Kremona Performer Rondo R65CWC Classical Guitar

Nice looking guitar, versatile and excellent value

This guitar has solid wood back and sides at a price point where most manufacturers give you laminated wood. Laminated is OK, but solid is generally considered better, as it tends to sound a little richer and clearer and to age better. The back and sides are walnut, which is less well-known as a guitar tonewood than Indian rosewood and mahogany. Walnut has some characteristics of both, with a warm yet also quite bright sound. I've had the chance to play it side-by-side with Kremona's Romida, another guitar from their Artist series, which is similar but has Indian rosewood back and sides. The Romida has a slightly richer, deeper bass and little more sparkle and sustain in the highs. Purely for playing classical guitar pieces, the Romida may perhaps be the better choice, depending on taste. The Rondo is a little stronger in the mids, and has a slightly punchier sound overall. Having just a little less sustain makes it better for playing chords, to my ear. If you you also want to play flamenco, rock, pop, jazz and even blues on your classical guitar (hey, it's your guitar, you can do what you like with it!) then I'd say the Rondo RS is an excellent choice. The build quality is superb for the price, and it's a very pretty guitar, thanks to the grain patterns in the walnut. I didn't love the strings, but it was no big deal replace them with my personal preference. I like it that Kremona guitars are hand-built in a relatively small workshop in Bulgaria, and that walnut is a very sustainable wood. I've had it for a few weeks now, and I'm very happy with my Rondo RS.
Final note: There's also a cheaper 'Rondo' guitar from Kremona's Solist series, which has laminated back and sides, and an electro version in their Performer series. I haven't tried either of those, and I'm reviewing the Artist series version.