R121SN NT : Fine guitar for the money

I am writing this review one year after the purchase.

I (playing guitar since 1982) bought this guitar for my son (11 years) to kick him off with playing guitar (that worked great by the way).

I deliberately chose the slim neck profile which I recommend to anyone - even if I had to buy one for myself. The neck profile is perfect and seems like a neck profile sweet spot for all ages. He it not fighting the instrument or getting pain by playing it.

Prepare to lower the saddle yourself; the string action is unreasonable high from the factory.My judgement: It is not playable out of the box. I filed it down to a comfortable low action which allows my son to take barre chords with ease. I think, that the purchaser must do the adjustment, is on purpose by Ortega. Add a capo, loosen the strings, remove the saddle, use sand paper and a small wooden block to support the saddle while sanding. Patience + 5 minutes iterative proces. Done.

Tuners are still working well after one year. No additional play in them. The guitar sounds better after having been played on. Neck is still straight. From sound perspective, you will get better quality by paying more. This natural law also goes for guitars. But all in all; he is getting quite good, loves the guitar and is able to get nice tunes out of it.