CordobaRequinto 1/2, Small Body, Acoustic Nylon String Guitars, Iberia Series

Soooooo… I tore my left rotator cuff and can’t hold my beautiful full sized classical guitar to play the music I love. I’m 69 years old - so injury comes with the territory. I bought a lovely sounding guitarlele which I have been playing. It is small enough for me to support with a foot rest or guitar cushion for my left leg. The guitarlele is tuned from A to A and is very beautiful but I miss the darker sound of an E to E guitar. So I thought, maybe the Cordoba Cadette which is a 3/4 sized guitar. It is sounds great, but still too heavy for my left arm to hold. Next I tried Cordoba’s 1/2 sized guitar and it is PERFECT for me. It plays well and offers me the opportunity to have a guitar and play the music I love. It was probably designed with children in mind, but as a child in heart, I am enjoying the ability to play my guitar again. Thanks Cordoba!

Seems this was meant to be more of a classical/requinto hybrid. It comes with standard classical strings, and unless you plan to tune close to standard E, I HIGHLY recommend ditching the strings and putting on real requinto strings.Now requintos are meant for tuning up to A instead of E. With the proper strings it plays and sounds MUCH better and can be tuned higher than the standard strings. However, with the scale of 580mm, the max for requintos, you may feel more comfortable tuning down a half step to G# and store with loosened strings. The manufacturer recommends no higher than G, but it can be assumed that is with standard, not requinto strings. Tune higher at your own risk.Also, be sure to break in new strings very slowly. My first attempt the 1st string broke while i was tuning the 6th string. Requinto strings have much smaller diameter and arent as durable as standard classical strings you may be used to.I am pleased with the sound and build, especially the solid top and the singing higher tones.The nut and saddle seem to be made from some type of composite material... i will likely change them for bone. I also will need to have the fret ends dressed as the neck must have shrunk ever so slightly and they stick out just a tiny bit too far, which is common with spanking new guitars.The back and sides are not solid mahogony, but laminate. Disappointing, but understandable at this price range. Pau ferro neck is the next best thing to ebony, so im happy there.For those interested, i was a professional classical, latin, and flamenco guitarist, but lost range of motion in my left arm due to a medical condition and can no longer play a full size guitar. This is no match for my concert Ruck guitar, but that one was thousands of dollars. This Córdoba is the best deal i could find for someone serious like me, but low on funds. My second choice was Ortega, but they have cutaways and are made more for electric... i prefer a full bodied acoustic.

I did some research before buying this requinto. The company has been in existence since the mid-1990s. Their high end models are made in Spain, while the low priced instruments are built in Asia. However even the lower priced instruments are hand made, and at least the tops and necks are natural wood. The fingerboard on this model is India rosewood and the top is European cedar. This instrument is advertised as having a mahogany back and sides. It is uncertain if they are a laminate, or all natural wood, and I can't tell by looking at it.. I have played acoustic string instruments for 48-years, and have a fair amount of experience in judging tone woods and construction. But I'm also budget conscious, and have found that instruments made Asia are greatly improved from what one could expect even 10-years ago. This instrument has no apparent physical flaws. It is meticulously constructed. The finish is even, the woods are expertly matched, and the rosette is clearly had made. The 5-strut, Torres style top bracing allows for a lively and flexible output. The top wood is very evenly grained. If I am not mistaken traditional Torres fan bracing includes more than 5 braces. But that does not seem to have an effect on the tone of this little instrument. The back is not 2-piece, but it is nicely channeled, and there is nice marquetry in the center channel. The binding is maple, and is nicely accented. The instrument comes with Savarez high strings, which I personally prefer for classical type instruments of the guitar family. I find the instrument to have excellent base response, and very good mid range. The top end is slightly muted. But that may be because I broke the high A within hours of getting the instrument and had to replace it with a GHS string. I find that the intonation is flawless. The harmonics are absolutely perfect. The frets are comfortable and are dressed well. I saw another review that complained about poor fret dressing. That was not the case with this instrument. I have no complaint and nothing but praise for this instrument. It is slightly stiff feeling, as new acoustic instruments often are. I think this will pass with additional playing. It is remarkably responsive with excellent overall tone, given it's low price. Any deficiencies in tone are likely due to the freshness of the construction, and will even out as the instrument is played. I highly recommend this instrument. I think it is a great deal for the price. I have had it for 4 days, and have not missed playing it one day since I got it.

I purchased this Cordoba Requinto to replace my 1/2 size beach guitar of some years. I like travelling with a 1/2 size guitar because there are no hassles with the airlines. It's hardly bigger than an oversize tennis racquet. I chose the Cordoba Requinto because I had purchased a Cordoba Dolce for my daughter and that is a fine guitar in every way, and an unbelievable value for money. The Requinto had some set up issues, but I take it for granted that I am going to have to put a little money into setting the guitar up properly. It took it to my friends at the 12th fret in Portland and they adjusted the action, dressed the frets and attached strap knobs because I like them on my guitars. The guitar is very much in tune with itself and resonates beautifully and has a sound as big as some full size guitars that I have played. The additional $100 I paid to get the guitar playing optimally was worth every penny and I would strongly suggest that you view this set up charge as part of the price of getting a fine instrument.