Hi José, the most important thing is to have a guitar of sufficient quality to improve your playing with - so I wouldn't get too held back with only owning all-solid wood guitars. A guitar with laminate back and sides will still provide a great instrument to improve with. The first 15 years of my guitar playing were with instruments of laminate back and sides! I think both the normal F7 or F7 Paco are great instruments. It just depends on your preferences of the sound produced by the wood. The standard F7 has a spruce top with cypress back and sides, the F7 Paco model has a ceder top with rosewood back and sides. Try to find examples on KZfaq (as you have done with my video here!) and see which sound you prefer. Thomann (a European dealer) has good sound examples and I shall leave you links to sound examples below. I hope this helps and let me know how you get on 😁 Cordoba F7 Flamenco: www.thomann.de/gb/cordoba_f7_flamenco.htm Cordoba F7 Paco Flamenco Guitar: www.thomann.de/gb/cordoba_f7_paco_flamenco_guitar.htm

no laminate woods come from satan its like frozen leftover food... (much worse, since we talk a permanent object and not a consumable)

😂 😂

@@kanker5256 😂

@@FrancisGrant1 One of the most important aspects on flamenco guitars is the action at bridge. Any flamenco guitar with above 9 mm is absolutely inacceptable to learn with in order to the length of the nail plate for playing the i golpe above the 6th string. At 9 mm you need a minimum nail plate length of 16 mm which only few people have. Nothing about this in mentioned in the video. Why? Playability on flamenco guitars does not mean the action >at fretboard< is low; on flamencas this is a matter of course. The main focus is on the action at bridge. If both - authentical sound & low action at bridge (best is 7 to 8 mm) - is not given, then the guitar is useless. In order to these aspects I prefer one of the cheaper flamenco models by Camps or the Prudencio Saez 22 which are available around 800 € that fulfil both and come with all-solid woods.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Shame to hear about that about the Cordoba F7s... I wonder if that was a QC issue or something. You can't go wrong with a Yamaha C40 though!

i dont think so maybe u pick bad ones ..i had a cordoba C1M and she stay in tune really good and its only 150$ ..the 600$ cordoba must be much better.

really glad to hear that Suzy 😁 thanks for watching and commenting this 🙏

Wow thank you for this comment! That really means a lot! Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment this

So happy to hear that, very glad that this helped you! Thank you for commenting! Take care

Thanks Jeff! Your comment is much appreciated, glad to hear the video helped out! You will be very happy with the Yamaha :-)

Thanks a lot! 😁 interesting to hear your perspectives on this. And yes I agree that the best sounding guitar is related to what musical piece you are playing.

Agreed!

I feel that the Cordoba handles flamenco well - it is a flamenco guitar, it just isn't as punchy and aggressive as the Yamaha. Glad to hear you're happy with the Yamaha.... such a beautiful instrument, thanks for checking this video out and happy playing :-D

Many thanks for your comment and advice!

Versatility is in the ear of the, uhhhh beholder ( player ) . Though the negra is better geared toward classical, the blanca is great for Mexican folk music, South American styles, and as a steel string alternative!

Hi Hannah, thanks a lot for leaving your thoughts - agree with a lot of this 😁

Took me some time to realize that Flamenco is 80% percussion with 20% flavor (scales). That‘s why the right hand is all important and one should concentrate on the percussion first when learning Flamenco.

Really glad to hear this helped you out! Thanks for commenting 😄 yeah this is the exact reason I bought the Cordoba, I wanted something reasonably priced to handle classical and flamenco pieces (and bossa nova!)

Really glad this was useful, thanks for commenting and enjoy the Cordoba 😁

Glad to hear your thoughts 🙏🏻 I agree! I really love that mid-range fullness

Hahaha good answer, this is me too! Glad to hear you are enjoying your Cordoba Fusion 12 Natural, I've never tried this - but hopefully I will soon (once everything opens back up again)

Best 350 you'll ever spend!

Victor Jones I know, hence the apostrophes, I was referring to the style

what is your decision

@@Foxy988 Cordoba F7

You're welcome 😁 really glad to hear this helped you out, hope you are happy with the Cordoba!

Hi there just wanted to ask after all this time, how are you liking your F7? I would appreciate your thoughts, thanks!

Much appreciated! Glad this was useful. Take care!

Thanks Benjamin, glad it helped! You should be able to get either guitar quite cheap when buying second hand / used. Try and get yourself one! Happy playing 🎸

Thank you so much, glad you like it! Really appreciate your comment 😁

Thanks for leaving your thoughts! Yes I like the percussive sound of the golpe on the Yamaha too

Glad to hear this was helpful! 😁

Thanks a lot for leaving your experiences here, Roy. Very helpful. Kind of disappointing to hear about the neck bow on the Yamaha. The nut fell of my Yamaha once and needed re-fitting.

Glad you're happy with your choice 😁 it's a great guitar, thanks for commenting!

Well it is a pure flamenco guitar not classical, i say ur lucky to have that guitar

thanks for the info.. where is this yamaha flamenco made? thanks in advance..

Do it!!! Because the price is so good you could always install a custom acoustic-electric pickup system yourself... but yeah, just use a mic - that's my preference!! I always find pickup systems too 'twangy', they don't capture the real sound of the guitar to me. Happy playing!! :-)

I added pick up to my Admira F4, the instrument lost all of it's quality, so I took it out and am now going for a different guitar, but I have chosen the Cordoba CK, as I play a lot of rumba as well as flamenco. I also have an Admira Cordoba which a guy from Heulva played, when I was living in Seville, and he had smoke coming off it, and he said, after bout 6 hours straight playing, 'That's a great guitar'. Unforch, I've never ever got anywhere near like the sounds and literal tenacity out of it.

Well said!

Glad to hear it Jack 😁 thanks for commenting!

Glad it was useful! Thanks for commenting 🙏

Awesome!

Glad the video helped clarify which sounds best to your ears :-) You won't be disappointed with the Cordoba

I played for years with a fellow andalusian who had a blanca, so I was looking for that. But hearing the two side by side, the negra is what I have in my mind for sound. Thanks! Regards

Absolutely, well said!

Glad to hear it! Thanks a lot for watching and commenting!

Thanks a lot for saying mate! You can definitely do this though, just make a start and enjoy the process. I've made an online course specifically for people like you, check it out: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qM1mrbGa1sCceac.html

@@FrancisGrant1 fantastic mate, will do, I’m going to but myself a flamenco guitar and Iv seen the Yamaha cg182sf the in guitar guitar here in the uk, it’s on sale at £479:00p do you think it’s worth it, it was £630 I think

@@jamlatts90 great and just drop me a line on Instagram if you need any tips on playing yeah? instagram.com/the_talent_hacker/ That's about average price. Unfortunately, that model sells out quite quickly so the price has gone up in recent years. I actually got mine for £350 years ago and from time to time, you still see it being sold new for 350 to 400. Sometimes you can get lucky on reverb.co.uk But 479 I would say is about average. Be sure to check out second hand flamenco guitars on Gumtree too, there some nice models being sold around the London area right now

@@FrancisGrant1 hi Francis, thank you for advice, I sure will have a look on gumtree, I’m In Newcastle upon Tyne so I could get one sent if it’s seems a good deal. is the Yamaha I good guitar to learn on?

@@jamlatts90 Yeah they sometimes have good second hand flamenco guitars for sale in Edinburgh too, keep an eye out. The Yamaha is a great guitar to learn on, it's the guitar that I learned to play flamenco guitar on!

Ohhhhh yes indeed 😁🎵🔥 sending my regards to Canada, is it? I spent a year living there, a beautiful country

Thanks for commenting mate, yeah totally agree with that. Both of these are great for the price, I actually bought this Cordoba second hand for £200 here in the UK

@@FrancisGrant1 wow..why so expensive?.. Btw i'm from asia. If my budget $100-$130 whch classic guitar can i get? I hope the quality one..

@@mohddalibinzali1165 Expensive is a relative term but being as these guitars are right at the lower end of the cost range, I would say they are cheap. If you are looking to buy a classical guitar for $100 to £130, I would recommend looking for either a second hand Alvarez, or a Cordoba C5. You can't go wrong with a new Yamaha C40 either.

@@FrancisGrant1 is it find if i buy a secondhand classic guitar..? Then which one brand that good to grab? The first things i must check is?

Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼

Below £1000. Hello to Japan from England :-)

Thanks a lot Kevin, really appreciate you watching and commenting 🙏

My pleasure! Thank you Nadav for watching and commenting 🙏

Hey Ahmed, both of these guitars are pretty similar in my opinion - so it really depends on personal preference. If you prefer lively and bright tones, go for the 'standard' model. If you prefer more full-bodied and deeper tones, go for the Paco model. Hope this helps!

@@FrancisGrant1 is the f7 better than yamaha cg182sf ?

Thanks for stopping by Will! Yes you really cannot fault Yamaha classical guitars, they punch well above their weight. It doesn't surprise me that someone could mistake them for being worth much more!

Hi Alexey, really glad this comparison is helpful to you - thanks for checking it out. The Yamaha really does capture that traditional raw flamenco sound, quite incredible given its price!

​@@FrancisGrant1 The sad thing that is unavailable anywhere around me. Even in neighboring countries

@@donalexey That's a shame! Where are you? If you happen to be travelling or on holiday keep an eye out for one used!

Yeah that would be useful. You could always pick up the stock model and do the mods yourself, at least that way you have control over the electronics

Thanks for checking it out and commenting, hope it was useful! 😁

Hi Ricardo, sorry for my delayed response. It is Cello Suite no1 Prelude by Bach, you can learn it here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gdWKY9xltbWZcnU.html

@@FrancisGrant1 Thank you. Someone responded it as being "Romanza De Amor" and I knew that wasn't it as I already play that one.

I would say that they are superior, yes! I have never been a huge fan of Admira guitars. I've tried a few of their different models over the years, both classical and flamenco. They are not bad but not great either.

@@FrancisGrant1 Thanks for replying!

Hey Manfried, good question. I think in terms of playability, the Cordoba would tick all the boxes for bossa. And sound wise, it should sound punchy but well rounded. The only worry is that, I think it would lack the bass and volume a bit. I used to play a lot of bossa and I tend to prefer using my Juan Montes for that, as the larger body really lend a lot to the tone here.

I meant to say … a narrow open ended wrench can be used in the secret truss rod under the nut

Really??? My 172 has a little neck bow. The next time I change strings, I'm going to pop the nut and see if there is a truss rod. Hope so!

Thanks a lot :-D

Great! Glad to hear it my friend :-) enjoy the Yamaha !

Hey Ryan! Thanks a lot and I am very happy to hear that you're getting your first flamenco guitar! The Yamaha CG172SF is just the previous model of the CG182SF, if I am not mistaken. They are basically the same guitar. I would recommend the Cordoba F7 Paco over the Cordoba F7. I am not too familiar with Kremona but have heard good things about them online. Ultimately, whatever you choose is personal preference... how the guitar sounds and how the guitar feels to you. The best thing you can do it get your hands on them, if possible. You'll know what is best for you when you get the chance to try them in person.

Glad it did in the end! Thanks for watching and commenting Jesse! Yes have a go with the D'Addario composite and see if you like the sound. Maybe not as sweet sounding as the La Bella but they do have a powerful attack

Hey Giampiero, thanks for commenting your experiences! Interesting that your guitar sounded different, I hadn't really thought about differences within a model before. I guess you just have to try it out and see which ones have the higher build quality. Thanks for watching and take care!

That's cool to hear! I am glad the Yamaha won you over 😁

Hi Kiran, thanks for watching and commenting! Yes I used the Blue Microphones Yeti Nano to record this. I actually made a KZfaq video all about this microphone, here it is: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oMd_pLGHv6nbiHU.html

@@FrancisGrant1 Thanks much :)

Thanks a lot, Kunal 🙏🏻 yes my opinion is in agreement with that. One recommendation to try and resolve this would be to use strings with a bright sound to compensate for the lack of trebles. If you are around the Americas, order the Sonatina Equinox Titanium strings, or if you are in Europe, order the Knobloch Actives Carbon. You should get a great sound using these strings. I recorded this particular video using the D'Addario Pro-Arté Composite and I've since learned that other string options can give substantial changes to the guitar tone!

@@FrancisGrant1 thanks a lot! this helps

As far as I can tell, there are no differences. The CG172SF was just the first version of this model and then somewhere along the line, Yamaha changed the name. The spec looks exactly the same though

No problem 👍🏻

Do both have a trussrod, or???

@@dirkjanklijn9949 no they don't. After 3 years of hot summers and cold winters of taking the Yamaha with me everywhere I can say the neck is still straight. I'd get a trusrod for anything over a thousand. A $300 guitar doesn't need that insurance. But if it did have one then it wouldn't be as cheap relatively speaking

I agree!

Hi Javier! I have played a lot of classical music on the Yamaha and it's OK, not amazing, but it does the job. I am usually left slightly dissatisfied with the fullness of the sound for classical pieces. If you leave me your email, I can send you some of my privately recorded classical music using the Yamaha, up to you

It's very low! It's around 3.5 to 4 mm at the 12th fret

@@FrancisGrant1 From my perspective, 3.5 to 4 mm at the 12th fret is very high for a flamenco guitar. That is classical guitar height.

I recommend you buy both 😂 more guitars equals more happiness!

Thanks Muhemmed! Take care 🎸😁

It is really is!

That's a shame you can't find any used Yamaha's around your area, as that is my top recommendation. Alternatively, you could look for a used Admira F4 blanca, used Alhambra 3F, or used Cordoba F7 blanca. I reviewed the Cordoba F7 negra in this video but there is a blanca version you could consider and they do tend to have a lot more of those in the US

Hey Roger! Yeah I actually wouldn't mind picking up another Cordoba... I might hit up the stores now they are back open and try a couple of different models. How are you getting on with the GK Studio?

I'm awaiting a GK right now, they sound amazing

Hey mate, so it depends on what you played jazz on previously? If you're an electric guitar player, crossover style Spanish guitars work well... a lot of electric guitar players seem to prefer crossover guitars because of the general feel and nut width. Cordoba make great crossover guitars, such as the C10 or the Fusion, for example. If your background is playing jazz on acoustic guitars then in my opinion, the F7 Paco modelled here would be great, provided that you are happy with the wood combination and the sound... it's personal preference. Hope this helps!

Hello Muhemmed! A lot of cheaper guitars are constructed in China, regardless of the brand. As for Yamaha, they are a Japanese brand and do have factories in Japan.... but they also have factories in China, Indonesia, and Taiwan. So it could be anything.

Hi Lukas! Guitar preferences are subjective but I am not such a fan of Alhambra, Admira, or Camps. All the models that I have tried under 1000 have been quite disappointing for me. The Yamaha and Cordoba are better (again, in my opinion). I am welcome to hear other's opinions though so please comment here if you can help.

Hi Luca, sorry I can't be of much help here. I've only tried the Alhambra 3F in a guitar store. My opinion was that the CG182SF is better, but obviously, I'm quite biased because I own the CG182SF and I'm used to it. I would recommend trying them both out in a store and seeing which suits your preferences. Some stores offer free delivery and returns too.

Thanks for commenting! When I first started playing flamenco guitar I was in the same situation as you, I had already studied classical music for several years. And to be honest, either of these would be suitable for you. You will likely find the Cordoba less of a transition from what you are used to. You may find the sound of the Yamaha a bit thin at first, as coming from classical, we aren't so familiar with traditional flamenco guitar tones. Both are easy to play but the neck of the Cordoba is slightly thinner.

The height of the action is a player preference 😅 lower action doesn't always equal a better guitar or indicate a better build quality 😂 You see lots of tablao players who want to really 'dig' into the guitar when performing with dancers and other performers in the streets, here it's nice to have a slightly higher action to facilitate this style. Whereas if you are playing through a microphone or amplifier, or if you are more of a solo player, it's nice to try lower actions. Having played tons of guitars with varying degrees of action (see other videos on my channel) each luthier has their preference, depending on the preference of the player and the style that they play. You sometimes see super expensive guitars with higher actions (around 3 mm) because of this. Anyway, food for thought. But my Cordoba had a lower action than the Yamaha.

@@FrancisGrant1 For Flamenco, Rumba it does. José Ramirez guitars from the year 1904 until the World War used 1.6 mm on the 12th fret on low E and no matter how much volume it may lose, it gains to faster playbility and growl to play rumbas for ex with three, four, five guitarist together like gypsies.. to play like that requires very low action, 2,5mm is not low action as those companies want to make customers to believe.

@diogomartinsmota5478 I can't measure it because I don't own it anymore unfortunately! But I meant lowest overall, in comparison to the Yamaha. I think it's a bit strange to compare luthier guitars from a hundred years ago against factory built guitars from the 2000s.... playing styles and building techniques have kinda changed in these times. In practical terms, it's like comparing apples and oranges. But anyway, that's interesting to hear about. Thanks for commenting your experiences, I'll have to go and learn more about it myself

@@FrancisGrant1Apples and Oranges is comparing a Spruce Top with a Cedar Top guitar, that is what you did. I do get the point of comparing two different flamenco guitars within the same price range but apples with apples would be a Yamaha CG182SF vs Cordoba F7 Flamenco Iberia (both same price range) not Yamaha CG182SF vs Cordoba F7 Paco Flamenco Iberia. I would be inclined towards the Yamaha for the percussive and raw tone like you said in video. If the Yamaha has a higher action than the Cordoba F7 Paco it leads me to believe that the Cordoba F7 Paco Flamenco Iberia could also be lower than the Yamaha which for fast playing is better than high action.

That's fair enough! Yes I don't think the golpe matches the percussion of expensive flamenco guitars but I do still think they are good for their price range nonetheless 😁

Thanks for your comment David! Happy playing 🎸