FL-L excellent projection, sustain, and tonal complexity. While more affordable models like the Epiphone DR-100 EA10EBCH1 can certainly deliver good sound, there is a noticeable difference when playing an all-solid wood classical guitar. The resonance and responsiveness impart a more refined, nuanced tone. Serious classical players will appreciate the LC-220FL-L's detailed sound across the frequency spectrum - from the clear, ringing treble to the warm, pronounced bass. However, the Epiphone DR-100 EA10EBCH1 proves you don't have to spend a lot to get started on classical guitar. Its quality materials and construction allow beginners to explore the joys of nylon-string guitar at a budget-friendly price. Either model can provide an enjoyable playing experience and inspire new classical guitarists.

Playability

The playability of the TARIO LC-220FL-L is quite decent for the price. The neck width measures 2" (50mm) at the nut which is standard for a classical guitar. This allows comfortable fingering for most hand sizes.

The action out of the box is set fairly low, which makes pressing the strings down easy without buzzing. Lower action makes playing easier for beginners and those with small hands. Those wanting a higher action can adjust the truss rod and bridge saddle height to their preference.

The fretwork is clean with no sharp fret ends to irritate your fingers. The frets are finished smoothly and installed evenly for consistent intonation up and down the neck. The fretless rosewood fingerboard feels smooth under the fingers during slides and vibrato.

Overall, the playability provides a comfortable experience for new players while also satisfying more advanced guitarists. The accessible neck width, low action, and quality fretwork come together to offer nice playability at this price point.

Hardware

The TARIO LC-220FL-L features respectable hardware for an entry-level classical guitar. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast tuners with 18:1 gear ratio, providing stable and accurate tuning. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone, which helps transfer string vibrations efficiently.

The bridge is rosewood, which is a common and durable choice seen on classical guitars in this price range. It holds the strings steadily and allows them to vibrate freely. The overall hardware components and materials on the LC-220FL-L are decent considering its affordable price point. While more premium components could provide marginal improvements, the hardware performs well for a beginner's classical guitar.

The main downsides are the tuners feel a bit lightweight and plastic-like, and the nut slots could be cut more smoothly from the factory. However, these are common shortcomings seen at this price, and replacing the nut or tuners could be easy upgrades down the road. For an accessible left-handed classical model, the hardware allows new players to learn and practice comfortably on a decent instrument.

Electronics

The TARIO LC-220FL-L is equipped with quality electronics that provide excellent tone and versatility. This classical guitar comes with a piezo pickup and preamp system built into the bridge that accurately captures the instrument's acoustic sound.

The onboard preamp has simple and intuitive controls - a volume knob, bass EQ knob, and treble EQ knob allow you to shape your amplified tone. With the 3-band EQ you can add more low-end richness or brightness. The preamp is powered by a 9V battery.

The pickup and preamp system make this an excellent choice for performers who want to amplify their classical guitar live or record direct to a PA system or audio interface. The electronics don't get in the way of the unplugged acoustic sound either.

Overall, the electronics package on the TARIO LC-220FL-L provides high-quality amplification and versatile tone shaping in a sleek built-in system.

Comfort

The TARIO LC-220FL-L has a standard classical guitar body shape that will feel familiar to most players. It's a comfortable size and weight, weighing in at just under 3 pounds. The weight is evenly distributed so the guitar feels nicely balanced whether you're seated or standing.

The smooth finish on the back of the neck and body make it easy to hold and prevents sticking during longer playing sessions. The wider neck and string spacing compared to steel-string acoustics takes a bit of getting used to, but allows for easier fingering and chord changes once you adjust.

Some players may find reaching the higher frets difficult due to the large body size and width of the neck. Shorter players can struggle with the longer scale length as well. But overall, the LC-220FL-L offers a comfortable playing experience for most beginner to intermediate classical guitarists.

Value

The TARIO LC-220FL-L is an excellent value for a left-handed full concert classical guitar. You get a high quality spruce and mahogany instrument at an affordable price point compared to other left-handed classical guitars.

The all-solid wood construction provides excellent resonance and volume. This is impressive for a guitar in this price range. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb, with a flawless high-gloss finish.

While not the cheapest left-handed classical on the market, the TARIO LC-220FL-L delivers professional sound and playability well beyond its price tag. The premium tonewoods and comfortable slim neck make this a bargain for serious left-handed players looking for an accessible nylon-string guitar.

Overall the TARIO LC-220FL-L punches above its weight in terms of price to performance. It's an ideal choice for left-handed beginner to intermediate classical guitarists, or any player seeking great value in a left-handed full size concert classical.

Pros & Cons

• Pros - Nylon construction provides smooth, warm, and mellow tone - Full-sized classical body produces rich bass tones - Solid cedar top enhances resonance and projection - Mahogany back and sides offer beauty and brightness - Available in right and left-handed models - Comfortable neck for playing intricate passages

• Cons
  - Limited finish options - Electronics can introduce background noise - May not appeal to steel-string players - High action can be difficult for beginners - Lack of cutaway restricts upper fret access

The TARIO LC-220FL-L classical guitar brings impressive construction and features at an entry-level price point. While the full-bodied nylon-string tone will appeal most to classical players, the slim neck profile and smooth playability make this a versatile choice for fingerstyle, flamenco, and other genres. Though the onboard electronics add convenience, they can also introduce unwanted noise. Overall, the LC-220FL-L is an excellent value classical guitar with premium touches like solid woods and quality hardware.

Verdict

When reviewing any musical instrument, the most important factors are sound, playability and comfort. The TARIO LC-220FL-L classical guitar delivers well on all three fronts, making it a great option for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable nylon-string guitar.

The warm, rounded tone is very pleasing, especially for the price. While it won't rival high-end classical guitars, the LC-220FL-L provides great value with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The comfortable neck and smooth fingerboard promote good technique and make this a joy to play.

The LC-220FL-L is best suited for classical guitarists who want an inexpensive model for practice and honing technique. It can certainly handle recitals and performances, but more advanced players will eventually want to upgrade to a professional-grade classical guitar. Still, TARIO has produced an excellent learner's model here that will encourage any developing classical guitarist.