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Córdoba Music Group: Leading The Way For Acoustic Innovation

As seen in Guitar Girl Magazine Issue 10 – Winter 2019 – Acoustic Artists

When Tim Miklaucic founded his guitar company in 1997, his goal was to offer high-quality classical guitars at an affordable price. Over the next twenty years, Córdoba Music Group evolved into a global leader of acoustic innovation.

It began with using a thinner piece of wood for the top to create more resonance. From there, the builders took on a whole new ideology: nylon-string guitars are not JUST for classical players. Córdoba went on to replace the traditionally flat fingerboard with a radius fingerboard, which is a familiar comfort to electric guitarists. They also added a cutaway and electronics, making the instrument more versatile and becoming one of the first nylon-string companies to adopt modern guitar features.

Córdoba’s innovation didn’t stop with their proprietary products; they acquired Guild guitars in 2014 and immediately began looking for ways to improve their design without compromising their legacy brand. They hired world-renowned luthier Ren Ferguson, formerly the Master Luthier of Gibson Acoustics, to breathe new life into Guild. The end result was a lighter and more resonant body.

Today, Córdoba is a one-of-a-kind guitar company that has even attracted the attention of Disney, to design a guitar for their movie Coco. To get a better understanding of what they do, check out these two guitars that launched at NAMM 2019: the Córdoba C5-CET Limited and the Guild F-250ce Deluxe Jumbo.

Córdoba C5-CET Limited

Córdoba C5-CET Limited

If you are looking for a nylon-string guitar that defies “classical” in almost every sense, then look no further. The Córdoba C5-CET is a wildly different take on a traditional instrument. One of the most obvious differences is the ultra-thin body, which not only makes it more comfortable to play but gives the sound a more balanced midrange. Like many of its siblings, this guitar also has a cutaway and a Fishman piezo pickup. However, what sets this particular model apart is the wood.

While other Córdoba models typically consist of a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides, the C5-CET Limited has a solid spruce top with spalted maple back and sides. Cedar is known for being a warm sounding wood, so swapping it out for spruce results in a brighter guitar. The spalted maple detailing around the guitar complements the sound and gives it an earthy appearance. The C5-CET is an excellent choice for someone looking to get the most out of a nylon-string guitar.

Price: $449

Guild F-250CE Deluxe Jumbo

Guild F-250CE Deluxe Jumbo

Another rebel in the family is the Guild F-250CE Deluxe Jumbo. Despite the large body size, this guitar is deceptively comfortable to hold thanks to its intuitive shape. The soft C-shaped mahogany neck and smooth Pau Ferro fingerboard provide additional comfort when playing. The deep sound hole enhances the bass tones, making it a powerful strumming tool. The wood consists of a solid spruce top and stunning flamed maple back and sides, giving the F-250CE a cutting voice and sustained tone. This guitar is also equipped with a Fishman AP1 with a Sonicore pickup, granting the player superior acoustic tone control. Guitarists seeking full-bodied tone and next-projection are encouraged to test drive the F-250CE Deluxe Jumbo

Price: $599

 

Alex Windsor

Alex Windsor is a passionate musician and educator with over 15 years of experience. While she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies (Bass), she has also extensively studied rock, blues, and classical guitar. She currently serves as the Educational Affairs Specialist for Guitar Center Lessons. Alex can be found regularly performing around the greater Los Angeles area.

Alex Windsor
Alex Windsor
Alex Windsor is a passionate musician and educator with over 15 years of experience. While she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies (Bass), she has also extensively studied rock, blues, and classical guitar. She currently serves as the Educational Affairs Specialist for Guitar Center Lessons. Alex can be found regularly performing around the greater Los Angeles area.
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