
If you’ve been looking for a flamenco style guitar, the Kremona Rosa Morena could be your perfect match.
Maybe you’re a classical guitarist looking for a flamenco addition to your collection or maybe you’re a beginner flamenco player looking for an upgrade.
Either way, we’re going to find out whether the Kremona Rosa Morena is the model for you.
At a Glance…
✔️ What we like: Beautifully crafted with attention to detail and a fantastic flamenco tone
❌ What we don’t like: Cedar seems like a strange choice for the neck
Standout Features
- Traditional flamenco craftsmanship
- Solid European spruce top
- Hand inlaid rosette
Our Verdict: This is one of the best affordable flamenco guitars I’ve seen. It has a beautiful growl when played in the flamenco style and just an overall great tone. The Kremona Rosa Morena probably isn’t for you if you struggle to play with lower action though. This is a very traditionally built flamenco guitar with one of the best voices I’ve heard!
Who is the Kremona Rosa Morena Best Suited To?
The Kremona Rosa Morena is definitely not a beginner guitar. It’s definitely aimed more at intermediate to advanced players which is great to see in this price range. In terms of style, it is, of course, most suited to flamenco players.
That being said, I think folk and classical players could get a lot of enjoyment out of this guitar because it has fantastic playability. If you’re like me and you play different models depending on what style you’re going to play (or what mood you’re in) then this would be the perfect flamenco addition to your collection.
I think every classical guitarist should own a flamenco guitar because, when they get it right, you really can’t beat that sound!
Looking for a beginner classical guitar in this price range? Check out the Cordoba C7
Not into the flamenco style? The Cordoba C9 might be more up your street!
Features & Benefits
Body & Neck
If you have read any of my ukulele reviews, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Kremona. The Kremona Rosa Morena is a traditional flamenco guitar, so it’s got a slightly thinner profile than most classical models. So, if this is going to be your first flamenco guitar, you will notice a difference in that respect.
To be honest, it will probably just feel a lot more comfortable under the arm.
In terms of craftsmanship, I am completely blown away. You can tell that the Kremona Rosa Morena was handcrafted because the attention to detail is just insane. It’s got a one-piece back (which you hardly ever see at this price point).
I think when it comes to bigger instruments like the guitar, whether the difference between a one and two-piece back is much more obvious. I think classical guitars with one-piece backs tend to have a better tone for some reason.
Back aside, the Kremona Rosa Morena also has a beautifully inlaid rosette, and its rosewood binding is to die for. I mean, if it was made by a machine they did a very good job of hiding it! think this is a very special guitar.
Oh, it’s also a bit lighter than other classical guitars so that’s a bonus for playability.
Hardware
First of all, would you look at those machine heads? I always call them machine heads but I recently found out people call them buttons? I don’t know, they’ve always been machine heads to me… Anyway, they’re gorgeous.
That’s the point I’m trying to make!
The Kremona Rosa Morena also has a bone nut and saddle which is also fantastic to see at this price point. Bone beats plastic every day of the week as far as I’m concerned! I hardly have anything to complain about when it comes to this guitar which really isn’t like me.
I think it’s incredibly beautiful. It looks like a professional guitar, that’s for sure and the playability isn’t far off either!
Sound
The Kremona Rosa Morena is flamenco through and through. I absolutely love the sound of this guitar. It has a great growl through the lower and mid register and the high register rings out beautifully as well.
The dark wood on the back and sides gives it a lovely rich tone without taking away the brightness and clarity of the spruce top. If you’re a little bit worried about spruce top guitars, I think this is a great place to start.
Although it sounds very flamenco when played in the traditional (kind of aggressive) way, it could be gorgeous if played delicately by a classical or folk musician as well.
Spec Summary
- Body Material: Solid European spruce top, rosewood back and sides
- Neck Material: Cedar
- Fingerboard Material: Ebony
- Pickups: None
- Bridge: Rosewood
An affordable, utterly beautiful classical guitar
Limitations
I’m not going to lie, I’m struggling to think of this model’s limitations. Some affordable flamenco guitars will limit you to that bright flamenco sound but I think the richness from the dark wood gives this guy quite a versatile tone.
The only real limitation the Kremona Rosa Morena has, in my mind, is its cedar neck. Cedar is a much softer wood than mahogany or rosewood, so I’m surprised they’ve used it for the neck. However, I’ve never had a guitar with a cedar neck before so I’m not sure how much of an impact it will have on durability! An alternative would be the Kremona Fiesta FC with its Honduras rosewood neck.
Also, classical players might take a little bit of time to adjust to the straight flamenco neck and lower action, especially if you’re playing higher up the scale. Other than those slight limitations, I’m happy to see a professional standard guitar in this price range.
I mean, I’d almost go as far as saying it’s a bit of a bargain!
Popular Questions About the Kremona Rosa Morena
What’s the Difference Between Negra and Blanco flamenco guitars?
Negra flamenco guitars (or Flamenca Negra, for any of my continental readers) have a spruce top but their backs and sides are made from dark woods like rosewood or mahogany. Blanco flamenco guitars, on the other hand, have light wood back and sides (usually maple). Both types of flamenco guitars have spruce tops but Negra flamenco models have a slightly richer, warmer tone.
Is the Kremona Rosa Morena a full flamenco guitar with low action or a regular classical guitar?
Yes. The Kremona Rosa Morena is made using traditional Spanish craftsmanship so it has low flamenco action. If you order straight from Kremona’s Amazon store, you can always email them and ask them to adjust the action slightly before they ship your guitar. They’ve got great customer service in my experience so I’m sure they would!
Can Classical Guitarists Play Flamenco Guitars?
Absolutely. The main difference between playing flamenco and classical guitar is the action. Flamenco guitars have much lower action to accommodate for percussive playing but classical players can easily adjust to that. I wouldn’t recommend buying a flamenco guitar if you’re a beginner classical guitarist but intermediate players onwards could definitely make the transition.
An Affordable, Yet Beautiful Flamenco Guitar
The majority of classical guitarists have tried their hand at flamenco playing but, let’s be honest, flamenco is hard. I mean, I hold my hands up to any flamenco players reading this! I find the style so much fun to play, so if you’re thinking about switching it up, you should definitely give it a go.
What better excuse is there than a new guitar? Ultimately, the Kremona Rosa Morena is an affordable, yet utterly beautiful guitar.
Is it in your basket yet? It’s in mine…
Further Reading:
- 8 Best Classical Guitars Under $1000 In 2024
- Antonio Giuliani CL-5 Classical Guitar Review
- Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar Review
- Godin Etude Classical Guitar Review
- Takamine GC5-NAT Classical Guitar Review
Fiona is a musician and writer. When she’s not working, she’s either playing the ukulele or finding another instrument to add to her collection.