Jehle Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 I've just had someone ask me about the "Estaban" guitar since they are thinking about getting a guitar for their kid. Now, regardless of what I think of Estaban, the dramatic up lighting, the black hat and shades, and the completely silly way that he picks the strings with his fingernails, this infomercial has now forced me to ask the question... What is the guitar really like? Have any of you guys ever played one? Do you own one? Is it worth considering as a beginner guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asm Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 i dont know if i would buy a guitar off the tv, and especially since it comes with an 'esteban' amp. errrr....yeaaaah. i like how he goes "this guitar is great! solid spruce top!, ect ect" then he picks up his 20k guitar and is playing it instead. isnt it like 150$? i guess you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 I played one last year and I was not impressed to say the least. The top wood is solid not ply, but construction was poor. The action was terribly high because the bracing was weak. Like I said "not impressed". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 Well, you get what you pay for. A little common sense would probably tell you that if someone's saying they'll give you a Martin D-28 level guitar for $150, it's probably a nice lie. The problem I've heard and WWW confirmed is that the action is very high or gets higher because of weak bracing. Now, I don't know about you, but when I was learning it was frustrating enough with a relatively low action. If you want your friend to stick with it, tell 'em to pick up a cheap Washburn, Fender, Epi, or Ibanez. It won't cost much more, if at all, and it'll hold up for a few good years of playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Luthier Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 (edited) From what I've heard they're horrible. Everyone hates that at the harmony central forums, and there are also reviews at harmony central, maybe look at those. I've basically heard they are complete garbage. On a side note, someone at the harmony central forums is pretending to be Esteban, including having the user name, "Esteban", some of the threads are kind of funny. Here's a link. Edited September 21, 2004 by Lex Luthier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehle Posted September 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 This is what I suspected. I remember playing those god awful Global guitars back as a kid. Those guitars were made out of cardboard (or at least it seemed like they were). They would warp like a banana after about a year. Good suggestion about getting the cheaper name brand guitars from a proper shop. There a little comfort in buying it from a shop and getting a chance to see it before buying it. Even if you don't know how to play, you can see and feel the difference in junk and quality. Now I need to suggest a video or something for them to use. Estaban has a video (oh, please, now I can witness the hat and uplighting any time I want *swoon*). Maybe I should just suggest that they take up fishing instead of guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 But learning to fish sucessfully can be harder than learning to play guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 (edited) LOL, I sat thru one of his info-mercials for about 10 minutes before I turned the TV off in disgust. Hey! Its made of REAL WOOD! I just had to laugh. Maybe the guitar IS worth 3 payments of $69, you also get what you pay for. As far as the "easy to learn" lessons, well, we all (or most of us) know what learning how to play is about. Nothing happens overnight. In one sense, its probably good for beginners because they will know what not to buy next time they shop for a guitar. Edited September 22, 2004 by Southpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorecki Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 I have a Yamaha and a Fender less then $200 models and they are pretty decent guitars. The Yamaha I've had for 8 or 9 years and it's still in good shape. I bought the Fender about 3 years ago for my oldest and later got her a $500 Ibanez, though the Ibanez is pretty the Fender plays much better. The kit I got her I believe was the Fender® DG-8S Acoustic Guitar Value Pack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehle Posted September 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 The kit I got her I believe was the Fender® DG-8S Acoustic Guitar Value Pack Excellent suggestion. I'll pass that one on as a better option to Esteban's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wademeister Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 and the completely silly way that he picks the strings with his fingernails, I realize you're probably joking Bill, but I didn't know classical guitar is actually played with the nails until I took some lessons. It's really handy to have 5 picks literally right at your fingertips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorecki Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 and the completely silly way that he picks the strings with his fingernails, I realize you're probably joking Bill, but I didn't know classical guitar is actually played with the nails until I took some lessons. It's really handy to have 5 picks literally right at your fingertips! Ya, I tooks some spanish classical, flamigo years ago, it's a completely different way of playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehle Posted September 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 and the completely silly way that he picks the strings with his fingernails, I realize you're probably joking Bill, but I didn't know classical guitar is actually played with the nails until I took some lessons. It's really handy to have 5 picks literally right at your fingertips! Ya, I tooks some spanish classical, flamigo years ago, it's a completely different way of playing. Well, yeah, I know that you play classical with your fingernails. I played classical for about 6 years when I first got started. It's just that Esteban looks... gay... when he does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoser Rob Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 On the AG forum several pros who've been in the making/repair business for 3 decades or more said it's the biggest piece of junk they've ever seen. Get a used DECENT guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepultura999 Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 My Dad bought one of those Estaban guitars or whatever. He only plays it like once a month so he wanted the cheapest he could find lol. I tried it and the first thing you should do is change the strings - it's like playing with dried up bass strings. Overall this guitar is terrible. I suggest if you want a decent accoustic get a Yamaha. They have always had good accoustics. -Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan O' Zakk Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 1. It's a helluva lot better than what I started on. You CAN do a lot worse for the money. It's entry-level equipment...keep in mind that all the people who complain about it are a lot more than entry-level players....a package with all the stuff you need in it ready to go for that cash is great for someone who knows nothing about playing. 2. To all who feel like making a dig on Estaban...let's hear what you can do. For a guy who came out of a car wreck unable to play for years and years, he's incredible. Boing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 1. It's a helluva lot better than what I started on. You CAN do a lot worse for the money. It's entry-level equipment...keep in mind that all the people who complain about it are a lot more than entry-level players....a package with all the stuff you need in it ready to go for that cash is great for someone who knows nothing about playing. 2. To all who feel like making a dig on Estaban...let's hear what you can do. For a guy who came out of a car wreck unable to play for years and years, he's incredible. Boing! one word buddy -- Charo!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Yeah, at least Charo is hot for a 50-year-old chick. I saw her on the MDA telethon a few weeks ago and she's still smokin'. Cootchy-Cootchy-Coo! I don't think anyone would say Esteban is a bad guitarist, I would say that he's probably the most shameless self-promoter since Garth Brooks, though. Three words: All Wood Construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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