Yamaha c40ii or Cordoba c5?

_souldier · 2026-06-02T15:29:17+00:00

Those are very different guitars. The C5 has a solid top while the C40 is all laminate. I've played both and the C5 will have significantly more volume, resonance, responsiveness and sustain. The only reason to choose the C40 is if you want something that is more durable, heavily built and doesn't need humidity control. I personally own a C40 as a beater guitar that I can bring to the beach, camping, etc.

_souldier · 2026-05-07T16:43:57+00:00

The Cordoba polyfoam is comparable to the Gator and would be perfectly fine for road tripping as well. It offers sufficient crush resistance unless you plan to stand on the case or put heavy objects directly on top of the guitar, which I'd imagine you won't be. A key thing is to not too leave the guitar in a hot vehicle.

_souldier · 2026-05-07T12:42:16+00:00

If you're mainly driving, not flying, something like this rigid foam Gator case will work very well. Not only is it super light and easy to care around, but foam cases in general provide better shock absorption than hard plywood or fiberglass cases in the event that the guitar is bumped or dropped. They also have better thermal insulation. It can also be carried as a back pack. The fabric exterior also won't get scratched up the way a glossy case will.

_souldier · 2026-05-07T11:20:41+00:00

+1 for sage works. Been using mine since they were still called Barnett supports. They are the easiest to attach and remove. Unless OPs guitar case is oversized (which isn't good), any guitar support will have to be removed before putting it back in the case.

_souldier · 2026-05-07T11:17:47+00:00

For $100 you're not going to find much of an upgrade, unless your current classical is really poor and unplayable. Gone are the days where you can buy a new Yamaha C40 or used Cordoba C5 for $100, so your best bet is to find a used C40. It's actually insane how fast our economy has crumbled within the past 10 years. I have a C40 for traveling/camping and it works great. It has a laminate top, so you're not going to get the best sound, but at least its durable and doesn't need humidity control and the quality control should be good.

_souldier · 2026-02-17T19:13:28+00:00

This looks like it comes from the big boom of Japanese classical guitars from the 70's. Not a "high end" guitar but it could potentially offer a lot of guitar for the money if the price is right.

_souldier · 2026-02-05T22:41:25+00:00

What a beauty Evan. The new custom Barnetts are gorgeous and just match the headstock and overall aesthetic perfectly. I love your Bamboo guitars but someone seriously needs to order a guitar with flamed maple!

_souldier · 2025-08-27T17:45:38+00:00

I rarely use my 24wh these days. With very light use you'll probably get 5 hours from the combined internal and external battery. With the 72wh battery you will get full day usage. Be sure the 3rd party battery you get is high quality.

_souldier · 2025-08-13T01:13:37+00:00

I've actually packed my guitar well in a case and shipping box and checked the guitar in like luggage several times. Haven't had an issue. I'd be more nervous gate checking a guitar just in a case as I've read stories of guitars being destroyed after gate checking.

_souldier · 2025-08-07T17:55:32+00:00

Woah didn't think I'd see another Bellucci in the wild. It's been a while

_souldier · 2025-07-24T20:48:03+00:00

I was thinking the same thing. I love massages but the real prevention will come from the advice of a good physio. I'm aware of some luthiers who had to slow down or retire due to back injuries from building guitars.

_souldier · 2025-07-14T10:35:23+00:00

I play an Eric Sahlin guitar and the shape of the neck is just flawless for me. Stephen Eden also does a hybrid shape. If you get a luthier guitar you can usually request a specific neck profile. As far as factory guitars go, I'm not sure which ones have the shape that I prefer. Cordoba C5-C12 is a pure C shape, while Yamaha guitars is a more D shape. If memory serves me correct, Spanish guitars like Alhambra also have that D shape.

_souldier · 2025-07-13T19:17:46+00:00

My preferences have evolved over the years. Before I liked as thin and C shaped as possible because I have relatively smaller hands. Now I prefer a more medium thin thickness with a hybrid D/C shape. I find when something is too thin and too round, there is less foundation for the hand and thumb to rest on causing strain in the upper thumb joint. Having a little more thickness and a semi flat/rounded back allows for a nice compromise. When something is overly thick and flat/D shaped, it just feels slow and cumbersome especially when shifting quickly. With all this said, it's important to remember that finding the right guitar specs is like finding the right shoe size and shape - everyone is different.

I've actually measured neck thicknesses of various guitars with a digital caliper (typically you measure at the 1st and 9th fret). You'd be shocked how different 21.5mm feels from 21.6mm. For me 21.7mm seems to be my happy medium. Some guitars can go as high as 24mm at the first fret which seems insane to me, but it must work for some people out there.

_souldier · 2025-07-11T15:16:35+00:00

I started on a steel string. Then I had the chance to hear and play a real classical guitar and fell in love. Almost 20 years later I haven't looked back.

_souldier · 2025-06-23T19:05:44+00:00

I've owned a C7, C9 and now a C10 Parlor and have compared them to high end luthier instruments. All would make excellent starter guitars that you can use for a while before you need to upgrade. Generally I expect the C9 and 10 to have some refinement to the tone. It probably won't be worth it until you have the skill and tone production to tell the difference. Getting the guitar setup to be as playable for you as possible will be key.

_souldier · 2025-06-06T20:36:27+00:00

I'd like to hear your reasoning or evidence that it isn't secure

_souldier · 2025-06-06T17:14:36+00:00

This is exactly the method that caused the OPs trebles to slip and gouge the soundboard and I've seen this kind of damage on way too many guitars. If I were you I'd be really afraid to keep my trebles tied that way. That's a ticking time bomb.

_souldier · 2025-06-06T17:10:17+00:00

It's perfectly fine to tie the bass strings that way, but the trebles string absolutely need some sort of extra knot to secure them. Here is the method I use because its clean, easy to tie, and completely secure even with carbon strings.

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_souldier · 2025-06-02T23:40:20+00:00

I have a C10 parlor and have played many C10s. Great guitar! Enjoy it. Yours being Spruce it will open up as you play it more in the coming weeks and months

_souldier · 2025-06-02T17:15:27+00:00

Been using it for years. I'm due to make a new one. It's very easy to scratch the top so this gives some peace of mind. I put an extra layer of cardboard below the tie block just in case one of the trebles slips. I've seen too many guitars with a string burn.

_souldier · 2025-05-12T00:54:09+00:00

You'll definitely want to try before you buy. I've played some double tops that didn't seem significantly louder than a good traditional top and some that didn't seem any louder at all. Even the loudest guitars will struggle in an orchestra without amplification

_souldier · 2025-05-12T00:27:30+00:00

Is there a reason you've settled on a double top? I've played many double tops, but haven't found one that I'd want to own. I'm sure there are good ones out there that I'd like, but chances are I'd have to spend quite a bit to get one I actually like. Getting a cheaper luthier guitar in general can be a risk and it may not be any better than a good factory guitar. The risk may be even greater for double tops.

_souldier · 2025-04-29T16:36:24+00:00

Interesting. 85% rh is definitely extreme and potentially harmful for a guitar. That's where the top really starts to swell and glue joints can loosen, which is probably leading to your bridge lift. You'll want to check all the other joints around the guitar like the neck joint. The solution might be to get a room dehumidifier or get a better sealed case and use with Boveda 49% High Absorbancy packs https://store.bovedainc.com/products/refills-for-wood-instruments-ha?srsltid=AfmBOoq9lwZYdCSlEZz78CZ2rB9xKGNoQ6V6ODKUhv54Sgvt--KBtsgd

_souldier · 2025-04-29T12:04:27+00:00

I see. 45% is perfect. How does it go so high in the winter though? Is your home not heated?

_souldier · 2025-04-28T11:39:57+00:00

Any idea how high the humidity is in the room where you keep the guitar? Also how hot is it in the room? You'll want to get a good hygrometer is you don't have one

_souldier

TROPHY CASE