"There’s a beautiful warmth and roundness that makes for an incredibly pleasant playing experience, encouraging hours of enjoyment": Yamaha CG192C review

Yamaha’s CG body shape is widely recognized in the classical guitar world. From the ever-reliable C40 that’s been a student favorite for years, to the tech-savvy CG-TA TransAcoustic, playing a Yamaha CG means you can count on a few things: solid craftsmanship, years of use, a comfortable playing experience, and a tone you’ll love.

This brings us to the guitar in question – the Yamaha CG192C. Sitting at the top of the series, the CG192C promises to deliver all the hallmarks we’ve come to expect from Yamaha’s CG range. Priced around £550/$550, it’s the most expensive non-TransAcoustic classical guitar in the lineup. So, if you are after the series’ best traditional nylon-string classical without the added tech, this is your go-to.

As expected from a flagship model, Yamaha has pulled out all the stops with the CG192C. There are two versions available – the CG192S with an Engelmann spruce top and our review model, the CG192C, which features a beautiful solid Western red cedar top. Paired with layered rosewood back and sides, it’s a traditional classical guitar wood combination that’s undeniably eye-catching. The wooden body binding also adds a touch of class that notifies you of the guitar’s position at the top of the CG food chain.

Moving towards the headstock, the neck is made from African mahogany, paired with an ebony fingerboard that looks dark and rich. The satin-finished neck offers an incredibly smooth and comfortable playing experience, never sticking to your hand when moving up and down the neck. However, in my experience, unglossed necks can be prone to dings from overzealous use of capos, so that’s something to keep in mind with the CG192C.

Featuring a CG body, the CG192C has a very familiar feel. It shares the same body depth as the entry-level C40II, so if you’re upgrading from that beginner acoustic model, this transition makes perfect sense. The slimmer, classical-inspired shoulders give the guitar a nimble feel, making it ideal for sitting comfortably in the traditional playing position – on your left knee in an open stance (for right-handers).

Although this isn’t specifically designed for flamenco – it doesn’t feature a golpeador – the scale length (25.6”), body depth (3 11/16″ – 3 15/16″), and body width (14 9/16″) are exactly the same as, say, the Yamaha CG182SF flamenco guitar, putting it in very similar territory. So if you’re a classical guitarist looking to sharpen your flamenco skills, the CG192C isn’t perfect, but it will certainly get you in the ballpark.

Moving onto playability, the CG192C is one of the most approachable classical guitars I’ve played. It combines player-friendly features like a satin-smooth neck, a comfortable 25.6” scale length, and an unobtrusive body, making it a pleasant playing experience for players of various sizes, including me. I found myself grabbing the CG192C on the sofa time and time again, thanks to its snug fit.

The flat neck radius, combined with the 52mm nut width and 11.8mm string spacing, provides ample room for comfortable fingerstyle playing. Unlike steel-string guitars, where cramped strings can make fingerpicking a challenge, the CG192C offers plenty of space. It’s an excellent guitar for refining fingerstyle technique, and I noticed an improvement in my right-hand dexterity in the relatively short time I had it.

However, it’s the guitar’s tone that truly sets the CG192C apart from others in the series – and even against its competitors. The solid Western red cedar contributes to its rich, unctuous sound. There’s a beautiful warmth and roundness that makes for an incredibly pleasant playing experience, encouraging hours of enjoyment. While it has a less sharp attack than spruce, this doesn’t compromise the guitar’s articulation; each note is clearly distinguished and present.