A Classic Starting Point for Nylon-String Players
There's something that clicks when you first pick up a well-made nylon-string guitar — the strings feel forgiving under your fingers, the neck sits in your hand with a generous width that actually makes classical technique easier, and the sound that comes out is... warm. Round. Present. The Córdoba C5 CD has been hitting that mark for a long time, and it's not hard to see why it's become one of the brand's most popular models worldwide.
The "CD" stands for Cedar — specifically a solid Canadian cedar top, which is one of the traditional tone-wood choices for classical guitar builders. Where spruce tends to project with brightness and clarity right out of the box, cedar opens up quickly and delivers a warmer, softer voice that suits both classical repertoire and fingerstyle playing naturally. Pair that with mahogany back and sides, and you get a sound that leans warm without losing definition.
Built in the traditional Spanish style and handcrafted throughout, the C5 CD sits in a sweet spot for anyone ready to step up from the most basic student instruments — or for a seasoned player looking for a reliable nylon-string that doesn't require a large investment.
Solid Cedar Top and Spanish Fan Bracing
The C5 CD's solid Canadian cedar top is the centerpiece of its tone. A solid top resonates and responds differently than a laminate — it's more sensitive to the nuances of how you play, and it tends to continue opening up and improving over time. Cedar in particular is prized for its warmth and fast response at lower playing dynamics, which makes it rewarding for players who like to express through touch and dynamics rather than just volume.
Underneath the top, traditional Spanish fan bracing does the structural and acoustic work. Fan bracing allows the top to vibrate more freely across its surface compared to steel-string X-bracing patterns, supporting the open, resonant tone that classical players expect. The result is a balanced response from low to high strings, with plenty of sustain throughout.
Playability and Classical Construction Details
The C5 CD is built around a full 650mm (25.6") scale length with a 52mm (2.04") nut width — the wider spacing classical technique depends on for clean fingering and precise separation between strings. The mahogany neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile, and the rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth, responsive playing surface. Twelve frets to the body and 19 total give you the range you'd expect from a traditional classical build.
Córdoba also included a two-way adjustable truss rod — not something you always find on classical guitars, but genuinely useful for long-term stability and setup flexibility. The bone nut and saddle contribute to clean intonation and efficient energy transfer, while gold tuning machines with pearl buttons handle the practical business of keeping you in tune. The high-gloss polyurethane finish, hand-carved headstock, all-wood inlaid rosette, and Indian rosewood binding round out a guitar that's carefully detailed throughout.
Product Features:
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Top: Solid Canadian cedar with Spanish fan bracing
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Back & Sides: Mahogany
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Neck: Mahogany with C-shaped profile and two-way adjustable truss rod
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Fingerboard: Rosewood, traditional classical style
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Scale Length: 650mm (25.6")
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Nut Width: 52mm (2.04")
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Nut & Saddle: Bone
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Bridge & Binding: Indian rosewood
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Rosette: All-natural inlaid wood mosaic, hand-inlaid
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Finish: High-gloss polyurethane — Natural
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Tuners: Córdoba gold tuning machines with pearl buttons
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Strings: Savarez Cristal Corum High Tension
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Body Size: Full-size classical (12 frets to body, 19 total)
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Series: Iberia
Brand: Córdoba
Model: C5 CD
SKU: C5 CD
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
