The Córdoba C5 is a traditional full-size nylon-string classical guitar that combines a solid Western Red Cedar top with mahogany back and sides, giving it a warm, rounded response with plenty of clarity for classical playing, fingerstyle, Latin music and acoustic accompaniment.

A mahogany C-shaped neck, rosewood fingerboard, 650mm classical scale and generous 52mm nut width provide the wider string spacing expected from a traditional classical guitar, while a dual-action truss rod adds useful neck adjustability.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional. No case is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Córdoba
Model	C5
Type	Nylon-String Classical Guitar
Top	Solid Western Red Cedar
Back & Sides	Mahogany
Neck	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	650mm / 25.6"
Nut Width	52mm
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Included	Guitar Only – No Case
Main Appeal	Solid-top classical guitar with traditional feel
Best For	Classical, fingerstyle, Latin, flamenco-influenced playing and acoustic accompaniment

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Córdoba C5 is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

What's Included?

✔ Córdoba C5 Classical Guitar

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership
• No case included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Córdoba classical guitar has been assessed for general condition and playability before being offered for sale.

Checks include:

• Neck condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Saddle
• Bridge
• Tuning machines
• Structural condition
• Action
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Nut condition
• Saddle condition
• Tuning stability
• Bridge condition
• General playing feel

Classical guitars can naturally respond to changes in temperature and humidity, so minor setup movement may occur during transportation.

What Makes The Córdoba C5 Special?

The C5 has long been one of Córdoba's core classical models because it combines traditional nylon-string proportions with a genuine solid cedar soundboard rather than using laminated construction for the top.

Its 52mm nut width, flat classical-style playing surface and 650mm scale give it the spacing required for accurate fingerstyle technique, while the mahogany back and sides help keep the overall response warm, controlled and balanced. A lightweight adjustable truss rod also provides useful neck stability and adjustability that is not always found on traditionally constructed classical guitars.

Key Features & Benefits

Solid Western Red Cedar Top

The C5 uses a solid Western Red Cedar soundboard.

Cedar is particularly popular for classical guitars because it responds quickly to a relatively light right-hand touch and produces a warm, mature tonal character without requiring aggressive playing.

It is particularly effective for:

• Classical repertoire
• Fingerstyle
• Chord melody
• Latin music
• Gentle accompaniment
• Solo nylon-string playing

Mahogany Back & Sides

Mahogany back and sides complement the cedar top with focused mids and a controlled low-frequency response.

This helps individual notes remain clear when playing multi-note classical passages and fingerpicked arrangements.

Traditional Fan Bracing

The C5 uses fan bracing, a construction method closely associated with traditional classical guitar design.

This supports the relatively lightly built top while allowing it to respond freely to the lower tension of nylon strings.

Mahogany C-Shaped Neck

The mahogany neck has a C-shaped profile, providing the broader feel expected from a classical instrument.

Rosewood Fingerboard

A rosewood fingerboard provides the traditional dark playing surface found on many classical guitars.

52mm Nut Width

The 52mm nut width gives substantially more string spacing than a typical steel-string acoustic or electric guitar.

That extra room is particularly useful for:

• Classical right- and left-hand technique
• Fingerstyle playing
• Complex chord shapes
• Independent bass and melody lines

Bone Nut & Saddle

The C5 uses a bone nut and saddle, providing durable and consistent contact points for the strings.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Córdoba C5 vs Córdoba C3M

The C3M provides a more affordable introduction to Córdoba's traditional classical range. The C5 steps further up with additional detailing and a specification intended for players wanting a more refined solid-top instrument.

Córdoba C5 vs Córdoba C7

The C7 sits higher in Córdoba's range and typically adds upgraded tonewood and appointments. The C5 remains an excellent choice for players wanting a serious solid-top classical guitar without moving immediately into the more expensive models.

Classical Guitar vs Steel-String Acoustic

A classical guitar uses nylon strings, a wider neck and lower string tension than a conventional steel-string acoustic.

The result is a softer string feel and warmer tonal response, but also much wider string spacing. Players moving from electric or steel-string guitar should expect the neck to feel noticeably broader.

Who Is It For?

Classical students – The traditional neck dimensions and nylon-string construction make it suitable for proper classical technique.

Fingerstyle players – Wide string spacing makes independent fingerpicking particularly comfortable.

Electric or steel-string players exploring nylon strings – An approachable route into the noticeably different feel and sound of a classical guitar.

Singer-songwriters – Nylon strings can provide a warmer and softer accompaniment than steel strings.

Intermediate players – The solid cedar top gives the C5 enough tonal quality to remain useful well beyond the beginner stage.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Classical
• Spanish guitar
• Latin
• Bossa nova
• Fingerstyle
• Folk
• Acoustic pop
• Singer-songwriter
• Jazz
• Chord melody
• Home practice
• Lessons
• Recording
• Solo performance

Why Choose A Nylon-String Classical Guitar?

A classical guitar provides a very different playing experience from a conventional steel-string acoustic.

Nylon strings operate at lower tension, creating a softer feel and warmer tone. The wider neck provides more room between individual strings, helping with fingerstyle accuracy and independent melody, harmony and bass movement.

The Córdoba C5 is particularly useful because it retains these traditional classical dimensions while incorporating a truss rod for additional neck adjustability.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Nylon-String Classical Guitar
Brand	Córdoba
Model	C5
Body Style	Traditional Classical
Top	Solid Western Red Cedar
Back & Sides	Mahogany
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Bracing	Fan Bracing
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Profile	C Shape
Neck Joint	Dovetail
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Bridge Material	Rosewood
Scale Length	650mm / 25.6"
Number of Frets	19
Frets To Body	12
Nut Width	52mm / 2"
Nut Material	Bone
Saddle Material	Bone
Truss Rod	Dual Action
Tuning Machines	Córdoba Gold with Pearl-Style Buttons
String Type	Nylon
Electronics	None
Included	No Case
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Production Specification Note

The Córdoba C5 has been produced for many years, and minor specifications may vary between production periods.

Without a serial number or manufacturing year for this individual guitar, no unsupported claim is made regarding its exact year of manufacture or factory location.

The core C5 specification is centred around its solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides and traditional full-size classical dimensions.

Power Requirements

None.

The Córdoba C5 is a fully acoustic nylon-string guitar with no onboard electronics or battery requirement.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 4.5/5

The Córdoba C5 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a proper solid-top classical guitar without moving immediately into specialist high-end instruments.

Its solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, bone nut and saddle and traditional 52mm nut width provide the essential ingredients of a serious nylon-string guitar, while the adjustable truss rod adds a useful modern touch.

Presented in Very Good Condition, this is a strong pre-owned option for classical students, fingerstyle players and guitarists looking to add a warmer nylon-string voice to their collection.

No case is included.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying pre-owned can provide excellent value while allowing players to move into better-quality instruments at a lower cost than purchasing new.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition and included items are represented clearly.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with acoustic and classical guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Córdoba.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards this Córdoba C5.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Córdoba C5 in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, meaning it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Does the Córdoba C5 have a solid top?

Yes. It uses a solid Western Red Cedar top.

Are the back and sides solid wood?

The C5 uses mahogany back and sides with a solid cedar soundboard.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a rosewood fingerboard.

What is the nut width?

The nut measures 52mm, giving the wider string spacing expected from a traditional classical guitar.

What scale length does it use?

It has a 650mm / 25.6" classical scale length.

How many frets does it have?

The C5 has 19 frets, with the neck meeting the body at the 12th fret.

What are the nut and saddle made from?

Both are bone.

Does it have a truss rod?

Yes. The C5 features a dual-action adjustable truss rod.

Does it use nylon strings?

Yes. The C5 is designed specifically for nylon classical guitar strings.

Can I put steel strings on it?

No. A classical guitar should only be fitted with suitable nylon-string sets unless specifically designed otherwise. Steel strings create substantially greater tension and can damage a classical guitar.

Is the C5 suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is particularly suitable for serious beginners and students because it combines traditional classical dimensions with a solid soundboard and good long-term usability.

Is it suitable for experienced players?

Yes. Its solid cedar top and traditional proportions make it a useful instrument for intermediate and more experienced players as well as students.

Is the neck wider than a normal acoustic guitar?

Yes. The 52mm nut is considerably wider than most electric and steel-string acoustic guitar necks.

Does it have a pickup?

No. This standard C5 is a fully acoustic model with no onboard electronics.

Does it require a battery?

No.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case or gigbag is included.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to hear the guitar and see its individual cosmetic condition before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.