OV35 guitarists. Ever play one of those Esteban guitars on that shopping channel?

[jcbrowns]

I ordered one today, won't see it for a few weeks.
I played bass back in the day and always had an interest in guitar. I know for what I payed for it, it won't be a top of the line type guitar but they have been selling these for years on this home shopping channel and I believe they are credible.

I have until the end of January to return it, so I'm not worried about being stuck with it if it blows. They do hype it pretty good on the channel, customer testimonials are good, lifelong musicians calling in saying the guitar is great, whether this is set-up beforehand, I don't know. But if anybody has played one, what's your opinion about it? I have read reviews on the web and most of them have been negative, but these reviews were from 2004-05.

I'm guessing this is a decent guitar because they have been selling for this long.

Anybody?

[EMISGOD]

Depends on what you call decent. The few I've seen have been in music stores and zero of them played (or sounded, actually) acceptable...acoustics I'm pretty particular about, though and my dissatisfaction with most of them is not solely restricted to Esteban...

[Bando]

Been playing 20+ years, never tried one of those HSN guitars. I would never buy a guitar that I haven't played beforehand. I have bought some nice guitars off craigslist and would recommend that route. I remember seeing one of those estaban infomercials and thinking it was the soloflex of guitar playing

[user94984100999]

Ive played one,a friend of mine has one,and he says its ok,nothing fantasic,i'll stick with my Les Pauls and Takamines

[dbx]

For acoustic guitars, I have a $1900 Martin DC1 acoustic and an acoustic/electric Applause (Ovation) that I bought for $100 in a pawn shop around 82'. The Martin is clearly superior sounding, but I love them both for different reasons. Actually, it's not even fair to compare an A/E with acoustic, so here's a better way to look at it:

I had a Silvertone beginners acoustic guitar when I was 10. I hated it because it sounded so terrible, and my guitar teacher got to play his gorgeous black Gibson LP electric when teaching me every week. Funny thing though; whenever he played my cheap, crappy, beginner's guitar....it sounded like a completely different guitar. Melodious beyond words. Never could figure that out :).

You'll probably be tickled to death with this guitar. If you pick it up well and stay with it, you can always upgrade. I don't have that old Silvertone anymore. Got wasted one night around age 16, at a party I was having at my folk's house and used it to do a Hendrix impression. I wish I still had it.

[jcbrowns]

I'm not expecting a great sounding guitar for that price but they've been selling these for so long and they're popular as hell at least as sales go. I'll know within 5 minutes of playing it if it's worth the hype, maybe I'm getting my hopes up for a beat around guitar.

I'm just hoping for a decent guitar with good sound for the price, I would usually never buy an insrument that I didn't get to play beforehand, but I can return it used until the end of January. So I am in a win-win situation. Just wondering if anybody had one of these before.

It's autographed by the way. :D

Yippeeeeeeee!

[Bando]

For acoustic guitars, I have a $1900 Martin DC1 acoustic and an acoustic/electric Applause (Ovation) that I bought for $100 in a pawn shop around 82'. The Martin is clearly superior sounding, but I love them both for different reasons....
I've owned an Ovation, loved the sound, never played an applause that was quite as rich, my thinking is it's because they are lighter.. Will own a Martin when kids are old enough to not knock guitars over, wonderful instruments.

[tolewfo]

I used to manage at a Guitar Center and we would see one of those come in for a trade in. They are horrible. A P.O.S.... you could do so much better for the price.

[chodan9]

I own a Fender contemporary stratocaster, I bought it in 1991 just before I got married (I knew it was the last time for a while I could afford it). It is the last thing I will sell if broke and going hungry for food. I put it in lay away at the guitars shop.
I would like to get me a decent acoustic.
When I sell my second home (someday) I will set aside a couple grand and start shopping around I think. I am leaning toward a Martin, but I like Gibson also. For that kind of money I will be absolutely sure of my purchase.

back to the OP

had anyone here ever heard of esteban before he started selling guitars?

[tolewfo]

I've owned an Ovation, loved the sound, never played an applause that was quite as rich, my thinking is it's because they are lighter.. Will own a Martin when kids are old enough to not knock guitars over, wonderful instruments.

Martin's are great... their dreadnaughts are top shelf.

But, I am a Taylor guy. Maybe it's because Bob Taylor still runs his shop. I went through his shop once and he was covered in Saw Dust. That to me makes a major reason I still buy his guitars.

[Bando]

Martin's are great... their dreadnaughts are top shelf.

But, I am a Taylor guy. Maybe it's because Bob Taylor still runs his shop. I went through his shop once and he was covered in Saw Dust. That to me makes a major reason I still buy his guitars.

Not to mention they sound wonderful, look like a work of art, are a joy to play and hold their sound and value.

[jcbrowns]

I own a Fender contemporary stratocaster, I bought it in 1991 just before I got married (I knew it was the last time for a while I could afford it). It is the last thing I will sell if broke and going hungry for food. I put it in lay away at the guitars shop.
I would like to get me a decent acoustic.
When I sell my second home (someday) I will set aside a couple grand and start shopping around I think. I am leaning toward a Martin, but I like Gibson also. For that kind of money I will be absolutely sure of my purchase.

back to the OP

had anyone here ever heard of esteban before he started selling guitars?


Touche.

[skinny buckeye]

biggest waste of money in life is buying ****ty guitars because they are "cheaper".

you will never be satisfied with the sound of a cheap guitar.


buy a used martin off craigslist and you'll be happy every day you see it.

[Minotaur]

Seagulls are good for the money. I have a Seagull Solid Spruce Maritime 6 string. I wanted the Coastal Cedar 12 string next, but it's more than I want to spend. I'm going for the Yamaha 12 string, probably at GC. When I spring for a bass and amp, I'll probably go there. I have my wish list already.

People crack on GC, but I can't see anything wrong with their 30 day guarantee and choices. It seems they carry just about anything made. Prices are comparable to all the other local guitar shops and on-line dealers. As far as I know local shops don't offer any guarantees other than doing repairs. Even then they direct you to a service shop. If you don't like the guitar from a local shop you're **** out of luck.

Reviews of Esteban guitars (http://www.guitarreviewsonline.com/index2.php?item_id=42).

[Bando]

If you don't like the guitar from a local shop you're **** out of luck.

A GF bought me a guitar as a Christmas gift one year from a local shop, wonderful gift, unfortunately I hated it. I took it back + $30.00 cash for a guitar I played for 10 years, so it lasted about 9 years longer than that relationship. Local guitar shop guys in my experience are great. Several times I've gone in with a problem they fixed right there and wouldn't accept payment for it. My experience is that local guitar shop guys = people into music & instruments over profit.

[Minotaur]

That's great. I have to say, though, that the guy who runs the sales and repair shop where I take lessons is getting to know me, and would probably do right by me. He has a 3 month layaway, so "my" Yamaha 12 string may be bought that way. Maybe in time for Christmas. I'll settle for my birthday in July to get my bass and amp. My teacher said we could bounce back and forth between guitar and bass.

Of course, as my boss (and usually best friend) pointed out "You can't even play guitar and you want a bass?" Yeah I do. It's two guitars I "can't play" compared to him not playing anything. :rolleyes:

[Stevelegh]

Funny enough, I'm in the market for a small parlour size acoustic. I'm going to get an Epiphone EL-00:

http://www.cranesmusicstore.com/images/118747_01.jpg

Reason is mainly because it's cheap ($300) and they work. I love Martins, Gibsons, etc, but for my purposes I find that the difference between Far Eastern versions and the expensive ones gets less and less the more you spend.

Usually you find that a good setup from a guitar tech or yourself if you have the ability can give you a great sounding instrument.