Esteban Black/Silver Limited Edition

Have you ever wondered about those surf boards on the wall at the burrito/pizza/spaghetti restaurants along the California Coast? You know, "Couldn't someone actually surf on that, rather than have it hanging on the wall?"

That's what this guitar's finish looks like. I can polish it to a glossy black, stick it on a display stand as a tribute to the General Motors of my parents and grandparents, and say "Damn, that's a nice looking guitar."

I can't play it. I think it I got a chord or two out of it immediately after I opened the shipping container. Then the damned thing dried up like an old maid, and I might be able to lift up a VW bug, but I can't press hard enough on these strings to hear a complete chord.

Damn this is a fine looking guitar.

Action? My sausage like fingers can creep up the fret board, under the strings, until I reach the 8th fret - without touching a string. My ring size is a 13. Try on a 13 size wedding band, and then imagine how impossibly high this action is, and then imagine having the cajones to walk into the guitar shop and asking the technician for help adjusting your "fine looking guitar".

This guitar will last forever - unless my nieces, nephews, or grandkids knock it off the wall/stand.

It will never be played again - and I'm too honest to try and sell it on e-bay.

Another lesson learned about watching late night QVC/HSN/ShopNBC. Turn off the TV and go to sleep.

I avoid situations that I know will end up in me dropping F bombs. I like the DVD lesson series. I'll be able to use the foam gig bag for another guitar, and that's all I have to say about that...

This is a prop. It looks nice. It is not a guitar that I think anyone will ever play. I'm embarrassed that I bought it. My wife teases me for having been duped by Zorro into spending money on this "guitar". However, I've read several comments here at HC and it seems that misery has plenty of company.

If it were lost or stolen, I would not turn in the thief: even if I had a framed surveillance picture, a dropped wallet with positive ID, and if the cops posted a picture in the newspaper after capturing the crook on an unrelated charge.

I would claim a write-off on my taxes in excess of the most expensive MARTIN signature model - because this Esteban Black and Silver GM edition is truly priceless!

I am the owner of an acoustic instrument shop in Amarillo, TX (www.buckeysstringshack.com). Not being boastful, but I consider myself and my entire staff highly skilled repairmen/luthiers. I have had several of these guitars in my store for various repairs. I can tell you that the paint is sloppy and thin, the tuners are CHEAP and all of them were loose, the frets looked brass which wear extremely fast, the wood on all of the Estebans that I have seen are some sort of unknown plywood. These are total pieces of junk. The piezo element under the saddles of these things are flexible and wrapped in a copper mesh (cheap and results in a very unbalanced tone).

Let the number speak for itself.

No set-up. The most recent one I worked on was a "Caddilac" model and it was in dire need of a neck reset from the factory - the saddle was nearly encapsulated by the poorly PAINTED bridge. The bridge pins were 1/2 painted with silver paint. The "inlays" were painted over.
This "Caddilac" model was in for a cracked X brace. While inside the guitar, I noticed that the back was NOT seated well against the kerfing - when you press on the back, it creaks!
Another one that came in was a classical style that the bridge suddenly popped off of. It looked like they did not use very much glue at all, and the glue that was used was probably comparable to school glue.

I wouldn't give this guitar away. I wouldn't even pay someone to take one of these pieces of junk.

I bet these have no warranty whatsoever. If they did, they'd all get returned.

I have been playing for most of my life and have been blessed to play many great guitars, ranging from the most excellent Gallagher guitars to Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons.
If you are thinking about getting one of these, DON'T! Tell all your friends that these things are pieces of junk. Spend the money on a Johnson, Epiphone, or Recording King. Look for an acoustic guitar with a SOLID spruce top.

Very nice guitar for the price. Finish is superb with no visible defects that I can see. It came with a 5 DVD instructional set that is actually very good. The inlay is very good and no problems with the neck at all. The action is good but better strings need to be put on.

I love to play folk, country, and classical and this guitar does very well in all three areas. Finger picking, flat picking it makes no difference it has a rich sound that really impresses me. It sounds as good as my Washburn and it has a bonus of being acoustic/electric. To be honest I don't use the amp much, but it does sound good through it.

I took it out of the box, tuned it up and played right away. The action is good and the neck straight. Better strings are needed in my opinion.

No flaws in the finish, or anywhere on the guitar for that matter.

This in my opinion is a very reliable guitar, it seems durable and if it's anything like my other Esteban guitars it will be very durable. I have had his Black American Legacy for over 2 years now and play it all the time.

This was bought through HSN and although some have had bad experiences with support through them I have not. I did have a problem with a slight problem with the finish on 2 fret boards on an earlier limited edition guitar. Called HSN found out there were no more in stock, so I returned the guitar for a full refund with them paying the shipping.

I have been playing for several years and really love this guitar. I can't knock Esteban for what others claim to be bad guitars. I for one have not seen anything near as bad as some complain about. I currently have 4 Esteban guitars with one on the way (had 5 but sold one to make room for the one on the way) and other then the slight imperfection in the fret boards I talked about above they have ALL been quality instruments.

Rough finish and glue everywhere! One ugly guitar, full of defects.

Crap sound that doesn't ring well. What can you expect from an Esteban?

Flaws everywhere, and the finish was rough and smelly, as if it were full of chemicals. Bad quality materials.

For home, like Dan said, but neck was cracked after trying to play.

I also own a Squier Strat that I had for a little and consider myself a beginner.
The Squier is a nice guitar with beautiful appearance and the sound being very full and beautiful through an amp! The Esteban doesn't compare.

Smooth Finish and no detection of glue anywhere! It is one beautiful guitar! Very Shiny and no defects.

Crisp sound. It carrys well when played. I can't imagine the sound from the guitar being any better than what it is!

No flaws that are detectable. Quality of materials are good. One string did break when I tuned it slowly, so the strings aren't the greatest, but the sound it very nice.

For home use. I'll use it mainly without the amp. Beautiful sound.

Did not need customer support, but it does sound like the factory where the guitars are shipped and HSN needs to improve on Quality control, since the quality does vary (from HSN website customer ratings on the product) even though the over rating is in the 3.5 out of 5 star rating on HSN website. The guitar is made in China.

I also own a Classical Guitar that I had for years and consider myself in the beginner range.
It is a nice guitar with beautiful appearance and the sound being very full and beautiful!