• Great-playing, attractive, inexpensive ($127) entry-level classical guitar

  
  As reviewed by Thomas Dineen on 4/27/2012

  I played at least a dozen entry-level classical guitars (ranging from $100 to $900) before choosing this one, including the much-touted Yamaha C40, and liked this Lucero best in many respects. For someone with a background in electric guitar playing, the action of this Lucero was correspondingly low compared with other classicals, which made easier the transition from steel to nylon strings. Despite the low action, there is very little string buzzing or other issues associated with low set-ups. As for sound, the treble tones are fine, but the bass is somewhat weak compared with other guitars at this level. At this stage in my playing, projection and other refined aural qualities don?t matter a great deal, however, and the sound is fine for a beginner?s instrument. The label says the guitar was designed in California and made to exacting standards in Indonesia by Javanese craftsmen. Sounds exotic, but I suspect this was a cost-saving measure. But whatever woods they used (and perhaps grew) in Indonesia, they look terrific on this $127 guitar. Though some might find it a superficial reason to like an instrument, this Lucero is far better-looking than other classicals in this price range. Compared with the Yamaha C40, with its dull wood surfaces, cheap-looking tuners, and high action, the Lucero has beautiful mahogany back and sides, a well-executed neck and heel, and very attractive, ?scalloped? tuners. Critically, this guitar has a solid spruce top?solid being much preferable to laminated tops, from everything I?ve read about entry-level guitars. Spruce apparently ?evolves? and resonates better over time, but only if you pay a little more for a solid top. In sum, I?d suggest anyone exploring classical guitar try out this Lucero. It?s evidently Guitar Center?s in-house brand, and their stores are great places for comparing classical side-by-side.

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