Cordoba Cadete 3/4 size Nylon String Acoustic Guitar - Cedar Reviews

I played classical guitar back in the 1970's. Now in old age and arthritic, I didn't know if I'd be able to play again. I was discouraged by my original guitar because it was just too big for me to manage now. A friend saw a photo of me and asked me if I were trying to play a cello? That made me wonder if maybe there were smaller guitars. I hadn't heard of a 3/4 size model, but a search brought me to Sweetwater. The selection and helpfulness and reputation was very encouraging, and I was attracted to this Cordoba model on first sight. It is a beautiful guitar, and it is just the right size for me. It makes me indescribably happy to be able to make music again. The customer service and fast delivery from Sweetwater is really terrific.

I do believe that the Cordoba Cadete is best new guitar that I've ever bought for the money. It's just a joy to play and sounds great. I did adjust the action a little, but I expected that in this price range. I do have a couple of full size classicals, but I seem to always pick up this Cadete because it's so much fun to play.

Cordoba makes quality even in this price range. The action is a little high past the 7th fret, but this is true for almost all accoustics/classicals. You may have to shave the saddle. Also, it doesn't come with a case, which is ok just buy one from Cordoba.

I was looking for a small nylon string guitar for playing around the house. Something cheap, that sounds decent, that doesn't have horrendous action, and that I could use for some tracking, if desired. This thing is great on all fronts. I really like it and have played it every day since I picked it up.

We bought one several years ago for my wife, a keyboardist who wanted to learn guitar. I sometimes use it for practice as an alternative to my electrics. For the money, it"s hard to beat - well made from good tonewoods and sounds very sweet.

Very well fit to my 12 year old daughter. It sounds fantastic. Highly recommended.

I love this guitar. When I received it, the action was WAY too high but I know this is a subjective setting that depends upon playing style. When the bone saddle was properly adjusted for my preferences, the tone and playability were excellent!

I wrote a review on March 28, 2014 and thought after three years of playing this guitar I would write a little more. I have played this guitar almost every day since I bought it. If anything it is even more of a pleasure to play than when it was new. I love it's tone and it's a pleasure to play. The finish holds up to anything I have given it too. Not a nick or scratch after three years of use and it has been bumped a few times too. I have the original strings on 5 positions as I replaced the second string right after I had gotten it. I also adjusted the tension rod a little to bring the action down slightly. I just got done playing it and it sits on a stand right in front of my favorite chair.I have a half size acoustic and two electric guitars as well. They rarely get played. If you need a slightly smaller guitar in a classical acoustic, give this one a look. I don't know if they make this guitar with a spruce top or not, mine is cedar and I would recommend it to anyone that needs a little smaller size guitar.

I ordered the Cadete which was in stock on Friday afternoon. I hadn't finished checking out on my computer, when a Sweetwater sales engineer was on the phone thanking me and asking if I had any questions. He also sent me an E-mail with his contact info in case I needed any help.
Later that afternoon, I got a call from Fed Ex saying that they would be delivering my guitar Saturday. They did! Now that's quick.

When the box got here Saturday afternoon, I was amazed at the size of the box, The guitar was in a box, that was in another box and that box was in yet another box. each box had stuffing. Needless to say, the guitar was not damaged.

Upon inspection, the outside of the guitar was perfect. The sales pictures didn't do it justice. The inside was almost perfect. There is a small white glue drip on the inside of the back in the upper right bout. This in no way affects the sound or outer appearance of the guitar.

Next I sat down to try playing the guitar. I was disappointed, the "B" string just kind of went thunk at the first fret. The action was a little higher than I am used to also. As it happens, I had a new set of D'Addario Pro Arte strings I had bought for my son's 1/4 size guitar. Sunday, I put the "B" string on and gave it another try. I was amazed at the tone this little guitar puts out. It sounds as good as my full size Lotus classical guitar, ( I bought the Lotus because of it's rich beautiful sound). This little guitar blew me away with how it sounds and how easy it is to play. The original "B" string had a small nick in it right below the nut.

All that said, I am still what I would call a beginner. what I do know is self taught, mostly on a 4 string concert size banjo ukulele with a low "G" string tuned like a guitar. The full size classical is just too big for my short arms and small hands.

Perhaps after I have played this guitar for some time, I will write another review. In any case, I would recommend this little guitar to anyone that wants a classical guitar and needs the smaller size, or just wants a small guitar to work with or carry around.

For the price point, I am very pleased with the Cordoba Cadet 3/4 size classical guitar. A medical issue that causes pain and strength reduction in my hands has made continuing to play (well) the steel strings I've played all my life a discouraging and losing battle. ...I just want to play.

I own a couple of Cordoba minis -- one tuned to A, one to E -- that I like quite a bit. They are so easy to play. I wanted an instrument I could play as easily but with a bigger sound. The Cadet is that.

I like a somewhat wider neck which this has (1.88 nut). The shorter scale and size is very comfortable for me (I'm a hair under 5'). I also have shoulder and neck troubles, and I've been able to sit and play the Cadet for as long as I want without discomfort.

The frets are smooth, the action is nigh on perfect (truss rod in case that changes), and intonation seems right. No string buzz even with capo'ing on the 5 - 7th frets, which I do a lot. The sound is surprisingly balanced, and warm yet articulate. For under $300, this guitar sounds very, very good.

Have not yet performed live with the Cadet... will in a couple weeks, using an iRig acoustic pickup. My expectations are good. Meanwhile, I have a guitar I can actually play again. Thanks, Cordoba and Sweetwater!

I was lucky to find this new on ebay several months ago when it was on order at Sweetwater and everywhere else with no estimated time of arrival. Otherwise I would have bought it from Sweetwater as they have great service and the 55 point check. I am a small woman and the regular size dreads, grand auditorium, even grand concerts were feeling too big. This guitar is amazing! I love the shorter scale length and the size of the body is comfortable for me. I can play blues, folk, jazz on it. It sounds good in all those styles. It kind of has a vintage era sound. Yes, it is 3/4 size but it has decent projection for a small guitar. I think it is the best short scale 3/4 size out there. The workmanship and finish is beautiful too. But sound is the most important element for me. It just happens that the price is terrific. When I brought it to my luthier, he recommended doing nothing to it, and he was surprised the quality of it. Anyone needing something small...I highly recommend this guitar. Anything finger picked on it has a warm intimate sound and feel.

I purchased this because I love the sound and feel of a nylon string guitar. I like playing blues and while this may not be a traditional choice for blues, Willie Nelson pulls it off and that's good enough for me. Let me say, I am a 53 year old blues wanna-be and certainly no authority on guitars or technique. I can say that this guitar sounds better than the price might indicate. I like the 3/4 size personally and I don't feel I'm sacrificing much in sound. I have an entry level Yamaha as well and this guitar is a quantitative leap beyond it. I'd say for a player on a budget, this should be high on your list.

I got the Cadete to use as a small travel / couch guitar that I wouldn't worry about banging up instead of my higher priced Cordoba's. For that it's great. It obviously doesn't sound as rich and full as my others, but it does seem to sound better than the other 3/4-size guitars I tried. It's the first Cordoba I've bought that needed setup upon arrival, which I guess is also to be expected at it's price point. (Would've also been nice if the Cadete came with a gig bag, since the cheaper Protege models do come with one.)
The workmanship is great, as are all the Cordoba's I have, but the quality at this price point is nice to see. The neck is very comfortable, and as usual the Cordoba tuners are above standard in their appearance as well as performance. Cordoba is consistently making the best import nylon string guitars out there IMO.