Guitar Review: Cordoba Acero D11-CE

If you’re a guitarist and hear the name Cordoba you should think “classical guitar.” That has been their bread and butter. About a year ago, while perusing through my latest issue of Acoustic Guitar (August, 2014), I read about Cordoba’s new Acero (meaning “steel”, thus steel string) line of acoustic guitars. I was impressed by the review and filed it away. A year later I remembered the review of the Acero D10 dreadnought. I searched Reverb for an Acero, and found an Acero D11-ce. It, too, is a dreadnought with solid spruce top and solid acacia back and sides (note photo of guitar).

I am a relatively daring purchaser of guitars, and, yes, I bought it sight unseen, though not without communication with the shop in Texas (Calido Guitars). Satisfied, I pulled the trigger and awaited its arrival. I’ve learned that you don’t need to go after a Martin or a Gibson to find a well made guitar with great tone. Additionally, you’ll usually spend a lot less for a guitar that will stand up well to the “Big Two” (sorry Taylor, the “Big Three” – yes I own two Taylors and love them).

After playing the Acero D11-CE for a couple of days, I came to the solid conclusion that my blind purchase was a very good call. This guitar is alive with sound, and the tone is complex, and with a “texture”. It isn’t overly bright, but, in my own subjective word, it is “crisp.” I suppose the acacia lends to the overall tone, it is similar to a koa Tacoma jumbo I own. There is an evenness from base to midrange to treble. Another tonal feature that I love is the sustain. From the reviews of the Acero line, it seems the sustain comes from the guitars construction. The Acero line has a “spanish heel” neck construction, a classical guitar’s bracing pattern, and a relative thinness to the soundboard. All play a part in this wonderful quality of the guitar. (The sustain equals that of my Breedlove Pro Series dreadnought with its truss construction).

I plug in only when I feel I am neglecting my amps. The D11-CE’s electronics are a combo of an inner microphone (see photo), and a traditional under saddle piezo pick-up. The controls are placed on the upper bout (see photo), and are volume, tone, and mix of mic and piezo. Plugged in it sounds just fine, and the controls work well.

The price on the Acero line is budget friendly, and you’ll have a great guitar for the money. Granted, it is made in China, but what isn’t these days. Try one out!

Keep on playing!

Fr.Irenaeus