Purchased a C5 several years ago for my wife to play folk guitar. Tested the “floor model” (set up and played by customers) and it sounded great. Decided to buy it and the sales clerk said, “Wait and I’ll get you a new one in the box.” NO! I’ll take the floor model! Years later it sounds as good as some of my guitars costing seven or eight times as much. Lessons: (1) More money does not always guarantee a better guitar, and (2) Marry the one you date. 😎
Great review! Picked up a used C5 from Guitar Center for $220 and have been very happy with it. This video gave me a really good understanding of what is important when looking for a classical guitar. Thanks!
Been playing guitar nearly 60 yrs....I've played Rock and some country music in bands in the past.I also can finger pick which is leading to want to start playing classical guitar since my singing voice has all but gone and playing chords to songs is boring to me without singing....Long time ago , I learned Blackbird in which McCartney picks his way through and really liked the song. I guess it would be best for me to start with the C5 and see how it goes. Some of the Classical pieces I've seen played look very difficult but no one ever knows what they can accomplish without giving it a try eh'".....Thanks for the Knowledgable review on these three guitars which has given me a better understanding of the differences between them.
I started off with the Cedar C5, then made the plunge and got a Spruce C12. That's my baby. If my C12 were the last guitar I would ever own or play, I'd be happy with that. Sounds like a guitar worth twice the amount. Can not go wrong with a Cordoba!!!
Hi Josh, Thank you for your comment! Yes theyre great! And that makes sense since the wood gets a chance to settle a bit and open up a bit. I bet then C10 you have must be really nice!
reading some comments on the internet, a lot of people complained that the c5 has a problem with the bridge coming off. did it happen that often because now I'm afraid to buy that guitar
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist great,thanks a lot. Otherwise i was thinking of taking a cordoba c5 ce model with elektronic. Is the c5 s suitable for more experiencend musicians??
I'm interested in the Cordoba C3M which is in between the price of the C1 and C5 and has a solid cedar top, like the C5. The C1 is all laminate, I think.
What about Cordoba C3 M? I found multiple different opinions. One say that C5 and C3 M are the same guitars but with different finish. Other say that C3 M sound much much worse.
Hey! Im not too familiar with the C3 but if its the C5 minus the finish I can really see the finish making it sound a bit better and just feel less “nice” ill have to check it out!
@For The Classical Guitarist it has been great to play so far! Thanks for the video. I got the cordoba hard case with it. Even if I get a nicer classical in the future, this guitar will always stay in the family.
Hey. Excellent review. And lovely playing. Alhambra is another brand that features at these price points and also Cuenca? Be interesting to hear your thoughts please
Hey Ian, Thank you so much for checking it out! And yes Alhambra guitars are great as well. I’ve played a few of them and for the price they are very good! have to figure out how to get my hands on some to test out!
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist Hey John. Thanks for the reply. I believe Alhambra models use High Tension strings? I’ve only used Normal so far being a complete novice. How do these affect tone and playability please? Thanks again
Personally I like Cedar guitars. Especially since guitars in the range end up being a bit bright the cedar helps balance it out! But the limited edition might be nice too!
Thank you so much!! This really helped me out. I have a c5 cedar top that I have owned and loved for many years and am looking to get a spruce top guitar. The c7 comes to mind as an obvious choice but I’m not sure and I don’t have access to one. This helped educate me but I’m wondering, do you have any knowledge or exposure to the spruce top c7? I’m sure it’s nice but is it really worth it as an upgrade? I have had my c5 for a long time and by now it does sound beautiful but I was the responsiveness of a spruce top.
I went from the Cedar c5 to a Spruce c12. The c5 is fine but with the c12 you get volume, sustain and overtones that you don't get on the c5. Kinda like comparing a Toyota to a Porsche. The Toyota does what you want it to do but once you get used to that Porsche there's no turning back
Cordoba 6 c5ce CD classical cutaway I was interested in hearing that but you went from the C12 the C5 to the C7 skipping the six unfortunately from him. Lol but I really want an Alvarez 8660 cutaway but I can't find one that I can afford I'm elderly and my housemate has PTSD and tid and he's got a lot of problems and he smashed my guitar my Yamaha with a classic he's not going to replace it he's got severe problems
Hello very good I bought a guitar cordoba c3m and c5 both I did not like so bad with manufacturing defects is what you know a classic brand much better than that
Excellent and informative video, as usual. I recently decided to upgrade and initially wanted an all solid wood guitar. My first choice was a used C10 since any other make of guitar with solid back and sides was way out of my price range. After discussing with my wife I decided to wait a while on that dream and I “settled” for a used C7. I am beyond impressed with the sound and playability of that guitar, especially the lows. The highs are good, but not great, in my opinion. Since I never got to play a C10 I was just wondering how much better that would sound that the C7 in your opinion (or if you have played those higher end Cordoba’s)? Would it have been worth spending the extra money to get the solid back and sides?
@@omojjegomosc8211well, the spruce top guitars are punchy and clear, while the cedar top guitars are warm, most people prefer cedar, but I prefer spruce, I think the best thing to do if your not sure is to go to the nearest guitar shop and try both on the same model
@@andrewchai6529 Thank you so much for your comment unfortunately I do not have tabs for any of the music played I can send you links where to buy the sheet music if you would like though
I had some cheap $100 guitar that had an acrylic top. I still loved it and played very nice music on it 😄 I actually sold it because I had no use for it but looking back I almost feel like maybe I should have kept it
@ForTheClassicalGuitarist yes it is. Started on that guitar. Excellent beginning Classical guitar. I have a concert Blackwell now but I still play my C-7 often . I'm very blessed
Sorry, but the recording of the guitars is terrible! I've played this video on all different devices to be sure it wasn't a fluke. The sound is so thin like an EQ with just the mids high scooped to the max and the basses muted. I own a C7 and have played a C5. They have a typically modern "well rounded" and broad sound, whereas I often prefer a more focused traditional Spanish sound and also have a Spanish-made guitar for that preference. The C5 and C7 are fine guitars and probably the best bang for the buck you will get buying new if you can only have one good guitar, but unfortunatley that isn't reflected in this video. Someone asked about the action. It is a modern user-friendly medium lowish height as apposed to the historic high action of Spanish guitars. Extremely playable for anyone. If Torres where building this design today this is where he would have put it.
the C5 is well worth usd 1,000 but cost less than half . its the best bang for the buck . the C7 is not as good . i have a C7 and had to strip the polyurethane finsh off and put shellac the over think polyurethane finsh damppens the sound The C7 poco id a Dog not worth fire wood no sound go for the c7 or one of their other guitars like C9 , C10 another 400 dollars wont be missed that over a life time which they wiil last
@@SouffleChoco Not all guitars are made the same, not matter how good the employees in the aseembley line are. So it would not be such a surprise that a C5 can sound and play better than a C7. Same could happend between a C3M and a C5, or even between two C5 or two C7. As example, the amount of time the wood was been dried out could make a difference between two of the same model, but different manufacturer batches. This happend with all kind of accoustic intruments, so if you have the chance to test two or three of the same model before buying, do it. Cheers!
@@rodrirm thank you Rodri for your advice ! I’ve just tested out several instruments before getting the one I liked the most. I even got a B Stock discount on it and is just great ! From the ones I’ve tested , the most expensive one sounded the worst and felt more like an overselling product to me .
I am a non English speaker and I generally never have problems understanding US English. However, I couldn't understand most of the things you said. Please be a little slower or clearer next time.
Hi 04rit. Thank you for your comment. Yes it is something I am still working on! But it has gotten better a little bit in my later videos. Thank you for watching!
Ur playing is excellent n I understand 5 or 6 languages n the coment about u speaking fast is tru it doesn't bother me but for Latin people is way too fast. Slow down u are a great reviewer. I played 40 yrs and still do not know how to play La Catedral
Great info and superv "intention" Dear MUSIC Master💽 However....(tip) the mic for guitars recording was.....to Bad.The mic of your camera when recording your speaking IS better to to to better. Could You do THIS Great Comparative work again with better acústic? God BLESS YOU 🥇🎸🎓
Dude they all sound very much the same just tonal differences. I got the C1 with bone bridge and nut and use Pro Arte EJ45TT it has great projection and it sounds just a good a 6 or 800 dollar model. On performance nobody can tell how expensive my Cordoba is just the it sounds great and my playing style makes all the difference. I hate it when you guys try to get to get the public to buy expensive guitars for no good reason.
Check out some videos of brandon acker. He has people blind test guitars and they can even tell the price point of them. I think with classical guitars cost is part of the tonal difference
I had a flamenco guitar hand/custom made for me. Believe me there is an enormous difference. It took 2 years and thousands of hours to break it in and get the full volumne and tone from it. What you buy really depends on the kind of music you play and the level of skill you posses.
Sorry the asturias clip was muted due to copyright issues!
What copyright on a piece that is more then100 years old?
Then why play it on a tone comparison video, if you have to mute it? 😬
YOU BLITHERING IDIOT.
Purchased a C5 several years ago for my wife to play folk guitar. Tested the “floor model” (set up and played by customers) and it sounded great. Decided to buy it and the sales clerk said, “Wait and I’ll get you a new one in the box.” NO! I’ll take the floor model! Years later it sounds as good as some of my guitars costing seven or eight times as much. Lessons: (1) More money does not always guarantee a better guitar, and (2) Marry the one you date. 😎
Great review! Picked up a used C5 from Guitar Center for $220 and have been very happy with it. This video gave me a really good understanding of what is important when looking for a classical guitar. Thanks!
Thats great so glad to hear! Enjoy your new C5!
Been playing guitar nearly 60 yrs....I've played Rock and some country music in bands in the past.I also can finger pick which is leading to want to start playing classical guitar since my singing voice has all but gone and playing chords to songs is boring to me without singing....Long time ago , I learned Blackbird in which McCartney picks his way through and really liked the song. I guess it would be best for me to start with the C5 and see how it goes. Some of the Classical pieces I've seen played look very difficult but no one ever knows what they can accomplish without giving it a try eh'".....Thanks for the Knowledgable review on these three guitars which has given me a better understanding of the differences between them.
I started off with the Cedar C5, then made the plunge and got a Spruce C12. That's my baby. If my C12 were the last guitar I would ever own or play, I'd be happy with that. Sounds like a guitar worth twice the amount. Can not go wrong with a Cordoba!!!
Fantastic guitars. I have the C5, C7, and C10. They sound better as the years go by, to my ears anyway. Great review
Hi Josh,
Thank you for your comment! Yes theyre great! And that makes sense since the wood gets a chance to settle a bit and open up a bit. I bet then C10 you have must be really nice!
You should also discuss the action and intonation of each guitar. Is each guitar set-up well right out of the box?
Yes! These guitars were all set by the owner of this shop!
reading some comments on the internet, a lot of people complained that the c5 has a problem with the bridge coming off. did it happen that often because now I'm afraid to buy that guitar
I have seen many c5’s and that has never happened. Keep it in good humidity and you’ll be okay!
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist great,thanks a lot. Otherwise i was thinking of taking a cordoba c5 ce model with elektronic.
Is the c5 s suitable for more experiencend musicians??
I'm interested in the Cordoba C3M which is in between the price of the C1 and C5 and has a solid cedar top, like the C5. The C1 is all laminate, I think.
What about Cordoba C3 M? I found multiple different opinions. One say that C5 and C3 M are the same guitars but with different finish. Other say that C3 M sound much much worse.
Hey! Im not too familiar with the C3 but if its the C5 minus the finish I can really see the finish making it sound a bit better and just feel less “nice” ill have to check it out!
Did you find out the c3m difference?
the Cordoba C7 cedar is $406.66 on musicians friend right now super sale. if iyou are looking you should check that one out right now
Thanks for sharing 🙏!
@For The Classical Guitarist it has been great to play so far! Thanks for the video. I got the cordoba hard case with it. Even if I get a nicer classical in the future, this guitar will always stay in the family.
why is the sound of 2 guitars muted and at whose order... it is NOT a mistake.
TH-cams muting them for copyright sadly, next time ill play less popular stuff
Hey. Excellent review. And lovely playing. Alhambra is another brand that features at these price points and also Cuenca? Be interesting to hear your thoughts please
Hey Ian,
Thank you so much for checking it out! And yes Alhambra guitars are great as well. I’ve played a few of them and for the price they are very good! have to figure out how to get my hands on some to test out!
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist Hey John. Thanks for the reply. I believe Alhambra models use High Tension strings? I’ve only used Normal so far being a complete novice. How do these affect tone and playability please? Thanks again
why switch to a trash mic for playing, over the one that you speak to us with which sounds much better?
Yea…. It was a mistake I tried to use a diff mic but it wasnt for the best. I will redo this video soon!
Great video!
thank you so much!
I plan on buying a C5. There are 3 versions. Spruce, Cedar and Limited Edition. Which would you recommand?
Personally I like Cedar guitars. Especially since guitars in the range end up being a bit bright the cedar helps balance it out! But the limited edition might be nice too!
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist Thank you. I will go with the limited edition. I hope that the thinner soundboard won't negatively affect the sound.
Thank you so much!! This really helped me out. I have a c5 cedar top that I have owned and loved for many years and am looking to get a spruce top guitar. The c7 comes to mind as an obvious choice but I’m not sure and I don’t have access to one. This helped educate me but I’m wondering, do you have any knowledge or exposure to the spruce top c7? I’m sure it’s nice but is it really worth it as an upgrade? I have had my c5 for a long time and by now it does sound beautiful but I was the responsiveness of a spruce top.
I went from the Cedar c5 to a Spruce c12. The c5 is fine but with the c12 you get volume, sustain and overtones that you don't get on the c5. Kinda like comparing a Toyota to a Porsche. The Toyota does what you want it to do but once you get used to that Porsche there's no turning back
Cordoba 6 c5ce CD classical cutaway I was interested in hearing that but you went from the C12 the C5 to the C7 skipping the six unfortunately from him. Lol but I really want an Alvarez 8660 cutaway but I can't find one that I can afford I'm elderly and my housemate has PTSD and tid and he's got a lot of problems and he smashed my guitar my Yamaha with a classic he's not going to replace it he's got severe problems
Hello very good I bought a guitar cordoba c3m and c5 both I did not like so bad with manufacturing defects is what you know a classic brand much better than that
is the c5 a good guitar? I did not understand quite well. I'm planning to buy it, so I'm interested in what are its flaws
Excellent and informative video, as usual. I recently decided to upgrade and initially wanted an all solid wood guitar. My first choice was a used C10 since any other make of guitar with solid back and sides was way out of my price range. After discussing with my wife I decided to wait a while on that dream and I “settled” for a used C7. I am beyond impressed with the sound and playability of that guitar, especially the lows. The highs are good, but not great, in my opinion. Since I never got to play a C10 I was just wondering how much better that would sound that the C7 in your opinion (or if you have played those higher end Cordoba’s)? Would it have been worth spending the extra money to get the solid back and sides?
Can you tell me the shape of the neck on the C7 (rounded C or is it thinner)? Does it have a gloss finish?
Hey thanks! Its a normal classical shaped neck
Is the C7 worth the extra cost over a C5?
Id say yes but not sure how much they go go for now.
How does the Dulce compare to the C1, C5, and C7?
I think that is a small sized guitar? So it might not be a care comparison purely that it is small in size. I will check it out!
@For The Classical Guitarist Thanks - it is 7/8. I have smallish hand and I'm 65.
Which top wood y'all prefer? Cedar or Spruce?
Different ones for different days haha !
Porque algunas guitarras C7 tienen tres puntos en la pala y otras no????
whats with the c4? is it so bad that it doesnt deserve a video? the version with cutaway and a thinniner neck costs a little less than the c5.
No haha i just didnt have one on hand. Actually, i dont think I have ever played one actually !
Review the Yamaha C40
I will have to do that soon!
Which ones have a solid top and is the C3 still made?
I think the C3 is still made but maybe hard to find since COVID =( !
Gran video, gracias
Hi. Can you tell how many side dot inlays has the Córdoba C5?
Thanks
It should have 3
What do you think is better? cordoba protege c1m or cordoba cp100?
Cp100 for sure
Do you have it in EADGBE
Yes!
What does it mean when cordoba c7 is CE and CD? What is the difference between CE and CD?
CE is cutaway with electronics
CD means ceder top
and SP means Spruce top
@@coolfouad74 Thank you for your answer.
SO cedar and spruce have big differences>
@@omojjegomosc8211well, the spruce top guitars are punchy and clear, while the cedar top guitars are warm, most people prefer cedar, but I prefer spruce, I think the best thing to do if your not sure is to go to the nearest guitar shop and try both on the same model
Can you recommend c1m as a beginner guitar ?
It sounds good to me! but I think a C5 is worth it if you can swing it!
C5 is weird, it sounds good but when u compare to others it doesn’t sound as good
i think that that sums up the C5 perfectly haha
Great video
Thank you so much!
Hi dear sir, your are awesome , mind me ask if you could please play a little bit slower and with tabs, would be really appreciated. Thank you.
@@andrewchai6529 Thank you so much for your comment
unfortunately I do not have tabs for any of the music played I can send you links where to buy the sheet music if you would like though
What that second piece you were playing called?
La Catedral
What was your first classical guitar?
I had some cheap $100 guitar that had an acrylic top. I still loved it and played very nice music on it 😄 I actually sold it because I had no use for it but looking back I almost feel like maybe I should have kept it
Cordoba C5-CE
Alhambra 3C
Takamine g124
Cordoba C5.
The lower-cost Cordoba models are untouched by Spanish hands and are mass-produced in Chinese factories with artificially dried wood.
Obviously C-7
It’s a great guitar!
@ForTheClassicalGuitarist yes it is. Started on that guitar. Excellent beginning Classical guitar. I have a concert Blackwell now but I still play my C-7 often . I'm very blessed
Sorry, but the recording of the guitars is terrible! I've played this video on all different devices to be sure it wasn't a fluke. The sound is so thin like an EQ with just the mids high scooped to the max and the basses muted. I own a C7 and have played a C5. They have a typically modern "well rounded" and broad sound, whereas I often prefer a more focused traditional Spanish sound and also have a Spanish-made guitar for that preference. The C5 and C7 are fine guitars and probably the best bang for the buck you will get buying new if you can only have one good guitar, but unfortunatley that isn't reflected in this video. Someone asked about the action. It is a modern user-friendly medium lowish height as apposed to the historic high action of Spanish guitars. Extremely playable for anyone. If Torres where building this design today this is where he would have put it.
the C5 is well worth usd 1,000 but cost less than half . its the best bang for the buck . the C7 is not as good . i have a C7 and had to strip the polyurethane finsh off and put shellac the over think polyurethane finsh damppens the sound The C7 poco id a Dog not worth fire wood no sound go for the c7 or one of their other guitars like C9 , C10 another 400 dollars wont be missed that over a life time which they wiil last
Honestly the C5 sounded as good as the C7 but of course it's the feel of the instrument in your hands that matters.
Yes totally I think in person the C-5 felt and sounded noticeably better but of course that is hard to show in a videop
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist Do you mean the C-1? Or are you saying that C-5 felt and sounded better than C-7?
@@SouffleChoco Not all guitars are made the same, not matter how good the employees in the aseembley line are.
So it would not be such a surprise that a C5 can sound and play better than a C7.
Same could happend between a C3M and a C5, or even between two C5 or two C7.
As example, the amount of time the wood was been dried out could make a difference between two of the same model, but different manufacturer batches.
This happend with all kind of accoustic intruments, so if you have the chance to test two or three of the same model before buying, do it.
Cheers!
@@rodrirm thank you Rodri for your advice ! I’ve just tested out several instruments before getting the one I liked the most. I even got a B Stock discount on it and is just great ! From the ones I’ve tested , the most expensive one sounded the worst and felt more like an overselling product to me .
It's Còrdoba, not Cordòba.
Not levi-oh-so?
Barrios. La Catedral.
Please get a better microphone
I am a non English speaker and I generally never have problems understanding US English. However, I couldn't understand most of the things you said. Please be a little slower or clearer next time.
Hi 04rit. Thank you for your comment. Yes it is something I am still working on! But it has gotten better a little bit in my later videos. Thank you for watching!
@@Fortheclassicalguitarist Your playing is excellent 😍😍
Ur playing is excellent n I understand 5 or 6 languages n the coment about u speaking fast is tru it doesn't bother me but for Latin people is way too fast. Slow down u are a great reviewer. I played 40 yrs and still do not know how to play La Catedral
True
@@Fortheclassicalguitaristyour English is completely fine
awesome video ! what is the song you played in this video ?
I’d have to go back and check but I believe it was la catedral by barrios and/or Felidecade arranged by Roland Dyens
Great info and superv "intention" Dear MUSIC Master💽 However....(tip) the mic for guitars recording was.....to Bad.The mic of your camera when recording your speaking IS better to to to better. Could You do THIS Great Comparative work again with better acústic? God BLESS YOU 🥇🎸🎓
Dude they all sound very much the same just tonal differences. I got the C1 with bone bridge and nut and use Pro Arte EJ45TT it has great projection and it sounds just a good a 6 or 800 dollar model. On performance nobody can tell how expensive my Cordoba is just the it sounds great and my playing style makes all the difference. I hate it when you guys try to get to get the public to buy expensive guitars for no good reason.
Check out some videos of brandon acker. He has people blind test guitars and they can even tell the price point of them. I think with classical guitars cost is part of the tonal difference
I had a flamenco guitar hand/custom made for me. Believe me there is an enormous difference. It took 2 years and thousands of hours to break it in and get the full volumne and tone from it. What you buy really depends on the kind of music you play and the level of skill you posses.