Overview of the Yamaha CG122MCH Classical Guitar

The Yamaha CG122MCH is an affordable nylon-string classical guitar that provides great sound quality and playability for beginner and intermediate players. This instrument features a high-quality solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The smaller body size makes this an ideal choice for younger players and anyone with smaller hands who may struggle to play a full-size classical guitar. The CG122MCH produces a bright, focused tone that projects well and brings out nuances when playing fingerstyle. While not a professional-level instrument, the Yamaha CG122MCH punches above its weight class, offering new classical guitarists an inspiring option without breaking the bank.

Construction

The Yamaha CG122MCH features a solid Engelmann spruce top with scalloped X bracing, mahogany back and sides, and a nato neck. The solid spruce top is known for its excellent resonance and responsiveness. Engelmann spruce in particular produces a balanced tone with clear articulation. The wood's tight straight grain results in a nicely projecting midrange and bright treble.

The mahogany back and sides add warmth while emphasizing the midrange frequencies. Mahogany is a popular tonewood that helps provide a balanced voice across the tonal spectrum. The CG122MCH's all-solid wood construction allows it to produce a rich and complex tone.

The neck is made from nato wood, also known as Eastern mahogany. Nato has a fairly neutral tonal impact while offering stability and durability. Overall, the tonewood combination helps make the CG122MCH a well-rounded and musical sounding classical guitar.

The Yamaha CG122MCH is an excellent entry-level classical guitar that provides great value. It offers a solid top design with quality tonewoods usually found on more expensive models. The hand-finished neck provides comfort and playability. And the body binding and rosette add visual appeal.

For guitarists looking to upgrade from a beginner instrument, the CG122MCH is a smart choice. It gives you professional level sound and construction at an accessible price point. Many customers praise this Yamaha for its rich tone that belies its affordable cost. With proper care and maintenance, it's a guitar that can last years while supporting progressing technique.

Yamaha has a strong reputation for quality and consistency across their instruments. Their expertise in acoustic engineering results in classical guitars that play in tune and project well. The CG122MCH is a great example, offering Yamaha's signature quality at a budget-friendly price point. Many consider it one of the best classical guitar values currently available.

If you're interested in a step-up classical guitar, be sure to also check out the Cordoba 06012. This nylon-string guitar also provides all solid wood construction with hand-finished details. It features Indian rosewood back and sides for a rich low end paired with a European spruce top for sparkling highs. The hybrid fan bracing helps project sound while the hand-carved neck offers smooth playability. And it comes at a comparable price to the Yamaha CG122MCH. Both are great intermediate classical guitars, so try them out and see which you prefer!

Tonewoods

The CG122MCH features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which provide a nicely balanced tone. The spruce top offers crisp trebles and good volume and projection. Mahogany, while generally a warmer, darker wood, balances well with the brightness of the spruce top. Together, these tonewoods give the CG122MCH pleasing definition across the tonal spectrum - enough warmth to remain musical and rich, but enough top-end sparkle and clarity to bring out the nuances. Some describe the tonal profile as an "honest" acoustic guitar sound.

The spruce and mahogany construction makes this classical guitar suitable for various styles, from traditional classical repertoire to modern fingerstyle playing. The woods provide a versatile tonal palette for dynamics and tone colors. Many believe this Spruce/Mahogany combination offers one of the best balances of tonewoods for an affordable classical guitar. The construction delivers a balanced sound, neither too bright nor too boomy, making the CG122MCH a great choice for beginners and intermediate players.

While the CG122MCH utilizes traditional tonewoods, other classical guitar models offer different wood combinations. For example, the Ortega Guitars RCE131SN-L features a cedar top with mahogany back and sides. Cedar is known for its warm, rich tones that emphasize the midrange frequencies. This can provide a darker, mellower sound compared to spruce. The cedar top balances nicely with the mahogany back and sides, creating a classical guitar geared towards traditional playing styles where a robust, deep voice is desirable. The smoothness of cedar can help minimize the harshness of fingernails on the strings during aggressive right hand techniques. While versatile like spruce, cedar leans towards a darker, smoother timbre which some players may prefer. Considering the sound characteristics of various tonewoods can help match a classical guitar to a musician's playing style and tonal preferences.

Playability

The Yamaha CG122MCH features nylon strings and a low action that makes it very comfortable and enjoyable to play. The neck has a traditional classical guitar width and nut width that allows easy fingering of chords and melody lines up and down the neck.

The nylon strings have a smoother feel compared to steel strings, and the lighter gauge results in a low string tension that begins players will find very manageable. The low action, which refers to the string height above the fretboard, facilitates effortless pressing down of the strings without causing undue finger fatigue.

This Yamaha classical guitar has a neck profile that most find very comfortable to hold and play. The width at the nut is 52mm, which is a standard classical guitar width. The neck has a shallow "C" profile that contours nicely in the hand. Even during long practice or playing sessions, the CG122MCH neck remains comfortable without causing hand strain or fatigue.

Overall, the playability design of the Yamaha CG122MCH makes it an excellent choice for new classical guitarists looking for an easy-playing, comfortable instrument. The smooth nylon strings, low action, and comfortable neck come together to provide a very enjoyable playing experience on this guitar.

Hardware That Delivers a Professional Feel

The CG122MCH features high-quality hardware that gives it a professional feel and reliable performance. It utilizes die-cast chrome tuners that keep the guitar in tune through extended playing sessions. The tuners are mounted on a classy tortoise pickguard that protects the body while adding visual flair.

The chrome tuners are lightweight and precise, providing accurate and smooth tuning ability. They hold tension well to prevent the strings from slipping out of tune. The tortoise pickguard has an eye-catching pattern while still being functional. It shields the guitar's top from pick scratches and prevents wear and tear from your playing arm.

Overall, the hardware components Yamaha selected allow this classical guitar to stand up to regular practice and retain its rich tone over years of playing. Between the tuners and pickguard, the CG122MCH has pro-level hardware that belies its accessible price point.

Electronics

As an acoustic classical guitar, the Yamaha CG122MCH does not have any electronics. It produces sound purely through the vibration of the strings across the body and soundboard. This gives it a natural, organic acoustic tone without the need for pickups, preamps, or other electronic components.

Some players prefer the purity of an acoustic instrument like this. Not having electronics also eliminates some potential points of failure and the need to worry about batteries or cables. However, it does mean the CG122MCH cannot be amplified and will be limited to smaller, more intimate performances. Players who need volume or want to plug into an amp or PA system will need to look for a classical guitar with built-in pickups and preamp.

Overall, the lack of electronics is typical for a classical guitar in this price range. It may limit the performance scenarios but provides a traditional all-acoustic experience.

Sound

The CG122MCH produces a rich, warm, balanced tone that you would expect from a high-quality classical guitar. The solid cedar top provides excellent projection and sustain, allowing the guitar's voice to carry through a room and ring out clearly.

The mahogany back and sides add depth and bass response to the tone. The combination of cedar and mahogany creates a versatile classical guitar sound - it's responsive across the tonal spectrum, with nicely balanced highs, mids and lows. This makes the CG122MCH a great choice for playing any classical repertoire, from Baroque to modern compositions.

The carefully braced top allows the guitar to vibrate freely, unleashing its full tonal potential. Notes ring out with excellent clarity and definition. The tone remains clear even during faster passages, with individual notes resolving nicely. Overall the CG122MCH offers players a dynamic, rich classical guitar sound ideal for practice, performance and recording.

Pros

The Yamaha CG122MCH has a number of advantages that make it a great value classical guitar:

• High-quality construction and materials: The guitar features a solid Engelmann spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, and an expertly applied gloss finish. These are all premium tonewoods that result in excellent resonance and sustain. The build quality and attention to detail is impressive for the price.

• Easy to play: The CG122MCH has a comfortable neck width, low action, and well-rounded fret ends that make it very playable and enjoyable to practice on. The shorter scale length also helps make playing easier for beginners.

• Great sound: Owners praise the excellent tone, good volume, and rich bass of this classical guitar. The tonewood combination produces a balanced warm and bright sound. It has impressive projection and dynamic range given the price point.

• Excellent value: For under $200, the Yamaha CG122MCH provides professional level construction, quality materials, playability, and sound. This makes it a very affordable entry-level or student classical guitar. Most owners agree you would have to spend much more to get noticeable improvements in materials and sound.

Cons

The Yamaha CG122MCH has a few potential drawbacks to consider.

• The guitar has no cutaway or electronics. The lack of a cutaway can make it harder to play high up on the fretboard, especially for those with larger hands. And the lack of built-in electronics means you can't amplify or modify the guitar's sound without additional gear. This may be limiting for some players.

• The guitar may be too basic for advanced classical players. While suitable for beginners and intermediate players, more seasoned guitarists may want upgraded features like a solid wood top or humidity control systems. The hardware and overall construction are designed to meet an affordable price point, not for pro level performance.

Conclusion

Yamaha's CG122MCH classical guitar is an excellent beginner model that provides quality construction and sound at an affordable price point. This nylon-string classical guitar features solid spruce and mahogany tonewoods that produce a balanced tone great for learning and practicing. The playability is smooth and comfortable thanks to the lightweight build and low action. While not as hand-crafted as more expensive classical guitars, the hardware and electronics are very good for the price. Overall, the CG122MCH is a reliable, consistent classical guitar perfect for new players looking for an instrument that will support their development as they progress with lessons and daily practice. The quality and value offered make this classical an ideal choice for any budding guitarist.