Yamaha Etude C40Bl Black

A Yamaha Best-Seller That Has Become a Study Reference

In the world of classical study guitars, the C40 (and its C40II version) has established itself as a lasting reference: Yamaha's idea is simple, to offer an accessible guitar without sacrificing the essentials (intonation, comfort, reliability). This positioning has made it an essential beginner instrument for decades, to the point of being regularly cited as "the starter guitar" by many teachers. The C40II has also been recognized beyond classrooms, notably winning an award at the 2011 Music Industry Awards.

For Whom, and For Which Styles?

The Yamaha C40II is primarily aimed at beginners and intermediate players seeking a comfortable full-size classical guitar to work on fundamentals (left-hand positioning, arpeggios, chords, reading). The nylon strings and typical classical guitar nut width facilitate learning and reduce finger fatigue. It is also well suited for classical, Latin music (bossa, rumba), as well as gentle fingerstyle accompaniment in pop/variety genres.

Sound

Its spruce top provides clarity and good note definition, ideal for distinguishing arpeggio voices and working on precision. The meranti back and sides, reminiscent of certain mahoganies, reinforce a warm and balanced midrange, with a crisp attack without harshness. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge contribute to a stable playing feel and consistent response, with sustain suited for study and even projection in a room or classroom.

Technical specifications

Shape	Yamaha classical	Nut width	52 mm / 2.05"
Top	spruce	Scale length	650 mm / 25.6"
Back and sides	meranti	Bridge	rosewood
Body depth	94 to 100 mm / 3.70" to 3.94"	Tuning machines	chrome
Neck	nato	Finish	natural
Fingerboard	rosewood	Varnish	gloss