im not a beginner - but wanted a C40 for traveling performance, and teaching,
i bought a C40 had to return it next day, fretbuzz was a crazy even with very high action. provided thomann with a video of a B chord sounding very bad.
after the fourth return for exactly the same same issue, i got refunded - one of the four started off ok for a few weeks, then developed buzzing, and a loud resonance that killed the note on all G# frets.
thomann customer service told me their guitar expert says that all C40s will perform to the same standard and refunded me,
so i then bought 4 from amazon, 2 at a time, because i was determined to get one that didnt have fretbuzz on A and D strings between frets 2- 7.
all buzzed the same , and were returned to amazon next day.
the overall sound of the guitar when not buzzing is more than acceptable, if this guitar was manufactured to a decent finish including set up, it would be fine.
C40s have a low-midrange sound, not much definition on high frets on the nylon strings, as expected.
feel of the neck is playable, tuners are acceptable
ive been in touch with yamaha musics tech support about it, no reply.
i even bought 2 yamaha CG104A's yesterday from yamaha london and gear4music,
theyre similar with a more high-mid sound overall.
Both CG104A's to my dismay display exactly the same fretbuzz on A and D, as the C40s im reviewing here - and are being returned.
thats my budget yamaha experience. if you decide to get one good luck .
i hope to own a functional budget yamaha classical one day just to get some closure !
im grateful to thomann for at least being understanding with my endless returns,
edit- have now had response with yamaha support. they state they take my report seriously and are investigating, and have offfered me a replacement