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The more I discovered about the Yamaha CG182C, the more it amazed me. It is a true classic beauty that comes at a surprisingly affordable price!
The Yamaha CG182C Guitar is a classical guitar that is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced players. This guitar is part of the CG series, renowned for its quality, playability, and affordability.
Let’s take a closer look at the features and performance of the CG182C to determine whether it lives up to its reputation.
Top | Solid cedar |
Bottom and sides | Rosewood |
Neck | Nato (Eastern Mahogany) |
Fretboard | Ebony |
Scale Length | 650 mm / 25 9/16 inches |
Size | 40.94 x 18.46 x 5.39 inches |
Strings | Nylon |
Nut Width | 2 1/16 inches |
String Spacing | 11.8 mm |
Number of Frets | 19 |
Soundhole inlay | Made of wood |
Bridge System | Adjustable |
Machine heads | Gold plated |
Colour | Natural |
The Classic Design of Yamaha
The CG182C is a nylon classical guitar with an elegant and simple design. The guitar is dreadnought shaped, or as Yamaha has named it, the CG shape. It’s well-made and feels solid in your hands.
The model is designed with love for Rosewood, which is used in the back and sides of the guitar, providing a clear and balanced sound.
Just the neck is made of African mahogany. The fretboard, made of ebony, helps the player’s fingers glide along. The guitar has a glossy finish that makes it look stunning.
Build Quality
The build quality of the CG182C is excellent, as you would expect from Yamaha. It features a solid American cedar top, which produces warm and rich tones.
The neck is smooth and comfortable to play with, and the frets are well-finished. The tuning pegs are also of high quality and are easy to adjust. Despite its affordable price tag, the CG182C feels like a high-end guitar.

How does Yamaha CG182C Sound?
The sound quality of the Yamaha CG182C is impressive. The solid cedar top produces a bright, warm, mature tone that changes very little over time with excellent response and relatively thick treble. The rosewood back and sides add clarity, depth, and balance to the sound.
The CG182C is also very responsive to the player’s touch. If you gently strum the guitar, it will play a soft and complicated song. But if you dig in and play with much power, it will belt out a strong and lively tune.
The guitar is noticeably bass and mid-heavy compared to other installments of the CG series. It is easy to get a wide range of tones and dynamics out of this guitar, which makes CG182C perfect for both beginners and experienced players.
Playability of CG182C
You’ll rarely find anyone complaining about comfort in playing the CG182C. The D-shape neck is comfortable to hold and play with, and the action is set up perfectly.
The guitar has a traditional 52mm nut width, which makes it easy to play fingerstyle pieces. As the action of the strings is not too high, they’re easy to press down. This is helpful for beginners who may not yet have developed finger strength.
Find the best classical guitars for beginners here.
The CG182C also features a cutaway design, making accessing the higher frets easier. This is particularly useful for players who want to play more complex pieces that require reaching higher notes.

Ease of Use
The Yamaha CG182C comes with a durable gig bag, which makes it easy to transport the guitar to gigs or lessons. The tuning keys are neither stiff nor loose, so the guitar is very easy to tune. The tuning pegs are also smooth and accurate and retain the tuning for an extended period.
So you don’t have to tune the guitar every time to play it. The guitar is also very lightweight, which makes it easy to hold and play for extended periods.
Is YAMAHA CG182C Value for Money?
If you are looking for a great value-for-money option, then the Yamaha CG182C is what you are looking for. It offers quality wood, high-end features, and pleasing tone at an affordable price of around 500$. The guitar is well-made and durable.
Taken good care of, it will last for years to come. The sound quality is also exceptional, which makes it an excellent investment for anyone looking for a classical guitar that will grow with them as they develop their skills.
Check out our list of the best budget classical guitars here.
The downside
The Yamaha CG182C does not come with built-in electronic pickups. It is a traditional classical guitar that is designed to be played acoustically.
However, if you want to amplify the sound of the CG182C, you can easily install an external pickup or a microphone.
Many types of pickups are available, including under-saddle pickups, soundboard transducers, and internal microphones. A guitar technician can install these and will allow you to amplify the guitar’s sound for performances or recordings.
Want to know more about classical guitar pickup? Click here.
In a nutshell
The Yamaha CG182C is an excellent nylon/classical guitar suitable for beginners and experienced players. The sound quality is exceptional, and the guitar responds to the player’s touch.
The playability is excellent, and the guitar is easy to use and transport. Overall, the CG182C is an excellent value-for-money guitar that offers high-end features and performance at an affordable price
Pros and cons of Yamaha CG182C
Pros of Yamaha CG182C
Sound: The CG182C has a warm, rich sound perfect for fingerpicking and strumming.
Playability: The CG182C is very comfortable, thanks to its thin neck and low action.
Craftsmanship: The Yamaha CG182C is known for its excellent build quality and craftsmanship. It’s made with care and accuracy, producing a reliable and visually appealing guitar.
Cons of Yamaha CG182C
Limited Customization: One potential downside is that the Yamaha CG182C may offer limited customization options compared to other brands. You may find fewer options if you’re looking for highly personalized or unique design choices.
FAQs of Yamaha CG182C
Yes, the Yamaha CG182C is considered a good classical guitar by many musicians. It’s known for its quality craftsmanship, rich and balanced tone, and comfortable playability. Yamaha has a reputation for producing reliable and affordable classical guitars that are suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
However, the quality of any guitar ultimately depends on your personal preferences and playing style, so it’s a good idea to try it out and see if it suits your needs and expectations.
The Yamaha CG182C comes with D’Addario Pro-Arte nylon strings. These strings are popular with classical guitarists because they produce a warm, mellow sound.
Yes, the Yamaha CG182C is a good guitar for beginners. It is comfortable to play, has a warm and rich sound, and is well-built.
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