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Post by hushnel on Nov 18, 2021 12:05:18 GMT -5
Sitting at home waiting for a guitar to be delivered, the UPS tracking is a little obscure. Indicates it’ll be delivered today “repeatedly” but the out for delivery section is not indicated. I got an email from the manager of the Guitar Center telling me they forgot to send the guitar’s case ?!?!?, he already shipped it, but. I’m not seeing a tracking number for it.
I really don’t like purchasing acoustic instruments sight un seen. I’ve been interested in this Cordoba C9 Parlor, previously known as the Cordoba C9 Dolce 7/8th size classical, for the last year or so. Haven’t found any of this series since I first started looking at them.
This is the second acoustic instrument I’ve purchased unseen. The other was a Martin 00015S that I was really interested in and at a fair price. The Martin was a great disappointment. Even tuning it up I could hear problems with it. I freaked out a little. I decided to change strings, clean it up and check it out, mostly to calm down. Once the strings were removed I checked the bracing, I Turned it over and the bridge fell out. The guy had mentioned that his guitar guy had “boned it”. I had bone in stock and cut it, profiled it and fitted it. It sounded great. I called the guy, told him he misrepresented the instrument. Told him what I found wrong and recommended he find a new luthier. I offered to send it back, if he covered what I paid, including shipping charges both ways, my charge for a new bridge, cleaning and strings. He declined the offer.
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Post by jefe46 on Nov 18, 2021 21:15:19 GMT -5
Your experience purchasing online matches mine... never again.
Play before you pay.
Best of luck on your recent purchase.
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Post by rickyguitar on Nov 19, 2021 8:53:30 GMT -5
Same here. Banjo in my case.
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Post by hushnel on Nov 19, 2021 11:13:55 GMT -5
It didn’t show up yesterday, again the tracking indicates it will be delivered today but this time the tracking indicates. “Out for delivery” Not a guarantee.
I asked the Guitar Center manager what he thought of it, I know an exercise in futility, but if his opinion matches mine, I’ll at least know one guy I can semi trust.
The only other instrument I ordered on line was a custom made, for me. ukulele, I meet Kevin Crosette on a forum, he had a lot of positive reviews, plus he let me do the headstock inlay for mine. He was excited about a logo his buddy designed for him, I asked him to send me two headstock overlays. I made up two so he could have one for himself. Which got me a custom headstock inlay job for one of his customers that was a circus clown who worked with the elephants. It was a memorial inlay of a circus elephant that was so mistreated he went rouge and was put down for killing a few circus workers.
Any how hopefully the guitar will arrive today. Be nice if the case showed up too. 68 years old and still ridiculously optimistic.
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Post by hushnel on Nov 19, 2021 15:32:07 GMT -5
The case and guitar, shipped separately, showed up about 45 minutes ago. Not even a scratch or mark on the shipping boxes. The guitar and the stock guitar case showed up together. In the case was two tuning machine tools one with the saddle pin pulling tool, string cutter, two new sets of strings, humidifier packs, a Snark Tuner with a dead battery, wipe down cloth. The original owner took good care of this guitar, a few very very slight scratches that will buffed out.
The Cordoba C9 Parlor is a very nice sounding guitar, balanced from E to E with a wonderful tone. The 7/8 body size has good volume for a classical Parlor.
This is a guitar that will cause me zero fatigue, the 50mm nut is perfect, plenty of room for my 58 years playing bass, padded finger tips. It meets, maybe even exceeds my expectation.
I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about this deal. I can easily see this instrument is going to make it easier to sell off some of my other acoustics.
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Post by Ragtop on Nov 19, 2021 17:01:03 GMT -5
I've heard nothing but good things about these new Cordobas. Congrats!
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Post by jefe46 on Nov 19, 2021 17:27:54 GMT -5
Glad you like it.
I bought the CORDOBA "CADET" classical for my grand daughter.. also a very good guitar.
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Post by hushnel on Nov 19, 2021 17:33:17 GMT -5
Thanks, getting it used saved me $220 off the going price at GC or Sweetwater.
Jefe, it would be nice if they did the 16” radius like the C9 crossover, but the “crossover” has a 48mm nut. I like the 50mm this C9 parlor has.
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Post by LTB on Nov 19, 2021 21:38:25 GMT -5
The only place I will order sight-unseen is Sweetwater.com. I trust them to weed out the dogs. I have ordered an Acoustic Electric, a Gibson SG faded, 3 basses and an Ibanez Archtop 95 Hollowbody electric
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Post by hushnel on Nov 19, 2021 22:06:11 GMT -5
I agree with you, I trust Sweeetwater, . With this being priced as used, along with Cordoba’s reputation I went for it, plus I could of returned it If I was’t satisfied.
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Post by hushnel on Nov 21, 2021 15:33:01 GMT -5
I. Can’t hardly put this guitar down, the tone is really nice and the 50mm nut is the perfect width for my fingers.
I suffer no fatigue playing this instrument. The tone and projection of the instrument is really tight, even the “G” sting is tamed. I know I’m in the honeymoon faze, but it’s hard not to be impressed with this guitar. It’s build is traditional, they call this the luthier series and advertise it as all hand made, even the MOP rosette around the sound hole.
I’ll be letting go of most of my other acoustics, and a few electrics. I’ll probably keep the 00-15 Martin, the 000-15S I’ll sell, as well as the Yamaha CSF1M parlor, which is a really nice little guitar. I’m going to offer these to my nephews first. I have two classicals, I’ll keep one for tent camping. Then see if anyone here may be interested.
I’ll have to cull the bass herd too. I’m pretty busy until February then on the road through March. It settles down about then.,
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Post by LTB on Nov 22, 2021 2:17:26 GMT -5
Problems with Musicians Friend, yes
Problems with Music123, yes
Problems with Guitar Center, yes
Ordered 3 guitars , 2 basses and 1 bass amp from Sweetwater, not a single issue.
They are the only online store I will order from
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Post by hushnel on Nov 22, 2021 9:47:03 GMT -5
I agree, probably why this used guitar was still available. I ordered it through the manager, after I asked him to play it and give me his opinion. His review was in line with every thing I had seen and read, including a bit of surprise in it’s volume and tone. Maybe I was just lucky. I researched this line of instruments for quite awhile, hoping to find one to try out. I had more faith in the instrument than the store. I’m glad I took the risk.
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Post by Leftee on Nov 22, 2021 9:54:11 GMT -5
Sweetwater has never disappointed. A couple of guitars from them did, but they stood tall.
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Post by hushnel on Nov 22, 2021 11:48:56 GMT -5
A guy name Patrick Dennis used to call me every few months. I was in Ft. Wayne A few years back and didn’t realize that’s were Sweetwater is located, until I got back to Florida.
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Post by LTB on Nov 22, 2021 15:31:12 GMT -5
Sweetwater has never disappointed. A couple of guitars from them did, but they stood tall. I had one disappoint me but that was an Epiphone Acoustic Electric that didn't have good accoustic projection (guitars design fault and not sweetwater's) . They allowed me to return it and I ordered a Yamaha at higher price cost from them. |
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Post by jefe46 on Nov 22, 2021 19:47:56 GMT -5
Problems with Musicians Friend, yes
Problems with Music123, yes
Problems with Guitar Center, yes
If not mistaken, all are the same company.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 25, 2021 19:31:40 GMT -5
Regarding "sight-unseen":
Take this with a grain of salt, because I suspect but can't prove it, but: I've sometimes wondered if MF doesn't just send previously-purchased/returned instruments back out without checking them over. A couple "new" ones that I've purchased from them "on sale" (with e-mailed coupon codes) had cosmetic defects. They did give me a partial refund on one when I called them on it, but if what I'm buying is a blem, I want to know in the first place, before I decide whether to buy it. As a result of those experiences, I'd be hesitant to buy another instrument from them. Haven't bought instruments from Sweetwater, but they seem to have a better reputation for being straight up in that regard. They don't seem to have a lot of special "sales", though. Bought one new guitar online from Willcutt's and it was exactly as advertised, so no complaints there. They had two similar ones on offer and let me choose the weight and grain pattern I preferred.
I've also bought sight-unseen, used instruments off Reverb and even a couple times from forum classifieds and had excellent luck each time. In those cases, I asked very numerous and specific questions about condition that hadn't been answered either in the verbal description or by examining the PICs provided.
Basically, buying-without-trying is a crap shoot: sometimes you win, sometimes not.
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Post by Lefty Rev on Dec 2, 2021 11:15:31 GMT -5
We lefties often don't have any choice but to "fly blind" and buy sight unseen/sound unheard/neck unplayed. I've only had a couple real disappointments over the years of purchasing several dozen instruments this way (acoustic and electric). Maybe I've been lucky, but you do your homework, buy from reputable dealers (or sellers on Reverb), and cross your fingers!
Every Martin acoustic I've ever owned (around a dozen; currently four) was either ordered for me by a shop or purchased without trying them out. I've only had one that I sent back... others I decided later weren't for me, and I moved them on. One I sold and regretted, and a few months later, the buyer sold it back to me! (Still have it.)
I would agree with the assessment of Sweetwater; they're great to deal with. Years ago I bought a couple electrics from Musician's Friend and it was fine, but these days I usually only buy strings, tuners, etc. from MF - and that's because they're not in stock/available from Sweetwater. Good company with the right customer service values.
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Post by LTB on Dec 3, 2021 0:59:43 GMT -5
I agree, probably why this used guitar was still available. I ordered it through the manager, after I asked him to play it and give me his opinion. His review was in line with every thing I had seen and read, including a bit of surprise in it’s volume and tone. Maybe I was just lucky. I researched this line of instruments for quite awhile, hoping to find one to try out. I had more faith in the instrument than the store. I’m glad I took the risk. So glad to hear your experience was a good one. We need more of those |
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Post by hushnel on Dec 7, 2021 12:44:21 GMT -5
18 days later and I’m still saying “damn this thing sounds great”. I’m seriously thinking of selling off my other acoustics. I’ll keep one of the Martin Hogs but it’s a tough call between the 00-15 and the 000-5S. The 15 is one of my sweeter sounding guitars but the 15S sounds good and has the wider fingerboard and larger body, it’s a “slot head” that works well for me in various situations, plus I installed a set of Waverly tuning machines when one of the stock ones died, that was’t cheap. I’m in no hurry, once I figure it out I’ll give you guys second choice after my nephew.
I’ll check with my nephew around Christmas , see if he’s interested in any of the 4 I plan to let go. I really like the Yamaha CSF1M Parlor guitar tobacco brown Sunburst but the Cordoba leaves it in the dust and the Cordoba’s wider nut. Fat calloused fingers from 60 years of playing bass revolts with narrow necks. My hands placed palm to palm don’t look like they belong to the same person.
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Post by LTB on Dec 7, 2021 20:09:35 GMT -5
Hushnel, my Yamaha is sweet sounding but I wish the nut was a little wider. Glad you found a keeper
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Post by hushnel on Dec 8, 2021 12:41:54 GMT -5
The Yamaha CSF1M Parlor‘s nut it a bit too short` 1.69”, for me too, the Cordoba C9 nut is 1.98” and is in my Goldilocks range.
The C10 Crossover is also interesting being a classical with a 16” radius, nut 2.04” and a 25.6” scale, it’s about $500 more than I paid for the used C9 Parlor.
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009
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Post by 009 on Jan 9, 2022 16:19:43 GMT -5
In your searches, did you come across any 3/4 / parlor size with a cutaway style body that seriously interested you?
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Post by hushnel on Jan 10, 2022 15:25:47 GMT -5
Haven’t seen any. I bet there are a few out there.
Personally I don’t have any use for a cut away Acoustic. I don’t play any lead, all my guitar playing is done finger picking style. My right arm is partially paralyzed, plus the Radius bone is fused to the Humerus, so no rotation at the wrist, and the paralysis of the bicep doesn't allow me to lift the forearm.
Yeah, I’m a mess, but most agree I kick ass on bass and can hold my own playing guitar.
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Post by 009 on Feb 20, 2022 13:32:11 GMT -5
Haven’t seen any. I bet there are a few out there. Personally I don’t have any use for a cut away Acoustic. I don’t play any lead, all my guitar playing is done finger picking style. My right arm is partially paralyzed, plus the Radius bone is fused to the Humerus, so no rotation at the wrist, and the paralysis of the bicep doesn't allow me to lift the forearm. Yeah, I’m a mess, but most agree I kick ass on bass and can hold my own playing guitar. I really started liking short scale guitars (with my short fingers, etc.) and picked up a Yamaha 1/2 scale classical a couple of years ago. It's been sitting next to me ever since; a great noodling guitar. I really want a cutaway style classical, but the pickings are slim. Cordoba has a spruce top mini that I almost went for, but I have a Taylor BT-1 steel string spruce acoustic that just sounds too much like ukulele. The cedar Yamaha sounds much better. So, if I'm seeking decent tone in a short scale it seems to be coming down to these two models, both by Ortega. Both are identical in construction except that the RQ39 has a solid cedar top vs. the RQC25 that has something else as a cedar top (laminate?) The only drawback is that these have a 110 mm / 4.33 in. body depth, similar to a full size guitar. But, I would hope to get used to that (like carrying an armful of logs into the house from the wood pile). Here are links for both guitars. Take a read if you have the time, and tell me how you think the two really would compare -- laminate cedar top vs. solid cedar top. There's a $120 difference in price ($199 vs. $319) which I wouldn't mind paying if there was a noticeable tone advantage; like I said, I am seeking a deeper, more rounded tone. (The scale is the same as my Yamaha: 21.06 in.; OK for me.) ortegaguitars.com/en/products/rqc25-m14845.htmlortegaguitars.com/en/products/rq39-m14847.html |
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Post by hushnel on Feb 20, 2022 14:39:36 GMT -5
It would come down to your preference based on need. Obviously it would be best to play them side by side, chances are that would not be available locally.
The differences are only solid vs laminated. The laminated top version would be a bit more durable as a kind of kick around instrument. The solid top is a bit more fragile however the smallish size of the instruments top does make it tougher than an instrument with a larger more traditional sized top.
The sold top instrument is going to resonate better than the laminated top, taking better advantage of the wider body thickness.
If I was making this decision, $120 difference would not be enough incentive to select the laminated top witch takes less advantage of the thicker body. Since either one is going to have that same profile to acclimate to, go for the better tone.
I’ve never regretted spending a bit more for the better instrument and as the years pass any residual regret of the extra $120 vanishes. Not actually relevant to this discussion but in the long run the solid top will hold it’s value much better.
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Post by 009 on Feb 20, 2022 18:00:32 GMT -5
Thanks a lot. I guess I'll go for the RQ39 solid top, although these are "backordered." I don't want to "reserve" one, because it seems like a purchase to me: "This item is backordered but is available to reserve now. You will not be charged until the item ships."
I think I'll go down to the local GC and talk to those guys, at least to make sure I can return it & get a refund if I don't like it, and to see if their military discounts apply to orders. I have some greenbacks that I'd rather use than putting it on the credit card.... Thanks again.
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Post by hushnel on Feb 20, 2022 20:04:22 GMT -5
Your welcome, glad to help.
When I purchased the used Cordoba from a Guitar Center I paid for it at the local Guitar center and had it shipped to my home. They told me if i wasn’t satisfied they would return my money.
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Post by 009 on Feb 21, 2022 10:31:26 GMT -5
Thanks again, but I've had a change of heart; I guess I'm a picky sob. So last night I'm sitting with my 1/2 size Yamaha (3-1/8" thick) and trying to imagine it was 1.1 in. thicker. I'm holding it away from my body but the feeling wasn't "real." So I looked on my bookshelf for the largest (L x W) 1-in. thick book I had; found a 1/2 in. 3-ring binder with stuff in it. The outside dimension/thickness was a good inch. I slipped that notebook between me and the guitar (sitting classical style) and now I felt I could get a better idea if I was holding the thicker Requinto. No, too thick. I really like to be able to see the fretboard and my fingerings; too difficult at this depth of guitar. I have a couple of classical acoustics as well as a Seagull S6+ spruce -- none have seen daylight in over a decade. I really dislike fat guitars, but understand the trade offs.
The only contender in the guitar universe is a Cordoba Mini II EB-CE. Spruce top, and while the body thickness is about the same as my Yamaha, the body Width and Length is about 1 in. shorter in both dimensions.
So, I guess I'll just keep liking my Yamaha, even if I can't play the power chord intro to "Back in the USSR" on it. I put a new nut on it with good action and a set of La Bella 2001 strings. For what it is, it is very nice. I've been playing it a lot; the Ebony stain has worn off the fretboard in places. Thanks anyway.
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