The first time I played Cordoba’s new Stage Thinbody Nylon Acoustic/Electric guitar was at the Namm show in Anaheim, California this summer and I was impressed with the prototype then. One of the inherent challenges with a Nylon string Classical guitar is their tendency to feedback with played on stage at higher volumes. Cordoba has had the Stage guitar in development for years to combat these exact issues, whilst still achieving true nylon string guitar sounds. Besides the super thin chambered body what shines through most about the Stage guitar are its electronics. Co-designed with Fishman the blend knob on the guitar allows you to blend the under-saddle transducer pickup with an interior microphone pickup. This helps to capture a very realistic miced classical guitar sound. And if preferred you can use one of the pickups exclusively, but to my ear a blending of the two sounds the best. The stunning Edgeburst finished flamed maple veneer is layered on top of a spruce wood top on the Stage guitar. The rest of the body is crafted from mahogany for warmth and resonance. The neck profile is thinner than most Classical necks making it easier for players that are comfortable with electric guitar necks to navigate. It features a pau ferro fingerboard on a 3-piece Cordoba Fusion mahogany neck. The soft cutaway affords full access up the neck for soloing and chord inversions. Access to the battery compartment is on the back of the guitar. Dial in your perfect amplified sound with volume, EQ and Body Blend controls on the top. The three slotted sound holes on the top bout of the body are also mirrored in mother of pearl on the top of the headstock. There are no fret markers on the fretboard, but Cordoba has provided side markers on the neck. The beveled heal to body attachment makes playing all the way up the neck a true joy and totally comfortable. This is a semi-hollow body guitar, so it is much thinner than your typical nylon string or Classical guitar, but that also makes it more resistant to feedback. The Cordoba machine heads, and bone nut are nice details that are functional and look great on the Stage guitar. The included Cordoba gig bag is made from recycled nylon, so you can be environmentally conscious while you travel to your next gig.
