Cordoba CE Guitele or Ibanez EWP14?

I'm a guitar picker. I have so many guitars I won't count them. I play electric guitar and acoustics. Once or twice a year I head to Mexico and wish I had a guitar with me. My daughter packed a uke last year and I realized I needed a six string uke. The Ibanez EWP14 is appealing to me - steel strings, cutaway, looks good. I have read several reports that the neck is too narrow. I played a Cordoba CE and it was nice but not steel string and it was a lot more expensive. So I'm here to find out if anyone has on opinion on the Ibanez vs the Cordoba?

I guess you need to decide whether you want steel or nylon strings. If you decide nylon are OK, you have a few options for under $200. Then you need to decide on what scale length you want. Again, you have a number of options from 17", 19", 20", even 23".

Billy Hell said:

I'm a guitar picker. I have so many guitars I won't count them. I play electric guitar and acoustics. Once or twice a year I head to Mexico and wish I had a guitar with me. My daughter packed a uke last year and I realized I needed a six string uke. The Ibanez EWP14 is appealing to me - steel strings, cutaway, looks good. I have read several reports that the neck is too narrow. I played a Cordoba CE and it was nice but not steel string and it was a lot more expensive. So I'm here to find out if anyone has on opinion on the Ibanez vs the Cordoba?

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The question that arises from reading this is, do you need a "6-string uke" at all?
By the way, a "6 string uke" in the traditional sense is not 6-strings like a guitar, but with some of the strings double-coursed, but still played like a 4-string (kinda like a 12-string guitar).

What you're looking for is a "guitalele" or "guilele", which is a shortscaled guitar tuned up to ADGCEA.
You can emulate that on a guitar by just putting a capo at the 5th fret of a regular guitar.
A steel string version of this isn't really a widely used instrument - Ibanez may be one of the few that do.
The rest would be nylon strings, made by companies like Cordoba, Aria, Yamaha and Oscar Schmidt.

Otherwise, I think a short-scaled travel guitar is probably a better investment.
Plenty of those around made by Taylor, Cort, Yamaha, Anuenue, etc.


For any instrument designed to take steel strings, ensure it has a truss rod.
There are some cheapo steel string mini guitars out there that don't.

If you want steel strings, the Ibanez is a good choice.
If you plan to play along with your daughter you may find that nylon strings are preferable. The Gretsch 9126 A-C-E has nylon strings and the same scale length as the Ibanez. The Gretsch has good reviews as well. It's also available in a non-cutaway version, so be sure to include the ACE when you search if you're looking for the cutaway.
https://youtu.be/s-bwBW5N6Es
https://www.elderly.com/gretsch-g9126-ace-guitar-ukulele-acoustic-cutaway-electric-with-gigbag.htm

Thanks for all the replies. I did order the Ibanez. I found an open box for $99 with a good return policy. I'm excited to get it and it might be a nice sound for recording (something different).
I think my daughter will be playing it when I'm not. Good stuff!

Received the Ibanez last night. This was an open box item that only cost $100 so I was open to the fact I might have to send it back. I'm happy to say that it looks and sounds great! I have a six string mando guitar from Goldtone and I cannot navigate the lower regions of that neck. The Ibanez however I can play up and down the neck! I can play the blues on the 12th fret and chord up and down the neck. I do like the steel string sound and the size is great (I can stick it in my suitcase). So I think I really scored on this! Now I guess I'm on the hunt for a pickup I can add since it sounds so sweet!

Rock on! :rock:

I am in the same situation now.

Cordoba minis sound seems more guitarish than ibanez piccolo. Ibanez piccolo have a sound like ukulele. I think its because ovangkol top. So i want cordoba mini but with steel string. Can i restring with acoustic steel strings cordoba mini? Is it damage to guitar?

Akrilik said:

Can i restring with acoustic steel strings cordoba mini? Is it damage to guitar?

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Don't do it. The Mini is designed for nylon/flourocarbon strings and would almost certainly be damaged by the higher tension of steel strings.

Ok. Ibanez piccolo, gretsch g9126 (if i can find in my country) and

any other options ukulele size 6 steel string guitar?

No gretsch g9126 is nylon string too

Is ibanez piccolo only one choice for steel string ukulele size guitar?

Really tough to find. This is close:
https://smallguitars.com/results.php?CategoryID=14