Oscar Schmidt OQ40SE Acoustic-Electric Latin Cuatro with Bag

This is proving to be an excellent instrument. However, I did have to study into lowering the action because I didn't intend to spend an extra 70 some odd dollars having someone else do it for me. You have to be careful to take the action down a bit at a time. You can always take off more, but you can't restore sanded down material to the saddle if you take off too much. I used a YouTube video for lowering the action on an acoustic guitar as a guide and it worked really well. I also used a fingernail file emery board to sand down the saddle.I tune my Cuatro like a 12 string guitar without a low E string. Since I am primarily a guitarist I like the Cuatro better this way. If you are not a guitarist it would be best to tune it to standard Puerto Rican Cuatro tuning.Also, you really need to balance the tuning on such a small instrument by tuning it from different perspectives using harmonics. Cuatros are really sensitive about this. You can't just use the onboard tuner, tune the open strings to the proper notes and expect the chords to sound in tune. Study into YouTube videos on how to tune an acoustic guitar using harmonics so that the instrument sounds in tune up and down the neck.Also, excellent new strings make an incredible difference!!https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D53KJQI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For some time I assumed the stiff action was simply the result of having to fret courses of strings under relatively high tension, although there was a marked difference between the pressure needed to fret the first two courses (D, G) and that required for the last three (A, E, B). Although I found this odd, particularly since I never ran across the same situation in 60 years of playing 12-string guitars, I chalked it up to inadequate finger strength. With practice, however, it never became any easier, and I found it impossible to fret full chords for more than a couple minutes.Upon closer inspection I discovered that the saddle had not been fully seated in the bridge. On the high string (G) end, there is a noticeable gap between the bottom of the saddle and the bottom of the slot in the bridge. There is also a gap on the low string (B) side, but not as great. I'll take accurate measurements of the gaps and the height of the strings above the last fret and update this post.About a week ago, I emailed Oscar Schmidt/Washburn, advising them of the problem and asking for guidance regarding how to remove and properly seat the saddle (it's glued in place, not a drop-in). To date I have received no response.In all other respects the instrument appears to be of good quality, otherwise well made. However, until the action can be fixed, it is only marginally playable.

The media could not be loaded.  THE BRIDGE IS SEATED ON THE PICKUP AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE THINK IT IS NOT CORRECTLY SEATED!!!So far so good. I was apprehensive about buying the cheaper Puerto Rican Cuatro because usually you get what you pay for. I feel like it was DEFINITELY worth spending the extra money on this particular model.I get what people are saying about the bridge being “off” but it’s NOT. It’s seated on the pickup. I was getting ready to file it down to size when I noticed that it was the cause of people saying it was messed up. I thought the same but I was wrong.I don’t really understand why people are saying the strings are bad. The set they gave me with the cuatro were perfect. Maybe the review was from another company that I’d read while doing research. Although probably that’s due to the fact that they’ve been stored in a humid place for a while and the strings have succumb to rust.I have yet to plug it in although I’m considering buying a little portable amp for it. So who knows about the electronics, but I’m sure they’re fine.It takes time for stringed instruments to get adjusted to being tuned, keep tuning it and switch up the bridge. I personally like to tune the unison strings a bit off from each other especially on a 12 stringed guitar.Note: the video was taken after the guitar had sit and set in tune for a day but i have yet to adjust the bridge and it is “stock” out of the box.

first, this item is of excellent quality: finish is impeccable, electronics are of top quality; even includes a tuner. The truss rod will be handy as most cuatros need adjustment after a while. It has a rich sound, although lacking a bit of brightness. I didn't give it 5 stars because the neck is quite wide, compared to a cheaper cuatro ("Sunny" brand) which I purchased a few years ago, easier to play with a narrower neck, also with a brighter tone and including a nice hardshell case, compared to a regular gigbag on the O.S., all for less than half the price of the Oscar Schmidt. (by the way, the O.S. won't fit in the Sunny's hardshell case, so I can't even switch them around). (Sunny=175$ CAD, O.S.=409$ CAD).The O.S. will last longer than the cheaper one because of its overall quality, but the gigbag bugs me for the price.

I am a professional musician and play mostly stringed instruments. This is actually a very nice little piece. The finish is not over the top glossy, neck is playable and it is well built. My only issue is that it did not come with the gold tuners which I was looking forward to. Called the seller and they said the manufacturer did not offer the gold tuners anymore. They said they would reflect this on Amazon which they have not done. The tuner issue would have been a deal breaker if I did not like the instrument.If you already "play" you should be fine, if it is your first stringed instrument you will probably fine yourself with sore fingers.

Works great, and the bag comes handy. My only issue was the very high action. Had to shave the bridge off to make it playable. I Don’t know who actually plays with the strings a mile off the frets. At least is an easy fix.

Tiene una sonoridad increíble y la pastilla con su modulador son de buena calidad. SÍ es un cuatro puertorriqueño, lo que evidentemente no es un cuatro venezolano. Supongo que el nombre es un arcaísmo pero es el que se ha quedado.