I've been playing rock 'n' roll guitar for 30+ years but played classical for only a couple of years in college (20 years ago!). Recently I was inspired to pick it back up to really work on my musicianship and technical skills but didn't have a classical instrument. I figured for my level of classical playing, a student guitar is the way to go, so I researched and decided on the Cordoba C3M.Unfortunately, I had to exchange it right away. The first guitar arrived and the top had a couple of very prominent, very ugly streaks in the grain. I'd seen some other reviews about markings on the top but these were bad. I didn't expect too much from a $200 student guitar but man, I don't want my guitar to bug me every time I look at it. With Amazon's quick returns, the replacement was here in a couple of days. The top on the new one has some light streaking but it's not too bad.I've had the second guitar for just a few days and am enjoying the sound and playability out of the box. I'll probably have it set up by a luthier at some point but it's good for right now. Even on this student-level instrument, the solid top should mellow out nicely. It'll probably sound even better when my daughter is old enough to pick it up.Pros:* Solid top - great feature at this price!* Comfortable neck* Very affordable* Matte/satin finish is kind of a nice change from the usual glossy and you don't get fingerprints all over it.Cons:* Cosmetically, the tops seem to have streaky grain.* The ends of the frets are a little rough out of the box. This was the case with both the one I returned and the replacement. Hasn't been a *huge* problem since I don't really wrap my hand around the neck but every now and then I'll scratch against the edge of the fretboard. I'll probably end up having the luthier clean them up when I take it for a setup.Biggest mistake of my life. I have seven guitars - 2 Breedloves, 2 Takamines (one accoustic, one classical) and a Cordoba C9. I wanted something inexpensive that I could play outdoors without too much concern for the elements (Gets really humid where I'm at). For the price, I thought this would be a nice fit.Wrong.Sound isn't very good, the neck isn't straight, even went to Guitar Center to see if I was imagining things and they showed me the EXACT SAME guitar- used- in their showroom. It was not only better sounding and in better condition, it was 100.00 cheaper. I'm not sure what was happening with the guitar I bought through Amazon, but both myself and the guys at Guitar Center are certain it wasn't well taken care of.Anyway, lesson learned, and it still cost me a 49.00 re-stocking fee, which is an excellent opportunity for another sucker to get charged for trying out an instrument that should be better respected.Don't spend the money on restocking, folks. Get it right the first time. Invest the time to get what is right for you. See? You now saved 49.00. You're welcome.Disclaimer, I messed around and took a few lessons for electric guitar in 8th and 9th grade, but wasn't serious about it. I am now 22 and picked up the classical guitar. Here are my thoughts:Verdict:- I'll keep it and might get it looked at by a shop to fine tune. I think it will be quite a nice guitar!Suggestion:- If this is your first classical guitar or if you are looking for something not too expensive but not cheap, this is a nice compromise. The body seems like the gem here, the other bits might need some fine tuning, but it's easier to adjust a bridge or nut than replace the sound board, panels or frets.Overall:- GREAT price for a guitar that has solid wood on the front, back and side panels! (See pro)- Not so great, but not terrible on the nut and the bridge, but those will hopefully be cheap and easy fixes. (See con)Pro:- Price seems good being solid wood on all sides.- Great color for a classical guitar.- Nice volume for someone who want to be both quite when practicing in the apartment and louder when playing for friends etc..- Comfortable size.Con:- The wood stain used to darken the rim is smudged on a small section of the front rim. It isn't big, but it bothers me all the same. I really don't want to go through the hassle of sending it back and hoping a get a better one in return. So, I probably won't return it.- The nut doesn't fit every string. The G string (in standard tuning) is too tight so it is hard to tune properly. If I tune it too hight, I have to really tune it down then work my way back up. This is the most annoying part....- The strings seemed a tad high off of the fret board. I lowered the strings with the wench, but I couldn't move it much without getting buzz from the frets. I think the bridge might be too high. Might take it to a shop to get sanded down just a tad and get the top part looked at and adjusted.- The wood that holds the bridge to the guitar looks cheap. It was also painted with a dark but almost velvet textured paint that indents easily (the paint was already intended/scratched on arrival). I don't notice it when playing or from a few feet away, but it's a small detail that surprised me. Couldn't they have used better paint?Recap:- This is a great body for a beginner guitar that you'll want to keep forever (both for sentimentality and because it has a great body). The nut and bridge might need some adjustments to make the guitar easier to play but there was nothing that affects playing too much. The wood stain could use tighter quality control, but the small smudge gives the guitar character and isn't really visible to anyone who would be watching me play. Only I (and now you) know this secret :P.This is my first nylon string guitar, so I don't have much to compare it with. I had two steel string ones before that were in the same price range and this sounds better than both of them.Great guitar but 2 strings broke within a couple of weeks so had to replace.This is the first cordoba guitar I have owned and very excited about it. I owned a Yamaha classical guitar prior to this and I could make the difference in the sound and the build quality. It is light but the sound it produce is better then any other classical guitar under this category. I am very satisfied with the purchase .Leaving aside, the quality of the guitar, the best catching point was the service provided by the seller . I purchased this classical guitar though amazon and the seller ie. Musikshack, Pune India , last 3 to 4 months back. The first guitar I received had a problem with the bridge, so I gave an option for replacement through amazon and to my surprise the representative of Musikshack called me the very next day and inquired about the problem and instructed me to fwd the picture of the guitar. The very next day the rep called up and informed me that the product will be picked up for replacement from the addressed delivered.As said the guitar was picked up by the courier service the next day. After 2 to 3 weeks the replacement was received in my address. However, on opening the box I saw cracks in the back of the guitar maybe probable due to mishandling by the courier service. I called up the rep of Musikshack and informed after the issue and fwd a picture of the same. The rep instructed the same exercise of the first replacement. Accordingly, the guitar was picked up from my address and after 2 to 3 weeks got the replacement which was perfect . The rep of musikshack is praiseworthy for their professionalism in dealing with the customer..Kudos...Ich bin anfänger also kann nicht wirklich verurteilen aber ich liebe diese Gitarre. Vollisch aus Holz und sieht voll edel aus.Wer eine Billige hoch wertige klassische Gittarre sucht, wird damit sehr zufrieden glaube ich.Update: nach 9 Monaten bin ich absoluter Anfänger nicht mehr und kann mit sicherheit sagen dass diese Gitarre einfach Klasse ist. Normaleweise sind Klassiche Gitarren leiser als Aqustischen aber die C3M ist ziemlich laut und die Ton ist sehr klar und schön.Kann gut weiter empfehlen, aber leider gibt es die Gitarre auf Amazon nicht mehr!Amazing, shipping was ontime (I picked the free shipping option and reside in the GTA area in Ontario, Canada). The quality is excellent and the sound is beautiful. For $250 this is the best choice and sounds as though its atleast twice the price. The only thing that dissapointed me is that its made in China. I bought it because its made of solid wood which is hard to find in this price range. Most are made with laminates like the yamaha's. Its perfect for a beginner, you won't want to put it down. (Did not come with case)I know nothing about music, this guitar was bought for my 13 years old son. He likes it, and his music teacher says that the instrument is fine. Actually much better than he expected for this price.