Classical guitars have long gotten the short end of the stick in this country. It wasn’t until World music started gaining a foothold with music listeners that the Classical Guitar has gained popularity. Popular artists like Jason Mraz, Ottmar Liebert, Willie Nelson, Peter White; artists from all genres propelling the Classical Guitar into the contemporary music arena. While acoustic guitar, in general, has always been set aside for folk artists, it too has come back with a fury but none quite as surprising, or welcome as the Classical Guitar.

Cordoba has been one of the more popular classical guitar manufacturers since 1997, quickly establishing their reputation as a reputable manufacturer of classical guitars. For whatever reason, the Classical guitar intrigues many; maybe because the purported complexity of fingerstyle guitar or the “strange” stringing or possibly the hushed tones that don’t lend them to playing a wide variety of genres and the economics that accompany that argument. Whatever the case, Classical Guitars are here to stay and it would behoove anyone to settle their curiosity even if it means living with an inexpensive model like the Cordoba C3M to see how it feels.

The Cordoba C3M retails for about $200.00 street price, a fairly shallow dive in the Classical guitar pool, but make no mistake, deep enough to get your Butterfly Stroke on. Topped with Canadian Cedar and Mahogany sides, the Cordoba C3M has a rich, full tone that will allow you to express yourself in the manner you would expect a classical guitar to. Sure, there’s a learning curve; you might not sound magical like Jimi playing Spanish Castle Magic, but trust me, the Spanish Castles will all be there. The Nato neck and Rosewood fingerboard will challenge most that are used to the fast narrow necks of even a Telecaster, but make no mistake, the Cordoba C3M will lead you to the proper playing technique and finesse that holding, versus grabbing this guitar neck demands. To play the Cordoba C3M properly you need to have the proper classical grip, which will greatly improve your overall technique and fast track your journey into world genres.

The 25.6” scale is comfortable, and intimate and this guitar inspires one to play what you play now, differently; with more deliberation and soul. If you are a seasoned guitarist, the voices in your head will constantly call out tunes that require playing on the Cordoba C3M and new players will find a fresh palette for expression. Sure, 19 frets, 12 to the body will be a challenge but so was playing that first G Chord; it took me forever to make my fingers go there! This is a guitar for reaching over the body, tapping out the quiet parts on the Canadian Cedar top and having fun with. To top it all off, it’s a beautiful instrument! Gold machines, inlaid rosettes and a light matte finish make the Cordoba C3M that guitar will inspire you to either get a more sophisticated model or keep it because it’s a wonderful example of the art and great for those moments when you want to riff on a little Flamenco. Either way, you cannot find a better value for a Classical guitar of this caliber! $200.00….why are you still here?

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