Cordoba C9 Classical Guitar Review

Cordoba C9 Guitar Review
Image Credit – Cordoba Guitars

If you’ve been trying to figure out whether the Cordoba C9 is the right classical guitar for you then I’m happy to say I can help.

Maybe you’re looking or your first classical guitar or maybe you fancy an upgrade.

Either way, if you’re working with a budget of under $1000, the Cordoba C9 might just be the one for you!

At a Glance…

✔️  What we like: Fantastic playability and beautifully crafted

❌  What we don’t like:

Standout Features

  • All solid wood
  • Truss rod
  • Inlaid mother of pearl Esteso rosette

Our Verdict: A solid wood guitar for under a grand? Count me in. The Cordoba C9 is a beautifully made classical guitar that feels ten times more expensive than it actually is. It has amazing playability and would be the perfect upgrade for any student. I’d go as far as saying the Cordoba C9 is the best classical guitar under $1000.

Who is the Cordoba C9 Classical Guitar Best Suited To?

I think the Cordoba C9 would be the perfect upgrade for any student. For an affordable model, it’s extremely good quality and it sounds brilliant.

If you’re thinking about making the transition from steel-stringed guitars to classical, the C9 would be ideal. It’s got a little bit of a thinner neck so it will feel similar to what you’re used to! In terms of playing style, I’d say it’s more geared towards classical, folk, or jazz players rather than flamenco.

To be honest, anyone would love this guitar! It would make a good practice model for a pro, come to think of it.

Features & Benefits

Body & Neck

I can’t believe I’ve found a decent solid wood guitar for less than $1000. I mean, that’s basically unheard of, right? I’m so excited about this model! It has a solid top and solid mahogany back and sides for a lovely rich sound.

You can choose between spruce or cedar for the top to suit your playing style (I’m a cedar gal myself but each to their own). For a guitar in this price range, I think it looks a heck of a lot more expensive. The black and white Esteso rosette is a nice contrast to the guitars warm body.

It looks like a gorgeous antique!

I think it’s clear how well crafted the Cordoba C9 is as well; it’s not overbuilt and its neck joint is completely seamless. Its neck profile is a little bit thinner than most classical guitars, so it feels nice to hold. If you are upgrading, don’t worry, there’s not too much of a difference from the standard classical size so it won’t throw you off at all!

As I said earlier, the C9 is your best bet if you plan on transitioning from an acoustic steel-string to a classical guitar. Make it easier on your hands! 

Hardware

With more affordable guitars, you tend to have to compromise on the hardware a little but not when it comes to this guitar! The Cordoba C9 still comes with their premium gold tuners (14:1 ratio) which I always rave about because they hold tuning so well, especially with hard tension strings (they are the bain of my life sometimes)!

I’m also pretty surprised that the C9 has a two-way truss rod! I thought that was pretty rare for models in this price range. If you’re a beginner, you’re probably going to want to lower the action a little for ease of play but generally intermediate to advanced students prefer higher action.

Of course, you can’t adjust it by much, but it’s better than nothing. Hey, anything beats an expensive trip to the luthiers, right?

Sound

YouTube video

The C9’s voice is the reason I think it’s easily the best classical guitar in its price range. Obviously, its sound changes depending on what top you go for but I’ll refer to the cedar top for the purpose of this article as it’s the most popular option.

The C9 has a beautiful blend of warmth and clarity. It’s got a fairly even sounding register and has the potential to be pretty loud. Cordoba is definitely the brand to go for if you’re searching for a classical guitar in this price range.

Honestly, you just can’t beat that tone!

Spec Summary

  • Body Material: Choice of solid Canadian cedar or European spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides
  • Neck Material: Mahogany
  • Fingerboard Material: Ebony
  • Pickups: None
  • Bridge: Ebony, hardtail

I absolutely love the Cordoba C9

Limitations

I know, no one likes this section but, as much as I love it, this guitar does have a couple of limitations. The main issue I have with the C9 is with its lower register.

Although it has a well-balanced tone, I’d say it could do with just a bit more volume through the E and A strings. I mean, I’m just nit-picking here because I’d still recommend this guy to any student. The C9 also wouldn’t be ideal for near pro players because reaching past the 12th fret is a little bit difficult.

You won’t find a guitar with a raised fingerboard for this price though, so that’s pretty standard. I would have been over the moon if the C9 came with Cordoba’s Humicase but, again, you shouldn’t expect that at this price range.

As long as you keep it in a room with a steady temperature you should be fine!

If you’re a more advanced player (with a bit more of a budget), I’d recommend checking out the rest of Cordoba’s Luthier series. The C12 and C10 are two of my all-time favorites.

Popular Questions about the Cordoba C9

Are the Cordoba C9’s Saddle and Bridge Made from Bone?

Yes! I have to say the craftsmanship of the Cordoba C9 is top-notch. There aren’t many guitars like this one on the market (especially at this price)!

What is the Difference Between the Cordoba C9 and C7? Is the C9 Worth the Extra Money?

The C7 is a step down from the C9 in Cordoba’s Luthier series. It’s still a great intermediate guitar but it isn’t made completely from solid wood. As with the C9, you can choose between a solid spruce or cedar top but the C7’s back and sides are made from laminate rosewood rather than solid mahogany. The C9 sounds much warmer and fuller in tone.

What Finish Does the Cordoba C9 Have?

The Cordoba C9 has a polyurethane gloss finish. This is the standard finish of most classical guitar models under $1000 (and it looks pretty).

Where is the Cordoba C9 Made?

The Cordoba C9 is made in China. The model is part of their Luthier series, so it is completely handmade!

What the Cordoba C9’s Neck Width at the Nut?

The Cordoba C9 has a standard neck with of 52mm at the nut. However, it does come in a Crossover build as well which has a smaller nut width of 48mm. I wouldn’t recommend this to beginners because if you ever upgrade to a standard size all of your muscle memory will go to pot. The only people I’d recommend the Crossover to are steel-string players who fancy giving the classical guitar a whirl. The Cordoba C10 also has a crossover option if that’s something you’re interested in!

Cordoba C9 Classical Guitar: Best In It’s Price Range

Okay, I think my verdict’s pretty obvious when it comes to this guitar. I absolutely love the Cordoba C9. Aside from its little limitations, I just think its an all-round great guitar.

It would be ideal for any student and it’s certainly concert-ready. Cordoba’s Luthier series is life-saving for any classical guitarist with a limited budget!

So, whether you’re completely new to classical guitar or you’re just in search of an upgrade, I hope I’ve helped you find your perfect model!

Further Reading: