Foro Flamenco


Posts Since Last Visit | Advanced Search | Home | Register | Login

Today's Posts | Inbox | Profile | Our Rules | Contact Admin | Log Out



Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.





Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp?   You are logged in as Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >> Page: [1]
Login
Message<< Newer Topic  Older Topic >>
 
Ramón

Posts: 440
Joined: Feb. 23 2005
From: La Jolla, Ca

Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? 
Leaving a a trip to Indo, and don't want to bring my handmade guitar or my Conde - so, having sold all my little travel guitars, I now need one in a hurry! (Naturally)

I love pegs, so I'm curious; Anyone ever play the 45 Cordoba models? I never hear anything about them (and I know where I can kind of steal one for close to a Yamaha $$).

But I know the little Yamaha 171's get consistently high marks, soooooo..

There is a Yamaha somewhat close to me, and on my way to LAX, I could grab a Cordoba 45FP...

Feedback? (Sorry - wasn't sure where to put this post)
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 12 2008 19:32:50
 
ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
We discussed this not too long ago in a post that I had started.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=86983

I went with the CG171SF.

Have a good trip.

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 12 2008 22:50:57
 
Ramón

Posts: 440
Joined: Feb. 23 2005
From: La Jolla, Ca

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
Saw that, but wasn't much real feedback ABOUT the Cordobas....

I just ran over to a local store and played a Cordoba 33 (Model #?? 33? 35?) It was actually rather nice. Nice woods, simple, but rosewood fretboard. Very playable, good tones up the neck, pretty strong voice...Have a feeling it compares with the Yamaha but about twice...$$. Action could come down a bit, but I could use it for accompaniment... And I can get an FP45 for less than what they wanted for that 33, so.... Hmmm. And a 45 with pegs....?

Monday I go see a Yamaha 171...
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 13 2008 0:12:37
 
NeZ

 

Posts: 96
Joined: Feb. 14 2007
 

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
I don't own either but I've played them at the stores and to me the Yamaha sounds better than most of the competition, even guitars that cost twice as much.

I think I'll probably buy one eventually for around the fire and traveling.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 13 2008 0:12:57
 
ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
Suggestion (if you have the time to spare):


  • See if one of the stores has a liberal return policy.
  • Buy the guitar from that store.
  • Take the guitar to the OTHER store and do a play-off!
  • Keep the guitar you want.


In my case, the CG171SF was offered to me brand new at a price that I couldn't pass-up (45% off list versus the typical 30%), and a couple of local teachers recommended it as the best entry-level flamenca. Your needs are probably different and you may have a more attuned ear than I do.

Let us know anyway which one you decide to go for.

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 13 2008 0:44:30
 
Ramón

Posts: 440
Joined: Feb. 23 2005
From: La Jolla, Ca

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
I just grabbed a 171. Was not really as impressed as the rest of the forum seems to be, but for the $300-ish range, there are not a lot of choices.

Workmanship - like most things Japanese, is very good. A VERY heavy guitar! Cannot believe the weight! Did they spray an ebony body to look like cypress!?!??

Sounded rather tinny, too, so today I pulled the stings, made a new bone nut and saddle, flat filed the frets and re-checked, crowned and polished them, and dropped the action to just under 3mm. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Voice and power picked up, clarity and separation is MUCH better (to my ear), a lot easier to play and barr......and put some much better tuners on - Gotoh Classical Tuners - that I had.

¡Viva' la diferencia!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 15 2008 23:57:55
 
ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: Ramón
Workmanship - like most things Japanese, is very good. A VERY heavy guitar! Cannot believe the weight! Did they spray an ebony body to look like cypress!?!??

Sounded rather tinny, too, so today I pulled the stings, made a new bone nut and saddle, flat filed the frets and re-checked, crowned and polished them, and dropped the action to just under 3mm. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Voice and power picked up, clarity and separation is MUCH better (to my ear), a lot easier to play and barr......and put some much better tuners on - Gotoh Classical Tuners - that I had.

¡Viva' la diferencia!

Well, at least it's good to hear that the potential was all in there. I myself am tempted to mod my Yamaha but the most I can do by myself is upgrade the tuners. If anyone knows of a truly good flamenco luthier in the San Francisco Bay Area who can do a professional set-up for me, let me know.

Yes, the CG171SF is 3.5 pounds in weight. Heavy compared to an authentic flamenca, but still a lightweight compared to factory-made classical guitars.

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 16 2008 0:11:44
 
Ramón

Posts: 440
Joined: Feb. 23 2005
From: La Jolla, Ca

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
Doesn't Guitar Solo have a good repair and setup guy? They have a lot of flamenco and classical. Or they'll know...

And yes, doing what I did made a HUGE difference. Well worth it.

R
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 16 2008 0:17:17
 
ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: Ramón

Doesn't Guitar Solo have a good repair and setup guy? They have a lot of flamenco and classical. Or they'll know...

I'm sure they do but I haven't met him.

I'd assume that George Montalvo could do a perfect set-up but I think I'd feel a little embarrassed taking a Yamaha to him.


_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 16 2008 2:37:48
 
Haizum

 

Posts: 43
Joined: Apr. 21 2008
From: York, England

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
This Yamaha keeps cropping up in posts so there must be something to her. Am about to purchase my first and now can't decide.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 22 2008 22:16:46
 
ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Yamaha 171 vs Cordoba 45fp? (in reply to Ramón) 
IMHO, it's not the best but for about $300-$350 it's the best budget value, particularly for those of us in the US.

The equation may be different for those in Europe depending on what its price is there, and what the alternatives are.

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 22 2008 22:23:23
Page:   [1]
All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >> Page: [1]
Jump to:

New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET

0.046875 secs.