Cordoba GK Studio Negra

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turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

Cordoba GK Studio Negra

What do you guys think of the Cordoba GK Studio Negra?

I am looking for a stage guitar with a good pickup. It doesn't need to sound acoustically incredible, but I don't want a dog either. And in the past, I bought better guitars and then installed a pickup. But from that perspective, I found that the guitar didn't sound as good acoustically, and of what acoustic qualities were left, I was disappointed in my inability to get those good sounds to come out of the amplifier or PA.

So this time I'm thinking that rather than devalue/deface an otherwise good acoustic by drilling it, I'll get something like the GK Negra, so if nothing else, there's no "pre and post" pickup awareness.

I also don't want to pay $600 for a guitar, another $250 for a good pickup, and then another $100 to install.

EDIT: I have G.A.S. who am I kidding? I'll probably end up spending $1000 by the time this whole thing is over.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 20:28:45

rombsix

Posts: 7813
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

Seen this?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Cordoba-GK-Studio-Negra-Cutaway-Acoustic-Electric-Flamenco-Guitar-H73490-i1882520.gc#customer-reviews

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225160

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 20:32:36

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to rombsix)

Ramzi - I've seen the YouTube video. But hadn't seen the forum. Nevertheless, the problem with that forum thread, and similar others I've seen, is no one reviewing said flamenco guitar seems to have any knowledge or experience with flamenco. And the YouTube video is no flamenco either.

Thus my post here.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:16:52

rombsix

Posts: 7813
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

I see. You're right about that bit. Have you thought about this?

http://usa.yamaha.com/product_archive/guitars-basses/cgx171scf/?mode=model

Maybe you can find a good used one. Just a thought...

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:21:15

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to rombsix)

I'm not familiar w/ Yamaha guitars. Maybe i owned one 20 years ago - I forget.

I must say, I'm doubtful of yamaha, but frankly, have no reason to believe cordoba is any better.

And ultimately, I should buy a Negra for the versatility. I'll be playing not-flamenco on the guitar more than flamenco. I think...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:38:38

ourearthlyangels

Posts: 3
Joined: Jan. 26 2012

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

I have played 2 GK Studios at big box stores and they are inferior guitars as guitars. They are afforddable, but not much as a guitar. However, of the 2
Cordoba C7-CE models I know (one I heard in cedar and one I own in spruce), both are quite good at $600 brand new. Used in good shape, they can be had for $400 sometimes in eBay.

The C7-CE I own soundsw better than the few I have seen in stores. But every C7 sounds far nicer than a GK Studio. My sister has an older Cordoba that is the same guitar as the real Gypsy Kings, but her model designation was discontinued. It is a nice guitar, but I prefer my C7-CE for classical and it can do 'flamenco nuevo' (Ottmar Liebert, etc.) well. The current C7 is better finished and neater all over than my sister's older CWES. This seems to bear out that Cordoba has improved their quality. The C7 is a handsome guitar in every way and in no way is it shabby or 'cheap'.

I say leave the GK Studio alone and look for a C7 .... the Fusion 14 I got cheap on eBay was a disappointment next to the C7 and is going back on eBay.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:40:48

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

Another thing: I'd be great if I could get a non cutaway. So annoying that every cordoba guitar with a pickup is a cut away.

If anyone has suggestions for a Negra flamenco, non cut away, multi- source good pickup (under saddle + mic blend) guitar for under $800, that isn't a total piece of crap, I'm all ears!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:42:53

rombsix

Posts: 7813
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to ourearthlyangels)

quote:

'flamenco nuevo' (Ottmar Liebert, etc.)

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 28 2012 21:45:06

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to turnermoran)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2012 3:40:45

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to turnermoran)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2012 3:43:10

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

I'm an authorized Cordoba dealer, and I have played several of these. They're not bad, but if you want a cutaway electric you would do a lot better with the Cordoba C7CE. It's not a flamenco guitar, but it sounds so much better than the GK. You can get it with a spruce top, and then easily lower the action and put on static cling or permanent golpeadores.

That still doesn’t make it a Negra, but I think for your purposes it might serve you well. Exact same price as the GK.

Ramon

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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2012 14:34:04

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to Ramon Amira)

Thanks Ramon!
There does appear to be a rosewood version of the C7, so I'll look into that.

I'm not that concerned with the action on the neck, but rather the bridge set up, and distance between strings and top near the bridge. Is the C7 set up with a higher classical bridge? Do you think I can get it lowered enough to get within the realm of a flamenco for sake of golpes above the basses?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 29 2012 16:20:06

FredSanford

Posts: 87
Joined: Sep. 13 2011

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

shave some braces, strip the top and french polish it. play it hard for 2 years. it will start to then sound like a somewhat crappy flamenco guitar and a definite upgrade from junk status. make sure the back strip is centered. that is very important.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2012 4:22:12

Shawn Brock

Posts: 271
Joined: Sep. 19 2011
From: Louisville KY

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to turnermoran)

My best advice is to stay away from the GK negra or blanca.

I bought one for the exact same reasons that you are wanting one. I needed a "get by" guitar with a pickup for gigs. Within 6 weeks the bridge started sinking! Cordoba wouldn't stand by the product and the action got so low that it wasn't playable for me. Even with the action problems the strings were farther off the body than most flamenco guitars.

I have had the same experiences as Rumbaking with the Orpheus Valley Rosa Negra. For my money though they were better flamencos than the GK. Sounds like you need to buy my Navarro Concert for a low low price and stick a pickup in it. At least then you will have a true flamenco guitar with a lot of bang for the buck.

All kidding aside, you can pick up some of Cordoba's better instruments for some low prices on EBay right now. I had also owned the 55FCE and the pickup was great, and it was comfortable to play while standing. I wasn't a big fan of the thin body, but like I said, it worked pretty well when standing...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2012 17:17:16

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Cordoba GK Studio Negra (in reply to Shawn Brock)

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was able to find these Cordoba guitars and they were pretty bad indeed. The pickup sound was pretty good IMHO, but not worth it for the guitar, and price.

I ended up buying a $500 cedar/palo escrito negra from Casa Montalvo (Berkeley Music Exchange). It's a great guitar for the money, though I wouldn't recommend buying one sight unseen. I tried 4 and bought the best of the bunch. It's supposed to have a 52mm nut, and for some reason it's 50, so it's a little tight in the first few positions..

Anyway, now the search for a good pickup begins (again)....

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 1 2012 19:08:43

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to Shawn Brock)