Ortega Performer Series RCE159MN Solid Top Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Classical Guitar with Gig Bag
Warm Cedar Tone, Comfortable Playability, and Stage-Ready Electronics
The Ortega Performer Series RCE159MN is a versatile nylon-string acoustic-electric classical guitar designed for players who want traditional classical guitar character combined with modern performance features. Its solid North American cedar top produces a warm, expressive voice with excellent resonance, while the walnut back and sidescontribute balanced tone and attractive natural character.
As part of Ortega's Performer Series, the RCE159MN combines traditional guitar-building methods with modern appointments designed for today's players. Ortega describes the Performer Series as incorporating traditional construction with modern features, including solid tops, gloss finishes, and player-friendly neck profiles.
Solid Cedar Top for Warm, Expressive Tone
The RCE159MN features a solid North American cedar top, a tonewood particularly appreciated for its warm response, rich harmonic character, and responsiveness to a lighter playing touch.
A solid top can also develop additional tonal complexity as it is played over time. Ortega notes that solid-top construction allows the top to vibrate more freely, contributing to resonance, tonal depth, and dynamic response.
The walnut back and sides complement the cedar top with a balanced tonal foundation and attractive natural appearance.
Comfortable 50 mm Medium Neck
The RCE159MN uses a 50 mm (1.97") nut width and Ortega's medium-neck profile. This provides the traditional spacing many classical players expect while remaining comfortable for a wide variety of playing styles.
The full-size 650 mm (25.59") scale and 19-fret design provide a familiar classical-guitar playing experience.
Cutaway Access for Higher Frets
The RCE159MN's cutaway body design provides improved access to the upper portion of the fingerboard. This is especially useful for players who incorporate higher-register melodies, lead passages, contemporary arrangements, and solo work into their playing.
Ortega MagusPro Electronics with Built-In Tuner
When you need to amplify your guitar, the RCE159MN is ready to go with Ortega MagusPro electronics and a built-in tuner. The onboard system allows the guitar to connect directly to an amplifier, PA system, acoustic guitar amplifier, or recording equipment.
The built-in tuner also makes it convenient to keep the guitar properly tuned during practice, rehearsals, and performances.
Traditional Details with Modern Convenience
The RCE159MN includes an Ortega 12-hole bridge, Indian Laurel fingerboard and bridge, a mahogany neck, Ortega's signature walnut/maple/white-pearl rosette, and an integrated two-way truss rod. A professional gig bag is included for convenient transportation and protection.
Why You'll Love the Ortega RCE159MN
You'll love the Ortega RCE159MN because it combines the warm, expressive voice of a solid cedar-top classical guitar with the versatility of a cutaway and onboard electronics. The comfortable 50 mm neck makes it well suited to traditional classical playing while remaining practical for contemporary nylon-string styles.
It's an excellent choice for a guitarist who wants one instrument that can move easily from home practice and lessons to church, stage performances, recording sessions, and acoustic ensembles.
Features & Specifications
- Brand: Ortega
- Series: Performer Series
- Model: RCE159MN
- Instrument Type: Nylon-String Acoustic-Electric Classical Guitar
- Body Size: Full Size / 4/4
- Body Shape: Cutaway
- Top: Solid North American Cedar
- Top Finish: Gloss
- Back & Sides: Walnut
- Back & Sides Finish: Gloss
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
- Bridge: Indian Laurel
- Bridge Design: Ortega 12-Hole Bridge
- Rosette: Ortega Signature Walnut/Maple/White Pearl
- Scale Length: 650 mm / 25.59"
- Nut Width: 50 mm / 1.97"
- Frets: 19
- Strings: Ortega NYP44H
- Electronics: Ortega MagusPro/G
- Tuner: Built-In
- Truss Rod: Integrated 2-Way Truss Rod
- Tuning Machines: Classical
- Tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E
- Neck Type: Medium Neck
- Orientation: Right-Handed
- Finish: Natural Gloss
- Construction: Traditional Spanish-style construction
- Included Accessory: Professional Gig Bag
Perfect For
- Classical guitar students
- Nylon-string guitar players
- Fingerstyle guitarists
- Singer-songwriters
- Church and worship musicians
- Acoustic performers
- Recording musicians
- Music teachers
- Home practice
- Stage performance
- Players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric classical guitar
The Calido Guitars Advantage
At Calido Guitars, we want your new instrument to arrive ready to play. All guitars are professionally set up in our shop before shipping. Our setup helps ensure your new guitar is properly adjusted so you can spend less time worrying about the instrument and more time enjoying your music.
A Classical Guitar Ready for Today's Player
The Ortega RCE159MN Performer Series brings together the warmth of a solid North American cedar top, the attractive character of walnut back and sides, comfortable full-size playability, a practical cutaway, and MagusPro electronics with a built-in tuner. Whether you're developing your classical technique, performing contemporary nylon-string music, or plugging into a PA for a live performance, the RCE159MN is designed to be a versatile musical companion.