Cordoba GK Pro Negra Nylon String Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Spruce Reviews

I was looking for a nylon string guitar for playing fingerstyle Rock and Jazz tunes, and wanted the ability to access higher frets and plug in to an acoustic amp for live performances. There aren't many guitars in this category, but thankfully the GK Pro Negra is a perfect fit. The sound is simply amazing - big and resonant, with beautiful mid and high end tones, and lots of sustain. I never knew a nylon string guitar could sound like this! The ebony fretboard and neck contour is extremely comfortable. It allows me to play complex chords and passages easier. The neck is slightly narrower than a traditional classical, but I don't really notice except that it allows for me to finger chords which are not playable to me on a traditional classical style neck. Out of the box, the string action and intonation are great, and the strings have just the right amount of tension. This is now my go-to guitar for both practicing and performing. Well done, Cordoba!

The quality and playability of this guitar is outstanding!

I was looking for a guitar that would fit between my Martin OMs and Yamaha GC32. In other words I wanted one guitar I could take along where I easily play classical and steel string finger style songs plus sounded great. Played a lot of different makes and models but the best overall were 90the Cordoba GK series guitars. I wasn't able to find a GK Pro Negra locally so turned to Sweetwater for one. I love this guitar! It covers all the bases. It sounds and plays beautifully. What a great instrument!

I've been playing a GK Pro I bought from Sweetwater for about four years until it got stolen on a trip to Portland recently. As soon as the insurance came through, I replaced it with the same model. It's playable right out of the box. I took a little relief out of the neck so I can make it rattle when I dig in.

It still sounds a little confined compared to the one that got stolen because its new, but the last one was at first as well. The frequency range, response, and volume will dramatically improve over the next year and more gradually in years to come.

There aren't a lot of choices in this price range. I feel pretty confident GK Pro Negra is the best bang for the buck. I like the extra stiffness of the Cristal Corum strings and will be sticking with those.

I have a Kenny Hill Estudio Cedar top nylon acoustic as well but the GK is my favorite.

I play in rock and country bands with solid body electrics and work the solo instrumental market playing smooth jazz/pan ethnic side of the street with nylon string acoustics. The GK is great looking, has a great feel and once I'm at a baseline setting plugged in, my main tone control is my picking hand. It's a guitar that grows to feel like part of you.

I bought a demo model. I couldn't see the alleged scratch in the photos. Once I had it in my hands, I still couldn't see it. Their inspectors have better vision than I do. I should probably send Sweetwater another $.

If, God forbid, anything happens to this one, I'd buy another one just like it. Cordoba scored on all counts with this model.

I love this guitar. The strings it came with didn't quite give me the sound I wanted, especially for the low E. After trying a variety of different sets I found the right sound with La Bella 900-B strings. The bass strings are now fuller and the trebles are crystal clear. The overall sound is exquisite. It takes a while to find the right strings for any given guitar and any given player. The 900-B strings didn't work at all on my Cordoba Fusion Orchestra guitar, but the Augustine Classic Red set works perfectly.

I bought this guitar a month ago have played it very hard for a month and I am very satisfied with the quality for the price. Tone is very good and intonation is good all the way up the neck. Really like the wood choices. Beautiful and very good playing guitar.

I have used my GK Pro for about a year now and I am extremely happy with the product. I use it for outdoor gigs, wedding ceremonies, online teaching, combo gigs, and gigs in noisy spaces that require amplification. I did make a new saddle for it to raise the action by 1mm on each side so that I can dig in a little more and get warmer tone, but that is just a personal preference. Other than that it is a great product as is. The ability to move/blend the pickup and the mic allows for the elimination of feedback, and switching between a more traditional classical and a flamenco fusion tone is awesome. I definitely recommend this product for those time when you simply must amplify.

My Cordoba arrived right on time. Sweetwater service and support was fast, attentive and professional. The guitar sounds well with a full rich tone and I expect it will improve as the spruce top is played in. For a factory made instrument the construction and finish was excellent. I could find no flaws with the build quality and the case provided was sturdy and the guitar fits perfectly. The action is low as one would expect with a flamenco and it plays like a dream. Once plugged in the guitar has a great sound through my pa and I am expecting to use this fine instrument as my main gigging guitar.

This guitar is a fabulous classical guitar. It is everything that I hoped it would be. If you are a classical player looking for a guitar that you can amplify, this is a great choice. I am mainly a classical player who dabbles in a bit of finger-picking pop. My wife is a flutist and we have a flute\guitar duo. I own a nice cedar top Takemine C132S classical that I love very much. However, I wanted a guitar that had electronics onboard, and could be easily amplified, but would still play and feel like a standard classical so that there would not be a big adjustment when switching between the two guitars. I was concerned because, it seems, that most Cordoba guitars that include electronics are "crossover" or "fusion" models designed for steel string players who want a nylon string guitar. After playing the GK Negra Studio version, which was quite impressive, especially for the money, I decided to go ahead and buy this "pro" version of the instrument. I am so glad that I did. The 1.96" is not noticeably smaller than a standard 2" classical neck. I have always been a cedar top fan but found that like the brightness of the spruce top. Ultimately, the instrument plays and feels like a beautifully made classical guitar which is exactly what I wanted. In comparison to my Takemine C132S, I have noticed that the Takemine has a louder bass response while this instrument really speaks well in the treble range. However, the bass response of the Cordoba is still well within the acceptable range. The electronics are exceptional. There is an onboard pickup as well as a microphone and you are able to blend the two to get the sound you want. There is a phase switch as well as a notch filter to further adjust your sound and limit bass or overtones in the frequency you select. Overall, I am very pleased with this guitar and would buy it again in a heartbeat. If you are a classical player who is seeking a guitar that will allow you to play standard repertoire and can be amplified easily, this is an excellent choice. Lastly, the guitar is beautiful and was obviously constructed with great care and attention to detail. I intend to have this guitar until I leave this earth.

This may not be a Spanish master-built masterpiece, but it's an excellent guitar. Mine sounds clear and full throughout the registers and plays like a dream. I've only had it for three days and haven't tried the electronics, as that's not my priority; also, as my first flamenco guitar, I can't compare it to anything other than classical guitars I've owned in the past. For a variety of styles from pop to bossa nova, I'm loving it. The 6th string produces a remarkably tight bass, and I believe it will record better in a pop music track than the classical guitars I've recorded over the years.

The slightly narrower than classical nut width suits me, I suppose as a primarily acoustic and electric player, beautifully. As does the body depth -- a half-inch between their Spanish-made flamencos and a standard classical. Speaking of beauty, this guitar is; and the construction feels solidly high-quality. I'm in a humid climate at the moment, so I'm not using the built-in humi-case feature installed in the top of the case yet, but it's nice to have it and the hygrometer to monitor what's going on in that department.

Sweetwater was great about choosing the best of the four in stock at the time of purchase, and it sounds so wonderful I can't help but believe someone actually picked it out. As always, my salesperson of 25 years, Jim Swain, really helped me with this!

I own six steel string guitars, including a bass, and thought that nylon strings were for kids. Wow! Was I wrong! I got a GK PRO NEGRA and was very surprised. Many of the qualities I needed in a guitar and didn't otherwise have, were there. Its volume is well balanced and loud across all the strings. Its tone is as musical as you could hope for. It is about three-quarter size, so it is comfortable in any position. I can play this guitar to an adequate volume at home in any room without electronics, the under saddle pick up is barely heard at maximum setting. You can practice on this guitar for hours and not get sore fingers, (important if you tend towards arthritis.) Plays like butter. Two months now and I can't put it down. That soft ballad you have in your heart is waiting for this guitar.

I"ve been eying this masterpiece for years and finally decided to add it to my studio collection. Man am I happy I did! After I broke it in a little the guitar sang beautifully. Now I am having trouble even setting it town. It"s is a great all around jam guitar where you can sit for hours entertaining yourself. This now is definitely my go to instrument and I will never part with it.

I've owned a few classical guitars over the years, all of which were quality instruments made in Spain. I wanted one with electronics that was "reasonably priced" so I decided on the GK Pro since all of the review I've seen were very positive. This was the third guitar I've purchased from Sweetwater, and like the others, the set up was perfect right out of the box, and the quality of this particular instrument just blows me away. Although this guitar is made in China, the overall construction and finish is outstanding. It rivals guitars costing 3 X as much. The Cordoba factory in China where this guitar is made was established by the world renowned luthier, Kenny Hill, and his attention to fine details really shows on this guitar. If anyone is thinking of getting one of these, all I can say is "go for it." The service from Sweetwater has been first rate with every purchase I've made and I will continue doing business with them in the future.

Outstanding product. Played many instruments and nothing comes close to this one. Beutiful sound and excellent playability. No complaints, no other products like it neccessary. Thanks to my sales engineer Frank Gerdts and sweetwater's 55-point evaluation both the guitar and case arrived in pristine condition.

Had it a couple weeks now ,, first off the guitar and case is beautiful ,, pics doesn't do it justice as when you see it in person ,, it's very lite. And easy to hold and play ,,, the setup was good but a little high action for me ,, but after I had it set up to my feel ,, I can't put it down ,, plays great and sounds amazing ,, electronics are sweet sounding and with a little reverb , omg ,,, yes it's a little pricey , but worth it , craftsmanship is top notch ,,, this is my first nylon string guitar and best I've played with many visits to GC
No buyers remorse here ,, and always Alex my sales guy was great ,, best customer service on the planet with sweetwater ,, This guitar is taking my love for Spanish guitar to new heights ... Thanks guys

I am an acoustic (mostly steel string) fingerstyle guitarist. When I first played a demo model of the GK Negra at a local chain music store I was not in the market for a nylon string classical. I just wanted to try something different. Different it was! I was immediately blown away by both the playability and the fabulously lush sound I was able to produce. I played for a couple of hours and couldn't stop. A sales person suggested I plug in and when I did it was all over...I couldn't put the guitar down. The Fishman Prefix ProBlend pickup system reproduced all the subtile tonal color that captured my attention when I first started playing acoustically. I knew immediately that I wanted to own this guitar.

The store I was at didn't have a "new" model and wasn't going to be able to get one for over a month. I
found the same guitar on Sweetwater (for less!) and, though I have never bought a guitar that I didn't actually pick up an play first, I decided to give an online purchase a try (largely because of Sweetwater's return policy and satisfaction guarentee). I had my guitar in a couple of days. It was set up even better than the one I played in the store and had the same great sound. This is important because there can be inconsistency in tonal quality between individual guitars even when they are the same model. This was not the case with Cordoba. I was VERY pleased with Sweetwaters service and attention to detail. They made my first experience buying a guitar online a positive one (so much so that I will definitely shop with them again).

I own (and have owned) high end Taylors, Martins and a vintage Guild. I just love the nuances of different tonewood combinations and guitar designs. I could not believe how well the Cordoba stood up against my other much more expensive guitars in terms of tone quality and playability. It is my go-to guitar at home and I fully expect to be using it at gigs regularly in the very near future. The only reason its not my primary gig guitar now is that I re-writing many of my arrangements of songs I play on steel string because, the GK Pro is so playable. I am able to play better and do more with this guitar.

I'm sure a classical or flamenco guitar purist would not appreciate some of the deviations/innovations Cordoba has incorporated into the GK Pro Negra - like the relatively low action, the narrower neck radius and more rounded neck. But it is a beautiful instrument in its own right and a joy to play for a crossover steel string player like myself.

High marks for Cordoba and Sweetwater!

Mine came yesterday by UPS and must state very well packaged. Always been interested in Nylon stringed guitars and took the plunge. Well this model blew me away perfect in all aspects and sounds outstanding both plugged in and not. The finish and workmanship....outstanding and that special case great.....I added it to my other non-nylon electric/acoustic guitars. I found the Cordoba has a higher string action and it takes awhile to get used to but that is the way all nylon string guitars are built....but they sound better than metal strings. I made a good decision on this guitar thanks to Paul Allen my Sweeter Rep. Very satisfied no issues what so ever..Jim Fallon, Nv.

I already own several Cordoba Guitars, including a GK Pro Negra (see my first review below) and have made it the instrument of choice for my work. I generally play anywhere from 6 to 8 shows a week, so I need a real instrument of quality.
My original GK Pro has taken a literal beating in the last 3 years, adding up to almost 1,000 shows. I live in the midwest and tour between here and the tropics, so the guitar not only has a lot of shows to do, but goes through severe climate changes overnight. I recently had an accident where the case fell of a counter, broke, and the guitar came flying out and hit the floor, causing an 7 inch crack in her top. Although she is on the mend and will be back on track in a couple of week, and event though I have other Cordoba models that are similar to the GK Pro (55FCE Negra, GK Studio Negra), I wasn't feeling well about the thought of losing this guitar if it took another blow.
There was never second guessing or any thought on trying another guitar. The Cordoba GK Pro Negra will always be the sound of my live shows!
I also would like to say thank you to my friend, Robert Williams, who is not just a great sales engineer, but a great human being. Un abrazo, hermano!
Thank you Cordoba for making such great instruments and helping me in my life in music.
Here's to another 1,000 shows!
Fernando Ufret

I purchased the Cordoba Pro Negra Spruce&Rosewood from Sweetwater and received the guitar in less than 2 days. The guitar is a beauty with matching sound. The guitar has even tones and great bass response for playing Jazz/Sinatra styles as well as instrumentals. I love the overtones and overall brilliance of this guitar. The humidified case is a big plus. Thanks, Sweetwater, for superior service and a wonderful product.

Love this guitar. It really has an amazing tone and sound. It also really puts out the volume (acoustically). I have run it through my PA and all of my guitar amps and the electronics are very pliable, so I can get the sound I'm looking for. My only negative comment would be Cordoba advertises this as a flamenco style and the action comes setup like a standard classical guitar, but a visit for a setup at my local luthier set it right. I play primarily jazz and classical string heights are problem up around the 12th fret for me at least. It is long way to go to get to fret board with some of those really weird chords.

When i opened my package i was amazed how beautiful this guitar looks solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides gives amazing sound. This is truly very nice modern classical flamenco guitar. My guitar was packed very good. It came in two boxes and also case for guitar is very sturdy and beautiful. Guitar was already tuned and it works impeccable. I do not see any issues. Thanks Sweetwater!!!!

The craftsmanship and attention to detail on this guitar makes it a piece of art. The quality and attention to detail makes this a very fine instrument. My first impression of this guitar when I first picked it up was how beautiful it was. Then when I began to play it the tone touched my hear. The richness of the lower bass strings are balanced with a very sweet and clean tone on the upper register. When replacing the strings, I suggest staying with the same ones that come with the guitar. The electronics give you a lot of control over the sound. I play this guitar more than my expensive Tayor 716. Very nice guitar. I'm buying the 55fce next! Don't tell my wife.

The GK Pro Negra is a lot of guitar for the buck, I was so blown away by the sound! It is a very versatile nylon string- you can play Flamenco all the way to Bossa and Jazz. The Bass on this thing is incredible and the Highs are profound. The neck is smooth and transitions are a lot easier than most other nylon guitars I have played in the $1500 range. To Top it off.. it is All Solid!
Great job Cordoba!

I OWN 3 CORDOBA GUITARS; C7, GK STUDIO NEGRA, AND NOW A GK PRO NEGRA!
THIS GUITAR IS EVERYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE AND MORE. FROM THE NECK FEEL TO THE HUGE SOUND IT GETS, IT'S LIKE IT WAS BUILD TO BE VERY VERSATILE.
MY SHOW RANGES FROM GYPSY KINGS TO QUEEN, AND THIS IS THE PERFECT GUITAR FOR THE JOB!
THANKS TO CORDOBA GUITARS FOR SUCH A GREAT PRODUCT AND THANK SWEETWATER FOR BEING AWESOME AT WHAT THEY DO!

Just purchased a GK Pro Negra! Very impressed with the craftsmanship of this guitar. Great playability and tone. Highly recommended! Nice going Cordoba! Jerry

The sound. The beautiful sound that comes from this guitar. It's like a built in reverb tank. Headroom for dayzzzzz. An overall natural, organic, beautiful sound. The lows are punchy for sure. Mid range is is slightly raised and the highs. Like I said, a built in reverb tank!! So clean and sweet. I can't believe it was made in China. Seriously, this guitar speaks volumes to the attention to detail and quality of woods this guitar contains.

The build is top notch. All solid woods. The rosewood used for the back and sides. Not the low grade stuff Gibson uses on their acoustics. The color is so rich and chocolatey. Dosnt look dyed either. Just great wood!! The binding is also rosewood. Ebony board. Smooth and polished. Like it should be. Fret job is spot on. No burrs on dead spots no sharp edges.

The only thing this guitar has against it is the set up. I got me a demo model under full warranty. Sweetwater does a "set up" before shipping. And I got a card saying they did. I believe it, it just wasn't set up the way I like it. Action is subjective. So that's fine. It's the intonation that was off. I don't believe Sweetwater checks this?? I believe this to be a factory issue. So, after visiting my local luthier we got the guitar straightened out. Sweetwater has offered the compensate me for the difference. Very kind of them.

The pickup (piezo) and mic are decent. I like the mic better. The piezo is clicky. Some might think a tuner would be nice with it. But the notch and frequency knobs are gold. Perfect for live performances.

The case is also nicely built. Guitar fit snug into it. A built in humidifier is a nice touch. Works too!!

Overall, this is a very fine and playable guitar. Ready for bedroom to stage. I would but again if anything happened to this one. A once over by a luthier might be needed when buying a cordoba, but that's a factory issue.

As stated, Sweetwater has met my expectations on service and quality of product. I received the guitar in under 48 hours. Thank you to Richard Wettington for the continued premium service.

I am thoroughly satisfied with my purchase of the Cordoba GK Pro Negra! I tried numerous guitars before my purchase and none of them compared to the response, sustain, and playability of the GK Pro. The build quality is beautiful. The tone is amazing regardless if it"s plugged in or not! The bass response is very well balanced with the highs of this Flamenco guitar. It"s a hard guitar to put down!!
I gave it 4.5 stars because it did not come with a tap plate (golpeador)

Picked up a gk pro negra last week surprising amount of bass for small body guitar. Tuners were pretty plasticky and feedback was an issue until I figured out the notch filter but after that sounded and played great.

I owned a model RCWE, much like this one. Despite Cordoba's reputation, the truth is they do not stand behind their products. After only a few years in an appropriately climate controlled environment, a buzz in the face and boom developed with the 5th/A note. It sounded like the ribs were separating or maybe never solidly affixed to the face. Cordoba rejected requests to return it to them and pay them to fix it. They said they cannot work on the thin body models. I talked with a few luthiers who also wouldn't touch it because they cannot work inside such a thin body. Not acceptable for >$ guitars. So beware.