J Navarro NC-60 Review – Classical Gas for Very Little Cash

There are plenty of options in the marketplace when it comes to budget guitars – whether electric, acoustic or classical models. With so many manufacturers improving their output over the years, these days it’s pretty easy to find a good quality model that will more than serve its purpose. The J Navarro NC-60 is a popular low-cost model that may be exactly what you are looking for…

Body & Neck

The NC-60 comes with many of the features that you will find on classical guitars that cost much more. For example, the top of the body is constructed from solid Englemann spruce with a traditional bracing pattern, while the back and sides are made with laminated rosewood – both great tonewoods in their own right. The neck is made from mahogany, with the added benefit of a Spanish heel as a neck attachment design. What difference does this make? Quite a lot actually! With a Spanish heel, the neck itself has slots cut in where the sides meet it. Many find that using this joining method instead of the dovetail joint gives them an improved tone. On top of this, the NC-60 features a true rosewood fretboard with 19 frets for a nice, warm sound and improved playability.

Hardware

The hardware on the NC-60 has some impressive factors to take note of, particularly the genuine bone nut and saddle which offer maximum resonance. The tuners have a 12:1 ratio for smooth and precise adjustments that are very stable, and the gold-plated finish with black buttons adds a touch of class. As with many models in this price range, there’s a lack of any electronic features on the NC-60. This means you can’t plug it into an amp or a direct box, and you will need to get a separate tuner as well. Both of those features are certainly desirable if you are looking to perform, but for casual playing and practice, it’s not a deal breaker.

Sound

Thanks to the combination of two top-notch tonewoods, the NC-60 has a rich, luxurious tone that can hold a candle to many of the more expensive classical guitars on the market – and it’s pretty impressive for a model at this end of the cost spectrum. The sound is enhanced by the smooth playability of the rosewood fingerboard combined with the nickel -silver frets. Notes are clear, crisp and jump right out, while chords are full and well defined. Honestly, for a sound this good out of the box at this price, can somebody please tell us why we should pay much more?!

Conclusion

In the 21st Century, buying a good classical guitar at a great price shouldn’t be that hard – and with guitars like the J Navarro NC-60, it isn’t! With good woods, impressive features and a bold sound, it’s a model that you shouldn’t overlook if your budget is capped at $300. For more info about the J Navarro NC-60, click here. For more of the best classical guitars under $300, click here.