I bought the Cordoba Stage

This is the new Cordoba Stage. I feel like this guitar was made for me.
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[@dougsensei]

Thank you for adding unplugged. This is the most important metric when buying a cross over guitar.

[@isaiaheastling6648]

That's awesome! Thanks brother! I got one today, and found this video. I'm stoked to get it!

[@dlpasco]

I watched this video last week and ordered one immediately. It is awesome. Thank you for putting this together and sharing, Alex.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Awesome! I think I deserve a commission...

[@marcweber4599]

I have been intrigued by this guitar. Just happened to come across your video, which is really great. I'm buying one! Thanks for all the info!

[@MegaRomans01]

just ordered one, can't freaking wait!

[@richardjansen3838]

Excellent review, thank you for your honesty. Will be purchasing one soon.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@thewoodman6039]

Thank you so much for the review! I just bought the blue burst limited. Guitar Center locally does not have any and showed no interest in having them. So with that said I ordered online. You helped me make that decision. My hats off to you for your generosity.

[@luismendez3925]

Great Demo Thanks

[@larsjames777]

Thanks for the specs and sweet playing.

[@yomi3099]

This sounds great unplugged!

[@Purple_flower09]

Waited ages but I collected a Cordoba Stage from the shop a few days ago. Early days in terms of playing, but it looks fabulous and as far as I can tell it's well put together.

[@jwrobich]

I ordered mine last night and cannot wait!!

[@minimumwade]

i will get one super soon. maybe a month. need this for recording FOR REAL. amazing playing and thank you for sharing.

[@georgekiapos1]

Great review!

[@ottolees7208]

This is probably the best review of this guitar I have seen. Thank you for a great review!

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@allboutthemojo]

@@alexrockwellmusic enjoyed the review. Thanks 👍 Noob question here because I'm relatively new to playing guitar and have only played electric. Is the spacing between the strings like a lot more than say on an electric guitar like Ibanez? Asking because I'd like to know how difficult it would be for beginners/ intermediates to get used to the difference and switching back and forth. Lastly, the action and string tension of metal string acoustics were always an issue for me on the one's I did briefly try. Can the action be set really low on this one? And do nylon strings help with comfort/ playability?

[@SleepDeprived67]

Nice job reviewing!

[@richardwedlich8823]

It has a great sound. Thanks.

[@DonnieMarhefka]

Thanks for that little unplugged moment- I looked at a dozen videos as I’m thinking about buying one and your the first who did an unplugged test. Cheers

[@Andrey1308K]

Great review and beautifull playing!!

[@freddymusicien7656]

Thank you for this exhaustif explanation

[@davidnefesh]

It'll be a great added and creative tool for you, with its cool range of tones - and for various applications. May it bring a ton of musical inspiration and creation!

[@alexrockwellmusic]

I agree!

[@hooyoung3643]

I had being searching for live tone of this guitar with unplugged. Great review and it was very helpful. Thanks. And arirang! It was good too.

[@Davidseungwoonoh]

you play 'Arirang' so gracefully. Thank you!

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks! That's from my own arrangement

[@adog3118]

i’m buying one, thanks for the insights and helping me decide on a nylon string to get without waiting for the tim henson signature!

[@traumaone9117]

Nice review, really interesting!! Thanks.

[@CRGuitarr]

Mine should be here in two weeks! So stoked. Great review man

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Hope you love it!

[@bkmeahan]

played one last week and was surprised at how loud it is acoustically

[@cliffadelman]

Great Great really really really great job. Thank you so much.

[@jega157]

Just got a GK studio negra a month ago. Love it. Great quality.

[@tablaninja]

Well you gone and done it! Convinced me to buy one! My GC actually had two in stock and I put some money down on one until my mandolin sale goes through. Great review!!

[@droid1008]

Hello, guitar maker here. While nylon guitars traditionally don't need truss rods, some makers may add them for longevity, as even nylon guitars suffer from neck bowing over a long period of time. Since a lot of the setup happens by putting a twist in the fingerboard, if a neck bow happens without a truss rod long into the lifespan of the guitar, it could lead to the guitar needing a neck reset, using a heated metal beam. This process could take weeks if the neck woods are particularly dense and it's not an easy or cheap repair.

[@jefdenis8773]

great video wow!

[@georgeservian9383]

Very informative, first review I've seen w/pedals.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Probably because running it through pedals is kinda dumb, but I'm down for it

[@bebopkim]

Oh, I was just surprised because I haven't expected hearing Arirang from a guitar review video. And your review is very nice. I guess I try this guitar in a local shop soon.

[@barrettflorida]

I LOVE my Cordoba C10. Went thru a bunch before I settled on it. Thinking I might give this a try

[@robcarter6599]

Dude! I watch a ridiculous number of videos of every instrument I’m interested in. Excellent job! Very well spoken with no fluff. The big question no one before you answered was “how does it sound unplugged.” I like to sit in my lazy boy and play quietly after the family has gone to bed. I had a solid body classical that you could barely hear at all without headphones and a headphone amp. This is at least getting an in person audition for my collection. Thank you.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks! I honestly don't think it sounds amazing unplugged, but that's not really what it's meant for anyway. Regardless, I think it sounds good enough for quiet practicing. Nothing about it beats a proper classical, of course.

[@noodlemans]

@@alexrockwellmusicbut plugged in, does it beat a classical guitar?

[@matvei25167]

@@alexrockwellmusic Alex, please tell me, is it possible to practice on it at night if play quietly? Or is it better to buy Yamaha Silent?

[@MrFernandoLl8406]

We've seen the future!! I thought the same thing, "We need a guitar just like this." ESP also made one years back, but it was only available in Japan.

[@kennharris997]

I saw one of these at a local shop, and am going back to try out today... THANK YOU ALEX, for a wonderful video review, agree one of the best, and now I have an online source to be able to refer students to you in the future. Re' the beginnings of this type of design, Chet Atkins had one model/per Gibson, which at the time felt to use just a few words "too thick," and an amazing Luthier in Phoenix, named Ron Carrriveau, who developed steel and classical models of what he called the "Eloustic" models. I bought a beautiful steel string that I used on my first guitar album "The Year of the Tiger.".. (Kenn Harris) released on cassette (remember those) in 1986 now remastered from Tape( cut and past was literally cut/splice/paste !!! >Dat>CD 2009>2023 Remastering... now on youtube music, and soon Apple & Spotify etc.in case anyone wants to hear this instrument in action. I had asked Ron to customize the neck thinner and and to make the body more ergonomic. The guitar has 2 humbuckers and an acoustic piezo, and a custom electronic active system specifically designed to service the design, with a selector switch for different combination of pickups, and only a volume nob for each, and one for master volume tone was achieved by dialing in the natural tone of each pickup... the design included a chambered body and bracing to achieve acoustic tones. It was simply brilliant. I call this guitar "the Grey." Although the guitar pre customization that I bought was reviewed Guitar Player, April 2005, it was from a small shop that unfortunately, was not able to achieve commercial scale/success. Ron went back to full time teaching. He should be noted in the history of guitar making as an innovative and great luthier, wonderful human being, and brilliant innovator. Eventually Godin and Taylor with T5, Fender etc... developed their instruments in this evolution. Now Cordova has what seems like a wonderful instrument. Ron Carriveau's bio on line states he "started making guitars full time in 1968 at the Village Luthier, 1922 E. Hedrick St.,Tucson, Arizona . Carriveau also operated as Precision Guitar Works. Carriveau introduced the Eloustic models in the 1980s, these were versatile guitars with both magnetic and piezo pickups mounted on thin lightweight hollow bodies with no sound-hole and a unique transducing brace and bridge system." Thank You Ron & Thank You Alex Kenn Harris

[@jeffarab4947]

Wow so nice and I love cordoba as well I own my gk studio. Yes I like the truss rod helps with the temperatures and or neck relief

[@d.estrada420]

Great video, we’ll thought out and informative!

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks!

[@nphan8716]

Good review and good sound. I Bojght one ready.

[@michaelwood5185]

I had a c5, beautiful tone! Didn't like the scale length so sold it to a friend. He's actually got talent, so a good use of the universe's resources!

[@MrRubenrivera9649]

The more I play mine the more I love it . I did a good investment/ purchase for this and pair it with the lr Baggs venue direct box unit and a perfect combination and sound I am using a harbinger 8 inch powered speaker and with the direct box is perfect sound 🔊

[@cliffadelman]

I'm back. I'm so impressed with your brain that I came back to subscribe. Love you man Cliff

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@rvamusiclover7346]

Awesome video! I've been shopping for a nylon string guitar and this was the main one that caught my eye. Sounds like it's time to pull the trigger. Thank you sir! Liked and subscribed for that.

[@agtrst]

Great review Alex. Didn't know about this guitar. I have always liked Cordoba guitars and have one of their GK Studio models. I gig mostly with nylon string guitars playing different fingerstyle arrangements (Earl Klugh style and others). My main guitar is a Takamine TC135, a "crossover" nylon. This Stage model reminds me of the old Gibson Chet Atkins CE model. Will definitely check one of these out and maybe buy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

[@jessekulbe1855]

I want one for fingerstyle, such a cool instrument

[@migalito1955]

Cool beans. I took up building stringed instruments in my retirement and definitely a nylon electric is on my 'next' list.

[@Stephen-zx4uf]

Very nice!

[@Diasporar123]

Chorus just sound really good

[@aldocelli9371]

Dude, I just ran into this guitar last Saturday. I play on a Esteves Spanish guitar and was looking for a lighter nylon guitar with a smaller acoustic box knowing that I need to get into this type. I was blown away by the looks and the sound. I confess I have a very primitive knowledge on amplifying and electric guitar sounds and tricks and even less skills but do enjoy trying to learn how to play guitar. You impressed with your skills.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Love it

[@markinthemix6055]

Your a good player. This is the most inspiring video l have seen today.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@brookeaday9423]

I upgraded to the fusion model 48mm neck! boom! love it even more now on my back knee or standing/jamming...

[@yellowcat1310]

i want this guitar. i guess i'll build one. it's been on my mind and this is the first review of one that i have seen. i knew it was a good idea! got the planning wheels cranking now.

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

My plan too! Started the project years ago, might be time to pick it back up

[@monchobenitez8010]

Nice review...

[@danbarnes3490]

Way back in the day the Gibson SST, CE & CEC. Godin and Carvin had thinbody acoustics as well. Niche market that comes and goes.

[@garymesser9065]

Great job….I want one!😃

[@pwcoale]

Thank you for the pedal part. I always wondered what a classical guitar thru a Hendrix rig would sound like if possible. Always thought it’d be cool to combine nuance of nylon string w/ the textures of classic loud electric guitar, working the feedback and sustain and everything. The right person could really make it shine, I think

[@Semabachos]

Dude, how on earth do you only have 2K subs? that is criminal! subbed! great video and now I need one of these...

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Spread the word!

[@andrewcleggguitar]

Thanks for the great video- happily subscribed

[@yesto9676]

Wow, sounds amazing for this type of guitar. Maybe someday :)

[@rolandriempp6560]

For sure a trussrod makes a lot of sense also on a nylon stringed guitar ! I wish my other nylons had one. This way one can finetune and adjust the action to ones personal taste independent of the string gauge just like with an electric guitar.

[@musiclife5158]

Beautiful song, Arirang.

[@brookeaday9423]

Cordoba is great... a classical guitar bastion. I own 3. Stage, GK Studio, Fusion Orchestra....

[@DrBlues76]

I must have one!

[@jazzwah]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you!

[@unskilled_worker]

You sound terrific.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Thanks!

[@slim1893]

Finally, a demo with the unplugged sound. Thank you for a comprehensive review. I dismissed the TH Ibanez because of the lack of body mics.

[@slim1893]

PS: I received my Cordoba from Sweetwater yesterday. I love it. Had you not edited in the acoustic sound, I may have gotten the Henson signature, which sounds "plinky" to me. Your review is spot on. Subbed.

[@maxgage4433]

Iv had a angel Lopez ec3000 solid body nylon string electo acoustic for about 6 years. very very nice and ALOT cheaper than the big brands ... shout out to thomman .. bought my last 6 guitars from them ... highly recommend

[@fixitquick79]

The dirty pedals almost give a Jack White vibe. Pretty cool. I think the feedback on the distortion was the multiple mic pickups. I would turn those down/off when using distortion.

[@TedHallII]

The Fishman sounding great is no surprise. My electric-acoustics all sound amazing through my Loudbox Mini Charge.

[@HarryVerey]

Great demo. Presumably by turning down the body blend can be used to reduce feedback at high volumes

[@alexrockwellmusic]

I have yet to have any feedback issues other than with the distortion pedal (that was supposed to be a joke). Even at a high volume, I've only been able to get it to feed back by holding the guitar right up to the speaker.

[@HarryVerey]

@@alexrockwellmusic Thanks for the info I think I'm going to get one

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

Cordoba agreed! Gk negra here running through AER 60 - awesome guitar

[@Purple_flower09]

Ibanez just brought out another. But I like the look and sound of this Cordoba. I found this video very useful!

[@thepennydrops.]

Nice overview. I gig with the Goding Multiac Encore and its a great guitar but i'm tempted by one of these. I also have a C10 Parlour which is lovely hence the Cordoba temptation! Iplay with a thumpick trying my best to play Jerry Reed tunes (and failing!) so plugged in nylon is a sound i really like.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

I've never played a Godin, so it's hard for me to compare. But at the Stage's price point it's hard to go wrong!

[@dhonnar]

Rondo Music have produced this form of guitar for years for cheap. Their brand is Hadean and had a flamed top. I have a natural top Babilon which is OK for a $150 guitar and I use distortion with it too. But would love to have this one.

[@ErickAJobim]

😮 It's the perfect guitar for me, I need to buy it

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Do it!

[@MrRubenrivera9649]

I found it as good as the Godin but less expensive I just ordered it and can't wait for it to arrive and jam

[@BaktaBak3]

Not a finger stylist and do not play nylon guitar .......however...... I can find myself playing a guitar like this . Think Cordorba has another winner with this one. Thanks for the review ! 👍👍👍

[@davidholdbrook9428]

Kiesel/Carvin has for years. The NS1 is nylon with a standard Jack for amp and a 13 pin Jack you can run midi through a guitar synth.

[@winstonm9764]

This guitar sounds a lot like the one Chet Atkins used when recording the song Vincent. This was very fun to watch. Looking forward to owning this guitar in the near future.

[@SwagzLife]

I want this guitar so bad. And that Syntax Error pedal gave such Amnesiac or Kid A vibes, it's awesome! Man, it sucks not being able to afford new gear, haha. Now, I wonder what this would sound like fretless. I want to experiment with fretless guitars and I don't know if traditional electrics would work well. It'd be a shame to ruin one of these to attempt it, though, since the neck seems to be set (and thus buying a neck would be impossible). Seeing the price I ABSOLUTELY will pick one up as soon as I'm able to!

[@MadHatterND]

I was on the fence about this guitar. After watching your video...I just got back from Guitar Center with a blue one! Thank you.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Nice! I hope it serves you well!

[@Materva-hv6sz]

This thing with some light chorus would make some great sounding bossa nova

[@alexrockwellmusic]

For sure. It sounds great with chorus.

[@riverludington5293]

If I am not mistaken, the truss rod will make this guitar easier to manage traveling with, as the temperature and humidity changes can still cause issues even though the nylon strings don't exert a lot of force on the neck.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

You're not mistaken. Adding truss rods to classical necks, while typically not necessary, doesn't hurt.

[@tommacdonald6295]

Excellent 👍 review. Thanks

[@LimewaterMusic]

I find this instrument to be far more interesting than the Polyphia one tbh. This one has depth and control over your tone while Tim's new one seems to always sound like it's being played through cardboard regardless of the amp.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Yeah, the body blend is what really makes this guitar not sound like a duck. Also, I like the look of it a lot more.

[@wenjacklow]

Yeah Tim's honestly sounds awful :/

[@bmusicforyou80]

Its funny you put exactly the same comment on the tim henson one review 😂 and that comment brought me to this video

[@coyote-wang]

Yeah I think its a juicier sound than the alternatives

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Polyphia is AWFUL

[@jbman413]

Beautiful and sounds lovely! :)

[@justinpompeii9409]

Chet Adkins was the first dude to play ‘em. He had the builds commissioned cause he was old and they were comfortable to play live for his tv show. Dude had a sense of humor

[@sooparticular]

atkins

[@samuelmosessegal]

Nylon vibrations hover holy spruce, redwood, cedar ... romancing all the tones a shy guitar pluck really needs ... may join the band after all. Nice!! Am looking forward to hear how others share what Charlie Byrd, Willie Nelson, Sabicas, Fernando, Segovia, Girl from Ipanema, plus many others, heard, unheard, loved, unloved have kept humble in life to go unspoiled for some time. Though electric avenues may not carry the tradation in a classical sense, it may fill a hole that just might not mind pluggin us into deep, if luck is enough. It may indeed have been the room, however FIshman I too recently have learned very well compliment acoustics with acoustics amped for pleasure. Either way, you seem well adsjusted and much content with the classical sounds. Thank you for sharing!

[@ivanimhof6550]

Thanks for the great review. I own a Cort Sunset Nylon that is very similar to this Cordoba, but it's on the market several years ago. The Cort has a simple piezo, without the body transducer and the sound is more dry and quaky. Of course, it's cheaper. I'm about to buy the Cordoba.

[@rogerm7922]

Never could get used to the tone of this guitar. Returned it to Sweetwater and bought the Cordoba fusion orchestra instead . Awesome guitar 🎸

[@danielzamora8738]

Those have a nice tone

[@noodlemans]

How do you like the fusion orchestra? My next guitar is going to be a fusion nylon but I can’t decide on which.

[@user-zx4qg8vk9x]

Wow! You played Arirang? That is Korean traditional song! Thank you for playing, and I feel proud that I am Korean.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Yes! I have a set of variations on it that I composed years ago. My wife is half Korean, if you're wondering why a white dude is playing traditional Korean music.

[@cory6294]

I just ordered the Tim Henson Sig yesterday, Been looking for an Acoustic-Electric lately. I first learned on a classical nylon guitar, plus with the hype I was sold immediately. Then I found this one today & now im considering cancelling and getting this one instead lol. I love the warmth & fullness of this one. I worry Tim's may not quite stand up to it in that sense. Everything Tim & Scott have played on them sounds amazing, but then again it's Tim & Scott. Playing God & Tim's KZbin videos with it aren't really focused on the "Proper" classical music/tone. I feel like its more sharp than it is warm. That might be enough to turn me off of it. It would be nice to get a proper review with more classical playing first, but then I worry not being able to get it at the street price after the pre-order ends before regular people start posting reviews.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Yeah the intricate hybrid picking technique those guys use really brings out the piezo quackiness. I'm sure they'll sound just fine with traditional classical technique. The body blend on the Cordoba is what really sold me. It doesn't sound like a real classical, but it doesn't lack for a full, rich, balanced tone. I'd say if you're thinking about canceling and switching, at least see if you can try one in a store first to see if you like it.

[@sandersson1]

I relate so much to this, well said

[@bsgnine]

I pre-ordered the Tim Henson a week ago myself. I almost bought this Cordoba a few months back, but I waited for the TH mainly because I think the TH looks cool with the black and fret inlay.

[@Sadtiric]

I just picked one of these up over the TOD10N because of your video ^_^ 💚

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Hope you're happy with that decision!

[@Sadtiric]

@@alexrockwellmusic It just showed up today! I'm going to follow the instructions on the box and wait until tomorrow to open it, but I'm so excited to play it! ^_^ Thanks for such a real demo of it!

[@lw216316]

Chet Atkins played a Kirk Sand electric nylon as I recall - they are very expensive, sound nice

[@coronal2207]

So after a bit of searching it came to my surprise that there've been a lot of these around, all not very expensive too! Cort makes one, so does Harley Benton, then there's this one called Angel Lopez which I'm getting. Then you have the more expensive Yamaha and Godin obviously. You also have a few much harder to find ones like LTD makes one and Epiphone apparantly did? And then there's the old Gibson Chet Atkins.

[@lon8983]

Antonio Hermosa AH-50. No longer available. Used it as a bass with Savarez Low Octave strings. It had 45 seconds sustain on the low end.

[@alexrockwellmusic]

Wow, never seen one of those. It looks like the construction is pretty similar to the Cordoba. Good sound?

[@agillan2930]

Gibson, Yamaha, Ibanez, Cort, ESP, Stagg, Lopez, Ortega, even Harley Benton have all produced solid body nylon guitars.