Manuel Rodriguez Estudio Épicéa 4/4 Électro Gloss

An Estudio to accompany practice as well as first performances

The Manuel Rodriguez Estudio Épicéa 4/4 électro-acoustique combines the fundamentals of a classical guitar with useful equipment for amplified playing. Designed as a study instrument, it focuses on a straightforward construction: a spruce top, an adjustable neck and built-in electronics. Its advantage is that it can be used every day without limiting practice to acoustic playing alone.

The contrast between the glossy body and the satin neck gives it a refined appearance while differentiating the contact surfaces. The water-based finish reflects a more environmentally friendly approach. The ABS binding completes the body’s finishing, while the chrome-plated tuners add a discreet touch to the overall look.

A full-size format for learning, accompanying and performing in public

This 4/4 classical guitar is aimed at musicians who are comfortable with a full-size instrument: adult beginners, students continuing their studies or intermediate guitarists looking for an electro-acoustic model. The choice of size remains dependent on the player’s build and personal comfort, particularly for younger players. The 19-fret key is suitable for working on the classical guitar repertoire and its usual positions.

It naturally lends itself to classical music, arpeggios, songwriting and fingerstyle accompaniment. Its equipment also makes it easy to integrate into a small ensemble or a singer-guitarist performance with a suitable amplification system. For lessons and rehearsals alike, the built-in tuner makes regular checks easier without having to interrupt the practice session for long.

Spruce clarity, with an amplified sound to shape

The spruce soundboard contributes to a clear attack and good note definition. This wood is appreciated for its response to dynamics: a light touch can retain precision, while a firmer attack provides greater presence. It is therefore equally suited to clearly articulated melodies and chords in which every voice needs to remain audible.

The okoumé back and sides contribute to the body’s balance and the instrument’s overall character. The resulting sound also depends on the construction, strings and the guitarist’s touch: projection and sustain do not rely solely on the type of wood used for the top. The key and bridge in Blackwood Tek complete this construction, with ABS nuts and saddles at the strings’ contact points.

For amplified playing, the pickup feeds a preamp equipped with a 4-band equalizer. This allows you to adjust the tonal balance according to the venue, sound system and the guitar’s place in the ensemble. You can seek greater definition for arpeggios or tame certain frequencies in an accompaniment. The built-in tuner completes this practical setup, eliminating the need for a separate device for each tuning check.

Recommended compatible accessories

For routine maintenance, a soft, clean microfibre cloth can be used to wipe the glossy body and neck after playing, without systematically resorting to a cleaning product. When replacing the strings, choose a set designed for classical guitar with nylon strings rather than steel strings for a folk guitar. The choice of a gig bag or case should be confirmed using the instrument’s actual dimensions: the 4/4 designation alone does not guarantee a precise fit.

Technical specifications

Format	4/4	Fingerboard	Blackwood
Left handed	No	Neck Type	Glued
Cutaway	No	Electroacoustic	Yes
Strings	nylon	Color	Natural
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Glossy
Top	Spruce	Hardware	Chromed
Back&Sides	Okoumé

Type	electro-acoustic classical guitar.	Fret material	nickel silver.
Soundboard top	spruce.	Bridge	Blackwood Tek.
Back	okoumé.	Nut	ABS.
Sides	okoumé.	Saddle	ABS.
Binding	ABS.	Tuning machines	chrome-plated.
Body finishing	environmentally friendly, water-based gloss varnish.	Pickup system	built-in pickup.
Neck wood	okoumé.	Preamp	built-in, with 4-band EQ.
Neck adjustment	dual-action truss rod on this 4/4 version.	Tuner	built-in.
Neck finishing	matte.	Brand	Manuel Rodriguez.
Key	Blackwood Tek.	Range	Estudio.
Number of frets	19.	Version	Spruce Gloss 4/4 electro-acoustic.