Do you play an Estaban guitar? What do you think of it?

[Rabrrrrrr]

I'm tempted - I've been wanting a guitar on which to learn, and his $198 deal for the guitar, amp, extra strings, hardcase, instructional DVDs and books seems like a hella good deal.

The guitar certainly sounds great on the advert, and since a beginner guitar is about $200 anyway, but without all the extra stuff, this seems a killer deal.

If you have any experience with one, please let me know!

[tjdee]

1. I saw him play one of them on HSN.....

Not to be cheesy, LOL.

But it sounded pretty good--I was *very* tempted too, even though I have a guitar already.

Not sure how it feels/the quality though. Looked pretty good under all those bright lights and through that fancy camera....but that's why they showcase things like that.

[Algorem]

2. I found out Esteban is actually Zorro.If he slips on his mask people go,

"Hey Zorro! Where'd you come from? Did you see Esteban? Where the hell'd he go? He was just here." Never trust a hillbilly that calls himself "Esteban"

[dolo amber]

3. !!

:rofl:

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. LOL! Yeah, it's too bad he felt the need to have a "look" as a musician,

instead of just being a musician.

[asthmaticeog]

5. It sounds good, but...

please don't ever buy a guitar by phone. Equipment that can be sold inexpensively had to have been made inexpensively, and that means corners were cut, and you won't know which ones unless you get your mitts on it. For a starter guitar, I *strongly* recommend you go to a real shop with someone you know who already plays, and who can tell you if a particular instrument is going to bite you on the ass. There are production flaws in cheapo guitars that can actually make it harder to learn, and some that can even injure you. Like if the fretwire isn't sanded perfectly flush with the neck, for example, you can cut your fingers. Not cool, but I've seen it.

For a starter, I'd say go to a Guitar Center and look at Squiers (made by Fender) and Epiphones (made by Gibson). The budget models can be under $200, especially at this time of year, and they'll be well-constructed (except that some of the cheaper Epiphones don't stay in tune for shit, which *will* frustrate your learning efforts). Plus if it turns out that guitar doesn't suit you, you can get some of your money back when selling such an instrument, which isn't likely to be the case with an instrument that's exclusive to Home Shopping Network. Big-box music stores have very inexpensive 10-watt practice amps made by reputable manufacturers at low prices, too. Also, sometimes you can score GREAT guitars used and dirt-cheap at mom & pops and pawn shops, so long as you've got someone along who can steer you away from rubbish.

Seriously, get a bud who plays guitar to go on a comparison-shopping expedition with you. The extra $100 or so you spend will be TOTALLY worth it. This isn't snobbery at work here, I swear, it's hard-won experience with budget guitars. You'll have more fun learning on something decent, and you'll learn better if you're not struggling against a poor instrument.

[Coventina]

6. I'm not an expert, but my guitar teacher is. She says they are crap.

She's been teaching guitar since the early 70s, so she has quite a bit of experience.

Anyway, she says her heart sinks every time someone shows up wanting to learn to play with one.

She gave me a long list of things she's found wrong, but I can't remember all of them.

She said it's too bad, because she respects Esteban as a musician, and can't figure out why he would attach his name to such a lousy product.

Just FYI.

[auntAgonist]

7. looks can be deceiving

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Esteban/Steel_String_Acoustic_Bundle-1.html

Price Paid: US $198+s/h

Features: 8
For novice's that we were it looked beautiful, but looks can be deceiving...we were awstruck and failed to see the problems...

Sound: 5
It sounded great in the beginning but loses it's tune after awhile...the amp was cool!

Action, Fit, & Finish: 1
The first night we got it the E string broke, not knowing anything about guitars I had to take it to the local music store. The guy was impressed with it, but I think he was being nice. He replaced the string and then told me that the neck was badly warped, he fixed it and we went on happily...until recently when we took it in they said it was UNFIXABLE! Can you say duped? I feel like an idiot because I bought into the commercial!! I told everyone to get one, too! Now I am upset and my poor daughter is left without her guitar!

Reliability/Durability: 1
Bought it and from day one it was warped! Now, 2 years later, it is UNFIXABLE!!!

Customer Support: 1
You only get 30 days to return it, and 1 year for "workmanship"...It lasted us exactly a year! But that was with lots of tuning up and neck fixing!

Overall Rating: 1
Don't buy online! Go to a Music Store and ask lots of questions, it may be true that you get what you pay for! Will we buy another Esteban to replace the lemon we had? I am not sure...I don't want to pay alot but I also don't want to go through this ordeal any longer!!! I am a huge Esteban fan and I am sincerely crushed! Please don't buy one if you can help it!! Go to a store...

Submitted by Natalie and Destinee at 11/20/2005 16:52

There are MORE reviews there for you to look at. Might help?

aA

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. Thanks to you and the other two before you!

I do play instruments (of the violin family), so I know the difference between playing on something good and something not as good.

I was willing to put up with some sloppier action and worse sound on a beginner guitar so long as it was well constructed, held it's tuning, and the neck was straight, just to see if I really had interest in playing one and learning more and then later getting a properly good model of a guitar.

But from your guys, it sounds like the Estaban isn't a cheaper beginner guitar, it's just a piece of shit.

An instrument that kept going out of tune and had a warped neck would piss me off no end! Id' eventually have to go Richie Blackmore on it.

[immoderate]

9. I have seen similar warnings.

Most of the Esteban reviews are awful. It appears that he uses many suppliers and price, not quality, is the key. Many reviews called it a rip-off.

I agree that the best way is to buy the guitar in person. However, there are many reviews of guitars on sites such as music123.com that might give you an idea of what's available. If one plays good, buy it off the floor. Don't get another in a box. If you're looking for a flat-top acoustic, look for a solid spruce top, name brand hardware. If possible, take a mayvin with you. Shit, everybody plays the guitar. Some good, inexpensive guitars are made by Aria, Yamaha. But there are many other brands, though most are actually manufactured by Samek.

--IMM

[bridgit]

10. hubby is playing a fender strat at this point in time but says...

that estaban is a good guitar, good value = you prolly know what he's talking about :shrug: