Yeah, I think Cedar vs. Spruce is kind of throwing the comparison off. For example, if you love a warm electric guitar, a $500 Epiphone Les Paul might be more to your liking than a $6000 Fender Telecaster! But, I can see the difference. I think what makes the $8000 guitar preferable for a concert player is something we can't fully ascertain on a microphone: How well it projects in a concert setting. The Cordoba C9 sounds brilliant, but if you took two guitarists of equal skill and one had a guitar that could project clearly further, that guitarist will get hired over the one who had the warmer, muddier guitar. In my opinion, the C9 is a real player's guitar and a great player could use it and make everybody listening happy, and that's what music is all about. I tell players... don't upgrade your guitar until you can articulate in words how you feel the guitar is holding back your playing. 99% of people will LOVE the tone of a $150 Yamaha C-140. It'll put a smile on anybody's face. However, one day you'll notice that in order for the guitar to be heard you have to pluck more aggressively with more force, and you'll notice how this alone is limiting your dynamics! When you are skilled enough that you can understand this, it's time to upgrade to something like a C9. For guys like me, that's good enough to take me where I want to go for the rest of my life. BUT, I bet if I was a concert-level player with a refined and articulate technique, I'd feel about the C9 how I currently feel about the Yamaha C-140. So, I definitely get it. But, as I said before, a guitar like the C9 will put a smile on most anybody's face when they hear it, and that's what it's all about. When it holds back your playing, it's time to get a master-built beauty.
Yes! And it looks like this guitar likes nylon better than carbone... (too shrill sound)... The problem with most high tension nylon strings is that they are often too thick, and with a 50mm neck you need thinner strings... This month I have a set of (not so) high tension Labella 2001 flamenco strings, and I like them! Next month I'll try a set of Labella Sweetone 1S. If not enough tension I'll tune it a little bit higher. These strings are very cheap (8€), I wonder what they're worth...
The differences are subtle to unnoticeable, atleast through microphone, may be we experience bit more change when we hear direct from guitar to ears. So in guitars if one is 10 times expensive than the other, doesn't really mean it sounds 10 times better, but that small percentage of improvement in sound quality makes all that diffference.
Thank you for the comparison! A comparison between the C9, a $2000 and a $3000 guitar would certainly be very useful for the bulk of the guitarists that never make it to the "pro" status. Thank you!
Once you go beyond a certain point, it's the brand name, the supposed prestige (real or imaginary, mostly imaginary), the production rarity, the maker, because other high spenders say "it's the best," etc. that added price to the product, NOT necessarily because it actually is technically superior. And that is true in virtually every products consumers buy. For example, if you play tennis... a good tennis player having played for years or decades, you could EASILY tell the quality of a $50 - $100 racquet versus a $250 or $500 racquet. But beyond that, when you're talking about $1,000 to $5,000 a racquet's price is completely pop culture-driven. If you are a serious bicyclist, you know there is a difference between one from Wal-Mart or any other bike shop that cost $100 to $250. But once you've ridden a $1,000 bike, you notice the difference. And a $5,000 is even better, because the material used, the quality of build, etc. are high end. But a $10,000 to $30,000 bicycle isn't going to make you go any better, faster, or more efficient (except for some very narrow speed trial, in a certain very conducive environment for such speed trial). For 99% of all other good, healthy, fast ride, bikes around $5,000 are all that true bike-making technologies make a substantial difference UP TO (beyond which, again, it's just pop culture/brand name driven). There is a different between a $50,000 and a $500,000 house. And a $3M - $5M house is a premium property, in 99% of the cities of the world, including some of the richer nations and zip codes. But adding more marble and gadgets and stuff to a property, to make is "most exclusive," so it cost $30M or $50M or $500M.... there really is NO REAL living value (that an owner could actually use) attached to it, such as that property making the owner's short life longer or better, more fulfilling, etc... Ultra expensive properties are just expensive properties in and of themselves... they're just investments things, not actual homes for daily or a life time living, for children and other family members to casually enjoy....
I have an all solid wood Kenny Hill Player 630 scale (Same as Cordoba c10 parlor spruce top). I created an upper bout 1-1/4” sound port, replaced saddle with an intonated “Tusq” saddle and substantially lowered action, installed higher quality 18 gear tuners, did a fretboard makeover to round over edges of frets and smooth nut grooves, and installed high tension carbon strings(Augustine Paragon). It has a seven fan braced thin top that rings like a bell, even though it has a nitrocellulose finish. I have had very favorable tonal and “playability” comments by other classical players compared against their $10k guitars. I think comparison of quality and aesthetic is valid, but unbiased sound checks can be very revealing. As an electrical engineer, I believe that there is only so much one can do to optimize the sound characteristics of the basic guitar design without electronics or significant material and/or structural changes. Thanks for your comparison 🤗
George, this is a very good comparison. Thanks for doing this. Just a couple of comments. First the spruceness vs. cedarness of the two guitars is quite striking and probably has an effect on what folks hear. I was surprised to find that, in the first round of playing that I had a slight preference for the Cordoba. OTOH, in the Una Dia De Noviembre snippet toward the end, I felt like the quality of the Kenny Hill was more obvious. FWIW, I was listening through relatively high quality Sennheiser 650 earphones driven by an external DAC/Amp. Also the RUclips audio streams are really lossy, and this probably has a big effect on what folks hear (or don't hear). I understand that they tend to do their own thing relative to audio dynamic range compression and audio levels. RUclips might well be cutting the audio levels from one of the guitar (would most likely be the Cordoba) and loudness has a big effect on what folks perceive. This is kind of a guess, BTW. But good work on this video, regardless. FWIW, I have a Ashley Sanders spruce/lattice that is in the same class as your Kenny Hill and a Jesus Marzal traditional cedar that is kind of in between the Hill and the Cordoba. I can hear the difference both live and in what I record and then play back from Reaper (without any dynamic range or frequency range compression that I cannot control). I don't know what I would hear if I stuck that up on RUclips - would probably be different. Is what you hear from your own recordings different that what you hear on a RUclips playback? dave
Hey Dave, thanks for your comment and close listening. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I recently purchased another microphone so I'm going to be recording my classical guitar videos with a dual mic set up (at least I hope to). I definitely recognize a slight dip in quality and a more compressed sound once the video is uploaded to RUclips.
@@guitar_george Since you have also used a Blue Yeti.... I started out recording (I don't record all that much and my skill level is below yours) using a Blue Yeti Pro mic. I think the big difference between the Pro and the Blue Yeti is that the Pro has both USB and XLR outputs (I always used the USB, BTW). More recently I bought a pair of (small) condenser mics (Oktava MK12) and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface box. My personal assessment is that there is a difference between what I record with a pair of Oktava's/Focusrite vs the USB Blue Yeti Pro. But it is incremental and not huge. dave
I am a singer, not (yet or ever?) a guitarist. Both guitars sound good which is important, seeing as the Cordoba C9 is not exactly cheap at 1000 EUR. What my ear heard is that the Cordoba has an appealing but slightly muddier sound. It's nice, it's warm, it stays there. The Kenny Hill on the other hand sounded lighter in tone, but the sound had much more depth and that depth was layered. It was like comparing an untrained mezzo with a highly trained soprano. Both voices are good, but the soprano leave a more lasting memory.
The main different between these two guitars we could hear in a concert hall. Then we notice laudness, reach color, long sustain, clear vibrato and - I guess - comfortable playing...
I appreciate the comparison you’ve provided and think your added comments are very true. Also if you buy the C9 you won’t have the Kenny Hill sitting next to it to remind you of what another $5k might buy. Cordobas give great bang for buck.
I wouldn't even compare those two bc those are different woods. I have seen guitars in the 1k to 2k range rival 4k to 8k guitars, ie yamaha ll16. I see the same in some pianos, that's how amazing manufacturing has become. Thank you technology and economies of scale.
So, though I’ve played guitar for over 20 years, I have not played a classical guitar more than a few times. Don’t know if that’s why, but I really prefer the sound of the C9, honestly.
Classical guitars are awesome! They are a whole different animal if you're used to playing electric guitars, but once you learn how to get what you want out of them.. they're so satisfying to play!
A classical guitar is definitely near the top of my list! I play two acoustic/electric steel strings, an acoustic/electric bass, mandolin, acoustic tenor and most recently an electric guitar. Fingerpicking is my favorite style, so I think a classical guitar is a logical next instrument. :-)
@@guitar_george i agree that the tone of classical guitar is awesome and I enjoy playing them. Being a acoustic steel string player I play a classical guitar like I play a acoustic guitar, produce nice warmer rounder tone but I know it is not the way to play classical guitar to fullfill its potential. Being a fingerstyle player my playstyle have a lot of percussive element like slap, palm and if you play this way the C9 is good enough. Kenny Hill is overkill IMHO.
I preffered cordoba until last piece that you played. It is not as clear when you play that. But cordoba seemed to have more beefy not nasaly sound before that last piece of music.
that is crazy how the C9 is the sound i was looking for in a classical guitar. it was a warmer sound. but it is just an opinion, and opinions usually vary, so buy whatever makes you happy. and forget about what other people think, it is your money..
You should pull the trigger on a c9 then! I'm glad I could help. My goal was to show how when doing recordings like this, the differences are very subtle. In person it's a whole different ball game though
Yes you absolutely helped a great deal,, I am going to have to get the best classical guitar for around 1,000 dollars,, however if I had a choice in the matter,, well.. obviously I would have no problem paying around 10,ooo or so.. thank you so much God bless
The problem with this kind of things is that one expects the luthier made guitar to sound 10 times better, 20 times better, because it costs 10, 20 times the factory made one. Obviously, that's impossibile. Often, as in this comparison, the differences are very subtle: a bit more volume/projection, a more refined sound, etc. The only true, and immensely important distinction, is that often mass produced guitars are unbalanced as far as volume, sustain, clarity, etc. between the lows and trebles.
I hear only great things about Kenny Hill guitars, but based on this video I would definitely pick the Cordoba. It appears to have a much more pleasing and sophisticated open sound.
I’d really like to know what people think is the true sweet spot on price for a classical guitar. I know it depends on usage but let’s assume someone wants good quality and tone, at what point are there big diminishing returns?
That is a great question. My guess would be probably 4-5 grand. At that point you're getting a hand made instrument by sometime reputable and then the diminishing returns start to kick in
@@guitar_george Thank you very much for the reply. I was researching and thought maybe 3-4K but you have more experience with this than me, so your number seems right. I am thinking of buying one and don't want to overpay for something that doesn't really add much value.
Yep it should. But I think the double top is superior in every way, not just the higher tones. Just my opinion though! Which tone you like is all subjective
I would have sworn that the expensive one was the other. I'm hearing the video with my cell phone. So it has not a good sound definition. But the piece you played in the intro I guess it was a little tricky. By the pieces you played in the mid section of the video it is more noticeable that the expensive guitar sounds better. But without doubt I prefer the cheap one. It has a very warm sound and that makes me feel comfortable
I'm definitely going to do a follow up and compare with a better mic set up. The video accomplished it's goal though, you don't need the most expensive guitar to get a good sound
I don’t know if it’s worth ten times more, but it sounds much much nicer, more open and resonant. I like it a lot, but unfortunately can’t afford an instrument that expensive.
@@guitar_george No actually I’m a drummer who wants to learn to play a classical guitar. I love the sound of the nylon string guitars. I do like classical music though even though I been a jazz drummer for many years now.
I bought a C9 CED about 3 years ago now. Initially it sounded muffled and not responsive. I had the action reduced to 3.5 mm, it was at 4-5mm. It helped playing but the issue of the muffled tone stayed. Now three yaers later it seems to have cured itself - matured, I assume the varnish and the wood have cured and it is sounding 100% better than when I bought it. The quality of the finish is still as new and is a pleasure to play. Listening to your C9 I can hear how it used to sound like, a bit plasticy, bassy and with bad trebles. Cannot recommend it more now.
I recently bought a Yamaha cg182s that was high all over the place out of the factory...4-5mm. Same as you, I knocked the action down to around 3.5mm at the 12th and a little off the nut height. The sound right off the bat has been really quite good I have to say. I mean before lowering the action. It's a very decent guitar for $750 Australian dollars.
The Corboba has a warmer sound. For the price a Cordoba is a great entry level guitar. Of course you can't expect it to sound like a Granada made John Hall spruce, or any the the Kenny Hill line.
Thanks for an interesting comparison BUT your microphone doesn't do justice to either of these guitars. I have the Cordoba Paco C7 and the Kenny Hill Performance, and even the C7 sounds really good considering the price. I find it harder to control the volume of the treble strings on the Kenny Hill, they are simply so loud, whereas the C7 is a bit quieter and makes it easier to control. Do yourself and your viewers a favor and get a dedicated microphone for these comparisons, there are a few inexpensive models that would give you more realistic results. I use the Line Audio CM4, but there are several other similar options. BTW I also have a Picado C1, which costs about half of what the KH Signature costs, but the sound is amazing. I compared it side by side to a Ramirez A1 when I purchased and the sound was superior to my ears and it is by far the easiest of my guitars to play. So there are still a few handmade guitars from small artisan shops that give incredible value :)
Thanks for the advice! I recently upgraded and have two new microphones so I'm thinking of making a sort of part 2 to this video but I feel like it might be redundant. I might just individually review each guitar
It was clear the Kenny Hill was better. There is a difference between the cedar top and the spruce double top. Spruce top sounded like it needed to be broken in a bit more but still sound way more "alive".
I'm an idiot for selling my Kenny Hill signature guitar. I only paid 3500 for it in 2005. Beautiful Brazilian Rosewood and a great sound. Just venting.
I recently went to a local guitar store to check both Cordoba C9 and C12. I have numerous guitars, classical, acoustic and electric and have been looking for a workhorse guitar in that price range to play around, teach the kids, etc. Both models presented good workmanship. In fact, they looked really nice. Playability was good too, very comfortable to play with. Sound quality was disappointing though. With the C9, lows and mids had good projection but were overpowering the trebles, which were not very present. They were dull with low sustain. The guitar was not balanced as I was expecting. The C12 was a bit better in the trebles, but still disappointing considering the price for a made in China guitar. Nothing against China as I also have some great guitars made in that country, with superb craftsmanship and sound. But my american and japanese guitars will hold value and if I need or want to sell them, I will get my money back or even make a profit. This won't happen with the chinese ones, so I never spend big dollars on these guitars. In my opinion, the C12 is overpriced. Perhaps I tried two lemons but they were brand new in a climate controlled room. Perhaps the fact that they are still hand made but in a factory production line results in some inconsistency which affects sound quality. I truly hope others have better luck. Thanks for your video btw.
I bought the Cordoba c9 about a decade ago at this point. Prices were much lower and quality was better. Let me know which guitar you decide to get! Thanks for checking out the video
Thanks! I've been trying to up my production quality with every video. For this video I used a blue yeti from about a foot or two away from the 12th fret
@@guitar_george Thanks George. In fact I am considering to record my guitar playing and I am consider AKG Lyra and Zoom H6. Your advice is important to me and now I will consider Yeti as well.
@@guitar_george I learnt that some pros like Stephanie Jones also use H6 for some of her recordings so it might be a good choice although a little bit pricey compared with the USB mics.
Interesting comparison but sorry George. The most unfair thing about this comparison is, the player. To be fair you are a student working your way along with your playing but what many people don't realize that when they listen to a piece being played it is partly the instrument and partly the player and also there is an influence of one on the other. Often a student player will sound worse on the better guitar because the better guitar is much more revealing, and it reveals both good and bad. For instance a slightly brittle nail sound on a moderate guitar will sound much worse on the better guitar. A good guitar will push a player to play better because they can hear their playing better. If you were to get Ana Vidovic, or Marcin Dylla, or Pavel Steidle to play those two guitars and there would be a bigger difference. I've played both those guitars and you are right the difference does not come across listening to the recorded versions the way it does in real life.
@@BobStCyr thanks for listening and you're absolutely right! I'm not a classical player at all. I studied it for a few years at university but that was over a decade ago. Regardless, my channel is about exploring different guitars and gear, giving my thoughts and opinions, and having fun doing so. Thanks for watching!
I agree. I think some classical guitar makers don't include it because they want to be "purists" and they think the nylon strings don't have enough tension to bow the neck. I think a truss rod is a necessity!
The c9 is competitive on tone but I prefer cedar tone by a mile to spruce. No amount of expense is going to make a spruce sound like a cedar. A double top cedar/spruce doesn’t sound as good as a pure cedar tone. It’s my personal preference. I can hear the higher quality in the Kenny Hill but I can’t justify 10x for a tone I don’t even prefer even if there are things like sustain and “craftsmanship” in its favor.
With all due respect, to me the Cordoba sounds like a cheap plywood guitar. I wouldn't pay $800 for it. Is the Kenny worth $8000? Hard for me to say, but the sound is WAY better than the Cordoba, especially the highs.
I'm a steel string player who is looking for solid-wood nylon string, and watched this video because the C9 is one of the models I've been considering. I have to be blunt. The concept behind this video is pretty silly. Look, my gig guitar for years was a Martin D-16GT -- the least expensive solid wood Martin. 22 years later, I still have it. It's a good workhorse guitar, and was a great value at the 1000 that it set me back in early 2000. But does it match a D45? No way. Anyone past the intermediate level of playing, who's heard a lot of players and a lot of instruments, knows perfectly well that a handcrafted boutique instrument from a master builder is going to sound a hell of a lot better than an intermediate-level factory guitar. You might as well do a video comparing a Ferrari to a Fiesta ST. The C9 is what it is. It would be better to compare it to other solid wood offerings in its price range, like a Yamaha GC12 or a Godin/La Patrie. A concert-level player should invest in a concert-level instrument. The home plucker or steel-stringer looking for a change of pace is probably just fine with an intermediate guitar, unless they just have the several grand lying around and want to blow it on an instrument that they don't have the technique or talent to make sound much better than the $800.00 one. As you've said in another comment, the hands are the main thing -- hands won't make an $800.00 guitar sound like an $8000.00 one, but they sure can make an $8000.00 one sound like an $800.00 one.
Thanks for watching! The concept is kind of silly, but I haven't seen anything in RUclips like it so I figured why not. It's not meant to be taken to seriously as these guitars are made for two different players in different situations. If you get a c9, you will not be disappointed!
Robert kendrick tu comentario no es del todo cierto yo mismo e sido testigo de guitarras de gama media que no en la mayoría pero si se ha sabido que algunas suenan mejor que algunas de concierto aunque son algunos casos
Nice video! I appreciate the epilogue. I just thought what a great record sound the video has! :) I searched for 'cordoba c9 vs alhambra' and landed on your video. Cordoba is an American brand, isn't it? The cordoba comes also with a spruce top. Would the sound be more similar between the two guitars? Thank you very much!
Thanks so much! I'm not sure who owns Cordoba but I know they're made over seas. If the Cordoba came with a spruce top it would definitely change the sound, but seeing as the Kenny Hill is a double top I still don't think they would sound too similar. In person that Kenny Hill is far superior
Spruce is louder much more for flamenco Spanish stuff yes cordoba has spruce tops and cypress sides yes I own gk studio love it it's an awesome axe and perfect for all Spanish flamenco stuff as well as fusion
Personaly ( as an owner of a Cordoba F7 Paco ) . When you played the cordoba c9 after playing the kenny hill, the c9 sounded like a toy. I ll reconsider more buying a luthier guitar thanks to this video.
I appreciate the review. I definitely hear a difference but not a $7200 dollar difference. The only people that this would make sense to are professional players making a ton of money in the Classical world. And if they are touring, they might want to buy a few because touring is hard on guitars. With that said, I know of several professional players who are making a lot of money and not using $8000 dollar Classical Guitars, or even ones half that price.
thanks.. a guitar will never cost 3-5000 dollars, i would like to buy a yamaha CG122Ms series (classic) or FS-FG800 series (acoustic) guitar and enjoy it.
The difference is one’s a wall hanger .. my $200 student has lived more than any of my expensive guitars .. paying a fortune for a little bit better .. it’s like spending 10k on speakers vs earbuds ..
I get what you're saying. However, I think for concert players it's more of an investment than a collectable, because I've heard a lot of concert players discuss how the quality of your instrument can be a large factor deciding who gets hired. For me, though? I'm with you. My first classical guitar was a Yamaha CS-140 student guitar. And 99% of the people for whom I played were absolutely charmed by its sound. A guitar like the Cordoba C9 is more than enough for most every player besides the most discerning and refined players in my opinion. I mean, just read the comments... a good percentage of the responders are actually saying they liked the Cedar Cordoba better.
Yeah, I can understand this sentiment. To someone who loves warm guitars, they'd prefer a $500 Epiphone Les Paul over a $5000 Fender Telecaster. 100% valid to prefer the cedar top to the spruce.
Wow ! A video and sound test that was greatly needed to match a respected interment guitar to a full concert guitar, it was really tangible the difference, I must admit that I didn’t expect it to be so stark a difference in quality of sound. Would like a match up with others like this perhaps a match next time for the C9 v an equivalent Alhambra or similar, utube needs a classical guitar reviewer
@@guitar_george Nice guitar and beautiful playing btw. 👍👍. I myself own a sakurai guitar. Spruce top. Been playing spruce my whole life. But, I feel that cedar seems more stable in terms of sound, I don't know.
@@yunsentjhung1567 I think cedar is "easier" to play because its a bit more consistent or stable as you said. Spruce has great dynamics and note separation though. You really hear everything when you play a Spruce top, the good and the bad haha
Those seem to be very good guitars. The cordoba doesn't sound cheap. From a youtube listener point of view like mine the cordoba sounds better. But maybe from your point of hearing one may prefer the spruce top guitar because of the clarity of the melody. And the volume, it is hard to realize differences in volume and projection on the internet.
It's definitely hard to tell. RUclips compresses it so they seem the same volume but take my word for it, the spruce is much louder! Maybe twice as loud. But if you're just looking to record and post stuff on RUclips, the Cordoba will do the job well. Cheers!
Kenny Hill by far a better sounding guitar and better looking guitar. The difference is night and day, but I don’t think it is worth spending $7000 more for the Kenny Hill. C9 would be a great guitar for anyone who is not at a professional level. Btw I have c7 and looking to upgrade to c9.
Double top guitar has performance. Intermediate armature guitarist wants to get expensive ones. I think good sound makes good skill. Just buy good ones. There's no need hesitating spend money. Because life isn't so long.
For someone just starting out on the classical guitar, perhaps it is difficult to hear much of a difference between the two guitars; but as your playing and exposure continues through the years you can tell the Kenny Hill guitar is by far the superior sound.
Hi, nice vid!
Can you give me the name of the piece you play at 4:43? Thx!
The name of the piece is "Un dia de Noviembre" by Leo Brouwer
@@guitar_george thx a lot!
No problem! Thanks for watching
@@guitar_george Sorry but the piece is ''Studio in E minor "" by Francisco Tarrega. Anyway nice comparison!
The introduction i mean...
The C9 sounds absolutely beautiful! ❤
I love the warm sound of cordoba c9
Yeah, I think Cedar vs. Spruce is kind of throwing the comparison off. For example, if you love a warm electric guitar, a $500 Epiphone Les Paul might be more to your liking than a $6000 Fender Telecaster! But, I can see the difference. I think what makes the $8000 guitar preferable for a concert player is something we can't fully ascertain on a microphone: How well it projects in a concert setting. The Cordoba C9 sounds brilliant, but if you took two guitarists of equal skill and one had a guitar that could project clearly further, that guitarist will get hired over the one who had the warmer, muddier guitar. In my opinion, the C9 is a real player's guitar and a great player could use it and make everybody listening happy, and that's what music is all about.
I tell players... don't upgrade your guitar until you can articulate in words how you feel the guitar is holding back your playing. 99% of people will LOVE the tone of a $150 Yamaha C-140. It'll put a smile on anybody's face. However, one day you'll notice that in order for the guitar to be heard you have to pluck more aggressively with more force, and you'll notice how this alone is limiting your dynamics! When you are skilled enough that you can understand this, it's time to upgrade to something like a C9. For guys like me, that's good enough to take me where I want to go for the rest of my life. BUT, I bet if I was a concert-level player with a refined and articulate technique, I'd feel about the C9 how I currently feel about the Yamaha C-140. So, I definitely get it. But, as I said before, a guitar like the C9 will put a smile on most anybody's face when they hear it, and that's what it's all about. When it holds back your playing, it's time to get a master-built beauty.
I always prefer cedar also, this is not a good comparison
Yes! And it looks like this guitar likes nylon better than carbone... (too shrill sound)... The problem with most high tension nylon strings is that they are often too thick, and with a 50mm neck you need thinner strings... This month I have a set of (not so) high tension Labella 2001 flamenco strings, and I like them! Next month I'll try a set of Labella Sweetone 1S. If not enough tension I'll tune it a little bit higher. These strings are very cheap (8€), I wonder what they're worth...
The differences are subtle to unnoticeable, atleast through microphone, may be we experience bit more change when we hear direct from guitar to ears. So in guitars if one is 10 times expensive than the other, doesn't really mean it sounds 10 times better, but that small percentage of improvement in sound quality makes all that diffference.
Thank you for the comparison! A comparison between the C9, a $2000 and a $3000 guitar would certainly be very useful for the bulk of the guitarists that never make it to the "pro" status. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Once you go beyond a certain point, it's the brand name, the supposed prestige (real or imaginary, mostly imaginary), the production rarity, the maker, because other high spenders say "it's the best," etc. that added price to the product, NOT necessarily because it actually is technically superior. And that is true in virtually every products consumers buy.
For example, if you play tennis... a good tennis player having played for years or decades, you could EASILY tell the quality of a $50 - $100 racquet versus a $250 or $500 racquet. But beyond that, when you're talking about $1,000 to $5,000 a racquet's price is completely pop culture-driven.
If you are a serious bicyclist, you know there is a difference between one from Wal-Mart or any other bike shop that cost $100 to $250. But once you've ridden a $1,000 bike, you notice the difference. And a $5,000 is even better, because the material used, the quality of build, etc. are high end.
But a $10,000 to $30,000 bicycle isn't going to make you go any better, faster, or more efficient (except for some very narrow speed trial, in a certain very conducive environment for such speed trial). For 99% of all other good, healthy, fast ride, bikes around $5,000 are all that true bike-making technologies make a substantial difference UP TO (beyond which, again, it's just pop culture/brand name driven).
There is a different between a $50,000 and a $500,000 house. And a $3M - $5M house is a premium property, in 99% of the cities of the world, including some of the richer nations and zip codes. But adding more marble and gadgets and stuff to a property, to make is "most exclusive," so it cost $30M or $50M or $500M.... there really is NO REAL living value (that an owner could actually use) attached to it, such as that property making the owner's short life longer or better, more fulfilling, etc... Ultra expensive properties are just expensive properties in and of themselves... they're just investments things, not actual homes for daily or a life time living, for children and other family members to casually enjoy....
I have an all solid wood Kenny Hill Player 630 scale (Same as Cordoba c10 parlor spruce top). I created an upper bout 1-1/4” sound port, replaced saddle with an intonated “Tusq” saddle and substantially lowered action, installed higher quality 18 gear tuners, did a fretboard makeover to round over edges of frets and smooth nut grooves, and installed high tension carbon strings(Augustine Paragon). It has a seven fan braced thin top that rings like a bell, even though it has a nitrocellulose finish.
I have had very favorable tonal and “playability” comments by other classical players compared against their $10k guitars. I think comparison of quality and aesthetic is valid, but unbiased sound checks can be very revealing.
As an electrical engineer, I believe that there is only so much one can do to optimize the sound characteristics of the basic guitar design without electronics or significant material and/or structural changes.
Thanks for your comparison 🤗
Thanks for the insightful comment! I'm working on a part 2 of this with a better mic set up
I’d like to know how your fit all of your upgrades on the Kenny Hill. I can’t afford an $8000 instrument, so any help would be helpful.
George, this is a very good comparison. Thanks for doing this. Just a couple of comments.
First the spruceness vs. cedarness of the two guitars is quite striking and probably has an effect on what folks hear. I was surprised to find that, in the first round of playing that I had a slight preference for the Cordoba.
OTOH, in the Una Dia De Noviembre snippet toward the end, I felt like the quality of the Kenny Hill was more obvious. FWIW, I was listening through relatively high quality Sennheiser 650 earphones driven by an external DAC/Amp.
Also the RUclips audio streams are really lossy, and this probably has a big effect on what folks hear (or don't hear). I understand that they tend to do their own thing relative to audio dynamic range compression and audio levels. RUclips might well be cutting the audio levels from one of the guitar (would most likely be the Cordoba) and loudness has a big effect on what folks perceive. This is kind of a guess, BTW.
But good work on this video, regardless.
FWIW, I have a Ashley Sanders spruce/lattice that is in the same class as your Kenny Hill and a Jesus Marzal traditional cedar that is kind of in between the Hill and the Cordoba. I can hear the difference both live and in what I record and then play back from Reaper (without any dynamic range or frequency range compression that I cannot control). I don't know what I would hear if I stuck that up on RUclips - would probably be different. Is what you hear from your own recordings different that what you hear on a RUclips playback?
dave
Hey Dave, thanks for your comment and close listening. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I recently purchased another microphone so I'm going to be recording my classical guitar videos with a dual mic set up (at least I hope to). I definitely recognize a slight dip in quality and a more compressed sound once the video is uploaded to RUclips.
@@guitar_george Since you have also used a Blue Yeti.... I started out recording (I don't record all that much and my skill level is below yours) using a Blue Yeti Pro mic. I think the big difference between the Pro and the Blue Yeti is that the Pro has both USB and XLR outputs (I always used the USB, BTW). More recently I bought a pair of (small) condenser mics (Oktava MK12) and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface box. My personal assessment is that there is a difference between what I record with a pair of Oktava's/Focusrite vs the USB Blue Yeti Pro. But it is incremental and not huge.
dave
Great Break Down! Your knowledge really helps me understand the Breakdown!
I appreciate this having just ordered a C9. Thanks!
Enjoy it! It's a great guitar
A good comparison may have been to replace the C9 with the C12 Spruce Top. Still a great difference in price, but then it’s spruce versus spruce.
Don't know if this is actually a guitar 'adjective' but I thought the Cordoba had a more 'pleasant' sound.
Cedar is definitely warmer and easier on the ears
I heard a substantial difference. Thanks for the comparison.
Love love love my 2015 Hill Signature Spruce top!!!
Yesss!
The KH sound board sounds more spruce, I wish the comparison was with a spruce top Cordoba.
I wish I had one! But yeah the double top vs cedar is very different
I like the warmer c9 sound. But that's just me. Thank you for a great vid.
Going to be making a video on it soon!
*This Post was Made by Cedar Gang
Great editing. Really helps with the comparison.
Thank you! This was only my second video ever. I'm trying to get better with every video
I am a singer, not (yet or ever?) a guitarist.
Both guitars sound good which is important, seeing as the Cordoba C9 is not exactly cheap at 1000 EUR.
What my ear heard is that the Cordoba has an appealing but slightly muddier sound. It's nice, it's warm, it stays there. The Kenny Hill on the other hand sounded lighter in tone, but the sound had much more depth and that depth was layered.
It was like comparing an untrained mezzo with a highly trained soprano. Both voices are good, but the soprano leave a more lasting memory.
The main different between these two guitars we could hear in a concert hall. Then we notice laudness, reach color, long sustain, clear vibrato and - I guess - comfortable playing...
The main difference in the sound is in the musician . In my opinion
@@ionageman nah, the same musician sound better with Kenny Hill than with C9, thats the point
I appreciate the comparison you’ve provided and think your added comments are very true. Also if you buy the C9 you won’t have the Kenny Hill sitting next to it to remind you of what another $5k might buy. Cordobas give great bang for buck.
That's a good point! 😂
I wouldn't even compare those two bc those are different woods. I have seen guitars in the 1k to 2k range rival 4k to 8k guitars, ie yamaha ll16. I see the same in some pianos, that's how amazing manufacturing has become. Thank you technology and economies of scale.
What's the difference in volume? Maybe the amplification system used to make this recording automatically adjusted the volume?
I think the video editing software may have auto balanced it. The Kenny Hill is much louder!
Awesome video the Kenny hill sounds beautiful:) - Xavier
Thanks Xavi, I think so too
So, though I’ve played guitar for over 20 years, I have not played a classical guitar more than a few times. Don’t know if that’s why, but I really prefer the sound of the C9, honestly.
Classical guitars are awesome! They are a whole different animal if you're used to playing electric guitars, but once you learn how to get what you want out of them.. they're so satisfying to play!
A classical guitar is definitely near the top of my list! I play two acoustic/electric steel strings, an acoustic/electric bass, mandolin, acoustic tenor and most recently an electric guitar. Fingerpicking is my favorite style, so I think a classical guitar is a logical next instrument. :-)
@@guitar_george i agree that the tone of classical guitar is awesome and I enjoy playing them. Being a acoustic steel string player I play a classical guitar like I play a acoustic guitar, produce nice warmer rounder tone but I know it is not the way to play classical guitar to fullfill its potential. Being a fingerstyle player my playstyle have a lot of percussive element like slap, palm and if you play this way the C9 is good enough. Kenny Hill is overkill IMHO.
@@phanhuyduc2395 The Cordoba c9 crossover would be perfect for this style
How can you compare spruce to cedar guitar?
It's actually a double top! But yeah it was just for fun!
cordoba sounds amazing. Congrats!
I may experiment with my c9 sanding the top back and sides, get rid of that finish , and give it a french wax.
Sounds like a risky experiment.. french polish is awesome though
I preffered cordoba until last piece that you played. It is not as clear when you play that. But cordoba seemed to have more beefy not nasaly sound before that last piece of music.
Thanks for the honest review, good information.
I'm glad I can help!
that is crazy how the C9 is the sound i was looking for in a classical guitar. it was a warmer sound. but it is just an opinion, and opinions usually vary, so buy whatever makes you happy. and forget about what other people think, it is your money..
You should pull the trigger on a c9 then! I'm glad I could help. My goal was to show how when doing recordings like this, the differences are very subtle. In person it's a whole different ball game though
Yes you absolutely helped a great deal,, I am going to have to get the best classical guitar for around 1,000 dollars,, however if I had a choice in the matter,, well.. obviously I would have no problem paying around 10,ooo or so.. thank you so much God bless
That Kenny n hill makes me weak in the chest. My old professor used to say if your car is worth more than your guitar your in the wrong major.
Kenny Hill is more balanced sound for sure. Although the bass of C9 is warmer - so you get quickly focused to it.
That's a great point and a very accurate assessment
I have a spruce C9 that sounds louder than the C9 you chose. I don't know if it is correct to compare spruce with cedar.
The problem with this kind of things is that one expects the luthier made guitar to sound 10 times better, 20 times better, because it costs 10, 20 times the factory made one. Obviously, that's impossibile. Often, as in this comparison, the differences are very subtle: a bit more volume/projection, a more refined sound, etc. The only true, and immensely important distinction, is that often mass produced guitars are unbalanced as far as volume, sustain, clarity, etc. between the lows and trebles.
I hear only great things about Kenny Hill guitars, but based on this video I would definitely pick the Cordoba. It appears to have a much more pleasing and sophisticated open sound.
My recording skills were on their infancy here. I really have to make a new video on this topic!
Love the Kenny Hill Guitare 💙 ❤ more than the Cordoba . It's just a matter of 💰 for me and surly for lots of people too . Fun video 😊
Hey George , what’s the brand of that jacket you’re wearing at the end? Looks nice haha
@@chumstik thanks! It's from J Crew
Just bought a Cordoba C10 Parlor from Calido Guitars, best Sprucetop for the money, comparable to my Kenny Hill player 628 S in every way🎶🎵🤗
Love the C10! I haven't tried the Kenny Hill player series
I’d really like to know what people think is the true sweet spot on price for a classical guitar. I know it depends on usage but let’s assume someone wants good quality and tone, at what point are there big diminishing returns?
That is a great question. My guess would be probably 4-5 grand. At that point you're getting a hand made instrument by sometime reputable and then the diminishing returns start to kick in
@@guitar_george Thank you very much for the reply. I was researching and thought maybe 3-4K but you have more experience with this than me, so your number seems right. I am thinking of buying one and don't want to overpay for something that doesn't really add much value.
Isn’t one cedar and the other spruce?
One is cedar, but the other is a double top made of both cedar and spruce
@@guitar_george So, wouldn’t the one that includes spruce have an advantage where higher tones are concerned?
Yep it should. But I think the double top is superior in every way, not just the higher tones. Just my opinion though! Which tone you like is all subjective
Big difference. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it. Going to do a part 2 soon with a much better mic setup
I would have sworn that the expensive one was the other. I'm hearing the video with my cell phone. So it has not a good sound definition. But the piece you played in the intro I guess it was a little tricky. By the pieces you played in the mid section of the video it is more noticeable that the expensive guitar sounds better. But without doubt I prefer the cheap one. It has a very warm sound and that makes me feel comfortable
I'm definitely going to do a follow up and compare with a better mic set up. The video accomplished it's goal though, you don't need the most expensive guitar to get a good sound
100% hear the difference! Much more crisp and clear.
Definitely big difference - Kenny Hill Guitar in every way.
Kenny Hill has a nice refined tone but is lacking in volume. Most DTs that I know of are loud.
Man it seems you have old strings on the c9
I don’t know if it’s worth ten times more, but it sounds much much nicer, more open and resonant. I like it a lot, but unfortunately can’t afford an instrument that expensive.
I think so too, Chuck. Glad you like what you hear! I'll be making more of these soon with different types of guitars
@@guitar_george Great, I’ll watch for your demonstrations. Thanks.
Are you strictly a classical guitarist?
@@guitar_george No actually I’m a drummer who wants to learn to play a classical guitar. I love the sound of the nylon string guitars. I do like classical music though even though I been a jazz drummer for many years now.
That's awesome. I teach guitar for a living so if I could ever help you out with anything, just shoot me a message!
I bought a C9 CED about 3 years ago now. Initially it sounded muffled and not responsive. I had the action reduced to 3.5 mm, it was at 4-5mm. It helped playing but the issue of the muffled tone stayed. Now three yaers later it seems to have cured itself - matured, I assume the varnish and the wood have cured and it is sounding 100% better than when I bought it. The quality of the finish is still as new and is a pleasure to play. Listening to your C9 I can hear how it used to sound like, a bit plasticy, bassy and with bad trebles. Cannot recommend it more now.
I recently bought a Yamaha cg182s that was high all over the place out of the factory...4-5mm. Same as you, I knocked the action down to around 3.5mm at the 12th and a little off the nut height. The sound right off the bat has been really quite good I have to say. I mean before lowering the action. It's a very decent guitar for $750 Australian dollars.
The Corboba has a warmer sound. For the price a Cordoba is a great entry level guitar. Of course you can't expect it to sound like a Granada made John Hall spruce, or any the the Kenny Hill line.
Thanks for an interesting comparison BUT your microphone doesn't do justice to either of these guitars. I have the Cordoba Paco C7 and the Kenny Hill Performance, and even the C7 sounds really good considering the price. I find it harder to control the volume of the treble strings on the Kenny Hill, they are simply so loud, whereas the C7 is a bit quieter and makes it easier to control.
Do yourself and your viewers a favor and get a dedicated microphone for these comparisons, there are a few inexpensive models that would give you more realistic results. I use the Line Audio CM4, but there are several other similar options.
BTW I also have a Picado C1, which costs about half of what the KH Signature costs, but the sound is amazing. I compared it side by side to a Ramirez A1 when I purchased and the sound was superior to my ears and it is by far the easiest of my guitars to play. So there are still a few handmade guitars from small artisan shops that give incredible value :)
Thanks for the advice! I recently upgraded and have two new microphones so I'm thinking of making a sort of part 2 to this video but I feel like it might be redundant. I might just individually review each guitar
It was clear the Kenny Hill was better. There is a difference between the cedar top and the spruce double top. Spruce top sounded like it needed to be broken in a bit more but still sound way more "alive".
"He knows all the chords."
I expected to think the $8000 would sound a lot better than the Córdoba. I like the warmer guitar better. The Córdoba.
I must admit, the difference was much greater in person.. but in my recordings they were much closer than I thought!
@@guitar_george I think it's because of your microphone.
I think so too. It's compressing too much. I recorded my newest video with an sm57.. let me know what you guys think of that sound
@@guitar_george It's better, but I think you need something like sm81 for classical guitar.
Cedar vs spruce is more noticeable than the dollar comparison
I'm an idiot for selling my Kenny Hill signature guitar. I only paid 3500 for it in 2005. Beautiful Brazilian Rosewood and a great sound.
Just venting.
I wouldn't go so far as to call you an idiot but I don't think that was wise 😂 it's an amazing guitar!
@@guitar_george You're being kind. Let's just say I deeply regret a bad decision.
I recently went to a local guitar store to check both Cordoba C9 and C12. I have numerous guitars, classical, acoustic and electric and have been looking for a workhorse guitar in that price range to play around, teach the kids, etc. Both models presented good workmanship. In fact, they looked really nice. Playability was good too, very comfortable to play with. Sound quality was disappointing though. With the C9, lows and mids had good projection but were overpowering the trebles, which were not very present. They were dull with low sustain. The guitar was not balanced as I was expecting. The C12 was a bit better in the trebles, but still disappointing considering the price for a made in China guitar. Nothing against China as I also have some great guitars made in that country, with superb craftsmanship and sound. But my american and japanese guitars will hold value and if I need or want to sell them, I will get my money back or even make a profit. This won't happen with the chinese ones, so I never spend big dollars on these guitars. In my opinion, the C12 is overpriced. Perhaps I tried two lemons but they were brand new in a climate controlled room. Perhaps the fact that they are still hand made but in a factory production line results in some inconsistency which affects sound quality. I truly hope others have better luck. Thanks for your video btw.
I bought the Cordoba c9 about a decade ago at this point. Prices were much lower and quality was better. Let me know which guitar you decide to get! Thanks for checking out the video
What is the very first piece you play?
It's an E minor Study by Tarrega
Cordoba or the Alhambra 4p?
I've never played an Alhambra unfortunately
Appreciate your effort. Would you also share your recording equipment, e.g. the USB microphones? It sounds reasonable. Thanks.
Thanks! I've been trying to up my production quality with every video. For this video I used a blue yeti from about a foot or two away from the 12th fret
@@guitar_george Thanks George. In fact I am considering to record my guitar playing and I am consider AKG Lyra and Zoom H6. Your advice is important to me and now I will consider Yeti as well.
It's a bit more pricey, but I'd recommend getting an audio interface and not using a USB mic. A lot more options! I have a scarlett 2i2
@@guitar_george I learnt that some pros like Stephanie Jones also use H6 for some of her recordings so it might be a good choice although a little bit pricey compared with the USB mics.
A hardrock-intro for classical guitar video? 🤔
I don't know if I'd call that hard rock.. I also didn't want it to be like every other classical guitar video on RUclips ! 🎸
Saving up for a classical because it's the cheapest kind here. I could get a handcrafted one for around $120 (expensive when converted into peso tho😩)
The material in between is called Nomex, not Comex.😂
Interesting comparison but sorry George. The most unfair thing about this comparison is, the player. To be fair you are a student working your way along with your playing but what many people don't realize that when they listen to a piece being played it is partly the instrument and partly the player and also there is an influence of one on the other. Often a student player will sound worse on the better guitar because the better guitar is much more revealing, and it reveals both good and bad. For instance a slightly brittle nail sound on a moderate guitar will sound much worse on the better guitar. A good guitar will push a player to play better because they can hear their playing better. If you were to get Ana Vidovic, or Marcin Dylla, or Pavel Steidle to play those two guitars and there would be a bigger difference. I've played both those guitars and you are right the difference does not come across listening to the recorded versions the way it does in real life.
@@BobStCyr thanks for listening and you're absolutely right! I'm not a classical player at all. I studied it for a few years at university but that was over a decade ago. Regardless, my channel is about exploring different guitars and gear, giving my thoughts and opinions, and having fun doing so. Thanks for watching!
There is no comparison. The Cordoba sounds like crap compared to the Kenny Hill
does the expensive one has a truss rod ? what if the neck moved forwad in time
The expensive one also has a truss rod!
@@guitar_george thats good ..i saw some expensive guitars with no truss rod and thats so bad
I agree. I think some classical guitar makers don't include it because they want to be "purists" and they think the nylon strings don't have enough tension to bow the neck. I think a truss rod is a necessity!
The c9 is competitive on tone but I prefer cedar tone by a mile to spruce. No amount of expense is going to make a spruce sound like a cedar. A double top cedar/spruce doesn’t sound as good as a pure cedar tone. It’s my personal preference. I can hear the higher quality in the Kenny Hill but I can’t justify 10x for a tone I don’t even prefer even if there are things like sustain and “craftsmanship” in its favor.
Plz review calssical guitar for Asian country with low price sir..thank you
I will try my best. Do you have any suggestions on which guitar you would like me to review?
@@guitar_george Plz japanes second hand guitar with low price and quility.In our country all of Classical player use common japan second hand.Thz sri
I could def hear the difference between the two!
Which did you like better ? 😜
You comparing ceder to spruce
what are the songs you played ? smooth playing
Tarrega e minor etude and
Un dia de Noviembre
Good information cheers.
Cheers!
Cheers that was useful information.
Very nice sound of the cordoba I love cordoba but that hill is a louder and nice sound too I can tell the difference tho
Thanks Jeff! They're both so good
It would be better if both guitars were spruce or cedar.
With all due respect, to me the Cordoba sounds like a cheap plywood guitar. I wouldn't pay $800 for it.
Is the Kenny worth $8000? Hard for me to say, but the sound is WAY better than the Cordoba, especially the highs.
I'm a steel string player who is looking for solid-wood nylon string, and watched this video because the C9 is one of the models I've been considering. I have to be blunt. The concept behind this video is pretty silly. Look, my gig guitar for years was a Martin D-16GT -- the least expensive solid wood Martin. 22 years later, I still have it. It's a good workhorse guitar, and was a great value at the 1000 that it set me back in early 2000. But does it match a D45? No way. Anyone past the intermediate level of playing, who's heard a lot of players and a lot of instruments, knows perfectly well that a handcrafted boutique instrument from a master builder is going to sound a hell of a lot better than an intermediate-level factory guitar. You might as well do a video comparing a Ferrari to a Fiesta ST.
The C9 is what it is. It would be better to compare it to other solid wood offerings in its price range, like a Yamaha GC12 or a Godin/La Patrie.
A concert-level player should invest in a concert-level instrument. The home plucker or steel-stringer looking for a change of pace is probably just fine with an intermediate guitar, unless they just have the several grand lying around and want to blow it on an instrument that they don't have the technique or talent to make sound much better than the $800.00 one. As you've said in another comment, the hands are the main thing -- hands won't make an $800.00 guitar sound like an $8000.00 one, but they sure can make an $8000.00 one sound like an $800.00 one.
Thanks for watching! The concept is kind of silly, but I haven't seen anything in RUclips like it so I figured why not. It's not meant to be taken to seriously as these guitars are made for two different players in different situations. If you get a c9, you will not be disappointed!
Robert kendrick tu comentario no es del todo cierto yo mismo e sido testigo de guitarras de gama media que no en la mayoría pero si se ha sabido que algunas suenan mejor que algunas de concierto aunque son algunos casos
Nice video! I appreciate the epilogue. I just thought what a great record sound the video has! :)
I searched for 'cordoba c9 vs alhambra' and landed on your video. Cordoba is an American brand, isn't it?
The cordoba comes also with a spruce top. Would the sound be more similar between the two guitars?
Thank you very much!
Thanks so much! I'm not sure who owns Cordoba but I know they're made over seas. If the Cordoba came with a spruce top it would definitely change the sound, but seeing as the Kenny Hill is a double top I still don't think they would sound too similar. In person that Kenny Hill is far superior
Spruce is louder much more for flamenco Spanish stuff yes cordoba has spruce tops and cypress sides yes I own gk studio love it it's an awesome axe and perfect for all Spanish flamenco stuff as well as fusion
Personaly ( as an owner of a Cordoba F7 Paco ) . When you played the cordoba c9 after playing the kenny hill, the c9 sounded like a toy.
I ll reconsider more buying a luthier guitar thanks to this video.
They are definitely in a different class. All depends on your budget and what you need it for!
@@guitar_george yes totally agree . Keep up the good work. 💪🏻
@@elkasmiadnane thank you!!
Adnane, no sea tan exajerado tampoco así, no sonaba como juguete
I appreciate the review. I definitely hear a difference but not a $7200 dollar difference.
The only people that this would make sense to are professional players making a ton of money in the Classical world. And if they are touring, they might want to buy a few because touring is hard on guitars.
With that said, I know of several professional players who are making a lot of money and not using $8000 dollar Classical Guitars, or even ones half that price.
He's right. There's no decermable difference.
In person there is one, but hard to tell on the recordings. I guess tone is in the hands!
thanks..
a guitar will never cost 3-5000 dollars,
i would like to buy a yamaha CG122Ms series (classic) or FS-FG800 series (acoustic) guitar and enjoy it.
The difference is one’s a wall hanger .. my $200 student has lived more than any of my expensive guitars .. paying a fortune for a little bit better .. it’s like spending 10k on speakers vs earbuds ..
I get what you're saying. However, I think for concert players it's more of an investment than a collectable, because I've heard a lot of concert players discuss how the quality of your instrument can be a large factor deciding who gets hired. For me, though? I'm with you. My first classical guitar was a Yamaha CS-140 student guitar. And 99% of the people for whom I played were absolutely charmed by its sound. A guitar like the Cordoba C9 is more than enough for most every player besides the most discerning and refined players in my opinion. I mean, just read the comments... a good percentage of the responders are actually saying they liked the Cedar Cordoba better.
C9 sounds warmer, which I actually preferred.
Yeah, I can understand this sentiment. To someone who loves warm guitars, they'd prefer a $500 Epiphone Les Paul over a $5000 Fender Telecaster. 100% valid to prefer the cedar top to the spruce.
Wow ! A video and sound test that was greatly needed to match a respected interment guitar to a full concert guitar, it was really tangible the difference, I must admit that I didn’t expect it to be so stark a difference in quality of sound.
Would like a match up with others like this perhaps a match next time for the C9 v an equivalent Alhambra or similar, utube needs a classical guitar reviewer
I'm glad you enjoyed it! The difference was much more drastic in person as well. I'm going to work on getting more classical guitars to compare
Comparing a double top to a cedar top is apples to oranges. More like comparing a Ford Mustang to an F1 race car perhaps...
Huge difference. There is no comparison. The Kenny Hill is worth every penny and will only get finer.
Every time I play it, it sounds better and better!
You are comparing a spruce top to a cedar top..
Just having some fun!
3:00 nomex
Gracias, muy buena información 👍🏽
Gracias por comentar
Hi, this is not even a fair fight. The Cordoba looks like has an old rusty string. While, Kenny hill's strings still look good.
The Cordoba did have older strings! I need to make a video with new strings on both
@@guitar_george Nice guitar and beautiful playing btw. 👍👍. I myself own a sakurai guitar. Spruce top. Been playing spruce my whole life. But, I feel that cedar seems more stable in terms of sound, I don't know.
@@yunsentjhung1567 I think cedar is "easier" to play because its a bit more consistent or stable as you said. Spruce has great dynamics and note separation though. You really hear everything when you play a Spruce top, the good and the bad haha
@@guitar_george Yeah I completely agree. Spruce is like hyper sensitive.
Great video. Wish you the best on your new channel.
For the material in the double top I think you meant "nomex" instead of "comex".
Thank you! And yes that's right. I noticed afterward and wrote it in my description
Also I've been watching too many watch videos
Спасибо, автор просто молодец! Первый раз видно отчетливо разницу между звучанием двух гитар! Кордоба не выдерживает никакой конкуренции...
Thanks so much!
Those seem to be very good guitars. The cordoba doesn't sound cheap. From a youtube listener point of view like mine the cordoba sounds better. But maybe from your point of hearing one may prefer the spruce top guitar because of the clarity of the melody. And the volume, it is hard to realize differences in volume and projection on the internet.
It's definitely hard to tell. RUclips compresses it so they seem the same volume but take my word for it, the spruce is much louder! Maybe twice as loud. But if you're just looking to record and post stuff on RUclips, the Cordoba will do the job well. Cheers!
Your room is eating the sound reflection to both instruments. Actually the C9 sounded louder and better basses.
The 10x $ difference isn’t worth the sound
I liked the c9
It sure is great for the price
Kenny Hill by far a better sounding guitar and better looking guitar. The difference is night and day, but I don’t think it is worth spending $7000 more for the Kenny Hill. C9 would be a great guitar for anyone who is not at a professional level. Btw I have c7 and looking to upgrade to c9.
Thanks for your insights Jonathan!
Double top guitar has performance.
Intermediate armature guitarist wants to get expensive ones.
I think good sound makes good skill.
Just buy good ones.
There's no need hesitating spend money.
Because life isn't so long.
Well said! Buy the good one, life is short
For someone just starting out on the classical guitar, perhaps it is difficult to hear much of a difference between the two guitars; but as your playing and exposure continues through the years you can tell the Kenny Hill guitar is by far the superior sound.
The Kenny Hill sounds better more clarity but not $7.200 better if people have that kind of money to pay for that good luck to them
Kenny Hill sounds professional the other sounds entry level
For sure. In person it's not even close!