Why is it called the Spanish guitar?
The classical guitar carries the name of Spain wherever it goes. But… did you know why it is called Spanish? What makes the Spanish guitar unique and what differentiates it from others? Actually, The answer is divided into two parts:
1. Evolution of the guitar
The guitar initially had only four strings, but the famous Malagueño Vicente Gómez Espinel in the 17th century added a fifth string and simplified the materials for its construction. Thus, it lowered construction costs, making it more accessible to the common people, and improved its sound capacity.
2. Cultural factors
then a German, Jacob Otto of Jena added the sixth string to the guitar to complete what we know today as the Spanish guitar. The truth is that this instrument was ingrained in the Spanish DNA from the start. So much so that the majority of the greatest guitarists recorded since the 17th century are Spanish. Since then, the Spanish seal has appeared on the most important manuals and iconic compositions. As a result, the classical guitar has become synonymous with the Spanish guitar.
Differences between Spanish and flamenco guitars
The truth is that such classification did not exist before to the twentieth century. Until then, flamenco was associated with the guitarist, who brought the duende, the magic, and the gypsy feeling. However, in the twentieth century, due to certain melodic, technical, and commercial requirements, some woodworkers began to build “signature” guitars in accordance with some requirements specified by the guitarist's masters. Which is more popular, any guitar or one recommended by Paco de Lucia? The answer is obvious.
Aside from the commercial aspect, there are some other characteristics that distinguish the Spanish guitar from the “flamenco guitar.”
Design
The Spanish guitar is larger, because its soundboard is bigger. In addition, the rope pull is longer and the height of the ropes is greater. However, in flamenco everything is smaller, but not of lesser quality.
Timbers
The most common woods used in Spanish/classical guitars are: 1. Cedar, German Spruce, and Sitka Spruce (top), 2. Mahogany, maple, cypress, and Indian rosewood (sides and back), 3. Ebony, rosewood, and cedar (neck, fingerboard and bridge).
On the other hand, for the flamenco guitar, Mediterranean cypress, German spruce, ebony, bitter and red cedar, and Indian rosewood are mainly used. Although the names are similar, they differ greatly in terms of mass (weight of the wood) and acoustic capacity (sound): the flamenca has a more metallic, bright sound. However, the Spanish/classical sound is rounder, warmer, with more harmonics, and the string plucking is more difficult. The friction of the strings is much softer in flamenca.
Spanish Guitar or Classical Guitar?
Some people are split between calling it Spanish or classical guitar. We don't overcomplicate things, and we'll call it both ways. Both are synonyms and are two distinct ways of referring to the same thing. This distinction exists only in academic institutions, where classical guitar refers to the common, universal guitar: the Spanish guitar used in chamber music.
Parts of the Spanish guitar
Structure of the Spanish Guitar, all its parts, composition, body and names.
Differences between beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitars
Another question that many people ask and the answer is very simple: guitars are distinguished primarily by their wood.
- In the Spanish guitar for beginners, the woods are veneered, not solid, the selection process is poor, and the wood has many imperfections.
- In Spanish guitars for intermediates the changes are possible: the soundboard is made of solid wood, the whole process of material selection and manufacturing is more careful and the woods are more selected. However, the dimensions between a Spanish guitar for beginners and an intermediate guitar remain practically the same.
- However, in a professional guitar everything changes: all of the woods are solid and dense (they weigh a lot), exotic combinations are used to enhance the sound, and the dimensions of the professional Spanish guitar are larger, as it is larger and heavier than a beginner or intermediate guitar. The headstock also changes because it is now precision made, some have anchors to keep it from moving, ornaments may be added, and the paint or varnish is of higher quality.
How to choose the best Spanish guitar
Choosing a good Spanish guitar is always an arduous process that requires dedicating time to try them out. Take note of our tips:
Prestige: look for guitars whose brands are accepted and recognized for their quality in design, sound and construction.
Tradition/Technology: traditional “handcrafted” guitars are amazing and tell a great story, but the combination of tradition and technology is the best. Therefore, it seeks the best relationship between both parties.
3. Test: above anything else, you must test your guitar before paying and this is vital.
4. Quality/price ratio: We are confident that we have provided you with the best quality/price ratio in this review. You have guitars that can easily cost 500 euros, but that their manufacturers have built to put within your reach for less than 200 €, and you have other options that cost more than 2000 €, but that you have here for less than that value.
All of these factors are essential for you to choose the best Spanish guitar, cheap but excellent, low ranges for beginner guitarists, but also medium and high ranges with great quality/price ratio, real guitar deals to be able to buy a great instrument.
How to Learn to Play the Spanish Guitar
If you want to get started in the world of Spanish guitars, we offer the following recommendations;
1. Buy a good guitar: in this review we propose the best options.
2. Online resources: on the web you can find excellent metronome apps. Also video tutorials. Take advantage of them!!!
Theory: it is true that there are many good guitarists who are not academics, do not read scores, but knowing all this will facilitate your growth with the instrument.
4. Time: dedicate a specific time to practice, playing songs is not the same as practicing!!! To practice is to look for your technical deficiencies and create exercise routines to improve.
5. Listen to good and varied music: listen to the advice of teachers and listen to yourself.
6. Start now: this is the most important thing. Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Don't wait for time to pass, take advantage of it to learn and get down to work.
we recommend you this website where you will find an extract of the life of the best classical guitarists in the world.
The best Spanish guitars for beginners:
The best Spanish guitars for intermediate guitarists:
The Best Spanish Guitars For Advanced Guitarists:
The best Spanish guitar for children:
The best Spanish guitars for beginner guitarists
Every beginning guitarist requires an instrument that meets their most basic requirements in terms of ergonomics, sound quality, and ease of tuning. As a result, we have chosen what we believe to be the three best Spanish guitars for beginners.
Ortega R121Wr
The Ortega R121Wr classical guitar is an excellent choice for beginners. It has one of the best quality-price ratios.
The wood of the soundboard may present some knots: these are imperfections that come from the factory and this can detract from the stability of the sound.
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 2 kg
- Mast: It has a core rod.
- Wood: Mahogany, walnut, spruce
- Sound: Good bass and brightness, but the mids lack stability.
Ortega is a leader in guitar design and manufacturing. If there is one thing that characterizes Ortega guitars, it is their good build quality. Its woods are selected, kiln-dried and cut with precision machines regardless of the purpose (beginner, intermediate or advanced).
They are then assembled with the same quality and care. These are classical guitars that are built in the traditional way. For us, the Ortega R121Wr is one of the best beginner classical guitars on the market.
Wood:
The Ortega R121Wr is made of three types of wood: mahogany, spruce and walnut. This is the typical mix used in guitars for beginners.
- The soundboard is made of laminated spruce, so it is not stable. Although its sound is inconsistent, this wood has good mechanical properties such as bending resistance, elasticity, and compression resistance. These features provide more than adequate acoustics for a guitar in this price range.
- The sides (back) are made of mahogany and With a density of 560 kg/m3, its mechanical properties improve the sound (it is solid wood). Furthermore, its bending strength (850 kg/Cm2) makes it extremely difficult to break. It has a compressive strength of 460 kg/cm2 and an elasticity of 90,000 kg/cm2 on the other hand. These elements are responsible for the guitar's excellent sound.
- The fingerboard and neck are made of walnut, which is stronger than mahogany.
Undoubtedly, all these features provide great acoustic quality, robust, solid, and stable, with excellent volume and projection.
Design:
Its design is within traditional parameters, with standard dimensions: 108 x 51.4 x 12.7 cm. The neck is equipped with an internal tensioner (web rod) that enhances the strength and stability of the wood.
Ergonomics:
Due to the distance between the neck nut and the bridge nut (66 cm), as well as the height of the strings (6mm) at their highest point (19th fret), the touch is acceptable and many of you will find it extremely comfortable to play. In addition, due to the types of wood it is made of, it is a light guitar, since it weighs about 2.8 kg.
Sound:
The Ortega R121Wr is a powerful guitar in the hands of someone who develops good technique. The strings (E, A, D) have rich overtones and the strings (G, B, E prime) are stable and do not exceed the volume of their bass partners.
As a result, when you practise your chords, the sound is rich in finer points and stable, and you will notice how the box's vibrations sweeten the ear. Furthermore, the phrasing (plucked or plucked) is pleasant to the touch on all frets.
This Spanish guitar's sound capacity is due to the configuration of its woods, such as the soundboard, which is made of laminated spruce and has uniform bevels that give it a lot of volumes. Not only that, but both the sides and the back are made of dense wood, such as mahogany, and when combined, they produce a very distinct vibration that is immediately noticeable.
Another factor to consider is the strings that come from the factory. A Cantiga Savarez high-tension string set, combined with the wood, could not be a better setup for a beginning guitarist.
The treble and bass string balance is excellent, and every guitar student will appreciate it because it aids in the development of the musical ear during tuning.
Conclusion:
The Ortega R121Wr classical guitar is an excellent choice for beginners. It has one of the best price-quality ratios. So much so that it occasionally approaches the level of an intermediate guitar. That's why we recommend it to more advanced guitarists who want a guitar they can take anywhere without worrying about accidentally knocking it over.
One drawback to consider is that the soundboard's wood may have some knots: these are factory imperfections that can detract from the soundboard's stability.
A word of advice from the Culturasonora team: change the strings every three months and always use the same line of Cantiga Savarez high tension. You will always get the same sound quality this way. Find the best prices at thomann.
Yamaha C40
This guitar is perhaps the best of our proposals for its quality-price ratio.
We have no major drawbacks to highlight.
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 2 .7 kg
- Mast: Strong, but without core rod
- Wood: Laminated
- Sound: Low volume
The Yamaha C40 guitar is perfect for beginners. The Japanese brand This model is a leading manufacturer of musical instruments. Their secret? The use of state-of-the-art technology and the vanguard in the production process. The Yamaha C40 has won the Music Industry Awards as the best-selling and best-value guitar in the world.
Timber:
The Yamaha C40 classical guitar is different in its use of wood, which is quite atypical. However, they are producing good results:
- The soundboard is made of spruce, also known as red spruce or false spruce. This reduces the sound volume significantly while also lowering the price. It is not particularly strong, but it has a level of stability that is uncommon in guitars.
- Rings and back: the wood in these parts is from Meranti tembaga, a tree little used but abundant in Indonesia and neighbouring countries. Perhaps its popularity stems from the fact that Yamaha C40 guitars are made in Indonesia. This wood, however, gives it a vibration that produces harmonics that are lacking in power but so warm that few guitars for beginners can achieve it.
- Mast: uses another uncommon wood: that of the nato or cork oak (cork). In this sense, an experienced musician can notice the difference because a longer vibration is perceived in this part of the guitar. This is due to the holes in the cork oak wood, which, however, does not detract from the sound quality.
- Fretboard: rosewood, a characteristic wood for this part of the guitar.
Design:
The design of this guitar is also a bit out of the traditional parameters. For example, its dimensions of 100x47x11 cm make it a relatively small guitar, with a modern style that somewhat resembles a flamenco guitar.
Ergonomics:
The scale of its strings is also smaller than that of other Spanish guitars. It has a length range of 65. cm and the height of the strings are 0.5.mm. This makes it a comfortable, light and smooth-playing guitar.
Sound:
This is the section we like most about the Yamaha C40. Its sound is distinct; regardless of your touch, the sound of this guitar is always distinct. Warm, smooth, and enveloping, with low volume but excellent bass, mids, and brightness. The chords and phrasing are fantastic; you won't be able to forget it, making it one of the best options for a beginner guitarist.
Its red spruce top and the placement of its fan-shaped spinets (on the inside) project the sound in an enveloping manner, and despite the low volume, it is full-bodied. However, the Meranti woods on the sides and back give it warmth, and it is because of this that the sound of the harmonics is unlike any other guitar.
What surprises us most about the sound of this guitar is the nato (cork oak) wood in the neck, which naturally has small pores and this adds incredible vibrations to the sound. This is an atypical guitar that, due to its woods, has a wonderful sound.
Conclusion:
This guitar has the best quality-price ratio of any of our suggestions. It is, in our opinion, an underrated Spanish guitar for beginners. In fact, it could be considered intermediate-level classical guitar in many cases by us. There are no major drawbacks to mention. We recommend it for beginners who want a versatile guitar that will last for a long time.
Finally, a quick tip: did you know that good high-tension strings can increase the volume of this guitar?
Find the best prices at thomann.
Ortega R121SN NT
It is a modern and versatile guitar.
The neck can be a problem if you have a purist master.
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 3 .6 kg
- Mast: Slim, Ortega SN design
- Wood:laminated top, sides and back
- Sound: Low volume
Ortega is a Valencian company that manufactures Spanish guitars in China. It is known for producing high-quality instruments with modern designs, many of which are innovative, and top-of-the-line woods. Many guitarists in Europe and around the world appreciate their search for new sounds and feel.
This is why we describe a good guitar as having a solid construction, a sound that is a little bright for us, but that fulfils what it promises to all students of the Spanish guitar.
Timber:
We find a guitar that has a configuration of traditional woods, which should give a sound similar to that of any Spanish guitar, but in its design, we see that the reality is totally different and pleasant for beginner guitarists.
- The soundboard: it is vibrant, and robust and projects the sound very well.
- The sides and back are mahogany, balanced, widely used for the manufacture of impact-resistant guitars and are one of the most sought-after options for beginners because they not only learn to play an instrument but also take care of it.
- Neck: it is made of mahogany, which is not a very appropriate wood, but it has a resistance that guarantees durability.
- Fingerboard: Ortega has decided to use unusual walnut wood, although it has proven to have a good acoustic response and resistance to wear caused by the friction of the strings on the neck.
Design:
The design is characteristic of a Spanish guitar, its shallow body, with 11 cm deep sides is almost like a flamenco guitar. The colour is natural with an excellent satin finish and comes equipped with good quality chrome hardware and a black rosette unlike any other.
Ergonomics:
It is a light guitar, with a scale of 645. mm and standard 4/4 size. It has a smaller neck and is ideal for youngsters who are just learning to play. The string height is low (4. mm), which gives it a certain comfort and a flamenco guitar feel, which we don't understand about Ortega because they try to give that feeling to all of their guitars, which seems excessive, but that's why the sound of this guitar is so different from other Spanish guitars.
Sound:
To begin with, it appears to have a low volume. This is largely due to the woods' configuration, the width of the neck, and the depth of the sides. As a result, the sound is brighter (as is typical of the Ortega) with stable mids, but the bass is lacking.
However, we must acknowledge that it contains some very good harmonics, which persuade us to practise Fingerstyle. It should be noted that if the student tries to do a tapping, it is possible because the octave of this guitar is exceptional, as are a few others on the market.
Also, The neck of this guitar is less narrow than most Spanish guitars, which we like. This not only makes plucking the strings easier, but it also allows for faster mixing of the vibrations on the strings, resulting in a very pleasant sound unlike any other guitar for beginners.
Conclusion:
We could say a lot about this guitar. It is intended for beginners, but it is also suitable for experienced players looking to invest a small sum in a guitar for parrandas.
One drawback that may be significant to some is the width of its neck because it is slim, and easy to use, However, if you are a modern guitarist who enjoys jazz, blues, and contemporary music, this guitar is for you. Find the best prices at thomann.
The best Spanish guitars for intermediate guitarists
In this section, we have selected three wonderful guitars. Although some consider them guitars for “beginners” (due to their low price and the woods used in their construction), we consider them to have so many qualities and qualities that we clearly frame them for intermediate guitarists. These three classical guitars are three gold nuggets that we discovered: they are inexpensive guitars with the sound and feel of an 800 € guitar.
Alhambra 3C
Wood of the highest quality and traditional construction.
None because it is excellent.
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Technical Specs:
- Weight: 3 .1 kg
- Mast:Strong and comfortable
- Wood: Solid
- Sound: Good volume
Guitarras Alhambra is a family business that is characterized by mixing traditional craftsmanship and innovation. It has a large number of intriguing proposals in its inventory that stand out for their high quality of construction, exquisite wood, and quality control throughout the manufacturing process. The Alhambra 3C Spanish guitar is one of the best intermediate classical guitars. This is why.
Wood:
The woods of this Alhambra guitar are of another level and you will notice the difference instantly.
- The soundboard is solid cedar. With this guitar, we leave behind the laminated tops to be captivated by a powerful sound rich in harmonics where all the mechanical and acoustic characteristics are exponentially elevated. In other words, they are better in every way.
- The sides and back are made of Sapelli wood, a semi-heavy wood of African origin due to the high density of its structure. Its elasticity, compressive strength and parallel tensile strength give it all the characteristics of a great guitar. It is solid, with great acoustics and projects sound like a cannon.
- Neck: African mahogany known as Samanguila. It is a tough, resistant hardwood and with it, your worries about wood breakage or shrinkage are completely gone.
- The fingerboard is made of the usual rosewood, a wood traditionally used for all its properties.
Design:
The Alhambra 3C guitar is a very beautiful guitar: the cedar of the top reveals the wood grain, which is very uniform, which from our point of view is a precious aesthetic detail. Also, the natural colour of its wood stands out because it shows all its splendour and its headstock has a great finish.
Ergonomics:
It is a large classical guitar (100-48,5-12 cm.) but lightweight. The scale of its strings is 660 mm with a height of 6mm and beyond what you might think, the experience of Alhambra's craftsmen has given softness to the touch of this great musical instrument.
Sound:
It is extremely effective. Furthermore, the acoustics are well-balanced throughout, with deep bass, stable mids, and lovely sparkles that evoke spring. The chords are clearly audible, as are the phrases. However, because it is a highly sensitive guitar, your technique must be refined or else any unwanted sound will come out.
This guitar has no veneer and instead has a solid Cedar top, which makes a big difference. Cedar has excellent acoustics, is sonorous, and has body and volume. With Sapelli wood sides and back, this guitar has a cannon-like sound, shooting out vibrations that your ear will appreciate.
In addition, thanks to the Samanguila neck, the sound takes on the characteristic of a concert guitar, due in large part to the size of this instrument.
Conclusion:
The Alhambra 3C classical guitar is a superbly versatile Spanish instrument. We recommend it above all for intermediate guitarists, but also for apprentices and professionals looking for a great guitar with excellent sound from the Alhambra family. To maintain the same quality, we recommend keeping the strings in the same series and at high or extra-high tension. Interested? Find the best prices for thomann at this link.
Fender cn-60s
It's a fantastic Spanish guitar with all of the mid-range features and great value for money. Another advantage of this series is that it is available in a variety of colours, including black and Vinotinto.
The width of your mast may be a problem if you have a traditional master.
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 3 .6 kg
- Neck: Thin like an electric guitar, but without a core rod
- Wood: Solid
- Sound: Good volume
Fender is always looking to be at the forefront in the manufacture of guitars that meet the expectations of all its users. The Fender cn-60s is a very complete guitar that is among our TOP 3 classical guitars for beginners.
Wood:
The Fender cn-60s opts for high quality dense woods, but with a modern design.
- The soundboard is solid spruce. It gives it a great capacity of reflection and projection that considerably improves its sound.
- Sides and back: mahogany. These woods give body to the sound, make it round, stable and in terms of resistance it is phenomenal.
- Neck: it is made of rosewood, an atypical proposal because it is a wood with little resistance, but when you listen to it, you will see that the overall sound of the guitar is close to excellent.
- Fingerboard: made of traditional rosewood, which gives it special properties.
Design:
n terms of design, Fender classical guitars are quite unique: although the internal layout of the truss rods uses the typical traditional shape, the same is not true for the body and neck of the guitar. The body has standard dimensions, but a curvature at the beginning of the soundboard makes it narrower there. The neck is also significantly narrower than is typical for classical guitars. This may be heresy for some purists, but we like it because it is a modern, great-sounding guitar that can meet the needs of the average guitarist.
Ergonomics:
It is comfortable. Its neck, in the purest style of an acoustic guitar, is very smooth and easy to play. In addition, due to the slight curvature of the bottom of the soundboard, it adapts very well to any playing position.
Sound:
The configuration of its woods gives it all the characteristics that a mid-range but inexpensive guitar should have.
- The chords have body, roundness, they are clear, stable, and the phrases (dotted) have a presence of harmonics that you must take care of using technique, so that they do not affect the quality of the sound.
- Solid spruce is the wood that gives the top that high-end sound, so much so that guitarists like Eric Clapton and other Blues Man guitarists love this Fender line. In addition to the mahogany that makes up the sides and back, they give it a volume that you will be able to take advantage of in rooms without amplification.
- Another wonderful difference in this guitar is the Indian rosewood that makes up its neck, this is a wood that popularly has been reserved for high-end guitars, but Fender puts it in a cheap guitar so that everyone can enjoy it, for its sonority, body, projection.
Conclusion:
This guitar is ideal for beginning guitarists looking to invest in a modern guitar worthy of a Blues Man. However, as previously stated, it is primarily intended for intermediate guitarists.
One drawback is the narrowness of its neck, which is thin and does not appeal to purists, as well as its colours. However, if you are a modern guitarist who enjoys exotic sounds, body, and Blues/Jazz, this guitar is for you, and why not, Arabian whimsy sounds fantastic on it because we have already tested it.
interested? Find the best thomann prices on this link.
Yamaha CG122MC
It has none of the faults of its sister C40.
Everything was fixed
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 3 kg
- Mast: Strong and comfortable
- Wood: Solid
- Sound: Excellent
The Yamaha family never ceases to amaze with its ability to adapt and offer quality Spanish guitars at low prices. The Yamaha C40MII is proof of this. Want to know why?
Wood:
This guitar offers the same types of wood as the traditional C40, but with a variant on the soundboard.
- The soundboard: it is made of solid spruce and thus overcomes the very few disadvantages of the common C40. This improvement is significant in giving more presence to the harmonics of this guitar, its sound is undoubtedly much better.
- The sides and back: are made of Meranti tembaga, which would usually provide a vibration with harmonics lacking power, but the change in the soundboard is a problem overcome, their tones are warm, as few guitars have it.
- Neck: made of cork oak, a wood that has proven to be a good choice for Yamaha.
- Fingerboard: traditional rosewood.
Design:
It is an easy-to-play Yamaha guitar, with lovely aesthetics, relatively small in some parts, and light wood It has a classical guitar design, but the neck is more comfortable and the string height is lower.
Ergonomics:
The measurements of 94 x 44 x 13 cm make it a slightly smaller-sized guitar than the traditional one. In addition, the scale of the strings is 650. mm and the height of 6. mm. It is really comfortable, and smooth and you can adapt your keystroke without any problems.
Sound:
Its bass is deep thanks to the cedar wood, stable mids and rich harmonics. It's an excellent choice because it's a basic guitar with all the features of an intermediate guitar. If the sound of other Yamaha guitars is influenced by the veneered spruce top, this guitar features solid cedar and everything you thought was a limitation is no longer a limitation.
The nato of the hoops as well as the background are fantastic. Aside from the nato on the neck, this guitar is undeniably a mid-range instrument, and the difference between it and any high-end guitar is almost imperceptible.
The harmonics are powerful. If you like an Eric Mongrain style, this guitar is ideal to get you started. The body of the chords and the sound of the phrasing evokes a flamenco flavour, try some picados to test the power of this guitar.
Conclusion:
It is a guitar for intermediates and its quality/price ratio is a marvel. We wholeheartedly recommend it to both beginners looking to invest in quality for their first guitar and professionals looking for a war guitar without spending a fortune. This guitar is described as accessible, modern, and powerful. . Interested? Find the best prices for thomann at this link.
Editor's recommendation:
The truth is that choosing between these guitars is a difficult task, and we are in a difficult situation. The Alhambra C3, a guitar with all the makings of a high-end instrument, is our favourite of the three options. Just try it in a medium-sized 100-square-meter room to hear the power and clarity of this guitar's sound.
The best Spanish guitars for advanced guitarists
In this section, we take it a step further and offer you the best Spanish guitars for experienced guitarists. All of them are exceptional guitars, with prices ranging from several thousand euros to several thousand dollars.
Alhambra 9P
Its touch and sound are of the highest quality.
None
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Technical Specs:
- Weight: 3 .6 kg
- Mast: Strong and comfortable
- Wood: High quality solid wood
- Sound: Excellent
As is well known, Alhambra is a company of tradition with handcrafted guitars that also seeks to innovate, and that is what the 9P represents: a concert guitar that is at the pinnacle of Alhambra guitars.
Wood:
This is the big difference between high-end guitars and those that are not, in the Alhambra is a luxury that delights us with the breadth of its harmonics.
- The soundboard: solid cedar, but not just any cedar, but a selected one, with uniform veins, no kinks, and no curvatures. It is carefully cut and shaped to obtain the desired result, which is why it sounds great.
- Sides and back: the sides and back of this guitar are solid Indian rosewood. They are thicker for a concert sound, with huge projection.
- Neck: it is made of ebony, a wood that has demonstrated enormous sound quality and resistance. It is as if we were talking about an alloy between reinforced steel and titanium, but with the sonority of copper, bronze and tin. The sound is impressive.
- Fingerboard: ebony.
Design:
This is a gorgeous instrument. The design is traditional, with standard concert guitar dimensions. The wood colour combination is fantastic, and the paint finish is in high-quality polyurethane, which provides excellent resistance to unwanted shocks. The headstock is precision, deluxe, gold-plated, and has a matte black grip. Each movement is smooth and the strings are placed with ease. The rosette is beautifully designed in green and red, with black and white lines running through the rims and background.
Ergonomics:
The Alhambra 9P is a large concert guitar. It has a 19th fret and solid and heavy wood. Do not expect to have a light instrument, it is solid in all the extensions of the word, but this does not repress the great softness of its strings, so its pulsation is easy and comfortable.
Sound:
The top is solid cedar, but not just any cedar, because Alhambra does not scrimp on quality when designing the soundboard. Simply looking at the tops will reveal that this guitar is unique, as they are uniform, straight, and narrow, which are characteristics of the best wood.
The solid Indian rosewood sides and back are what set this guitar apart. This wood is not only expensive, but it also has excellent acoustic and mechanical properties. It does not break easily, it projects sound brilliantly and powerfully, and the best part is that it closes with a golden clasp while displaying a solid cedar neck. The harmonics are fantastic, easily perceived, and precise. It is one of the best options for professional guitarists.
Conclusion:
The word that best describes this high-end guitar is precision. This is every professional guitarist's dream. As a disadvantage? Price. However, if you are a professional guitarist, it will be one of the best investments you will ever make. Find the best prices at thomann.
Cordoba C 10 Crossover
Great value for money.
There's something about the feel of Cordoba that doesn't quite convince us.
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 4 .1 kg
- Mast: Strong and comfortable
- Wood: High quality solid wood
- Sound: Good quality
The Cordoba house has been sharing its virtues for decades. One of their great offerings is the Cordoba C10, a Spanish guitar made in Asia that has all the high-end features, but at the price of an intermediate guitar. Here is a review of this magnificent and captivating instrument.
Wood:
This proposal from Cordoba has some unusual features for guitars in this range:
- The soundboard: carefully selected solid spruce, so its sound is very good.
- Sides and back: solid Indian rosewood that gives it the typical sound of a high-end guitar.
- The neck is made of selected mahogany and the fingerboard of reinforced ebony.
Design:
It has a modern design, is small (compared to concert guitars), heavy, with a different rosette that we like very much. The headstock is silver with matte black knobs and the characteristic black/white lines running down the body look great.
Ergonomics:
It is a soft touch guitar, with a 650.mm scale and a soft string height of 5.mm. Its weight leaves something to be desired, but it provides the security of having an instrument with woods that are worth every euro.
Sound:
This instrument has a characteristic sound that does not resemble any other guitar. It is balanced, deep and stable bass, the mids are rich in harmonics and the brightness is perhaps a bit strident and not entirely to my liking.
As in many high-end guitars, the top wood is spruce, which gives it an acceptable power. It differs from the Alhambra because the dimensions of the soundboard are different and therefore the sound is brighter and the harmonics are perceived with less power.
The Indian rosewood is a wonderful feature of this guitar and one that it shares with the Alhambra, but again its measurements make the big difference. In the Cordoba the depth of the case is only 10.cm and can pass for a flamenco guitar for those who do not distinguish much between them.
Also, the sound at times is a bit tinny with a lisp. A significant difference is the mahogany neck on this beautiful guitar, because when you join these three types of wood (cedar, solid rosewood and mahogany) everything changes: the sound is less powerful than on other guitars.
Conclusion:
This is a high-end guitar that we recommend for those seeking quality and value. We only object that this guitar, like all of the Cordobas we've played and listened to, has a brightness and lisp that we don't like. Find the best prices at thomann.
Our Recommendation:
The Alhambra 9P is an impressive guitar that captivates and sweetens our senses. For feel, sound and build quality it outperforms all of our top picks. Therefore, the Alhambra 9P is the best choice for advanced guitarists.
The best Spanish guitar for children
What features must a child's guitar have? The answer is simple: size makes a difference, and it is the only factor to consider when purchasing a guitar for children. There are basically two sizes; 34 is the most popular, especially for children aged 6 to 10. Another size is 2/4, which is appropriate for children aged 3 to 6.
Ortega R121-3/4WR
Ideal for children, light, good sound.
Limited usability for young people
Technical Specs:
- Weight: 2 .8 kg
- Neck: Sturdy and very comfortable, adapted to a child's touch
- Wood: High quality solid wood
- Sound: Excellent
It is a special guitar for children because of its 34 size, which allows for easy manipulation. It is not heavy, has a wonderful sound, and its strings pluck extremely smoothly.
However, its neck width has been reduced to allow smaller hands to pick it up and play the best compositions. So, if you're looking for a good guitar to get your kids started, we think this is a great option. Find the best prices at thomann.
Final Recommendations
Finally, we recommend that you follow us because we will have many more reviews and articles dedicated specifically to you. If you are looking for an electroacoustic guitar at a good price we recommend you to check our comparison of the best Takamine guitars.
You can also check out the reviews of guitar capos, picks and the article about the Yamaha F310 acoustic guitar.
Technical Specs of Spanish Guitars
MODELS | Weight | Mast | Woods | Woods | Tact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortega R121Wr | 2.8 kg | It has a core rod | Laminated | Good bass and brightness, but the mids lack stability. | Soft |
| Yamaha C40 | 2.7 kg | Strong, but without core rod | Laminated | Low volume | Excellent |
| Ortega R121SN NT | 3.6 kg | Thin as an electric guitar, but without soul rod | Laminated | Low volume | Excellent |
| Alhambra C3 | 3.1 kg | Durable and comfortable | Massifs | Good Volume | Excellent |
| Fender cn-60s | 3.6 kg | Durable and comfortable | Massifs | Good Volume | Excellent |
| Yamaha CG122MC | 3 kg | Durable and comfortable | Massifs | Excellent | Excellent |
| Alhambra 9P | 3.6 kg | Durable and comfortable | Massifs of high quality | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cordoba C 10 Crossover | 4.1 kg | Durable and comfortable | Solid, high-quality | Excellent and versatile for both classical and flamenco music. | Excellent |
| Ortega R121 | 2.8 kg | Sturdy and very comfortable, suitable for a child's fingering | Solid, high-quality | Excellent | Very soft, in ¾ scale ideal for children's outreach |