10 Best Córdoba Guitars

What are the Best Córdoba Guitars?

The best Córdoba guitars are expertly handcrafted instruments. Designed in the Spanish tradition, Córdoba guitars are lightweight, resonant and increasingly popular with musicians of every genre.

When choosing a Córdoba guitar, select from a range of instruments that vary in size, color and style and cost between $1399 and $108. We’ve compiled a list of our top choices to help you select your next Córdoba guitar.

Top 10 Best Córdoba Guitars: Compared and Reviewed

Top Pick:

Córdoba C5 Iberia Series Classical Guitar

The Córdoba C5, an Iberia original, is a full-size guitar that’s easy and fun to play.

  • Solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides
  • 52mm nut width
  • Adjustable truss rod
  • Ideal for players of all levels

Beginner and experienced musicians appreciate the C5 guitar. Priced at $300, this bundle of fun is enjoyable to play and delivers a quality sound.

The solid cedar top’s warm tone pairs with the mahogany’s even tone to deliver a balanced sound and rich tone. Musicians note the attractive rosewood fingerboard, wood inlaid rosette and rosewood binding, too.

Pros

  • Wide string placement accommodates finger picking
  • Low action improves playability
  • Comfortable nylon string tension

Cons

  • No strap buttons
  • Loose bridge may pop off
  • Fret buzz

Córdoba 55FCE Acoustic-Electric Thinbody Flamenco Guitar (Honey Amber)

The premium Córdoba 55FCE Acoustic-Electric Thinbody Flamenco Guitar is the ultimate crossover nylon string guitar.

  • Solid European spruce top with flamed maple back and sides
  • Two-way truss rod
  • Fishman Prefix ProBlend electronics
  • Custom Humicase Thinbody Protégé included

Handmade in Spain, the $1399 55FCE is stage ready. The beautiful wood spruce and flamed maple combination create a stunning appearance and the guitar’s punchy sound.

Premium stylish features also add value to this instrument. Details include an ebony fingerboard, Indian rosewood binding and clear flamenco-style tap plate.

Pros

  • Comfortable to hold
  • Low action and low neck relief improves playability
  • Thinbody design reduces amplification feedback

Cons

  • Tinny sound
  • Feedback may occur during low volume amplification
  • Inferior to GK Pro series

Córdoba C7 CD/IN Acoustic Nylon String Classical Guitar Natural

The C7 CD/IN Acoustic Nylon String Classical Guitar is a reliable fixture in the Córdoba line.

  • Solid Canadian cedar top with Indian rosewood wood back and sides
  • Fan bracing pattern
  • Fishman Presys Blend electronics with onboard tuner
  • 52mm nut width

The $699 C7 CD/IN produces a balanced classical tone. Players also value its full lower end and crisp upper end.

Because appearance matters, this guitar features decorative details. Look for a natural high gloss, traditional hand-inlaid wooden rosette and a rosewood bridge and fingerboard.

Pros

  • Fan bracing pattern boosts sound vibration
  • Playable string tension
  • Included gig bag adds protection

Cons

  • Designed for beginner and intermediate players
  • Weighs 10 pounds
  • Potentially weak bridge

Córdoba C5-CE Iberia Series Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar

Musicians who want a quality instrument turn to the Córdoba C5-CE Iberia Series Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar.

  • Solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides
  • Soft cutaway with Fishman Isys+2band pickup
  • Thin neck
  • 50mm nut width

The $400 C5-CE Iberia guitar is a popular brand staple. Players use this model for practices, gigs and recording sessions.

The cedar and mahogany combo, along with a well-placed bridge, produce a rich, clear and well balanced tone. While the guitar includes a pickup system, it sounds good with and without amplification.

Pros

  • Wide fingerboard simplifies playing
  • Easy to hold despite no strap buttons
  • Electric pickup

Cons

  • Battery box defects are common
  • Thin neck and cutaway depart from traditional Spanish design
  • Weighs 10 pounds

Córdoba Cadete 3/4 Size Acoustic Nylon String Classical Guitar

The Córdoba Cadete 3/4 Size Acoustic Nylon String Classical Guitar invites standard or electric guitar players to try a new instrument and style.

  • Solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides
  • Traditional Spanish 7 fan bracing
  • Adjustable truss rod
  • 48mm nut width

The 3/4 sized Cadete is handcrafted. Constructed of Canadian cedar and mahogany, the wood combination creates a deep, warm sound.

This beautiful $329 instrument also features stylish details. Players appreciate the gold tuning machines with pearl buttons, a hand laid wooden rosette and a rosewood fingerboard.

Pros

  • Change chords and positions easily
  • Projects sound well
  • Ideal size for young guitarists

Cons

  • Average sound quality
  • Weak neck
  • No strap buttons

Córdoba Dolce 7/8 Size Acoustic Nylon String

The beautiful Córdoba Dolce 7/8 Size Acoustic Nylon String guitar encourages musicians to play.

  • Solid Canadian cedar top with mahogany back and sides
  • Traditional Spanish fan bracing
  • Adjustable truss rod
  • 50mm nut width

The handcrafted Dolce 7/8 provides perfect intonation. The Canadian cedar and mahogany pairing also creates a full, rich and mellow sound.

Additionally, the $311 guitar features a high gloss finish. Decorative details, such as a natural inlaid wood mosaic rosette and maple and ebony purfling and inlay, further enhance the Dolce 7/8.

Pros

  • Beautiful in appearance and sound
  • Comfortable fingering position
  • Ideal for strummers and finger players

Cons

  • Tall bridge may need adjustment
  • Tuning requires some fiddling
  • Only slightly smaller than full size

Córdoba Mini M Travel Acoustic Nylon String Guitar With Córdoba Gig Bag

The Córdoba Mini M is a travel instrument with an impressively loud voice.

  • Solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides
  • 20″ scale length, 50mm nut width
  • U-shaped neck
  • Padded Córdoba gig bag included

At home or on the road, musicians enjoy playing the portable Mini M. Even though it’s small in size, its string spacing makes it feel and play like a full-size guitar.

The Mini M delivers a clear and loud sound, too. Overall, the $219 Córdoba Mini M guitar is a reliable companion.

Pros

  • Clear, complex tone
  • Neck shape improves playing comfort
  • Travel size with full-size playability

Cons

  • Requires bracing due to head heavy design and no strap
  • Tuning takes fiddling
  • Standard E tuning requires different strings

Protégé by Córdoba C1 Acoustic Nylon String Classical Guitar

The Protégé by Córdoba C1 is a full-size nylon string guitar that’s designed for beginners.

  • Spruce top with mahogany back and sides
  • Adjustable lightweight truss rod
  • 52mm nut width
  • Soft case included

Players who are new to guitar playing can start with the $189 Protégé by Córdoba C1. This model is comfortable to hold and easy to play.

The C1 sounds great too. Its combination of brightly toned spruce and evenly toned mahogany creates a balanced, quality sound.

Pros

  • Highly playable for beginning guitarists
  • Adjustable neck angle matches player preference
  • Nylon strings respond well to touch

Cons

  • Designed primarily for beginners
  • No strap buttons
  • Fairly basic appearance

Córdoba C1M 3/4

Use the Protégé by Córdoba C1M 3/4 at home or in the classroom.

  • Spruce top with mahogany back and sides
  • 3/4 size
  • Adjustable truss rod
  • Hardtail bridge system

Players of all levels agree that the Protege C1M 3/4 is a high-quality guitar. The guitar’s sustain rivals that of other instruments in its class, and the sound is described as balanced, brushy and groovy.

Stylish details, including a traditional mosaic rosette and matte polyurethane finish, increase the appeal of the $155 C1M 3/4 classical guitar.

Pros

  • Easy to tune
  • Comfortable to play
  • Slim neck profile and truss rod add stability

Cons

  • Student not professional guitar
  • Designed for right-handed players

Córdoba Mini II MH

The right size for travel, the Mini II MH produces a sound that’s reminiscent of full-size guitars.

  • Mahogany top, back and sides
  • Mellow, soft and balanced sound
  • Tunes perfectly to standard E
  • Travel size

Play the Mini II almost anywhere. It’s designed for travel and is ideal for jam sessions and gigs, too.

The narrow nut width makes the Mini II playable for beginners and crossover players. And the $108 price tag makes this guitar affordable for most budgets.

Pros

  • Designed for portable play
  • Warm, full and balanced voice
  • Well-rounded tone

Cons

  • Small size
  • Manual tuning required
  • No electric pickup

What to Look for in the Best Córdoba Guitars

The best guitar brands are made from high-quality materials, offer superior sound quality and an attractive appearance, and fit your budget. Whether you want a traditional or groundbreaking classical guitar, the Córdoba brand has an instrument for you.

Sound

Córdoba guitars are quality instruments that sound great. The type of wood used in a guitar’s construction affects its tone, which could be warm, bright or balanced.

Price

Córdoba guitars range in price from $108 to $4000. The guitar’s type, size and materials determine its price. Also, plan to spend more money on an instrument with extras like an electric pickup, fancy finish or custom gig case.

Looks

The best Córdoba guitars feature a similar Spanish design along with unique details that affect the instrument’s appearance, sound and playability. For example, a Venetian cutaway modernizes the instrument and binding material supplements each instrument’s individual look.

New vs. Used

Both new and used Córdoba guitars deliver quality sound and retain their value. If possible, play the instrument before you buy it to ensure it has the sound and feel you want and is free from excessive wear and tear.

Materials

The best Córdoba guitars are handcrafted from the highest quality materials available. All the wood used to construct Córdoba guitars is sustainably sourced and harvested. The company performs strict quality controls, too, to verify that each new guitar will deliver the sound players want and need.

Strings and Gear Tuners

Nylon strings come standard on Córdoba guitars since these instruments have thinner tops and lighter bracing. Most Córdoba guitars also include gear tuners that are easy to use and simplify tuning and string maintenance.