Introduction
The Yamaha CGS103AII is one of the most popular 3/4 size classical guitars on the market, designed specifically for beginner and student players. As part of Yamaha’s acclaimed Student Series, it delivers the high-quality craftsmanship the brand is renowned for at an affordable price point. The 3/4 size makes the CGS103AII comfortable for younger players and smaller-framed musicians. Its compact body style also provides excellent playability.
With Yamaha’s reputation for producing top-notch instruments for students, the CGS103AII is the perfect first classical guitar. It’s constructed using quality tonewoods and equipped with nylon strings for a traditional sound. The smaller size reduces string tension, which makes the guitar easier to play while building finger strength and calluses. Overall, the Yamaha CGS103AII balances great sound with comfort, playability and value. It represents an excellent entry-level instrument for aspiring classical guitarists.
Yamaha CGS103AII Specifications and Features
The Yamaha CGS103AII features a 3/4 size classical guitar body that is perfect for younger beginners and smaller-framed players. The reduced size makes it very comfortable to hold and play compared to a full-sized instrument.
The top is made of solid spruce, which provides brightness and clarity. Spruce is a popular top wood choice for classical guitars due to its responsive and detailed tone. The back and sides are meranti, which adds warmth and sweetness to balance out the crisp spruce sound.
The CGS103AII has a nato neck and rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Nato is strong and stable yet affordable. The rosewood helps produce clear, defined notes. The neck is set for easy playability with a nut width of 48mm.
It comes strung with nylon strings, the traditional stringing for classical guitars. The soft nylon provides a smooth feel and is gentler on the fingers for beginning players. This makes the CGS103AII an excellent choice as a first classical guitar.
The Yamaha CGS103AII has a beautiful natural gloss finish. At this price point, it represents excellent value as a student-level classical guitar.
Sound and Playability
The Yamaha CGS103AII produces a balanced tone from its combination of spruce top and meranti back and sides. The spruce provides brightness and clarity in the higher register, while the meranti adds warmth and depth to the midrange and bass frequencies. This gives the CGS103AII a very versatile sound profile suitable for all styles of classical and fingerstyle playing.
The nylon strings also impart a rich, warm, and mellow tone. Nylon has a softer feel compared to steel strings, making it ideal for beginners developing calluses and hand strength. The strings resonate with a fullness that enhances the CGS103AII’s impressive projection and volume, especially considering its 3/4 size. Overall, the spruce and meranti woods paired with the nylon strings give the CGS103AII a vibrant and nuanced acoustic voice.
Playability
The Yamaha CGS103AII features a slim neck profile and narrow nut width that makes fretting notes incredibly easy, especially for players with smaller hands. The neck has a width of 1 11/16" at the nut, which is a common measurement for classical guitars in this size range. It provides ample room between the strings without feeling too wide for beginner players.
The neck profile is also crafted to be comfortable and playable. It has a soft V shape that fits nicely in the hand. Young students just learning proper playing posture will find this guitar easy to hold and fret. The action is set low and buzz-free, so notes ring out clearly with minimal pressing needed on the strings.
Of course, the 3/4 size body is the main factor that makes this classical guitar so playable for kids and smaller players. The reduced body size places the strings closer together, allowing for an easier reach across the fretboard. Smaller hands have no issues forming full chord shapes up and down the neck. The compact body style also brings the fretting arm in closer to the player’s core, which improves control and avoids strain.
Overall, the Yamaha CGS103AII classical guitar provides a very comfortable and playable experience right out of the box. Between the slim neck, thoughtfully shaped neck profile, and 3/4 size body, this guitar makes fretting notes incredibly easy for young beginners. It helps build proper technique without excessive strain or frustration.
Ideal for Students and Beginners
The Yamaha CGS103AII is designed with students and beginners in mind. Its durable construction can withstand the rigors of daily practice and music lessons, which is essential for new players. The nylon strings provide a soft feel that is perfect for beginners who are just developing calluses and hand strength. Plus, the strings produce a mellow, classical tone without being harsh on the fingers.
Most importantly, the Yamaha CGS103AII has an affordable price point, especially compared to other classical guitars. This makes it very attainable for families who are on a budget but want to buy a quality instrument. The reasonable cost removes barriers and allows more students the opportunity to start learning classical guitar.
Overall, the Yamaha hits all the right notes for student musicians. The combination of durable build, beginner-friendly nylon strings, and budget price tag makes it one of the best classical guitars to start learning on. Beginners will appreciate having a real classical guitar that can withstand practice and sounds great, without breaking the bank for parents. That’s why the CGS103AII is widely used in schools and recommended by teachers across the country.
Vs. Other 3/4 Classical Guitars
The Yamaha CGS103AII compares very favorably to other popular 3/4 size classical guitar models in this price range. It holds up nicely when looking at important specs like materials, construction quality, sound, and playability.
The CGS103AII is priced similarly to other recommended 3/4 classical guitars like the Cordoba C3M and the Kremona Sofia Studio. At around $200-250 USD, the Yamaha hits a sweet spot for families looking to buy a real instrument without breaking the bank.
In terms of build materials, the CGS103AII matches its competitors by using a solid spruce top with laminated back and sides. Many 3/4 classical guitars opt for spruce tops to produce a bright, focused tone. The meranti back and sides offer a well-balanced sound.
When it comes to playability, the Yamaha stands out with its comfortable neck profile and string action height. The width at the nut makes it very easy for small hands to fret notes and chords cleanly. The CGS103AII is designed so students can play without fighting the instrument.
Compared to other brands, the Yamaha might not offer the most ornate cosmetic appointments, but it excels at delivering a quality musical experience for beginner classical guitarists. Overall, it provides excellent value and will serve new players well until they are ready to upgrade to a professional full-size classical guitar.
Accessories
The Yamaha CGS103AII is a great value on its own, but here are some recommended accessories to enhance your playing experience:
Cases
- A padded gig bag or hard case is highly recommended to protect your guitar from bumps and dings. The Yamaha CGS103AII fits nicely into most standard 3/4 size guitar cases. Look for one with thick padding and a secure interior strap.
Strings
- While the factory strings are decent, upgrading to a high-quality nylon string set can keep your guitar sounding its best. Savarez, D’Addario, and Hannabach all make excellent classical guitar string sets for students.
Tuners
- A clip-on tuner is a useful practice tool to make sure you are always in tune. The Snark SN-2 is an affordable and popular tuner among classical guitarists that clips onto the headstock.
Footstools
- A footstool lets you properly elevate your left leg while playing classical guitar. This improves posture, technique, and decreases fatigue. The K&M 13510-000-55 is an adjustable metal footstool perfect for students.
Method Books
- Essential reading for all beginners! Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method and Frederick Noad’s Solo Guitar Playing are two excellent method books with lessons, theory, and songs tailored for classical guitar.
Upgrade Options
As players grow and progress in their skills, they will likely want to upgrade from a 3/4 size classical guitar like the Yamaha CGS103AII to a full size instrument. Here are some recommended full size classical guitars to consider:
Cordoba C7
The Cordoba C7 is a handmade Spanish classical guitar with a solid Canadian cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. It produces a warm, balanced tone perfect for intermediate players. The neck is slightly wider than the Yamaha, allowing more room for advanced fingering techniques. The C7 represents an excellent full size upgrade.
Yamaha CG172SF
Sticking with the Yamaha brand, the CG172SF is a concert-level classical guitar with a solid Engelmann spruce top and flamed maple back and sides. It features a more resonant and projecting tone, while retaining Yamaha’s characteristic playability and craftsmanship. The CG172SF is a great step up that will support continued progression.
La Patrie Etude
The La Patrie Etude is a handcrafted classical guitar made in Canada, featuring a solid cedar top and laminated Indian rosewood back and sides. It has a warm, balanced tone with great clarity and sustain. The neck is slim and comfortable. And it comes at an affordable price point for a solid top full size classical. An exceptional option to advance skills.
Alhambra 4F
From Spain, the Alhambra 4F has a solid Canadian cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides. It delivers a sweet, singing tone. The playability is buttery smooth, encouraging the exploration of challenging classical repertoire. Moving up to the Alhambra 4F is a worthy investment for committed students.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent value and quality for the price point
- Ideal 3/4 size is comfortable for kids and smaller players
- Spruce/meranti tonewood combination provides balanced, warm tone
- Nylon strings are easier on beginners’ fingers
- Neck and nut width make fretting notes very accessible
- Durable construction can withstand practice and lessons
- Natural gloss finish looks great
Cons
- Limited color and finish options compared to other models
- Electronics would allow plugging in for performances (but not expected at this price)
- Somewhat plain aesthetics – not as ornate as higher-end classical guitars
- Spruce top may be more delicate than cedar or mahogany alternatives
- No cutaway for upper fret access, but not needed by beginners
Overall, the CGS103AII provides tremendous quality and value for student players, with very few drawbacks given its affordable price point. The ideal 3/4 size body and comfortable playability make it one of the best classical guitar options for younger students and smaller players.
Conclusion
The Yamaha CGS103AII is an excellent 3/4 size classical guitar that I highly recommend for any beginner or student player looking to start their classical guitar journey. Its combination of quality tonewoods, comfortable playability from the smaller body size, and durable construction make it the perfect first classical guitar.
The balanced and warm tone from the spruce and meranti woods gives the CGS103AII a very nice sound, especially for an affordable entry-level model. The smooth playability from its neck profile and nut width paired with the softer nylon strings is ideal for new players developing calluses and strength while learning the basics. And its budget-friendly price makes this a very accessible option for families shopping for their child’s first real guitar.
In summary, the Yamaha CGS103AII punches well above its weight class and price range when it comes to features, quality, and value. For any new classical guitar student who wants a high-quality instrument that will last through the early stages of their musical journey, the CGS103AII is easy to recommend.