Cordoba Stage classical guitar

[donaldr]

I tried a Cordoba Stage "Fusion" model (48mm nut, 16" radius neck and 14 frets to the body) and a Traditional model (52mm nut, flat fingerboard and 12 frets to the body) this morning, both unplugged. I know nothing about classical guitars and I want to trade an electric or a bass for one of those. I don't want a full body classical as I want to play on my couch when the kids are sleeping and I want to use it with my looper pedal.

Unplugged, the Fusion model sounded a bit rounder and the traditional a bit crisper. I preferred the look and feel of the Traditional (being closer to a real classical guitar) but I liked the sound of the Fusion a bit more. Maybe the crisper sound is because the Traditional is a floor model (used strings) and the Fusion is from the warehouse (new strings). Maybe the crisper tone of the traditional is what to look for Flamenco, Bossa Nova and the like (which I'll play more than classical songs), I don't know.

Asking classical guitar players which one do you recommend me?​

Traditional:

 

[jeremy]

that looks very cool, first time ive seen those. did you plug em in or no? the only nylon string i have is a taylor ns72ce which isnt traditional at all, but im not a classical player at all

 

[donaldr]

Just played unplugged. They are crazy light for a full mahogany guitar, around 5lbs.
I touched classical guitars at high-school but nothing more, and I'm just a mediocre electric guitar player also. I like more spanish/latin music than classical.

 

[Mincer]

I hadn't seen those, but they look super cool. I love modern takes on traditional instruments.

 

[jeremy]

looks like it has a full width classical neck? one of the things i like about the taylor is that the nut is slightly less wide than a traditional classical

 

[Mincer]

looks like it has a full width classical neck? one of the things i like about the taylor is that the nut is slightly less wide than a traditional classical

Yeah, I have a Yamaha meant for steel string players, with a narrower body, and narrow nut width- it is a delight to play.

 

[Seashore]

I don't have a practical use for a nylon string guitar, but I bet I'd love playing one of these. A wider neck and wider nut would suit me well. I wish my electrics had wider string spacing at the nut. Personally I would go for the crisper tone every time, it's easier to round the sound off than to add definition that isn't there.

 

[donaldr]

looks like it has a full width classical neck? one of the things i like about the taylor is that the nut is slightly less wide than a traditional classical

Yes full width at 2", flat radius and also 12 frets to the body. Both being wider at the nut than regular electric guitars, I didn't find the Traditional harder to play than the Fusion, maybe even a bit easier for finger picker. Maybe because I play 4-string and 5-string basses, and Fender scale and Gibson scale electric guitars, but I find that I can adapt now easily to different instruments.

 

[donaldr]

Yeah, I have a Yamaha meant for steel string players, with a narrower body, and narrow nut width- it is a delight to play.

They have two models as stated before, the "Fusion" model is like that.

 

[donaldr]

Personally I would go for the crisper tone every time, it's easier to round the sound off than to add definition that isn't there.

That's also my thinking as the Cordoba Stage have under saddle piezo and also an internal microphone into the body, so I could add more of that mic with the blend knob and get a more realistic acoustic sound. The YT videos I watched about the "Fusion" sometime are a bit boomy probably because they blended too much of the body mic from an already rounder sounding guitar.

 

[Securb]

I have been looking for a nylon string guitar. That is gorgeous but the price may be more than I am looking to spend based on my needs.

 

[Mincer]

They have two models as stated before, the "Fusion" model is like that.

Mine is at least 20 years old, so who knows what they had around then.

 

[uOpt]

Never played one of those but LGTM.

 

[TGD]

A couple of things to keep in mind about tone differences is the top wood. The Traditional might have cedar while the other has spruce (under maple veneer?). The strings are the next factor, with lower tension strings sounding warmer and mellower, while higher tension sounds crisper but with less sustain. Then there's the issue of bronze or silver plated wound strings affecting tone. The strings also go through a stretching period that's longer than steel strings. Sometimes it can take a day or more of tuning/stretching/playing for the strings to stabilize and sound or intonate right.

While it sounds complicated, it does give you flexibility in shaping the tone. Flamenco guitars have a bit lower action to get fret buzz for the sharp attack, while classical wants a bit higher for a cleaner tone. This is only 1mm or less difference and string tension affects it too.

Get the one that feels and plays better and get a professional setup. The luthier will suggest how to get the tone you want through string choice (tension and material) and action.

 

[Aceman]

I spent a couple of years playing classical in the recent past and break it out every now and then.

So, a few things to keep in mind...

1. I only see one guitar there. But, based on what you are saying, you need the Fusion. Ignore the strings factor.
2. I know nothing about those guitars. I would suggest something else if you are looping and/or applying; Yamaha Silent Classical.
3. Keep in mind tonally - you can effect up a classical as much as you want. If it isn't a "real" classical.

I have a Yamaha CGX-171. It has a piezo and an internal mic and can sound killer mic'd up.