Value for money, all solid body guitar

[piogolf]

Hi guys! I am new here and just started playing classical guitar again after 6 years. Am looking to buy a new guitar but preferably all solid body. Just wondering if anyone new any good model, makes, or brands for the best value

[dta721]

Hi guys! I am new here and just started playing classical guitar again after 6 years. Am looking to buy a new guitar but preferably all solid body. Just wondering if anyone new any good model, makes, or brands for the best value

While waiting for laudiesdad69 -would not want to steal his thunder , what kind of budget you intend to spend for a new, all solid body guitar?

And, why new, used in good condition would give the best value

[Laudiesdad69]

Oops... I have no thunder left for this question. I guess I’ve been a little too active on the forum lately. I guess I need to get a life, haha🤪.

[bauersachs82]

I was in a similar situation recently. I took guitar lessons in college and was really interested in classical but had a cheap Lucida Artista. I wasn't playing classical much for about 7 years and this year I decided I wanted to get back into it. My experience is with Cordoba and Yamaha. If your budget is under or around $1k for solid back/sides the options with these brands are:

Cordoba C9 or C10
Yamaha GC12 or GC22

If you can get a chance to play on any of them, do it. There are a lot of threads on here about this price range of guitar and a lot of differing opinions. I purchased a C10S because I liked that it had a bone nut and saddle and I upgraded to a Humicase which upgrades Cordoba's 3 year warranty to a lifetime warranty. That was a better value to me.

I have respect for both brands and could see myself getting a Yamaha in the future (possibly a GC42)

[Laudiesdad69]

All right, I’ll chime in. We can’t really give you advise until we know your budget? If it’s 3k, it’s a different game than if it is say $500.

[piogolf]

I'm looking at around 1200 USD below. I can probably stretch it out to 1500 if its really worth it.

[Laudiesdad69]

As bauersachs82 recommended, the Cordoba C9 or C10 or Yamaha GC12 or GC22 would be a good place to start. Also, Takamine Hirade H5, would be really good if you found one used in nice shape. There are lots of these on Reverb starting at 6 to 7 hundred.

The Takamine C132S could be had for $999.00 new. It has solid top and back with laminated sides, but don't let that scare you off. The laminated sides are stiffer and keep most of the vibrational energy in the top. Even Ramirez uses laminated sides on some of their guitars, including the famous 1A. Also, the Ramirez R series and NE series are great finds, especially used. I bought my daughter's Ramirez 2NE for $900.00 used and in excellent condition. If you can stretch to 1500 dollars you could get a Ramirez 125 or 130 anyos , used of course. I would avoid the Guitarra del Tiempo though as they come with crappy Ping Chinese tuners.

There are lots of other choices I'm sure, but these are the ones that I've had experience with. Hope it helps.

[Laudiesdad69]

Oh, and if you go the Cordoba route be sure to upgrade to the Humicase. They are the least expensive case with a good seal. And, if you can see about upgrading the case to a Humicase metro II. Well worth it if you travel. I wouldn't check it as baggage though with an airline, as I'm sure they would still find a way to destroy it. Did you see the post where an airline destroyed a Viola de Gamba from 1680?

I have a C9 and it cracked, I didn't have the humicase. At least with the lifetime warranty, if it ever needs a neck reset, I guess they would have to fix it? I'm seriously thinking about upgrading my travel guitar to a C10. I played one at guitar center the other day, it was used, and it sounded beautiful. The previous owner had what felt like medium tension strings on it. It played great. It had better separation and punch in the bass than my C9.

[souldier]

Do you know what tonal qualities you are looking for in a classical guitar?

[Debussychopin]

Esteve 7R is one of the best solid wood spanish made guitars around.

[Ramon Amira]

I'm looking at around 1200 USD below. I can probably stretch it out to 1500 if its really worth it.

Francisco Navarro Student model. Signed label luthier constructed, solid top, back, and sides, bone nut and saddle. Right in your price range. Head and shoulders over any factory guitar in that price range.

Ramon

[blevinsjake]

I second the Navarro

[keithwwk]

I'm looking at around 1200 USD below. I can probably stretch it out to 1500 if its really worth it.

You may consider Picado 60, it can be just right for your budget after tax removed plus small amount of cites fee to ship to your country. A really nice full solid beautiful guitar from Spain.

[Jacek A. Rochacki]

I'm looking at around 1200 USD below. I can probably stretch it out to 1500 if its really worth it.

You may consider Picado 60, it can be just right for your budget after tax removed plus small amount of cites fee to ship to your country. A really nice full solid beautiful guitar from Spain.

+1

[Mr.Rain]

I'm looking at around 1200 USD below. I can probably stretch it out to 1500 if its really worth it.

You may consider Picado 60, it can be just right for your budget after tax removed plus small amount of cites fee to ship to your country. A really nice full solid beautiful guitar from Spain.

+1

AFAIK, at Picado are having a hard time with the cites, whenever the ebony or the spanish cedar geso into the "cites cert" list, they may consider not to export directly by themselves (outside of the EU,as inside it is consider domestic)...
They may even discontinue some of the the low range studio models (45/49) as laminated rosewood needs its own cites stock id number....