Cordoba C7 vs C9 – Which Should You Choose?

We are here again to help you make an otherwise difficult decision between two exceptional guitars. This time, we’re looking at the Cordoba C7 vs C9. These are excellent guitar series by all standards but that does not mean you can just get anyone.

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Now, these two guitars are from different Cordoba series with the C7 being from the Iberia series and the C9 from the Luthier series. Nonetheless, both guitars share a few similar features like their Canadian cedar top and rosewood fingerboard.

However, the guitar with an even closer resemblance to the C9 is the C5. But we won’t be going into all that today since the comparison is between the Cordoba C7 vs C9. Now, without further ado, let’s get into this review.

Table of Contents

Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Comparison Overview

Here is a brief overview of everything we are going to be discussing in this review. If you’re in a hurry and can’t go through our detailed review on the Cordoba C7 vs C9, here is a TL;DR version for you.

Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Overall Rating

The Cordoba C7 is a wonderful guitar but vs C9, it does not really compare in any way. The Cordoba C9 is obviously higher-end when compared versus the C7. And when you talk about purpose, the C7 sells as a beginner guitar while the C9 is a concert-ready guitar.

So, you see? World of difference.

In the performance and quality section of the Cordoba C7 vs C9 review, we will definitely rate the C9 over the C7. But, even at that, it would be unfair and downright fallacious to say that the C7 is not great. It is. It just doesn’t stand up to the concert-ready C9 being a beginner guitar and all.

Cordoba C7 vs C9 – Rating Of Features In General

We cannot categorically or truthfully say that the C9 has way better features than the C7. Instead, we’d probably rate both guitars the same as they both share similar quality features. Nonetheless, comparing the Cordoba C7 vs C9, it’s easy to see that the C9 still outperforms the C7.

For looks and build, the C9 also does better than the C7 with its purfling and whatnot. And again, it has another major advantage over the C7 in that it also has a lefty variant. This is great for lefties who find it hard to get a guitar they can play.

Are The Cordoba C7 And Cordoba C9 Overpriced?

Both guitars are well priced. In fact, beginning with the C9, that guitar sounds and performs way better than its price tag lets on. And many customers agree with us! It sounds like something that should cost more than $2000. So, its sub-$1000 price is well justified.

Next, the C7… Bearing in mind that this is a beginner guitar, it might seem a bit pricey to the average beginner. But if we’re being completely honest, this guitar’s features are very much worth the price.

You should know that the C7 is not your average guitar. Many entry-level guitars cannot match the C9 in features and performance and that much is obvious. So, if you can afford it, we say go for the C7. It’s a worthy investment that will grow with you as your skills grow.

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Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Comparison Table Of Specs And Features

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

Full sizeFull-sized with 7/8 size guitar also available
Canadian cedar and European spruce tops available Canadian cedar and European spruce tops also available
Indian rosewood back and sidesSolid mahogany back and sides
Rosewood fingerboard and bridgeRosewood fingerboard and bridge
Spanish fan bracingSpanish fan bracing
Mahogany neckMahogany neck
Mother-of-pearl inlays on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th fretsPearloid inlays on the 5th, 7th, and 9th fret markers
Gold tuning machinesGold tuning machines
Hand inlaid rosetteHand inlaid mother-of-pearl “Esteo” rosette
52 millimeter nut width52 millimeter nut width
Savarez Cristal Corum stringsSavarez Cristal Corum strings
Gig bag includedCordoba polyfoam case
Two-way truss rod includedTwo-way truss rod included
Bone saddleBone saddle


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Cordoba C7 vs C9 – What Situation Is Each Best For?

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

The Cordoba C7 is a fantastic guitar option for beginner guitarists unwilling to start out with “entry-level quality” guitars.

This guitar series gives you a fantastic array to choose from because each guitar combines high performance with easy playability. The C7 guitars are, indeed, high-quality pieces.

Plus, the C7 guitars are guitars we are so certain a beginner can grow with. So, yes, we mean that any beginner getting any C7 guitar now can count on the guitars to grow with them as their skills improve.

The guitar is so high quality, even intermediate players can also use it as well.
As much as the C7 impresses us, we have to admit that the C9 is even more impressive. This series contains concert-ready guitars with an awesome performance all round.

Beginning from the looks, you can already tell that this is one guitar you’d be proud to own. It looks really high end with its purfling and whatnot.

In fact, for all its beauty and quality, we think this guitar is more than fairly priced. We understand though, that the price might not be right up everyone’s alley.

However, for pro players on a budget who need a concert-ready guitar at an affordable price, you can hardly do better than the C9.


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What Features Do The Cordoba C7 And C9 Have In Common?

These two series feature guitars that are made with solid Canadian Cedar top.

These two series feature guitars that are made with solid European Spruce top.

All the guitars in these two series are made with a Rosewood fingerboard and bridge and a Mahogany neck.

They come with Savarez Cristal Corum strings.

To give the guitars a really shiny look, they’re equipped with a High Gloss Polyurethane finish.

You get a lot of goodies when you purchase these guitars including a carrying case and accessories.

Solid Canadian Cedar Top Guitar

Both the Cordoba C7 and the C9 have the same top tonewood which is the solid Canadian cedar top. Canadian cedar is one material we know that Cordoba uses a lot for the top of its guitars. It uses it on some of the guitars in the Iberia series and apparently some in the Luthier series as well.

But why exactly is Canadian cedar so good?

Well, there are loads of arguments between proponents for cedar and those for spruce. Many feel that cedar is better suited for beginner guitars, while spruce is better for pro guitars. But there are others who feel that you can’t even tell the difference between the two. So, what’s the big whoop?

Well, we agree that many can’t effectively tell the difference between cedar and spruce. However, there are little details about cedar that suggest that it will work excellently for beginner guitars.

The biggest reason is the fullness a cedar top brings to a guitar in terms of sound. This fullness does cover a whole lot of stuff and poor playing that beginners can get up to in the beginning months. Spruce, on the other hand, doesn’t care about your feelings that much.

See also  Cordoba C7 Spruce Vs Cedar - Which Should You Pick?

Now, that explains the choice for the C7. Unfortunately, we don’t know why Cordoba chose cedar for the C9. Maybe to get the full sound that cedar gives. Because we can tell you that cedar sounds warm and dark with an ability to radiate sound while spruce projects in a more linear fashion.

As for whether it works, well users are loving it, and you can decide for yourself after you watch this video.

European Spruce Top Guitars

Still on the Cordoba C7 vs C9 review, the Cordoba C7 and C9 series both have spruce top guitars in their listing. Spruce top guitars are professional-level guitars. This is because a spruce top has a much sharper tone and sound than cedar. Plus, spruce doesn’t sound as full as cedar.

It’s actually one of the best tonewoods you can find right now on guitars. It’s quite rare these days, though. So, it’s becoming more common to find cedar top guitars than spruce top guitars.

Let’s go a bit more in-depth on spruce tops and their sound.

European spruce tops come with an impressive tonal palette and they also give a pretty snappy response as well. Plus, how they age is another really beautiful thing about spruce tops. As they age, their tone tends to get richer and warmer.

This is one of the reasons many people say that the European spruce has the most sophisticated tonal range of all soundboard wood types.

However, here’s the challenge with spruce tops. Spruce tops are not like cedar tops in that they are not full sound-wise. So, for instance, where cedar top guitars will produce sounds that fill a room, spruce top guitars tend to produce sounds that just go in a linear fashion straight to the back of the room.

So, it becomes more difficult for spruce to be able to cover up for slips in notes or chords. Spruce picks up and projects every single note or chord clearly. This might be a bit tough for a beginner and so many experts do not recommend spruce tops to beginners.

Anyway, moving on to looks. Spruce is quite lighter in color when compared to cedar. So, it gives a beautiful contrast when paired with Indian rosewood back and sides which are darker in color. Plus, it’s stiff and lightweight too – two very important qualities when considering classical guitars.

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

The Cordoba C7 comes in a spruce top version known as the Cordoba C7 SP. It costs the same price as the other guitars in the series. But also comes with a deluxe gig bag and clip-on tuner.The Cordoba C9 spruce top, although available, is a bit scarce in the market. However, interestingly, it’s a bit less expensive than its cedar top counterpart. But then again, it’s still more expensive than the lefty version.

Rosewood Fingerboard And Bridge

The fingerboard is another really important aspect of a guitar. And it especially matters because it’s the part of the guitar that the player interacts with the most. As such, therefore, it’s important that your fingerboard is sturdy and comfortable.

Why is rosewood a good fingerboard material?

Rosewood is a good material for a fingerboard for a number of reasons. First, rosewood feels really nice under the fingers. This is because it is naturally oily, so manufacturers don’t bother with a finish. So, it feels natural when you play your guitar.

Second, rosewood comes at a medium density which means it is hard enough to be sturdy and withstand abuse. Even more, rosewood is a fantastic choice for how it tempers the bright zing that new strings can sometimes bring.

So, guitarists who enjoy the feel of a natural fingerboard as they play, any guitar from either series would definitely serve.

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Mahogany Neck

Mahogany woods come in a light brown and reddish-brown hue which is almost always stained. This gives the wood a richer and darker color. Plus, it’s also lightweight which is another attractive quality mahogany has.

Mahogany is fairly dense with a medium to heavyweight. Its tone is also really warm and beautifully soft. However, we love how mahogany balances that with a nice bite and grind. Plus, its sound has a nice depth and fullness especially around the lows, even though it’s not as tight as would have been best.

Wide Classical Guitar Neck

You find from pacing the Cordoba C7 vs C9 that both guitars come with the standard classical guitar neck width of between 50 to 52 millimeters. This puts both guitars in the category of wide neck guitars.

So, understandably, they might not exactly be great for people with smaller fingers. Also, people who are not used to classical guitars might find either of these guitars a little challenging to play on at first.

Both guitars are for serious players who intend to go hardcore with the classical guitar and that much is obvious from the cost of the guitars in this series.

Now, being that the wide classical guitar neck is a challenge for some, it’s important that you’re absolutely sure before you decide on playing one as these things don’t come cheap.

So, Cordoba C7 vs C9, let’s see what the situation with each guitar neck in each series is.

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

There are three C7 guitars in the series and two of them share the same nut width measurement while the other is different.

The Cordoba C7 CD/IN and the Cordoba C7 SP come in a 52-millimeter neck width (2.04 inches).

However, the acoustic-electric version which is the Cordoba C7 C7-CE CD/IN comes in a 50-millimeter nut width (1.96 inches).
All guitars in the Cordoba C9 series come with a 52-millimeter nut width.

Savarez Cristal Corum Strings

Classical guitars always go with nylon strings which can come in three types. Of these three types, the genuine nylon strings are the most common and the best ones actually. Good thing all guitars in both series come with Savarez Cristal Corum strings which are genuine nylon strings.

Generally, genuine nylon strings are made from pure nylon as their name suggests. Also, in usual fashion, these strings also come with three brass strings that come coated in a brass or silver alloy. In this case, the Savarez Cristal Corum Strings have their bass strings silver plated.

So, how do the Savarez Cristal Corum strings sound?

Genuine strings like the Savarez Cristal Corum strings have warmer and richer tones than other kinds of nylon strings. The only tiny issue with them is that they aren’t quite as loud. However, they do the best work when it comes to enhancing the vibrato of your guitar when compared to other types.

On the other hand, if the strings are cheap, then get ready for cheap, muddy sound. Fortunately, Cordoba did not skimp on the quality of strings on each of these guitars. Savarez Cristal Corum are high-end strings. So, that’s the least of your worries.

Besides performance, these are also really durable strings. And, of course, this means that you won’t have to replace them anytime soon.

Adjustable Truss Rod

The Cordoba C7 and C9 both come with a two-way adjustable truss rod. This truss rod helps your guitar to maintain its stability around its neck. Additionally, this rod also makes it easy to adjust the guitar neck when the time comes.

High Gloss Polyurethane Finish

It’s common to find a polyurethane finish on Cordoba’s more affordable guitars. Its higher-end ones, on the other hand, feature a nitrocellulose lacquer finish which is a tad bit more fragile.

Polyurethane which is found on both our guitar series on review – the Cordoba C7 and Cordoba C9 – is not as fragile. This makes them easier to maintain as they are less prone to cracking on a small impact. They still got the looks definitely. But, of course, maybe not as tasteful as the lacquer finish.

But that aside, there’s no real “Cordoba C7 vs C9” as both guitars are practically the same aesthetically. Here’s how to manage your guitar with the polyurethane finish.

Carrying Case And Accessories

Although both guitars come with a carrying case each, these cases differ a little. We will show that small difference in this table below. Let’s check out the gig bag and accessories for the Cordoba C7 vs C9 here:

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

The carrying case in the C7 is simply a gig bag. It is well-made and does its job. However, when compared to a hard case, of course, a gig bag does not quite hold a candle to such a case.

As for accessories, the Cordoba C7 CD/IN comes with just a gig bag.
The Cordoba C7 Spruce top comes with a gig bag, a stand, and a polishing cloth, as well as a clip-on tuner for the same price as the other C7 guitars. This one is sold by GearTree

You’d have to be on the lookout though, there’s another bundle, this time sold by GuitarVault. And this one comes with just a deluxe gig bag and a clip-on tuner also for the same price as the other C7 guitars.

Then, of course, there’s the Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN which comes with just a gig bag and the electronics.
All guitars in the Cordoba C9 series come with a polyfoam case.

This case is not just like a gig bag. It’s much sturdier than a gig bag and also comes with shoulder straps which makes it even easier to transport your guitar.

Also, this case comes with a plush interior which is important. It makes sure that your guitar remains unscathed while you move your guitar around.

Now when it comes to accessories, there’s something a little weird about the Cordoba C9. The Cordoba C9 CD/MH comes in two varieties with two different prices separated by $1.

But that’s not the weird part. The weird part is that the less expensive version (by just a $1, remember?) comes with just the polyfoam.

However, the more expensive version comes with a classical strap, classical capo, a tuner, and a polishing cloth in addition to the polyfoam cse.

As for the lefty version and the spruce top version, they both do not come with accessories.


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Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – What’s Unique To Each Product?

Features Unique To The Cordoba C7

All the guitars in this series are made with Rosewood back and sides.

The Cordoba C7 is available in an acoustic-electric version that’s equipped with Fishman Presys Blend electronics.

All the guitars in the Cordoba C7 series are full-sized guitars.

Rosewood Back And Sides

If you’re familiar with guitars, then you should know that rosewood is one of the commonest tonewood types used for guitar back and sides. With a high response rate, higher than that of maple and a nice mid-range tone like that of mahogany, rosewood is brilliant. It’s like a compromise between maple and mahogany tonewoods.

See also  Cordoba C10 Cedar Vs Spruce - Which Is The Better Option?

Rosewood is highly versatile which is why it’s a popular choice. It works with nearly any kind of playing style you can possibly think of. It simply depends on the accompanying top, switching the guitar top switches up the kind of style your guitar will work with.

Rosewood back and sides make a beautiful guitar great for strumming, flat-picking, and finger-picking.

Furthermore, rosewood gives the C7 a sharp attack and a robust resonance as well. This is thanks to its high response rate as well as its rich overtones. Nonetheless, these qualities are the very reasons, the C7 might not be your first choice for recording due to feedback issues.

Generally though, with Cordoba combining the open-grained, greasy Indian rosewood with a cedar top, the C7 sounds really warm and rich.

Acoustic-Electric Version Available

Unlike the Cordoba C9, the C7 series also contains an acoustic-electric version. This is known as the Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Classical Guitar.

The guitar shares pretty much the same qualities as all cedar top C7 guitars except that it also features electronics. So, this guitar is great for stage as you can easily hook it up and your audience would then be able to hear you clearly.

Pickup

The Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN comes with Fishman Presys Blend electronics. Now, we’ve done a thorough explanation of guitar electronics here. So, you might want to head back there to understand guitar electronics properly so you don’t get lost here.

Anyway, it’s important to note that there all kinds of electronics. The Fishman Presys Blend is what you call the blended pick up type. It’s called blended because it features a mic and then another type of pickup. Such pickups are referred to as blended pickups.

In this case, Fishman paired a mic with a piezo pickup. Now, blended pickups are some of the most expensive pickups you can find in the market. However, this one from Fishman is considerably low cost. Piezo pickups, after all, are quite inexpensive.

In practice, the electronics feel just decent, to be honest. So, don’t expect anything out of this world. They are just decent at best. However, we must commend the mic. It’s actually really good. Now, to get the best out of this “just there” pickup, a user advised that you blend the mic and pickup at 50% each. This will help you reduce feedback.

Another thing to note about this pickup is that it is an active pickup. So, it comes with a battery. The good news is that you can get a robust sound once you hook up with your PA system. On the flip side, you have to ensure that you don’t leave home without a spare one on hand, else you might be disappointed.

https://youtu.be/6ap2JhomCBw
Cutaway Design

The Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN is the only guitar in the C7 and C9 series to come with a cutaway design. This design is fantastic because it makes the guitar more comfortable to hold. This becomes even more significant when you have to hold on to the guitar for a long time while on stage or something.

Full Size

All guitars in the Cordoba C7 series are full-sized guitars. Understandably, this makes the guitars a little too big for kids and for smallish people too.

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Features Unique To The Cordoba C9

All the guitars in this series are made with Mahogany back and sides.

The guitars in this series are purfled. This is a pretty expensive manufacturing process and it explains the bump in the price of the Cordoba C9.

There’s one guitar in the series that’s 7/8, not a full-sized guitar. That size is great for children and smaller adults.

You get a left version with these series.

The Cordoba C9 is available in a crossover version that features a slimmer neck compared to other classical guitars.

Mahogany Back And Sides

The Cordoba C9 comes with mahogany back and sides. In truth, mahogany back and sides are more common with lower-end guitars which kinda makes you wonder why the C7 has rosewood and the C9 has mahogany back and sides.

Well, while we might not exactly know Cordoba’s exact thoughts, we can tell you a few things about mahogany.

Firstly, mahogany is a beautiful looking wood especially when sourced properly. There are all kinds of mahogany, by the way, in case you didn’t know. With its dark-stained coloration, mahogany lends a striking combination with the lighter colored cedar top.

So, aesthetically, the cedar/mahogany combo is pleasing.

Now, with mahogany back and sides, a guitar can play all kinds of musical styles. This, of course, naturally depends on what you pair on the top part of the guitar. Generally though, mahogany back and sides make guitars that are great for playing blues.

Also, mahogany, just like cedar, is another tonewood that’s really easy to work with. So, why is this guitar so pricey then?

Well, hold it, we’re coming to that.

Purfling

Purfling refers to a narrow decorative strip that’s inlaid into the top plate (and sometimes the backplate too) of a guitar. This is a pretty costly manufacturing step so not every guitar comes with purfling.

In fact, only pricey guitars come with purfling. And you know what? This guitar comes with purfling on both the front and backplate. So, you now see why Cordoba C7 vs C9, the C9 is more expensive.

In lower-end guitars, manufacturers try to mimic a purfling by using paint instead. However, in high-end instruments, all kinds of beautiful materials are used to for purfling. It could be plastic, abalone, or even mother of pearl.

As for the Cordoba C7, the top plate comes with a 6-ply colored wood. On the bottom plate, the purfling is made of 3-ply ebony and maple.

Now, in some cases, cutting the channel for laying in the purfling could lead to issues with a guitar’s sustain and pitch. Fortunately, that’s not a problem with the C9 as it has a real impressive sustain that just resonates all through the body of your guitar.

7/8 Parlor Size

When you consider size upon inspection of the Cordoba C7 vs c9, you find that the Cordoba C9 comes in a 7/8 size which is smaller than the C7 guitars. This is great news for those who struggle with the bigger-sized guitars, especially the shorties. The C9 guitars are smaller and also lighter which is why they also work great as parlor guitars as well.

Lefty Version

The Cordoba C9 also features a lefty version which we consider really commendable on the part of Cordoba. Most guitars come right-handed which we know can be quite frustrating for left-handed people who love to play.

So, in the tussle between the Cordoba C7 vs C9, the C9 one-ups the C7 in this regard. It’s great to find one that offers a lefty variety.

The Cordoba C9 CD Lefty shares many similarities with other guitars in the C9 series. There’s the cedar top, the mahogany back and sides, purfling, mahogany neck, and rosewood fingerboard. It’s also concert-ready with a polyfoam case like other C9 guitars. The only difference is in its orientation.

Actually, its orientation and price. The Cordoba C9 CD Lefty is about $200 cheaper than other guitars in the series which is a pretty sweet deal.

Crossover Guitar – Slimmer Neck

Crossover guitars are an innovation Cordoba introduced in the Luthier series. You won’t find these guitars in the Iberia series. The C9 and its upgrade, the C10 both feature Crossover guitars. However, what exactly is a Crossover guitar?

The C9 Crossover is for guitarists with small hands. We understand that there are guitarists with really small hands that may find the classical guitar neck a challenge. Even a regular acoustic guitar neck of about 43 millimeters is still too wide for some, how much more a 50- to 52-millimeter neck.

See also  Cordoba C7 Vs C10 – Which Should You Get?

This makes the Crossover guitar a really great idea for such guitarists. You might wonder what makes this guitar different from the Parlor guitar. Well, the parlor guitar is different in that it comes in the 7/8 size with a slightly narrower neck measuring 50 millimeters.

The C9 Crossover, on the other hand, is still a full-sized guitar but with a slimmer neck at 48 millimeters. At this nut width, the C9 Crossover is 4 millimeters narrower than the widest Cordoba guitar neck and about 2 millimeters narrower than the average classical guitar neck. Get the difference now?

Of course in this contest of the Cordoba C7 vs C9, this is another point where the C9 one-ups the C7. This is because it gives more options to more kinds of guitarists. That said, one thing to note is that the C9 Crossover guitar comes with a cedar top. So, if you have a preference for spruce top guitars that might be a small issue.

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Cordoba C7 vs C9 – Unique Pros

Cordoba C7

  • The Cordoba is a beautiful guitar that works easily both for beginners and intermediate players.
  • Rosewood back and sides give a better tone than mahogany.
  • Comes with an acoustic-electric version which is great. Plus, this version also comes with the cutaway body design.

Cordoba C9

  • Comes with purfling which adds to the beauty of the guitar.
  • Inexpensive for the category it belongs to – a concert stage guitar.
  • Also comes in the lefty version which makes the guitar available to left handed players as well. It’s also good news that it’s more affordable than other guitars in the series.
  • 7/8 size is great news for smaller or shorter people who might, otherwise, struggle with a full-sized guitar. Might also be great for older kids.
  • Polyfoam case is more than the average gig bag. It is really durable on the outside and plush enough on the inside to give your instrument the ultimate protection.

Cordoba C7 vs C9 – Unique Cons

Cordoba C7

  • The C7 is geared towards the beginner and intermediate. However, it might not be affordable for some beginners.
  • A few complaints about buzzing along the upper frets.
  • The Fishman Presys Blend pickup used with the Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN guitar is just decent at best.
  • Comes with a gig bag rather than C9’s polyfoam case. The gig bag is great, no doubt, but it just doesn’t compare to the C9’s polyfoam case.

Cordoba C9

  • 7/8 size might not be ideal for every player.

Check out these other articles


Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Pros Common To Both Guitar Series

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

Excellent tone, resonance, and sound quality with an impressive sustainExcellent tone, resonance, and sound quality
Comes with a well-made gig bagComes with a polyfoam case which is much sturdier and plusher in the interior than a gig bag.

However, to take advantage of the lifetime warranty, we will advise you to add the Cordoba Humicase to your purchase. This way, whatever happens to your guitar along the way, you’re covered.
High-quality Savarez Cristal Corum stringsSame here.
Beautiful craftsmanshipThe C9 comes with a beautiful craftsmanship. But with the purfling, it looks even more striking than the C7.
Beautiful high gloss polyurethane finish that makes the guitar easy to maintainThe C9 also comes in the same high gloss polyurethane finish which also makes the guitar easy to maintain.
C7 guitars come lightweightThe C9 guitars are also lightweight.
The Cordoba C7 Spruce Top comes with accessories like a gig bag, a stand, and a polishing cloth, as well as a clip-on tuner, give or take the stand and polishing cloth, depending on whom you’re buying from.The Cordoba C9 CD/MH comes with accessories also which include a classical strap, classical capo, a tuner, and a polishing cloth. This also depends on the bundle you go for. So, be on the lookout.


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Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Cons Common To The Cordoba C7 And C9

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

Dehydration was one problem many encountered with the C7. If you don’t know how to properly store your C7, it could lead to trouble.

For some, trouble was that their bridges popped off.

As per Cordoba’s instructions, therefore, it’s best to ensure that you store your guitar between 45% to 65% humidity.

So, consider getting soundhole humidifiers to help. Or you could also get the Cordoba Humicase. We explain in the other column.
Although it wasn’t a big problem as with the C7, it’s common knowledge that Cordoba advises that you store your guitar at ideal humidity levels to prevent damage.

Getting the Cordoba Humicase is one of such ways as ideal weather conditions are already programmed into this case.

Plus, with the Cordoba Humicase, you also get access to a lifetime warranty on your guitar. This means that you always covered by Cordoba whatever happens to your guitar as long as you get the Humicase.

Of course, terms and conditions apply as usual.


Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – General Feeling Among Customers

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

You can just tell from all the reviews pouring in about the C7 that customers who bought this guitar were happy campers.

A lot of people had so many amazing things to say about this guitar. In fact, many were so taken by the guitar they were willing to forgive the fact that it was somewhat pricey at first blush.

Customers said they could really feel the sound literally jump out of the guitar and slide down all the way down their chest!

Alright to the few negatives…

There seems to be a bit of a buzz along the upper frets that some customers experienced.

And besides that, the dehydration issue was another problem. However, with proper care, you should not experience same.

Overall though, the market loves the C7.
The C9 was also obviously well received by guitarists far and near. Many believed it felt and played far better than its price tag.

Nonetheless, there was an isolated complaint about quality. According to one customer, the guitar was overpriced and would have been better priced at a sub $500 price tag.

Obviously, this wasn’t a sentiment shared by the vast majority. A few even felt somewhat reluctant spending extra on higher-end guitars as they felt this guitar over delivered and at such an attractive price too.

Looks were another area where the C9 got commendations from its buyers.

As for tone and sound, it was A-amazing for most users. Some of the words used to describe this guitar include authoritative, loud, and beautiful.
In fact, someone actually said that “the voice of God speaks through this guitar!”

Furthermore, the lefty version was not lost on most. And many lefties were grateful especially with the price too.


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Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Our Verdict

Cordoba C7

Cordoba C9

The Cordoba C7 consists of high-quality beginner to intermediate guitars. They might be a bit high end for beginners but you can depend on the quality they will give you.

Now, for the beginner, we recommend the C7 CD/IN. With its cedar top and consequently fuller sound, it covers up your little flaws here and there. Get it here!

For the intermediate player, looking to achieve a richer, more sophisticated tone, the Cordoba C7 Spruce Top is our recommendation. Get it here!

And then there’s the acoustic-electric version, the Cordoba C7-CE CD/IN which you can get here.
The Cordoba C9 guitars are competitively-priced concert-ready guitars. And what we love about them is that there’s something for everybody in here.

This Cordoba C9 CD/MH comes with all the accessories as mentioned before: a polyfoam case, classical strap, classical capo, tuner, and polishing cloth. Get it here!

If you prefer a spruce top, you can get the Cordoba C9 Spruce Top Classical Guitar here.

As for the lefties, you’re not left out. You can get the Cordoba C9 CD Lefty All Solid Wood Classical Guitar with Case here.

For guitarists with smaller hands, the Crossover will work just fine. Get it here.
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Cordoba C7 Vs C9 – Frequently Asked Questions

Is classical guitar better than acoustic?

Both classical and acoustic guitars are really good. And so picking which is better is not that straightforward. Practically, it depends on whichever sound you intend to create. If you want to have a modern feel to your music with lots of sound effects, then the acoustic guitar is a better fit for you. However, if you prefer a more traditional feel to your sound without bothering too much about sound effects, then the classical guitar is the preferred option. 

Why do classical guitars have wider necks?

Typically, classical guitars are wider at the neck than traditional acoustic guitars. This is designed so that players can press their fingers down on a string without touching the other strings, especially when playing fast musical pieces. 

Is classical guitar harder to play than an electric guitar?

Classical guitars are reputed for producing that soft, traditional tone. They are also smaller and lighter than both the acoustic and electric guitars. Classical guitars are widely used to teach guitar playing in professional schools. Yet, it is reputed as the hardest guitar type to learn. 

This is because the airy sounds that classical guitars emit accentuate any mistake you might make while playing. Classical guitars also require the player to pluck the strings harder than other guitar types. On the other hand, Electric guitars are easier to play thanks to the lighter strings. Electric sound augmentation also means that your mistakes are less obvious when playing.

Are wide neck guitars easier to play?

Wide neck guitars are easier to play for people with thick fingers. People with thinner fingers generally don’t need wide-necked guitars. This is because their fingers usually don’t hit other strings when pressing down one string. 

Wide neck guitars are designed that way to help players with thicker fingers or people playing more intricate styles to avoid touching other strings that shouldn’t be touched while playing. 

This design is more apparent in classical guitars however other guitar types, especially acoustic guitars have neck width variations. 

What electric guitar has the thinnest neck?

Generally, Ibanez is widely known to have some of the thinnest types of electric guitars. 

The thinnest electric guitars are the ESP and Ibanez modern “shredder” guitars. These shredder guitars are usually U-shaped. The edges of the guitars are pronounced and can be easily observed just by looking at them. These shredder-style necks are designed for faster playing. 

Which guitars have the widest necks?

The standard classical guitars have the widest necks of the three guitar types. Electric guitars typically have a neck width that is slightly below 1.7 inches. A standard acoustic guitar has a neck that is 1.72 inches wide. However, some acoustic guitars could have a neck that is wider than 1.72 inches but still under 2 inches. Classical guitars, on the other hand, have a standard neck width of 2 inches.

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