The videos that Chris does for Alamo Music are very well done. I appreciate the attention to detail that Chris gives and the passion he has for these guitars.
I've always finger picked all my life and floowed the way of steel strings. Hearings you play the Nylon. Literally, brought tears to my eyes. Such a mellow warm sound. I'm sold
There’s a builder in San Antonio named Lucio Núñez and he builds classical guitars mostly with a wooden lattice. He builds some great guitars and compared to other builders, his prices are pretty reasonable. He can also build fan braced instruments, I own a traditional fan braced guitar and a modified fan braced guitar with an elevated fingerboard. They’re superb instruments
@@jessemartinez243 If you look at how much builders charge all over the US for a hand made instrument, his are actually much cheaper. Also, if Alamo Music center can sell $10K Martin or Taylors, that means that there is a market for higher priced instruments in San Antonio. Handmade guitars are much better than factory made instruments. Also there was a time when Lucio’s instruments were much closer in price to the Cordoba guitars. Prices tend to go up and his prices increased much more since pandemic
Interestingly, my C5 seems to sound better than this model, but, of course, it's hard to tell unless you hear a guitar in person. I don't think this particular guitar sounds all that great. Maybe it's just the strings.
This excellent instrument is a compliment to an earlier design called "The “Millennium.” This top notch classical guitar was designed by Thomas Humphrey. He allocated Augustino LoPrinzi to build his design. And later allocated Martin guitars to produce their version of the Millennium. This modern design has been played by countless concert artists over the past 2 decades, including Sharon Isbin, the Assads, Eliot Fisk, Ben Verdery, Ricardo Cobo, and many others. This modest priced Cordoba is exemplary of the classical guitar's continued development.
With me, tradition only goes so far. One thing that Cordoba does on some of their classical guitars is that they incorporate a truss rod. Yes, a truss rod. In my opinion, a smart move.
I have a spruce C12, and the noise that comes out of it is so profound, so rich, so complex that it shocks me even though I’ve had it for a year and a half. Lattice bracing may not be ideal for sustain, but the sustain from my C12 just won’t stop. Resonance all the way down to the marrow. Granted, I’m a total rookie, but I burned a lot of time in guitar stores trying all kinds of guitars at all kinds of price points before I chose the C12 to learn on, and I’d make the same choice today. It’s just one rookie’s subjective opinion-I know. I just wanted to praise the guitar. It has absolutely changed my life.
As a follow up, I had to send back two of these to a major online retailer due to cosmetic issues, pretty disappointing. I ended up getting a master build Hofner which is very nice.
I bought this exact guitar about a year ago. I was very impressed as soon as I started playing. The action was a little too high so I took to a guitar tech and had the action lowered. I’ve heard that these guitars are built that way so you can adjust it to your own taste. I just yesterday put a set of Savarez New Cristal Corum hign-tension strings on it. I was blown away how incredible it sounds now. It was great before but now it sounds and plays like a fine luthier-built Spanish guitar. Great instrument!
I have a cordoba studio negra and the build is flawless and tone and playability are off the charts. Don’t like the machine heads (plastic) but to be fair, I have never had a tuning issue.
Have to agree with you. A lattice guitar (With a properly calibrated top and a properly done bracing, that is not as stiff nor "loose" (An unproper lattice can dampen the top end of an instrument when it should be the polar opposite...) is a great instrument, i would prefer it in relationship to pretty much any fan braced guitar
Good discussion of the nuts and bolts. It would have been nice if you could have brought in a classical guitarist to demonstrate the sonic capabilities of the guitar. There is so much right-hand technique required to bring out the sound of the guitar that you are lacking. This guitar sounds much better than you were able to demonstrate.
The commentary on the bracings were detailed and informative, and the raised fretboard was mentioned, but no demonstration of hand placement on it to see the benefits of it. The truss rod wasn’t mentioned, which is a very important aspect for the adjustment of the neck, action, and the guitars playability. With all respect, the playing demo should have had a quality classical guitarist playing to bring out the characteristics of the guitar. such as volume, tone color, clarity, sustain and expressiveness. The review was thorough relating to the bracings but not the overall features.
Chris, how does the C9 compare C7 to the Dolce? Does the C7 start with full solid wood?.Thanks for your excellent videos..love them. Did Dolce model change name to C7?
Thanks for showing off a classical guitar. If Alamo sells compatable classicals of other brands -- maybe Yamaha? -- it would be nice to hear a sound comparison.
I have looked at Cordoba C5 and C12 . They are superior to any thing that Yamaha seems to offer in that price range to my ear. I'm sorry that I bought Yamaha because it was better known to me and a big industry in other areas. Stupid me I didn't really look but went on trust.
Yamaha GC32 is great. I think for the money Yamaha actually makes some of the overall nicest classical guitars around. Even their very beginning model the C40, which for the money you can't beat- in my opinion. Don't be sorry for buying a Yamaha. I was just in a music store the other day and played a few Cordoba C7s and C5s and was pretty disappointed .
@@NuanDaa I tried the cedar top C7 at a music store and it just didn't impress me. I feel the Cordoba guitars sometimes have a slight plastic sound to them, which isn't always bad- but I don't know... I would say definitely try the instrument first. Don't buy it sight unseen. And to be totally fair to Cordoba, I played a C5 I think it was at a different music store, cedar top and I really liked it, so it could have just been that specific C7 that didn't speak to me because they're all slightly different even if its the same guitar. That being said also, my buddy has one of those Yamaha classical guitars that has a built in amplification system and he also has a Cordoba C5 (I think its a C5)... and I 100% preferred the Yamaha in overall feel and sound... I sincerely feel that you can't go wrong with a Yamaha classical. ***also, I think the spruce tops sound better than the cedar but that's just my personal opinion***
Classical guitar fan bracing almost always radiates out from below the sound hole towards the bottom of the instrument. Exactly in the opposite direction as 'explained' here. You would be better served having an actual classical guitarist demonstrate these instruments.
I bought a C12. Then, I pretended it was Paul Pelosi & I smashed it to bits w/ a hammer!! But, ya know what? It's such a stinkin' great guitar, heh heh heh, THAT IT PUT ITSELF BACK TOGETHER!! OH YEAH!! UH HUH!!
I think that there was nothing wrong with Chris' demonstration since the point of it came across very clearly, which was to show how the thinner spruce top and lattice bracing affect the tone and dynamic range. No need to be a douche about it tbh
Thanks, Chris. I enjoyed this segment very much.
A lot of good information and I liked his playing that actually demonstrated the guitar as opposed to some demos where the player is just showing off
The videos that Chris does for Alamo Music are very well done. I appreciate the attention to detail that Chris gives and the passion he has for these guitars.
I've always finger picked all my life and floowed the way of steel strings. Hearings you play the Nylon. Literally, brought tears to my eyes. Such a mellow warm sound. I'm sold
A real beauty. Thanks Chris for the review 🎶🎶🎶
There’s a builder in San Antonio named Lucio Núñez and he builds classical guitars mostly with a wooden lattice. He builds some great guitars and compared to other builders, his prices are pretty reasonable. He can also build fan braced instruments, I own a traditional fan braced guitar and a modified fan braced guitar with an elevated fingerboard. They’re superb instruments
Thank you so much! I'm just outside of San Antonio in the hill country. I am going to his shop tomorrow! I've never heard of him.
@@andrew3979 Did you get to meet him?
5 grand for a guitar is still a bit much
@@jessemartinez243 If you look at how much builders charge all over the US for a hand made instrument, his are actually much cheaper. Also, if Alamo Music center can sell $10K Martin or Taylors, that means that there is a market for higher priced instruments in San Antonio. Handmade guitars are much better than factory made instruments. Also there was a time when Lucio’s instruments were much closer in price to the Cordoba guitars. Prices tend to go up and his prices increased much more since pandemic
I have an inexpensive C5 and I am very happy with it. Maybe this is something to look to in the future. Thanks for a good review.
Same here, good quality for the price.
Interestingly, my C5 seems to sound better than this model, but, of course, it's hard to tell unless you hear a guitar in person. I don't think this particular guitar sounds all that great. Maybe it's just the strings.
You da best. I've learned from you more than I ever have from any other source or channel.
This excellent instrument is a compliment to an earlier design called "The “Millennium.” This top notch classical guitar was designed by Thomas Humphrey. He allocated Augustino LoPrinzi to build his design. And later allocated Martin guitars to produce their version of the Millennium. This modern design has been played by countless concert artists over the past 2 decades, including Sharon Isbin, the Assads, Eliot Fisk, Ben Verdery, Ricardo Cobo, and many others. This modest priced Cordoba is exemplary of the classical guitar's continued development.
Excellent comment.
And the lattice was either invented or popularized by Greg Smallman
With me, tradition only goes so far. One thing that Cordoba does on some of their classical guitars is that they incorporate a truss rod. Yes, a truss rod. In my opinion, a smart move.
Great review. Y was waiting for this all the Year.
Nice job Chris! You nicely demonstrated the tonal character of the guitar. I own one and love it. I similarly play it gently and let guitar sing.
Back and sides are gorgeous
Great video! Great guitar! Love the channel and the store! Please note the name Córdoba has the accent on the first syllable, not the second.
Indeed. He’s just a clown that can’t even play a guitar but is selling them…
@@gustavopaulette3496 You are entitled to your opinion. I think he played beautifully!
I like and have owned Cordoba Spanish Guitars , Gypsy Kings was my inspiration .
I have a spruce C12, and the noise that comes out of it is so profound, so rich, so complex that it shocks me even though I’ve had it for a year and a half. Lattice bracing may not be ideal for sustain, but the sustain from my C12 just won’t stop. Resonance all the way down to the marrow. Granted, I’m a total rookie, but I burned a lot of time in guitar stores trying all kinds of guitars at all kinds of price points before I chose the C12 to learn on, and I’d make the same choice today. It’s just one rookie’s subjective opinion-I know. I just wanted to praise the guitar. It has absolutely changed my life.
Nice review...thinking on picking one of these up down the line.
As a follow up, I had to send back two of these to a major online retailer due to cosmetic issues, pretty disappointing. I ended up getting a master build Hofner which is very nice.
I have a C-12 spruce top and really enjoy it!!
I bought this exact guitar about a year ago. I was very impressed as soon as I started playing. The action was a little too high so I took to a guitar tech and had the action lowered. I’ve heard that these guitars are built that way so you can adjust it to your own taste. I just yesterday put a set of Savarez New Cristal Corum hign-tension strings on it. I was blown away how incredible it sounds now. It was great before but now it sounds and plays like a fine luthier-built Spanish guitar. Great instrument!
Interesting explanation on the matter of "fan bracing".
Chris McKee, best music pitch man in the business.
I have a cordoba studio negra and the build is flawless and tone and playability are off the charts. Don’t like the machine heads (plastic) but to be fair, I have never had a tuning issue.
Have to agree with you. A lattice guitar (With a properly calibrated top and a properly done bracing, that is not as stiff nor "loose" (An unproper lattice can dampen the top end of an instrument when it should be the polar opposite...) is a great instrument, i would prefer it in relationship to pretty much any fan braced guitar
Good discussion of the nuts and bolts. It would have been nice if you could have brought in a classical guitarist to demonstrate the sonic capabilities of the guitar. There is so much right-hand technique required to bring out the sound of the guitar that you are lacking. This guitar sounds much better than you were able to demonstrate.
Definitely an amazing guitar. But over 1k$ is a bit too much for me rn. Cordoba has always been a good brand
Does the truss rod add significant weight?
Chris, It’s a real bummer I am not from the States and cannot come visit you and the amazing shop.
How do you like the c12 in comparison to the 45co?
Could you review some Alhambra models ?
They own Guild, it sounds nice.
Now Yamaha owns them 😊
The commentary on the bracings were detailed and informative, and the raised fretboard was mentioned, but no demonstration of hand placement on it to see the benefits of it. The truss rod wasn’t mentioned, which is a very important aspect for the adjustment of the neck, action, and the guitars playability. With all respect, the playing demo should have had a quality classical guitarist playing to bring out the characteristics of the guitar. such as volume, tone color, clarity, sustain and expressiveness.
The review was thorough
relating to the bracings but not the overall features.
Chris, how does the C9 compare C7 to the Dolce? Does the C7 start with full solid wood?.Thanks for your excellent videos..love them. Did Dolce model change name to C7?
Thanks for showing off a classical guitar. If Alamo sells compatable classicals of other brands -- maybe Yamaha? -- it would be nice to hear a sound comparison.
The only problem with the elevated neck is it’s not high enough so it’s hard to get your thump under there.Other than that it’s a nice guitar
Classical Gas!
Wonder how neck compares to a steel string guitar
Hello Can you ship to Australia?
I have C10, I am wondering, should I upgrade it to C12, or the difference will be not much noticeable? 🤔
I don’t think so.
Noticeably louder is what one reviewer said.
I have looked at Cordoba C5 and C12 . They are superior to any thing that Yamaha seems to offer in that price range to my ear. I'm sorry that I bought Yamaha because it was better known to me and a big industry in other areas. Stupid me I didn't really look but went on trust.
Yamaha GC32 is great. I think for the money Yamaha actually makes some of the overall nicest classical guitars around. Even their very beginning model the C40, which for the money you can't beat- in my opinion. Don't be sorry for buying a Yamaha. I was just in a music store the other day and played a few Cordoba C7s and C5s and was pretty disappointed
.
@@Iamnickdude09 why you don’t like C7? I’m thinking to get.
@@NuanDaa I tried the cedar top C7 at a music store and it just didn't impress me. I feel the Cordoba guitars sometimes have a slight plastic sound to them, which isn't always bad- but I don't know... I would say definitely try the instrument first. Don't buy it sight unseen. And to be totally fair to Cordoba, I played a C5 I think it was at a different music store, cedar top and I really liked it, so it could have just been that specific C7 that didn't speak to me because they're all slightly different even if its the same guitar. That being said also, my buddy has one of those Yamaha classical guitars that has a built in amplification system and he also has a Cordoba C5 (I think its a C5)... and I 100% preferred the Yamaha in overall feel and sound... I sincerely feel that you can't go wrong with a Yamaha classical. ***also, I think the spruce tops sound better than the cedar but that's just my personal opinion***
Only thing I didn't like is... It has dots on the 5th and 7th fret 😴
Classical guitar fan bracing almost always radiates out from below the sound hole towards the bottom of the instrument. Exactly in the opposite direction as 'explained' here. You would be better served having an actual classical guitarist demonstrate these instruments.
👍
He was playing? I thought he was just tuning it.
Earl Klughs 'MIRABELLA' would sound great for the arpeggio runs of this C13.
I bought a C12. Then, I pretended it was Paul Pelosi & I smashed it to bits w/ a hammer!! But, ya know what? It's such a stinkin' great guitar, heh heh heh, THAT IT PUT ITSELF BACK TOGETHER!! OH YEAH!! UH HUH!!
Dude, learn to play!
For classical guitar video, please call a proper classical guitarist to demonstrate the sound atleast.
I think that there was nothing wrong with Chris' demonstration since the point of it came across very clearly, which was to show how the thinner spruce top and lattice bracing affect the tone and dynamic range. No need to be a douche about it tbh
Exactly
@@AliA-sb8jw the man playing is a clown that can’t play to save his life let alone demonstrate a classical guitar.
@@gustavopaulette3496 A bit harsh of you to say that but he is intermediate at best
On the other hand ,a good classical guitarist could make a 100 dollar guitar sound great and fool some people.
This clown can’t play to save his life .
lol come on now....
Get real...where is your review video?