If you’re an aspiring musician on a budget, you’ll want to check out the Cordoba C1, C5, and C7 acoustic guitars.
These three models are some of the most popular entry-level guitars on the market today and for good reason.
They all offer great sound and quality construction at a very affordable price. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at these three guitars and see how they compare to each other.
But if you’re simply looking for a quick review between the Cordoba C5 vs C7, here is our take on these two entry-level acoustic guitars.
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Cordoba C5 vs C7
The Cordoba C5 classical acoustic guitar is available in three sizes; half, three-quarters, and seven-eighth. The C5 is considered to be one of the best entry-level nylon-string acoustic guitars for the price. Built with a solid Cedar top and mahogany back and sides, the C5 produces a clear, powerful tone with beautiful sustain.
The C7 (available in a full-size model) is a step up from the C5. Built with rosewood back and sides and the choice of a solid cedar top to achieve a warm, classic nylon string sound or a solid European spruce top for a brighter tone, the C7 is ideal for beginner and intermediate players.
So, if the added price of the C7 is within your budget and you’re looking for a classic acoustic guitar that will meet your needs for your advanced skill levels, we recommend the Cordoba C7.
But to give you a more comprehensive overview of the Cordoba C5 vs. C7, as well as the budget-friendly C1, you’ll want to read on for our take on all three.
Let’s get into it!
Although these three Cordoba guitars are considered entry-level guitars, it is worth noting a bit about the heritage behind these nylon string guitars.
Cordoba Guitars was founded in 1997 by (CEO) Tim Miklaucic and his passion and appreciation for classical guitars with nylon strings. Miklaucic set out to revive the Spanish heritage of classical guitars and their lightness, feel, vibration, and unique sounds that only come from nylon string guitars.
Cordoba guitars are known for their affordability, handmade design, and lightweight construction. They offer a variety of body styles, from thin-body cutaways to full-size classical or traditional flamingos.
The company also specializes in nylon-stringed instruments with steel neck plates that produce rich tones, depending on what type you order.
How We Compare The Cordoba C1 vs C5 vs C7
The overall things we look at in our comparison include the following:
- The sustain of the guitar,
- The volume,
- The balance,
- The overall feel,
- Quality and craftsmanship.
Cordoba C1 Acoustic Guitar
As a beginner guitar, the Cordoba C1 is a fine guitar for the price point. For the first year or so while developing your guitar skills, the Cordoba C1 offers good holds its tuning and provides good sound quality.
However, when your skills advance to playing in the upper registers, around the 7th fret or so, you’ll want to move on to a more advanced guitar that provides better trebles without sounding “tinny”.
When you are just starting, a guitar in the lower register is perfect for learning how to play. But as your skills advance and you reach higher notes, it may be time to move up into something more suitable, depending on your guitar-playing ambitions!
Cordoba C1 Construction
- Hand-crafted
- Spruce top
- Mahogany sides
- Hand-inlaid wooden rosette
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Savarez strings
- It comes with a standard Córdoba gig bag
Pros
- Holds its tuning
- Chords are clear
- Sounds pretty good
Cons
- Not ideal volume
- Sustain seems to cutout fairly quickly
- Overall sound from the bases is not impressive
- Tinny sound in the upper register
Sizes Available: Full-size and three-quarter size.
How Cordoba Guitar’s website describes the C1
“The C1 is a high-quality full-size nylon-string guitar designed to provide aspiring young musicians with a comfortable first guitar that’s easy to learn on and play. Offered in full or 3/4 sizes, the C1 features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a wood-inlaid mosaic rosette, and a high gloss polyurethane finish. Like all Córdoba instruments, the C1 features premium Savarez strings and an adjustable truss rod for lifetime neck stability. Comes with a standard Córdoba gig bag.”
From Cordoba Guitar website
Cordoba C5 Acoustic Guitar
For any beginner looking to start playing classical guitar, the Cordoba C5 is a perfect choice. With its beautiful craftsmanship and contributions to the rich history of classical guitar music, the Cordoba C5 is an instrument that any beginner can appreciate, willing to invest in a higher-quality instrument.
This guitar has a warm, full sound thanks to its all-mahogany construction, and its nylon strings are gentle on the fingers, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive hands.
The Cordoba C5 is also extremely versatile – it can be used for everything from classical and flamenco music to folk and pop tunes. So if you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that can do it all, the Cordoba C5 is a perfect choice!
In fact, we’d go as far as to say that the C5 is perhaps one of the best guitars you can buy for the money.
Cordoba C5 Construction
- Hand-crafted
- Solid Cedar top, but appears to be a finer cut
- Mahogany sides but more robust bracing inside
- Hand-inlaid wooden rosette
- Pau Ferro binding
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Savarez strings
- Nickel-plated tuning machines with pearl buttons
- A lightweight adjustable truss rod is built into the neck for stability
- Available in Natural finish with solid Engelmann Spruce top
Pros
- Fuller, warmer sound
- Basses clearer and fuller
- Better control
- It holds its tuning better
- Chords are clearer
Cons
- Treble tones are not quite as warm as the C7
- Volume is very good, but not as good as the C7
Sizes Available: Half-size, Three-quarter size, and Seven-eighths.
How Cordoba Guitar’s website describes the C5
“One of Córdoba’s flagship models, the C5 is perfect as a first nylon-string guitar, this lightweight model is built with a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides to produce a clear, powerful tone with beautiful sustain. Handmade in the traditional Spanish style, the C5’s carved headstock, hand-inlaid wood rosette, Pau Ferro binding, Savarez strings, and glossy PU finish result in a guitar that truly stands out from all other entry-level options. A lightweight adjustable truss rod is built into the neck for stability.”
From Cordoba Guitar website
Cordoba C7 Acoustic Guitar
For the more experienced guitarist that has been playing for 2-years or more, the C7 is the way to go. It has a solid Sitka Spruce top that gives the guitar great projection and volume.
Like all C-series acoustic guitars from Cordoba, the C7 is designed with the concert player in mind. It has a traditional Western Red Cedar body, which gives it a very warm and rich tone.
The neck on the C7 is slim and comfortable, making it easy to switch between chords, and the action is also low, making it easier to press down on the strings.
So, If you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that you can take with you on the road or to the studio, the C7 is a great option.
If you’ve been playing for 2 or 3 years, we suggest you go straight for the C7. The C7 has a better sense of balance between the trebles and bases. You won’t regret jumping straight into the C7 as a top-notch entry-level guitar.
Cordoba C7 Construction
- Hand-crafted
- Solid Cedar top, but appears to be a finer cut
- Rosewood back and sides add to the quality of the sound
- Hand-inlaid wooden rosette
- Pau Ferro binding
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Savarez strings
- Nickel-plated tuning machines with pearl buttons
- A lightweight adjustable truss rod is built into the neck for stability
- Available in Natural finish with solid Engelmann Spruce top
Pros
- Louder
- Fuller
- Warmer sound
- Feels better to play
- Basses louder and fuller
- Better overall tone
- It holds its tuning better
- Chords are clearer
Cons
- Rosewood back and sides add a bit more weight.
Sizes Available: Full-size only.
How Cordoba Guitar’s website describes the C7
“The C7 is a wonderful choice for beginner or intermediate guitarists. A step up from our C5, the C7 offers rosewood back and sides with the choice of a solid cedar top to achieve a warm classic nylon string sound or a solid European spruce top for a brighter tone. The C7’s traditional fan bracing allows for maximum resonance and sustain and premium features such as a hand-inlaid wooden rosette, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a sleek high gloss PU finish.”
From Cordoba Guitar website
FAQ’s
Can I put steel strings on my nylon string guitar?
Cordoba Guitar strongly advises against using steel strings on any nylon string guitar. Doing so will cause irreparable damage to the guitar’s bridge, soundboard, neck and tuning machines and will void the original warranty.
Who makes Cordoba guitars?
Founded in 1997 by (CEO) Tim Miklaucic, Cordoba Nylon String Guitars are the result of Miklaucic’s desire to rescue the classical guitar that has been overshadowed by the acoustic steel-string guitar and the electric guitar. Cordoba Guitar is headquartered and located in Santa Monica, CA.
Does Cordoba make steel-string guitars?
Cordoba is a Spanish guitar company that specializes in nylon string and classical guitars, but they do offer a handful of steel string models introduced in 2013.
Are Cordoba guitars good?
Yes. Cordoba has a reputation for making a wide range of hand-crafted guitars, made in the USA as well as Valencia and Barcelona. They also offer several guitars and Ukuleles manufactured to their specifications in China.
Does the type of wood used in Cordoba guitars change the sound?
Cordoba guitars are available in many different tonewood combinations. The chart that you can find on Cordoba’s website gives you a good, general guide.
Are Cordoba guitars made in Spain?
Cordoba’s España Series is handmade in Valencia and Barcelona.
Are Cordoba guitars made in China?
Iberia, Fusion, Luthier, and Protege Series, as well as all ukuleles, are handmade in China.
Are Cordoba guitars handmade?
Cordoba Master Series is hand-crafted. Cordoba’s España Series is handmade in Valencia and BarcelonaIberia. Fusion, Luthier, and Protege Series, as well as all ukuleles, are handmade in China.
Where are Cordoba c5 guitars made?
The Cordoba C5 is part of Cordoba’s Iberia Series, which is made in China.
Where are Cordoba c7 guitars made?
The Cordoba C7 is part of Cordoba’s Iberia Series, which is made in China.
Where are Cordoba c12 guitars made?
The Cordoba C12 is part of Cordoba’s Iberia Series, which is made in China.
The main headquarters and factory are located in Oxnard, California, where the Cordoba Master Series is hand-crafted. Cordoba’s España Series is handmade in Valencia and Barcelona, while the Iberia, Fusion, Luthier, and Protege Series, as well as all ukuleles, are handmade in China.
Summary
In our opinion, the Cordoba C1 is a great choice for beginners that are just testing the idea of taking up the guitar, as well as young players that need a 1/4-size guitar. The low price point of the Cobra C1 won’t break the bank if playing the guitar, and it turns out to be the wrong fit. And the overall quality of the guitar and the sounds it offers are better than many entry-level guitars we have tested.
The C5 is our first choice as the best entry-level nylon-string acoustic guitar for the price. The C5 produces a clear, powerful tone with beautiful sustain and is easily a guitar that will take you from beginner to intermediate with nothing but accolades.
The C7 is ideal for beginner and intermediate players. The sound and feel of the C7 are like taking the C5’s sound and quality and enhancing them to the next level. So if the C7 is within your budget, we say go for it!
To hear a side-by-side comparison of the Cordoba C1, C5, and C7, check out the video below, from For The Classical Guitarist.
Happy Playing!
