Cordoba C5
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- We are an independent review website and do not sell products. Purchases are made with the retailer you choose.
The Cordoba C5 is a popular step up from student classical guitars. Cordoba focuses on traditional Spanish construction, and the C5's solid cedar top gives it a warmer, more responsive sound than laminate-top guitars at lower prices.
Specifications
| Series | Iberia |
| Top | Solid Canadian cedar |
| Back and sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Pau ferro |
| Scale length | 650 mm |
| Nut width | 52 mm |
| Strings | Savarez |
| Case | Gig bag included |
Cedar vs spruce
Cedar tops sound warm and full immediately and respond well to a light touch, which suits fingerstyle and quieter repertoire. Spruce tops are usually brighter and more "focused" and develop over years. For a player upgrading from a laminate guitar, cedar gives a satisfying improvement right away.
Playing experience
The neck and string spacing are traditional classical dimensions, so students working on proper technique feel at home. Fret ends and finish are generally good for the price, and Savarez strings from the factory are a nice touch.
Pros and cons
Pros: solid cedar top, warm and responsive tone, quality strings, gig bag included.
Cons: cedar tops dent more easily than spruce; traditional wide neck may not suit players coming from steel-string guitars.
Verdict
A strong upgrade for classical students and fingerstyle players. For the tightest budget, the Yamaha C40 II remains the starter choice.
