I got a Yamaha CG171SF really cheap because it had a dent next to the heel in the back, but I figured the laminated back was strong enough and would hold up forever. Plus I liked its sound. Next I replaced both the nut and saddle with GraphTech Tusq (tm) and boy. was I surprised! It got louder and now rings out with bell-like tones. The downside is that sustain is now so long (about 15 secs) it sounds more classical than flamenco. Also, it's quite heavy for a flamenco. My next step will be to replace the original tuners, which IMHO are particularly ugly. But I highly recommend this guitar for beginning flamenquistas. You will return to it again and again as you advance in your art. In fact, I'm thinking of getting a second one new, I like it that much.

I purchased this model a few years back and it has been so fun to play. It has become my primary kick-back guitar, although I also own a takamine. I went into a store and was tinkering with a couple of different classicals. I picked this one from the wall and immediately loved it. It was loud and punchy. I thought it was 2-3 times out of the prioce range I wanted to pay. When I found out it was the Yamaha model that I had seen online and found out their price, I said I'll take it. After reading some reviews here I decided to immediately have a set-up and changed the saddle to bone. Definitly have a set-up; that usually goes with any newly acquired guitar. On this model lower the action as much as possible, since it is a flamenco. The saddle does not need to be changed to bone, especially if you are a new player. I however, thought it made the tone more natural and I may also change the nut but, that's really not a priority. I have encountered a few people that own Yamaha acoustics and have gotten to play them. They have all been very good. I don't think you can go wrong with a beginner to intermediate guitar in this brand.

I've been playing classical guitar for 8 years and for the price and feel of this guitar, it doesn't get any better. I have played classical/flamenco guitars that cost $1500 (or more) and don't play as well as this one. Even if you can afford to pay 5 times what this guitar costs, go with this one.

I was never a fan of Yamaha, but after reading the rave reviews on their CG171SF Flamenco Guitar I decided to give it a go. It really is a notch up from other Yamaha's I've played, the sound is lovely (and I haven't even changed the strings that came with it yet), sound projects well, nice timbre. But the guitar looks nothing like what's pictured... it's a very light birch color all over. ALL over, front, sides and back. There's an ugly stripe down the back that matches the front hole, and even though the neck is a lovely rosewood, there's a rakish black/gray inlay at the head that doesn't seem to match anything else on the guitar and doesn't even look like real wood. All in all - if it weren't so bargain-basement looking, I'd love it. As is, I just like it and respect it a lot.

I was completely amazed by the sound and quality of this flamenco. I have strayed from my metal roots and began studying classical guitar. I have played many flamencos before that cost eight times the amount of this one. I don't think there is a better guitar for the price. After browsing for about an hour or so trying to find one I really like, not even paying attention to price tags, I came across this beautiful Yamaha CG171SF. After playing it for a few minutes I decided this was the one I wanted. I took it home and haven't put it down yet!