A nylon-string mini guitar that I recommend to both acoustic and electric guitar players. Its small body doesn't take up much space in the room, and it's easy to pick up and play, increasing your guitar playing time. The unique, pleasant resonance of the nylon strings makes it perfect for playing in the living room.
I’m Yosh (@Yosh_Guitars), an ex-music store employee. I bought a guitar for the first time in several years, so I’ll review it. I was looking for a guitar that could be easily played for the following purposes:
- Casual strumming at home
- Practicing finger-style guitar
- An affordable mini guitar to take camping
I usually play heavy metal on an electric guitar, but I thought it would be fun to play finger-style guitar casually when I have free time. So, I was looking for an affordable acoustic guitar. It would be great if I could also take it camping, so I decided on a mini guitar. It’s a bit resistant to use outdoors if it’s expensive, and it’s counterproductive if it’s cheap and hard to play and ends up not being used. So, Yamaha JR2, Guitalele, etc. were out of the running. If it were steel strings, it would have been Taylor’s Baby or GS Mini, but I decided to go with the soothing sound of nylon strings, and chose Cordoba’s Mini series. Furthermore, I thought I could use it as a break from the electric guitar if it had a cutaway, so I purchased the Cordoba Mini II EB-EC.
What I Liked about Cordoba Mini II EB-CE
What I Liked #1: The Perfect Solution Combining Regular Tuning and Mini Size
When it comes to mini-sized nylon strings, Yamaha’s Guitalele is probably the most famous. Its compactness and affordability in the about $200 are attractive, but at the same time, it has the disadvantages of being tuned like the 5th capo of a guitar and the low quality of the instrument due to its low price.
In contrast, the Cordoba Mini II series maintains tension and pitch even with regular tuning, thanks to its total length of 873mm and a 580mm scale. While it’s a bit expensive compared to other mini guitars in the $100 range, it’s cheap compared to mini guitars from top brands like Taylor and Martin, making it a mid-range price. The wood used and the satin finish are also quite beautiful. Mini II EB-CE is about $300.
With its moderate mini size and thin neck, it’s much easier to play for electric guitarists compared to a regular classical guitar. Above all, the body is thin at 75-85mm, even for a guitar, so it’s stress-free to hold.
The contrast between the maple binding and striped ebony is beautiful, and the neck is a beautiful straight-grained mahogany. The fact that you can adjust the neck with a truss rod, even though it’s a nylon string, is also a high point.
What I Liked #2: Soft Tone Perfect for Relaxation Time
To me, who has been heard in the sound of distorted electric guitars, the sound of nylon is fresh. It feels good before bedtime and holidays. This freshness and comfort increase the time I touch the guitar, and I feel it leads to improvement.
If you have a family, you need headphones for an electric guitar, but with the soft tone of nylon, you can have a conversation and you don’t have to feel cramped. Also, because it’s a nylon string, it’s softer and gentler to the touch than acoustic or electric guitar strings, and it doesn’t leave marks or hurt your fingers even if you play for a long time, which was a benefit I realized when I actually used it.
Simply, it’s a good sound. There’s none of the cheapness that’s common in cheap mini guitars. It’s not dissatisfying to play at home, and rather the lightness unique to a small body, and the sound with a contour due to the influence of the ebony plywood makes practicing enjoyable.
What I Liked #3: Built-in Tuner for Immediate Play
The only one in the Mini II series that had a cutaway and pickup is the Mini II EB-CE. (Mini II MH-CE exist also cutaway model today.)The Belcat-made preamp has a built-in tuner, so you don’t have to go looking for a tuner. You can use it as a tuner even if you don’t connect it to an amp. The control knob of the preamp can be pushed in to store it, so it doesn’t get in the way.
What I Liked #4: Easy String Change as It’s Not Slotted Head Despite Being Nylon Strings
The head of a classical guitar is basically a slotted head. It has a classical look, but from the perspective of someone used to an electric guitar, re-strings is a hassle. The Cordoba Mini II series has the same shape as a typical electric/acoustic guitar, and it was a subtly happy point that there was no resistance to re-strings or tuning.
What I Liked #5: Included High-Quality Gigbag
The included case is also a fairly sturdy gig bag. It’s not flimsy, so you can carry it with confidence. The handle is thick, you can carry it like a backpack, and it even comes with a neck pillow.
Cons: Fret Edge Treatment is a Bit Lax
While I have no complaints about this guitar, if I had to point out something, it would be that the fret edge treatment was a bit lax. This might be the only significant quality difference compared to mini guitars from Taylor or Martin. But that’s also price-appropriate, and it doesn’t cause any major problems with playing as it is, but since I had the chance, I rounded off the fret edges myself.
Conclusion: Cordoba Mini II EB-CE Was a Mini Guitar That I Was Very Satisfied With After Buying
Easy to play, good sound, looks good, and yet the price is reasonable. I rounded off the fret edges and it became a mini guitar with no blind spots. Recently, I’ve been hooked on arranging finger-syle guitar by looking at chord progressions on Ultimate Guitar Tabs, finding positions where I can play chords and melody by myself. Buying this guitar has further expanded my enjoyment of the guitar. It’s the best second guitar that I probably won’t let go of.
Cordoba MINI II EB-CE Specifications
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Side/Back: Striped Ebony Plywood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Scale: 580mm (22 7/8″)
- Neck: C Shape (Thin)
- Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 19mm
- Neck Thickness at 9th Fret: 20mm
- Nut Width: 48mm (1 7/8″)
- Fingerboard/Bridge: Pau Ferro
- Frets: 19
- Nut/Saddle: NuBone
- Total Length: 873mm
- Country of Manufacture: China (USA Design)
- Market Price: $299
