My new guitar is a Cordoba C12!

Hi there fellow guitar slingers!

Last week I went live on the NBN guitar channel to showcase my new guitar - a Cordoba C12. I must say that I’m absolutely stoked with my new guitar’s sound & playability. I love the Spruce top too!

Here are some of the features:

• European Spruce top

• Indian rosewood back & sides

• Mahogany neck with an adjustable two-way truss rod

• Flamed Maple centre wedge (separates the two pieces that comprise the back of the guitar)

• Lattice bracing

• Elevated fretboard

• Cordoba Gold tuners with Ebony buttons

• Humidified Archtop hardshell case

Here are a few pics for you to enjoy!

Cordoba C12 classical guitar Spruce soundboard

Cordoba C12 classical guitar back

I purchased this guitar from my luthier friend Ramsay Phillips based in Auckland, New Zealand. He was selling it on behalf of his friend that works at the Rockshop - a well-known musical instrument chain here in Aotearoa. It was originally purchased for the store but for some reason it was put into storage and never offered for sale, which means I am the first official owner.

Cordoba C12 classical guitar tuners

In this video I played the C12 for about two hours whilst asking others which guitars they play. Amazingly, I discovered that so many of my subscribers play Cordobas!

Anyway, I’ve talked enough. Please check out the livestream and stay tuned!

Let your fingers fly!

Josh

Beautiful & Unusual Classical Guitars - Episode 6: 'C3' Michael Greenfield

Soundport + Stunning wood = Beautiful sound and aesthetics for days.

Introduction

Michael Greenfield has been in the business of making guitars for over 20 years and playing them for twice as long! After servicing and restoring many instruments he decided to setup shop professionally in the 1990s. The experience that he gained through repairing older instruments provided Michael with an insight into what makes great guitars great but also what makes certain guitars fail. After many years of careful study Michael has set out to improve upon the guitar and make instruments that are truly worthy of the concert stage. 

Flawless view of the back & sides of this glorious instrument.

Specifications

• Offset soundhole
• Secondary soundport
• Asymmetric & elongated fan bracing
• Elevated fingerboard
• 21 frets
• Scale length - 655mm

Check out the elevated fretboard...a player's dream!

How you can get one!

Michael Greenfield is an exclusive luthier and his instruments do not come cheap. With a base price of US$10,500 for the GF Acoustic Model it is a major purchase. All other models (including the C3 pictured here) start at US$14,500! Start saving...

• Michael Greenfield

Be sure to check out my articles on Modern Classical Guitar Design to learn more about elevated fretboards, soundports, lattice bracing etc etc:

Part 8: Fanned Frets

Part 7: Arched back

Part 6: Double Tops

Part 5: Lattice Bracing

Part 4: Armrest

Part 3: Soundport

Part 2: Indented Cutaway

Part 1: Elevated Fingerboard

Modern Classical Guitar Design Part 2: Indented Cutaway

Bellucci guitar with an 'Indented Cutaway' from Mangore guitars.

Introduction

Access to frets past the 12th fret has gained increasing attention from luthiers and guitarists for at least a decade. I mentioned in Part 1 of my series on modern classical guitar design that an 'indented cutaway' is a somewhat modern design feature that a few luthiers are starting to incorporate into their designs. 

Standard Cutaway vs Indented Cutaway

Here are two of my own guitars showing two of the most common types of cutaway. The guitars are Takamine TNV460SC on the left and a Takamine TH5C on the right. I have two video reviews of both of these guitars that you can watch farther on in this article.

Two of my favorite guitars restrung & serviced - Takamine TNV460SC acoustic on the left and a Takamine TH5C 'Hirade' classical on the right. #takamine #guitar #musicislife #maori #guitarist

A post shared by Josh (@nbnguitar) on Oct 12, 2016 at 5:42am PDT

Here is a full review of my Takamine TH5C Hirade model.

The Indented Cutaway

With an indented cutaway only a small section of the soundboard, back & sides is removed. The fundamental idea is that the overall sound and projection of the guitar isn't compromised but access to the higher frets is improved. This is best shown by a picture.

One of Kris Barnett's stunning guitars featuring an indented cutaway. 

As you can see the smaller cutaway leaves a significant amount of the guitars' chamber undisturbed. 

Pros

• Improves access to upper frets
• Visually striking
• Has an unusual and modern look

Cons

• Has an effect on the power on tone of the instrument
• Probably not as effective as a raised fretboard
• Clearly visible departure from a standard classical guitar design
• Niche design therefore it could be difficult to resell

The same Kris Barnett guitar when viewed from the rear. As you can see the indented cutaway removed minimal wood from the guitar.

My Verdict

I'd love to try one. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to play a guitar with an indented cutaway for two reasons:

1. Very few luthiers actually make this design
2. Those that do are expensive and usually have extremely long waiting lists

I think it could be a really great feature to have on your guitar but I think I'd probably choose an elevated fretboard rather than this particularly for resale purposes. 

So...where can I buy one?

Here are two luthiers that make these guitars:

• krisbarnettguitars.com
• mangore.com

Check out my other articles in the

'Modern Classical Guitar Design Series':

Part 8: Fanned Frets

Part 7: Arched back

Part 6: Double Tops 

Part 5: Lattice Bracing

Part 4: Armrest

Part 3: Soundports

Part 1: Elevated Fingerboard