Jasmine Caballero 11 Cedar Top Classical Guitar

The sound is tinney. I bought it to replace a MR model B -made in SPAIN which was lost in a fire. There is no comparison. Will return this one ASAP. Don't even want to play it.

I was all set to buy this guitar after reading the rave reviews. I took my cheapest classical with me so I could have a comparison... a low-end Guild Madeira C600 (made in Japan about 40 years ago) with laminated top. While I would agree with many of the comments that this was the best value under $1000, I guess my biggest disappointment is that I didn't think any of the classicals at or below $1000 were better sounding and playing than the Guild ... so, in that sense I was really disappointed. Unlike SS Acoustics, I think I've come to conclude that really good sounding classical guitars are not to be had under $1500. That doesn't mean that there aren't "good" ones, but not "really" good ones. I'm surprised since acoustics have gotten really good in the low price range. Different market, apparently. So, anyway, I'm sticking with my Guild classical on the low end.

I was all set to buy this guitar after reading the rave reviews. I took my cheapest classical with me so I could have a comparison... a low-end Guild Madeira C600 (made in Japan about 40 years ago) with laminated top. While I would agree with many of the comments that this was the best value under $1000, I guess my biggest disappointment is that I didn't think any of the classicals at or below $1000 were better sounding and playing than the Guild ... so, in that sense I was really disappointed. Unlike SS Acoustics, I think I've come to conclude that really good sounding classical guitars are not to be had under $1500. That doesn't mean that there aren't ""good"" ones, but not ""really"" good ones. I'm surprised since acoustics have gotten really good in the low price range. Different market, apparently. So, anyway, I'm sticking with my Guild classical on the low end.

I wanted a Spanish made classical guitar. The Caballero 11 was recommended by Joe Gonzalez from the Guitar Center Call Center near Salt Lake City Utah. He also suggested I visit Manuel Rodriguez Guitars website for more information. Upon viewing the mfg. website I noticed it listed a phone number. I called them and was surprised that Mr. Manuel Rodriguez Jr. answered the phone himself and took the time to answer all my questions. He highly recommended the Caballero 11 and assured me that I would not be dissapointed. He further stated that although the Caballero 11 was assembled in China all the parts and materials originated in Spain and is hand crafted and assembled under the supervision of his team. That was enough for me, I purchased it immmediately sight unseen. When the guitar arrived I opened the box the next day at the recommendation of Joe from Guitar center. My curiosity was getting the best of me. Upon opening the box I was floored. The craftsmanship put into this guitar is outstanding. The finish, the cedar top and bubinga back & sides are absolutely beautiful. After tuning the strings several times and allowing the strings to stretch, the tones are heavenly. Forget that it has a sticker that says made in China! If that bothers you, remove it! You would never know! I love my Manuel Rodriguez Caballero 11. Thank you Joe, thank you Mr. Rodriguez.

I had originally purchased a cutaway acoustic/electric Lucero model for an entry level guitar. After going through two guitars in about 4 days because of constant fret/string buzz from BOTH guitars (which were both fresh out of the box), I looked up classical guitars again online and found this gem. It was $100 more, but the monetary value is far outranked by the quality value between these two guitars. Whether you're a beginner to the classical side of guitar like me, or a seasoned vet, I would HIGHLY recommend this guitar as it is handcrafted (in China, yes, but handcrafted is handcrafted), and has beautiful wood that reverberates with a lovely sound (not to mention is aesthetically beautiful).

Quite simply, this is the best pound-for-pound value in classical guitars out there. I compared it to almost all the others in the store priced under $1,000 and it put most of them to shame. The only one comparable was a Kremona that costs about twice as much. I cannot say enough about this guitar's beauty, craftsmanship, and full, bright tone. I am over the moon about this guitar.