Cordoba 55R

This is a solid spruce top model, with solid rosewood back and laminate rosewood sides. Mine is a 2006 model. Tuners are excellent, and the guitar stays in tune without any problems. The finish is not super glossy, and the rosette is tasteful. Set up is perfect for me as purchased. This is a handmade guitar.

I (try to) play fingerstyle, a little folk, and some classical. I really like the width, shape, and depth of the neck. The frets are finished beautifully as well. The guitar sounds great across several octaves, and there is good differentiation between bass and treble notes. I think that the spruce top really helps with this, because it brightens up the treble a little (which I prefer). Bass is rich and full. I purchased mine at Guitar Center, and they had several of the same model to choose from. I thought that there was some difference between the ones that I had to choose from. The action was a little different between the ones I saw, and I thought that this one just sounded the best. In this price range, I thought it sounded much more rich and full then the comparably priced Yamaha, Takamine, and Ramirez.

Action was ideal, although there was some difference between the ones available at the store that I went to. I guess this is typical of a handmade guitar. I am very happy with the one I took, but there was one there that I could not enjoy due to a lower action (more like a flemenco set-up). Woods are beautiful, and I can find no flaws in the fit or finish. Hardware is beautiful as well. No defects or varnish drips. Good clean sound without buzz.

The guitar appears to be solid. I have had it for less then 1 year without any problems. I don't gig, and have no need for amplification, so I can not comment on these items. Hardware is excellent, and looks like it will be trouble-free.

I have not had to deal with the company. I have had good support from Guitar Center in the past.

I have been playing for about 4 years. Before this, I had a laminate top Alvarez classical, and this is dramatically better then that one. I also have had a Fender Stratocaster, Takamine Acoustic Electric, and a few "student model" guitars. I am always looking for the next great one! If it were lost or stolen, I would definately look for another one. It is comparable to much more costly guitars, and "moves me" when I play it. I look forward to playing it every day! When purchased, I compared to Takamine, Yamaha, Ramirez, and Alvarez. I found the Cordoba to have a more balanced sound, and liked the neck and action alot better then the competitors. The solid woods have already improved in the short time that I have had the guitar, and I anticipate it will become even better.I found it comparable to other solid wood guitars in the $1300-1500 range.