Comments on: Cordoba Ukulele http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/ Advice, videos and reviews of ukuleles. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:58:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Naomi K http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1418 Naomi K Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:04:20 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1418 I have the 20TM-CE. I bought it as an upgrade from my Oscar Scmidt OU2 (that I bought to see if I enjoyed playing the uke). Like the other commenters mine has a lovely warm sound, looks pretty and plays well. Mine came with really high action however. From what I've read on various reviews it seems to be a common issue with Cordoba. It's not really a big deal though. Just make sure that you buy your uke through a dealer that can do a set up for you. Most places will do it for free. I found it to be kind of a bonus for me because my guy asked me how I played before doing the work and it came back perfect. I have the 20TM-CE. I bought it as an upgrade from my Oscar Scmidt OU2 (that I bought to see if I enjoyed playing the uke). Like the other commenters mine has a lovely warm sound, looks pretty and plays well. Mine came with really high action however. From what I’ve read on various reviews it seems to be a common issue with Cordoba. It’s not really a big deal though. Just make sure that you buy your uke through a dealer that can do a set up for you. Most places will do it for free. I found it to be kind of a bonus for me because my guy asked me how I played before doing the work and it came back perfect.
Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]> By: MarkB http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 MarkB Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:58:12 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1415 Correction to my comment above: The 15CM might not have a solid top. Upon further review, it doesn't say "solid" in the manufacturer's description, so it might be a laminate. The wording on that is often (deliberately?!) confusing. But the 20CM does indeed have a solid top. Sorry. Correction to my comment above:

The 15CM might not have a solid top. Upon further review, it doesn’t say “solid” in the manufacturer’s description, so it might be a laminate. The wording on that is often (deliberately?!) confusing.

But the 20CM does indeed have a solid top.

Sorry.

Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]> By: MarkB http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1414 MarkB Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:17:03 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1414 After much shopping I decided on the Cordoba 20CM for my first ukulele and I couldn't be happier. It is solid mahogany, so it sounds far better than the laminates. It was $150 at Guitar Center with a really nice padded bag, but with a coupon the price was knocked down to $132 (always look for Guitar Center coupons before buying). It definitely pays to spend a little more and get solid wood -- in addition to the sound, it just looks and feels nicer. The 15CM ($100, no bag) has a solid top, but the quality of the wood is much better on the 20CM. Also, I read that ukuleles commonly lose tuning while you play. Well, I played this all day yesterday and except for a couple of tweaks, I never lost tuning. After just one day I know a dozen chords and a couple of songs. I may never pick up my guitar again! After much shopping I decided on the Cordoba 20CM for my first ukulele and I couldn’t be happier.

It is solid mahogany, so it sounds far better than the laminates. It was $150 at Guitar Center with a really nice padded bag, but with a coupon the price was knocked down to $132 (always look for Guitar Center coupons before buying).

It definitely pays to spend a little more and get solid wood — in addition to the sound, it just looks and feels nicer.

The 15CM ($100, no bag) has a solid top, but the quality of the wood is much better on the 20CM.

Also, I read that ukuleles commonly lose tuning while you play. Well, I played this all day yesterday and except for a couple of tweaks, I never lost tuning.

After just one day I know a dozen chords and a couple of songs. I may never pick up my guitar again!

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: CarrieH http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1395 CarrieH Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:06:07 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1395 Just got a Cordoba 20SM today! I had been looking for about a month for something to upgrade from my $30 Makala.. tested out a couple different brands here and there. When i tested this one i was completely shocked by how loud and crisp it is. It was one of three in this particular shop with the other two being all shiney and brands i've heard of. Cordoba was not as familiar to me. But they sounded muffled and tinny compared to the full sound of this little guy. And, even better, it came with aquila strings and a case! Got it home and tuned it up. Seems to hold the tune even in the higger chords which my poor little makala didnt. Im also able to make more dramatic changes in songs based on just the sheer volume this thing can pull off. Though, the louder i go, the more buzzing shows up on some chords. All in all though, it has a great sound. Looks great too and feel solid. Just seems like a well made, well thought out little uke for the amount of money i was looking to spend (sale at the store got me a price of $150 total). I totally recommend! Just got a Cordoba 20SM today! I had been looking for about a month for something to upgrade from my $30 Makala.. tested out a couple different brands here and there. When i tested this one i was completely shocked by how loud and crisp it is. It was one of three in this particular shop with the other two being all shiney and brands i’ve heard of. Cordoba was not as familiar to me. But they sounded muffled and tinny compared to the full sound of this little guy. And, even better, it came with aquila strings and a case!

Got it home and tuned it up. Seems to hold the tune even in the higger chords which my poor little makala didnt. Im also able to make more dramatic changes in songs based on just the sheer volume this thing can pull off. Though, the louder i go, the more buzzing shows up on some chords. All in all though, it has a great sound. Looks great too and feel solid. Just seems like a well made, well thought out little uke for the amount of money i was looking to spend (sale at the store got me a price of $150 total).

I totally recommend!

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: HK http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1340 HK Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:31:18 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1340 I was given a 20TM-CE as a gift. I was surprised at the warm yet crisp sound that was coming out of this bugga.The electronics seem to me, stable and consistent.The "feel" of this ukulele is extremely comfortable throw on some aquilla or d'addario strings and this thing comes to life without having to constantly tune. I was given a 20TM-CE as a gift. I was surprised at the warm yet crisp sound that was coming out of this bugga.The electronics seem to me, stable and consistent.The “feel” of this ukulele is extremely comfortable throw on some aquilla or d’addario strings and this thing comes to life without having to constantly tune.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: jon http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1329 jon Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:45:10 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1329 I ordered a new 15CM after reading reviews at Amazon and Musicians Friend. The reviews were great. It is said to have a solid top, bone nut and bridge, decent tuners, etc. It'll be my first ukulele. I'm a guitar player and will have to learn to play this new addition to my stringed instruments. I ordered a new 15CM after reading reviews at Amazon and Musicians Friend. The reviews were great. It is said to have a solid top, bone nut and bridge, decent tuners, etc. It’ll be my first ukulele. I’m a guitar player and will have to learn to play this new addition to my stringed instruments.
Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]> By: Kaxahdan http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1249 Kaxahdan Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:26:13 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1249 I have a 20TM tenor Cordoba. It is just great! The make is excellent; the sound beautiful; the feel smooth & nice. I tend to think that if one is to have only one uke, a tenor Cordoba it should be. I have a 20TM tenor Cordoba. It is just great! The make is excellent; the sound beautiful; the feel smooth & nice. I tend to think that if one is to have only one uke, a tenor Cordoba it should be.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Robert Bailey http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1206 Robert Bailey Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:30:18 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1206 I am a rank armature. I have two ukuleles, both Cordobas, both loved. The 15CM was my first ukulele. I was impressed with the quality of the instrument, made of mahogany plywood. Intonation was great. Sound is good. There was a piece of Chinese newspaper soaked with finish rattling around inside, so I am guessing that is where is was made. Machine heads have a lot of slop in the gear play. I just have to learn to tune up to the note. I bought this from Musicians' Friend. Then purchased a 20SM. It sounds great though small compared to the 15DM, but somehow richer, really nice. I guess because of the solid mahogany top. Intonation was a little less perfect compared to the 15CM. Finish had a few blemishes, especially behind the headstock. Machine heads gear play tighter compared to 15CM, less slop. Bought this one off Ebay. Both beautiful things. I am a rank armature. I have two ukuleles, both Cordobas, both loved.

The 15CM was my first ukulele. I was impressed with the quality of the instrument, made of mahogany plywood. Intonation was great. Sound is good. There was a piece of Chinese newspaper soaked with finish rattling around inside, so I am guessing that is where is was made. Machine heads have a lot of slop in the gear play. I just have to learn to tune up to the note. I bought this from Musicians’ Friend.

Then purchased a 20SM. It sounds great though small compared to the 15DM, but somehow richer, really nice. I guess because of the solid mahogany top. Intonation was a little less perfect compared to the 15CM. Finish had a few blemishes, especially behind the headstock. Machine heads gear play tighter compared to 15CM, less slop. Bought this one off Ebay.

Both beautiful things.

Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Wes http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1148 Wes Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:58:20 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1148 I recently bought a Cordoba 25CK from Guitar Center. The uke came strung backwards, but it was so beautiful looking I had to get it. Switched the strings with some new Aquilas, and found that I had to fix one of the tuners because it was way over tightened. Once I finally got it playable I found that it was extremely buzzy if you tried playing loud because of how low the action was. It produced a quieter and less beautiful sound than the Makala soprano it was supposed to be replacing. I had had it, and returned it. I then took a trip out to Elderly Instruments and found a beautiful concert koa uke that was cheaper than the Cordoba. Moral of the story: test a uke before you buy it, don't buy guitar center, and don't trust a girl just because she's pretty. I have also played a baritone mahogany uke by them and it also had a crappy sound. I recently bought a Cordoba 25CK from Guitar Center. The uke came strung backwards, but it was so beautiful looking I had to get it. Switched the strings with some new Aquilas, and found that I had to fix one of the tuners because it was way over tightened. Once I finally got it playable I found that it was extremely buzzy if you tried playing loud because of how low the action was. It produced a quieter and less beautiful sound than the Makala soprano it was supposed to be replacing. I had had it, and returned it. I then took a trip out to Elderly Instruments and found a beautiful concert koa uke that was cheaper than the Cordoba. Moral of the story: test a uke before you buy it, don’t buy guitar center, and don’t trust a girl just because she’s pretty. I have also played a baritone mahogany uke by them and it also had a crappy sound.
Overall Sound Playability
Value for Looks Construction
]]> By: Moon http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/brands/cordoba-ukulele/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Moon Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:25:00 +0000 http://ukulelehunt.com/buy-ukulele/?p=397#comment-1120 CW, Thanks for posting! I am so happy to hear you're so happy with your purchase. I just bought the same exact 15CM model (made in Italy, not China like I had read somewhere) and was concerned at first because I was not familiar with Cordoba, but I loved the sound too. Moon CW,

Thanks for posting! I am so happy to hear you’re so happy with your purchase. I just bought the same exact 15CM model (made in Italy, not China like I had read somewhere) and was concerned at first because I was not familiar with Cordoba, but I loved the sound too.

Moon

Overall Not Rated Sound Not Rated Playability Not Rated
Value for Not Rated Looks Not Rated Construction Not Rated
]]>