Yamaha CG172SF Nylon String Flamenco Guitar

 (5 customer reviews)

I just ordered this guitar from Amazon and it arrived a few days ago.

I have been playing guitar for 30 years and went to music school for jazz. I know what a quality guitar is. I wanted to commit to learning flamenco, but like so many others I did not have $2K to drop on a decent flamenco guitar (actually a good one will run you $3-$6K or more). I played many other "beginner" models (Cordoba, Yamaha 171, etc) and to be honest this Yamaha is just as good as the models going for $700-$1000. I also prefer this model to the previous CG171SF model. According to my correspondence with Yamaha, "The CG172SF is an update to the CG171SF guitar it has the new headstock, reinforced neck and fan style bracing from the GC line."

You should NOT expect a top of line luthier guitar for this price...however, this Yamaha is a workhorse and will give you what you need to get started.

The tone was clear and the action was very playable. I was also pleasantly surprised by...Read more

I've been playing guitar for 27 years and have owned a few guitars here and there. I can recognize a well playing and well constructed guitar after a few minutes. I bought my guitar at a Guitar center. They had 2 and tried both of them.

Overall impression: Very good. It is a light guitar with impeccable finish, clean looking with nice contrast in color between the blonde colored body vs. black fingerboard and trimming around the edge of the guitar. It's visibly pleasing.

Headstock: Someone mentioned that there is a sticker on the headstock? I have no idea what he's talking about. Yamaha's logo is pressed into the wood just like any other company's logo on a headstock. Tuning keys are smooth and accurate although not the best that I've felt in expensive guitars. But, you don't expect that from a $270 guitar.

Neck/fingerboard: The fingerboard is rosewood but is almost as dark as an ebony. Unless it's a bright day the fingerboard appears like an...Read more

The quality of this guitar really surprized me. I bought it on Amazon without trying it out first at a store. I just wanted something to practice on and wasn't expecting much. I own 2 classical guitars - one is a $1,300 dollar Takamine. The Yamaha guitar itself is very light - it's made of traditional Flamenco materials. The action is good but could be a bit lower - this is easily fixable. The sound has a nice punch and good volume. The neck is straight and the frets are well done. Overall it's a quality guitar and would suit any student at a beginner or intermediate level. The finish is satin (not glossy) which I happen to like. There is a clear pick guard (golpeadore) in place as well. I tried out some of the more expensive Ramirez models at the Guitar center. These guitars go for 1,700. This guitar is equal in quality and value.