Comments on: REVIEW: Yamaha’s CG171SF Flamenco Guitar

By: Learn to play flamenco guitar

Learn to play flamenco guitar — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:30:50 +0000

[...] picked up a great and inexpensive $350 Yamaha flamenco guitar [...]

By: Andrea Logan

Andrea Logan — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:22:26 +0000

@Samuel
Thanks for the tips on not putting steel strings on a classical guitar.
Almost came to a sticky end there.

By: Samuel Lawson

Samuel Lawson — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:22:43 +0000

I completely agree with the assessment of the cg171sf – the absolute best flamenco guitar you can get for under $1000. It’s got the req’d ‘punch’ on every note that makes it equally a percussion instrument and gorgeous melody maker. My concert classical cost 10x what this one is, and thought the application is different, I would have no qualms whipping this Yamaha out in a mixed programme after playing my Hill.

BTW, do not ever ever ever put steel strings on a classical guitar unless you plan on using it for firewood later. Having said that, my dad bought a 1975(+/-) cg100 (I actually am not sure about the model, but think this is it) for my older brother back in 1989. He fiddled around with it for a year, and I picked it up and started learning about classical guitar – and that you never ever put steel strings on it… this instrument had steel on it for years. I replaces them with some D’Addario nylons strings, and it was fine. It’s still not a good idea, but that old Yamaha is a tank! (still have it)

By: Omaima Al Najjar

Omaima Al Najjar — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:55:22 +0000

I use to use a samick classical guitar, I am now considering turning into flamenco style .. and I want to start with a agood guitar so i would learn easly, especially that i am learning at home!
this guitar cost arund 550 American dollar now .. which is a good price compared with other good guitars!

I can’t wait to get mine, I live in saudi .. so I’ll ask friend who is studying there coming back to Saudi this summer to bring it with him! :D
I am sooo excited and happy!
a review of the guitar sound on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW9VizZbSTs

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 16 May 2010 03:18:16 +0000

Does anyone have an opinion about the difference between the Yamaha Flamenco and the Cordoba F7 or the Cordoba C7?

I am a beginner, I have been studying classical guitar for 6 months, and I will study Flamenco in Spain this summer. I like the sound and the playability of the Cordoba C7 with the spruce top and Rosewood back and sides – I know it is a classical, but it sounded better to me than the Yamaha. The Cordoba C7 still has a pretty low action, but without any fret buzzing, which the Yamaha had a lot of.

Opinions?

Thanks.

By: Ragu

Ragu — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:32:05 +0000

Guitar Center has this new 15% off , trade up sale going on in May so I took my old Yamaha Fg700S classic and played with the CG171SF ($300), and the Manuel Rodriguez C3 ($500), expecting the Rodriguez to sound slightly better – NOT. Try both right in the store and compare, the
CG171SF has this classic flamenco sound to it. You can play right along with the $1000 spanish flamenco guitars and the CG sounds right up there.
The Rodriguez C3 has great keys though, unlike the CG but if your looking for sound quality the CG has it.
Its best to show up with one of your flamenco buds, this way you can play both together and contrast and compare, even the salesman got into the comparison bit.

By: FlamencoMaster

FlamencoMaster — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:06:48 +0000

I’ve been playing flamenco for a long time and I can honestly say this guitar is real value for money. I highly recommended for anyone entertaining the idea of learning flamenco guitar.

I picked it up in the shop and gave them a blast of buleria, the shop attendant came wondering over, i stopped…. he said no no keep playing lmao.

I think I sold it for him lol :))

By: Toronto

Toronto — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:57:49 +0000

I tried this Yamaha out about a few weeks ago and I was pretty impressed by the sound quality/price ratio.

For anyone who doesnt have much experience with flamenco and wants to just get a feel of this type of andalusian music, this Yamaha is a great start and will always encourage you to pick it up and play more.
One’s wallet will be happy as well.

Of course, it won’t compare to luthier made guitars with aged wood ($3K +). But until one gets to that level, this Yamaha is just great!

By: Zebo

Zebo — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:52:05 +0000

Can anyone compare the Yamaha CG171SF and Rodriguez C1 based on their personal experience? I am torn between the two. Thanks.

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:10:03 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, Graham! I appreciate it — and will be shopping for a CG-171-SF soon.

By: Graham Sergeant

Graham Sergeant — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:13:38 +0000

Craig,

I think that the Yamaha CG-171-SF would meet your requirements. It has a low action and good playability and sound both for flamenco and classical/modern music. It is recommended that you fit a set of decent quality dedicated flamenco strings – you’ll need to experiment to find what suits you. I’ve had my guitar now for only a fortnight – but I can’t put it down. For the price of around £350 it is fantastic value!

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:37:21 +0000

I have played steel-string acoustic guitars off and on for many years, and am now considering a nylon-string guitar. But the action on the “classical” guitars I’ve tried seems so high and difficult to get used to. Would any of you recommend a “flamenco” guitar like the Yamaha CG-171-SF for someone like me, or is it only suited for playing highly percussive flamenco-style music? I am hoping to learn to play chord-and-melody songs that are suited to nylon instruments so well. The sound quality is of course important to an extent, but my primary concern is the neck/action. Thanks for any help/advice!

By: Graham Sergeant

Graham Sergeant — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:45:13 +0000

I have played a classical guitar for a number of years – (after a style!) – and wanted to try playing flamenco without committing myself to between £1000-£2000 for a reasonable Spanish instrument. After having read a number of very positive reviews about the CG171SF Yamaha, I decided to buy one. I bought mine from Thomann who apart from a 30-day trial/return period also offer a good guarantee and inclusive shipping!! Thomann’s service is excellent and the guitar arrived in perfect order (from Germany) As suggested I fitted a set of reasonable quality Hannabach flamenco strings (Medium Tension). The guitar is beautifully made and produces an excellent authentic flamenco sound. In my view it is fantastic value at around £350.

By: Bob MacLean

Bob MacLean — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:01:30 +0000

Am in the market for a reasonable classical guitar under $1000. I will be looking at the CG171SF… Yamaha also makes a CGX171SCF which is very similar but with a cutaway and electronics. Nice axe, but unfortunately, IMHO, they made an error in the current chinese factory product. Its beautiful but the nut width is 1 7/8 rather than the full 2 inches. (neither a classical or a flamenco!) Some like that, but I prefer the wider nut. The models made before the new Chinese factory in Jan 07 were from Taiwan and were well made & had the wider nut.
The new CGX171SCF models are around $600. I might just pick up the CG171SF and put in a Baggs Element voiced for nylon.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:23:36 +0000

Has anyone noticed the veneer on the back as seen through the sound hole on their 171SF? I am certain mine is spruce with a better grain pattern than my soundboard, by the way. Some Ramirez modern concert guitars use a cypress veneer on the sides. I have heard of a construction style that utilizes the soundboard wood for the veneer on the back inside. Is this what is happening with your guitar??? Perhaps there is something to learn here.
Thanks for your info.