Yamaha C40II Classical Guitar: Full Review

Yamaha is one of the world's leading musical instrument manufacturers, renowned for crafting high-quality acoustic and electric guitars, digital pianos, synthesizers and more. The Yamaha C40II classical guitar continues this tradition of excellence, offering students and beginners an affordable, well-constructed nylon-string guitar.

The C40II is a full-size classical guitar made with a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and nato neck. It features a traditional fan bracing pattern providing a balanced tone across the strings. The slim neck and shorter string length make the C40II an approachable choice for new players learning on a nylon-string guitar. Key specifications include a 2.25 inch nut width, 25.6 inch scale length, and Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings. Overall, the C40II aims to deliver Yamaha's characteristic playability and vibrant sound in a budget-friendly package for aspiring classical guitarists.

Construction

The Yamaha C40II classical guitar features a high quality solid spruce top, which helps provide excellent projection and clarity of tone. The back and sides are made from rosewood, which gives the C40II a rich, warm sound.

The neck is constructed from quality mahogany and joins the body at the 14th fret, allowing excellent access to upper frets. The rosewood fretboard is flat with a radius of 400mm. The C40II has 18 frets and a nut width of 52mm, which is comfortable for most playing styles.

The binding along the body, neck and headstock gives the C40II a clean, polished look. The fretwork is neatly dressed and smooth. Chrome enclosed tuning machines help keep the guitar in tune. Overall the hardware is good quality for the price point.

The all solid wood construction with rosewood back and sides helps the C40II produce a full, balanced tone that will appeal to classical players. The hardware and fretwork are neatly executed for a guitar at this price point. If you're looking for a quality entry-level classical guitar, the Yamaha C40II is an excellent choice. It has a solid spruce top and rosewood back/sides which provide a rich, warm tone. The hardware and fretwork are well-done, especially considering the affordable price. The comfortable 52mm nut width works for most playing styles. Overall, the C40II delivers impressive sound and playability.

For those seeking a step up in quality and tone, check out the D'Angelico DAPD500VNATAPS. This classical guitar features all solid wood construction - a solid European spruce top along with solid Indian rosewood back and sides. This tonewood combination helps produce excellent volume, clarity, and richness. The fan bracing allows the top to vibrate freely. The neck has a comfortable 50mm nut width. Upgraded Gotoh 510 tuners provide precise tuning. The fretwork and binding are immaculate. Overall, the DAPD500VNATAPS provides pro-level tone and playability at a reasonable price point. If you're an advancing classical guitarist looking to upgrade, it's worth checking out the D'Angelico DAPD500VNATAPS.

Sound

The Yamaha C40II creates a warm, balanced tone that you expect from a high-quality classical guitar. The cedar top produces a sweet, rounded sound, while the nato back and sides add depth and resonance.

When strumming, the C40II projects a rich, full sound. Notes are sustained nicely. The guitar offers impressive volume capabilities for a classical model in this price range. You can hold notes at higher volumes without muddiness or distortion.

The C40II has excellent resonance across the frequency range. Bass notes are warm and pronounced. Mids are focused yet nuanced. Highs have clarity and articulation without being too bright or harsh. The resonance enhances the guitar's dynamic range.

Overall, the C40II delivers a warm, resonant sound with balanced highs, mids, and lows. It's an impressive tonal palette for classical playing techniques like arpeggios, scales, and fingerpicking patterns. The sound quality rivals more expensive classical guitars. The Yamaha C40II is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a well-built, great-sounding classical guitar. It provides a rich, balanced tone at an affordable price point.

Another classical guitar to consider in this price range is the Ortega Guitars R122SN. This nylon-string guitar has a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. It generates a bright, focused sound with nice projection. The R122SN has a slim neck profile that is comfortable for smaller hands. It comes equipped with Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings for optimal intonation and playability. The guitar's excellent craftsmanship and components allow it to produce a sound much richer than its affordable price tag. While not quite as warm sounding as the Yamaha C40II, the Ortega R122SN offers an articulate, resonant tone perfect for detailed classical playing. Its crisp trebles and pronounced bass make it a great option for beginners looking for an affordable nylon-string classical guitar. The Ortega R122SN combines easy playability, solid construction, and great intonation for an outstanding entry-level classical guitar.

Playability

The Yamaha C40II classical guitar offers comfortable and smooth playability that makes it a great choice for beginner and intermediate players.

The action on the C40II is set low, which reduces tension on the fingers and makes it easier to fret notes and chord shapes. This helps beginner players just learning hand positioning and building finger strength. The neck has a standard classical guitar width, providing enough room for proper technique and fretting while still fitting comfortably in the hand.

The fretboard has a 400mm radius which suits the nylon strings well. The rounded curve allows the strings to vibrate freely. It also produces clear notes across the fretboard without any buzzing on the lower frets that some flatter radii can cause.

Overall, the guitar feels well-balanced and high quality when playing. The materials and craftsmanship result in a smooth playing experience free of sharp edges or imperfections. The C40II puts playability first, allowing guitarists to focus on learning and improving their musical skills.

Hardware

The Yamaha C40II classical guitar features quality hardware that provides stable tuning and playability. The tuning machines are enclosed with vintage nickel buttons. The machine heads are sensitive and accurate for tuning stability. The nut and saddle are made from a synthetic bone material that is dense and durable. It holds the strings in precise alignment over the long, wide fingerboard for clear tone and intonation. The synthetic bone is an upgrade over cheaper plastic nuts and has better sustain than bone.

The hardware components on the C40II are sturdy and functional. The tuning machines keep the guitar in tune through repeated playing sessions. The nut and saddle positions the strings optimally over the fingerboard. Players report the hardware works smoothly and doesn't cause issues during practice or performance. The machine heads, nut and saddle are well-made parts that enable consistent, reliable play on a beginner classical guitar.

Electronics

The Yamaha C40II has no electronic components, as is typical for a classical guitar. It is an entirely acoustic instrument, relying solely on the vibration of its strings and body to produce sound without any amplification or effects. This gives the C40II a pure, unaltered classical guitar tone focused on harmonic richness and dynamic range. Players looking for electronics like built-in pickups and preamps will need to look to other models, but classical guitarists seeking an authentic nylon-string instrument will appreciate the C40II's acoustic-only approach. The lack of any electric elements allows you to hear every nuance of the strings and body projection, from the crisp treble to the robust bass resonances.

Pros

• The Yamaha C40II classical guitar features high quality materials in its construction, including a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and rosewood fretboard. The laminated wood construction provides durability and a balanced, warm tone suitable for classical playing styles.

• Reviewers note the guitar's balanced and warm tone that projects well, especially for a classical guitar in this lower price range. The mellow tone provides nice depth without being overly bright.

• The guitar's action and playability also receive praise from users. The neck has a comfortable profile that lends itself well to forming barre chords. The action allows for comfortable playability while still providing enough height for dynamic classical techniques. This makes the C40II a nice choice for new players.

• Overall, reviewers mention the C40II as a reliable, well-made instrument that can last years of regular playing, especially considering its accessible price point. The quality materials and construction provide good value for the money for an introductory classical guitar.

Cons

The Yamaha C40II is an excellent beginner classical guitar, but it does have some limitations to be aware of.

• May lack projection for stage use: As an entry-level model, the C40II may not have the volume and projection needed for concert hall or stage use. The spruce top produces a nice sound, but can lack the power and dynamic range desired for performing classical guitar repertoire in larger venues.

• No cutaway or electronics: The C40II has a traditional classical guitar body shape without cutaways. This can make it harder to access the higher frets. It also does not have onboard electronics, so it cannot be plugged into an amplifier. Players who want to amplify their sound will need to mic the guitar instead.

Alternatives

When looking at other classical guitars in the same price range as the Yamaha C40II, there are a few comparable models to consider:

Cordoba C5

The Cordoba C5 is another entry-level classical guitar with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It has a slightly wider nut width of 52mm compared to the C40II's 48mm, which can provide more room for fingerstyle playing. The tone of the C5 tends to be slightly brighter and more articulate than the warmer, rounder sound of the C40II.

La Patrie Etude

La Patrie's Etude model is handmade in Canada with solid cedar tops and laminated mahogany backs and sides. It has a rich, complex tone that projects well. The playability is very comfortable right out of the box, with low action and high build quality. The wider neck may suit larger hands better than the Yamaha.

Alvarez Masterworks

The Alvarez Masterworks series provides all solid wood construction at an affordable price point. Models like the MAC50H have Sitka spruce tops for an open and resonant tone. The craftsmanship and sound rival more expensive instruments while staying under $500. The playability is also outstanding.

Kremona Sofia

The Sofia model from Bulgarian maker Kremona has a hand-carved European spruce top and wild cherry back and sides. It produces a bright tone with pleasing overtones and good volume. The aesthetics have an Old World charm. It plays smoothly with comfortable action.

Summary

The Yamaha C40II classical guitar provides beautiful warm tones and excellent playability thanks to its high-quality spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and nylon strings. This entry-level classical guitar is an affordable option for beginners, with a lightweight body and comfortable neck that makes it easy to hold and play.

The C40II shows incredible attention to detail from Yamaha, with carefully chosen tonewoods and quality hardware. It has a focused midrange, balanced bass response, and bright treble notes. The nylon strings are much easier on the fingers than steel strings, enabling longer practice sessions.

While the C40II lacks electronics and advanced features found in more expensive classical guitars, it excels at the fundamentals. The tone is well-suited to classical repertoire and other fingerstyle genres. The wider neck may take some getting used to for players with smaller hands. Overall, the Yamaha C40II is an excellent beginner classical guitar that makes learning and practicing an enjoyable experience.