Gearank

Gearank High Notes

• 2022.09: Highest Rated Nylon String Guitar from $750 to $1000

Gearank Recommended

The Verea Cutaway first appeared on our recommended list for Classical Guitars from August 2016 until December 2017 when it was out-ranked by other guitars.

Then in June 2019 its ratings were high enough for it to reappear on our list for Classical Guitars Under $1000 where it remained until it was again out-ranked by other guitars in June 2021.

Then in September 2022 we created a new category for nylon string guitars from $750 to $1000 and the Kremona Verea Cutaway debuted on this list at #1!

Overview

Pre-installed in this guitar is a Fishman Presys Blend system that combines an under-saddle piezo pickup with a built-in condenser mic. It has controls for blending the mic and pickup, and comes with a 3-band EQ and onboard tuner.

This feature alone puts this guitar a notch higher than others in terms of functionality and value. More importantly, it does a good job of capturing the warm tonality of the guitar's solid cedar top and rosewood back and sides.

Originally emanating from Bulgaria and now with operations also located in the USA, this guitar manufacturer has a history that dates back to 1924 - they even survived the post war era when they were nationalized by the then communist government in their home country.

The Kremona Verea is an acoustic-electric nylon string guitar Made in Bulgaria. It is packed with some nice specs. It's not a strictly classical guitar, rather it strays from the old path to include modern stage-ready electronics, and make playing more comfortable.

And being a hybrid instrument with a small 48 mm nut width makes this a good nylong string guitar for even electric guitarists to transition to.

Like the Cordoba GK Studio Negra, it uses Fishman Presys Blend electronics which includes a built-in condenser microphone in addition to a more traditional under-saddle piezo pickup. A 3-band equalizer and tuner rounds out the electronics.

The built-in electronics and the body has a cutaway for easier access to upper frets. These features will obviously not fly with classical purists, but it makes sense for those who want to gig with a nylon string guitar.

Being a gigging guitar, the Verea has a mellow voicing that can work great with many different styles. Attack on the strings sound crisp and percussive, without sounding too harsh.

To my ears, it highlights the upper mids a bit more than the lower spectrum, which gives it good clarity. But it also means that it lacks a bit of low end depth.

When plugged in, it loses some of its body, but you gain more control over the resulting tone via the included controls. And this plugged in tone is really the focal point of this instrument.

Another noteworthy distinction of the Verea compared to traditional classical guitars is its narrower neck. This works in conjunction with the its soft cutaway design, allowing for easier playability. Note that it is still wider than the neck of most steel string guitars, but it does make a difference.

These modern specifications combined with the pickup system, make it most at home with performers who need to switch between different types of guitars on stage. All in all, the Kremona Verea is a great option for those who want to gig with a nylon string guitar.

Specifications

• Top: Solid Red Cedar
• Body: Indian Rosewood back & sides
• Finish: Polyurethane
• Bridge: Indian Rosewood
• Neck: Honduras Cedar
• Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 16"
• Scale Length: 650 mm (25 9/16")
• Nut Width: 48 mm (1.88")
• Electronics: Fishman Presys Blend with dual source pickup system, built-in condenser mic with blend control, Fishman Sonicore pickup, 3-band EQ controls, phase switch and built-in tuner with LED display

Demo