Esteban Starlight limited edition

Cutaway body, 20 frets, pretty decent case, laminated top, built in eq, pickup doesn't pick up the high E string...lots of bonus items like cleaning cloth which is useless because the finish has so much paint smudges stick permanantly. extra picks were ok and i never used the how to instruction videos so i cant judge em. 10 watt practice amp that actually was decent that i now use as a backup (or practice...) amp for my esp electric guitar.

The guitars sound is very sub par and doesnt really suit any particular playing style. After playing for a couple of weeks the tuning keys got really loose and rattled when playing. I tightened the screws many times but they kept coming loose after playing for an hour or so. The stock strings were total crap but most factory strings suck anyways so i equipped it with D'addario light gauge strings and the guitar had a unique "twangy" sound right after i put the new strings on but after a few days the guitar went back to it tinny high treble tone.

First off the action is ridiculously high and is a bit** to sand it down to lower the action. At the 12th fret the strings are about 3/8 of an inch off of the fretboard. The finish looks REALLY sweet...at a safe distance. Once I got up close to the guitar i saw how cheap the finish looks and how much paint they dumped on this thing. i can see under the clear coat where the paint was dripping and got permanently fossilized into the finish. Despite everything else the guitar fits WONDERFULLY against my body and is not heavy at all.

OKAAAYY lets get this started when i first got the guitar the case was broken and they had to send a new one. Most of the little fake jewels have fallen off. The tuning pegs rattle no matter how much i tighten them. The output jack broke off and the cable is loose in the guitar. The nut at the top of the neck broke from the tension of new strings while restringing(fixed with crazy glue :P). oh i forgot, the strap included with the guitar also broke (plastic part). OH the cable included also ripped apart and i never even used it...

When i had to get a new case, it was shipped quickly without any problems and was also free.(Wouldve gotten a ten if i didnt feel like they falsely advertised the quality and sound of the guitar.)

I have only been playing for 1 1/2 years now but im a decently fast learner. I wish my grandma wouldve just taken me to guitarcenter so i couldve picked up a better guitar for about the same price if not less.

I don't know much about guitars, except that my dad and husband both play..I've normally been around Martin guitars which is the bomb..This is no Martin, but for the price. I personally don't think you can beat it. It's a great beginner for teens.

We play gospel music and it does work well for our needs. We are very pleased with this guitar, and if your not a professional playing for dough-ra-me then I say go for it.

BEUTIFUL! Workmanship is gorgeous.

This guitar has been played for hrs. at a time for almost 2yrs (this christmas), and it absolutely looks as good as day one. I believe if you take care of it, it should uphold for a lifetime.

Never needed to use Customer support.

Been around music for years. My dad has a Martin D-28 and D-35, and my husband too. This guitar is Beautiful, and when gather around with a group of friends, and someone needs a guitar to pick, it's a wonderful extra to have around...

I was so disapointed with this guitar. I have played Acoustics for 35+ years and this thing was a cheap peice of... I sometimes use a "shake the neck" techniqe and the keys (tuners, actually rattled). I tightened up the buttons and it didn't help. The actions was WAY too high so I loosened the strings and pulled the saddle and shaved it, that indeed helped. The strings it shipped with were junk (including the second set) I changed the Tuners and sold it to a beginner. It will be a nice starter guitar. The Electronics are the only plus. I took the same pick-up / EQ set up out of an older Estaban that I was given (which was just as bad!!!) and I put them in my 12-string Harringbone Rouge (was only $100.00 new) and it's AWESOME! So, I can only agree that the Estaban's art "at a distance" is awesome and that was why I bought it, that was all I got. Disapointed it was DECALS! Pure JUNK!

Cheassy, poor strings, peice O' jusnk guitar! If ya got one, pull the electronics and put them in something better, ANYTHING would be better!

WAY TOO HIGH! Had to shave the Saddle! Tinny tone, crap strings!

Wouldn't know, didn't keep it past the first week!

N/A

Cheap, JUNK not suitable even for beginners with out pro-set up and different (recommend D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Strings). Or better yet, just send it back!!!

Cool finish. You can read all the features below. Made in china.

I play Christian music which encompasses different styles. A little trebly but you can eq it on the guitar. It fits my style pretty decently. I'm mostly a rhythymn guitar player and needed something to encourage my kids also. Sounds as good as my old Washburn and Fender with no problem. My axe does not go out of tune at all. Did not play it for 2 weeks and it was right on when I picked it up again. Had the guitar for 2 months now.

Action is good. Maybe a teeny bit high IMHO but nothing to complain about especially since I also own a Fender 12 string. that can be tweaked. Had one jewel come off of it but replaced it with one from my daughters jewel-bead set.

Only had it for 2 months so time will tell. Finish looks ok. maybe in 4 years it may have some wear and tear.

Been playing for 35 years. Played a lot worse that were more expensive and yes I change strings often. I would buy it again. Like the finish although it looks a little cheesy in my opinion but you asked me. For the price that comes with instructional DVDs and chord chart, G10 amp and 1/4 inch cable, not too shabby. Wish the EQ was a step up but for me it's enough. I never owned a guitar over $650.00 but compared it to others in it's price range and it was superior in sound. A good buy for the beginner/intermediate or a nice piece of eye wall-candy.

Finish: Tons of paint and clear coat in an effort to cover shoddy workmanship. Many mars and rub marks that wouldn't buff out. Bad sign.
Body style: Attractive cut-away with appealing balance, but offset by shoddy workmanship.
Tuners: Loose fitting and overly responsive, making fine tuning difficult.
Neck: The tons of paint couldn't cover the fact that the neck at the tuners is actually THREE pieces, not one.
Electronics: So disappointed in the acoustic that I didn't even hook up the amp, which I didn't buy it for, anyway.
Body and neck woods: You can't tell whether the wood is fine or poor quality because of the heavy paint.

Compared the Starlight to a Fender GC-12, which is a $200.00 "entry level" guitar, and Fender is not generally renowned for its acoustic models. The Esteban was thin, tinny, and could not hold tune for longer than a few minutes of continued playing. Actually went out of tune as I played. The Fender sounds richer and fuller with longer sustain and much more mellow undertones. There is no comparison, the
"cheap" Fender beats the Esteban hands down.

The Starlight's action is inconsistent, probably due to the slightly misaligned neck, which was bent slightly upward of the body. I did not adjust it because by this time I had decided to return it.

I do not believe this guitar will withstand live playing, given that I played four songs in 15 minutes and had to retune before finishing each and every song. The hardware appears to made of the cheapest quality metals and chrome finishes available. Strike plate is low impact plastic, showing IMMEDIATE wear from fingernails brushing against it. I would not use this in a gig, period, let alone as a backup.

Sorry, no amount of service or customer support can help this poor specimen of a stringed box. Won't even try, I'm returning it same day I got it.

I have played for 10+ years and still consider myself a novice. I own the Fender GC-12, mentioned above. I wish I had asked where it was made: Answer--China. I would not replace this if it were lost or stolen. This IS a very "pretty" guitar with attractive art, lovely to look at from a distance in low light. I thought long and hard about calling to order this guitar. I read hundreds of reviews ranging from ecstatic endorsements to scathing condemnations. I am no expert, but I can only conclude that those who love this guitar are more enthralled by its "looks" than they are enthused by its sub-standard sound. I don't think that those who love it are likely to be highly critical of the qualities that experienced players expect from a guitar in any price range, high or low. Similarly, I think that those who are accustomed to higher-end guitars have absolutely no patience for a shoddy toy such as this.
One last item: Shame on you, Esteban, for not clearly telling people where this guitar is made and the construction techniques used. If you truly don't know about the multi-piece neck, then you have no business putting your name on it without expecting the guilt by association that must necessarily accompany such an act. Personally, I believe you are a huckster, but as a marketing professional I must give you an AA++ for cleverly disguising your product as being much more than it really is. The worst part of the pitch is, "Just look at the INLAYS, those are NOT decals!!" Name me a quality guitar--any guitar--that uses decals and isn't considered a toy.
I was "suspect" to begin with, and it appears rightfully so.
VERY DISAPPOINTED, WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ESTEBAN. Going to my local guitar shop tomorrow to buy my next level up.

An update on a prior review.The finish (great) Neck is easy and smoothe to play. I ntried the electronics out on a fender super champ, and it sounded good!!!!.

Loved the sound actually, the bass picked up nicely and the treble was rich& crisp. the eq was ok, just ok.

Everything was set up as you would want. low action no buzz

Has stayed in tune well. my opinion is they should have put to strap buttons on the thing instead of one.

no opinion

Not a bad guitar, I'm liking it better and better.I loved the gretch that was 400 bills, and now.. I am surprized to say this guitar plays as well.

Blue finish with sparkles very nicely done on the one I received as a present,tuners are low end sealed but are fuctional and so far has stayed tuned, the neck is nice with the frets cut nicely so they are smoothe. I only tried the guitar with the amp it came with which is something I'll never use so I can't elaborate.not sure what it's made of it's still in a box.

Was actually surprised by the sound. the strings that are on it are to light of a guage.so if I keep the guitar I will change the strings.

The action was dead on low no buzz. I did not notice any flaws like other reviewers claim. In fact the finish is the main reason I decided to keep the guitar. I would have not purchased a package deal like this ever.But at xmas when I opened the gift. The finish was eye catching. sort of like a danoelectro finish

not sure

never tried um

I wrote this review in view of all the past comments. the one I received was not nearly as bad as others have received. I would not compare this guitar to any upper end models. it is comparable to the 200-300 range an in fact lower, because sn Ibanez art wood for 249.00 will smoke it so would the yamaha in the 300.00 range. but the lower end fenders and epiphones is in it's league.

Finish was fairly nice with only a few flaws (expected for the price), very smooth and high lustre.
Body is a Dreadnought cutaway
Neck is thin with a Rosewood finger board
Came with Case, Amp, guitar, extra strings, picks, cleaning cloth, DVD training, all for only $249.00 and free shipping, 1 year warranty.
Guitar is made in China, only to be expected for this price. If it was made in the United States it would cost 10X as much (say it takes 25 man hours to build this guitar, times that by $30.00/hour for a guitar factory in the united states to produce(which is a very low rate) the guitar alone for labor would be $750.00, now add materials, etc. WOW.

Rich/full sound, The sound of this guitar compares to guitars costing $2,000.00

The action was fairly close, the 12th fret measured 4/32", adjusted easily with digital tuner.
Frets were all inserted nicely
Guitar had a few flaws in the paint, but not enough to worry about for the price that was paid. From 4 feet away you can't tell or locate the flaws.

I think the guitar will withstand live playing,

Purchased from HSN, received the first one which had several flaws, called HSN, they replaced it with the current one. Customer service is excel.
1 year warranty

If it was lost or stolen I would replace it with another Esteban guitar, most likely not the Starlight as it was a limited edition of 25,000 and they have all been sold.

I seen this Guitar on HSN and I was watching Esteban how great this guitar was and how it was hand made and his name would not go on anything that he made unless the guitar was what he states it to be. So I bought this guitar more for just to see how great his guitars were because his name goes on it, well let me tell you I don't think he every seen his factory where these guitars are made or ever check some of the guitars over before it leaves the shop. These guitars are not hand made they are production run and you can not have other people getting good guitars and the other 50% getting bad guitars. If they were HAND MADE like he said every guitar would be as good as the next one. So here I go: 1. The paint jub sucks so much over spray, 2. The Finsh is so bad you don't want to have the light hit it cause then you will see what CRAP this finish has. 3. The tuners are so bad it will not stay in tune with new strings and set up on it. 4. The neck is somewhat good but when I got this guitar the strings were about 1/2 inch off the neck. 5. CHEAP Elecetronics are crap can get no bass out of the guitar. Think this guitar was made out of Match Sticks. Esteban Just Play The Guitar your Great, but you don't know how to make guitars, leave the guitar making to GRETSCH< RICKENBACKER<GIBSON< and the people that I heard on T.V. saying that this guitar plays better then my Martin, Gibson, or Guild these people need to come down to earth there is know way this guitar can be compare with a name Brand Guitar Wake Up People this is a CHEAP GUITAR and the money you paid for it with all the goodies is just about what it's worth and maybe that's a little high. 6. The GUITAR is JUNK just JUNK if you are a good guitar player there is know way you can even SAY that this is one of the BEST Guitar you have ever played.

Does not suit my music can not get the sound you want, it sound like your playing it in a garbage can the sound is BAD. The guitar can not make any good sounds unles you use pedals to make your own sound.
The guitar is JUNK.

Set-Up from Factory :) what a joke I don't think they know how to set up this guitar it would take weeks to get this guitar set-up the way you want it. The guitar has more FLAWS in the paint where you don't want to show it to another guitar player cause he would tell you what a dumb person you were buying this peace of JUNK.

This guitar would not withstand playing one song with out going out of tune there is know way I would ever take this guitar out on a gig to play I would be a jerk if I took this guitar out of the house.
This guitar will never depend on it. There is no way you would take this guitar out on a gig for a back up, if you did that and had to play this junk you would never get hire back there to play again.

Had it Set-Up Still JUNK, who cares about the waranty I never want to ever get this guitar fix. The company is the worst company that you will ever work with I think the company is run out of a Tent cause any one you can get a hold of is a so dumb they can't tell you nothing about the guitar or how to get help with what you need. They are so worthless I don't no how ESTEBAN would want to pay them if he knew how they treat the people.

Playing for over 40 years and I have many great guitars and let me tell you that this is not one of my GREAT GUITAR. If this guitar was stolen or taken I would kiss the person who took this peace of JUNK and I know that person would bring the guitar back after he saw it and played it so I never have to worrie about anyone ever take this JUNK.

First, let me say sorry to those of you who apparently got a bad guitar. Mine, however, is pretty much aces. The finish is great, got the sparkly thing going, little faux jewels, neat little fret markers, a decent pickup, though I'd have liked a little more pre-amp functions than just the basic eq and volume.

It is a little trebly sounding, but it really sits nicely in the mix live and on tape. After all, Nashville tuning uses all little strings to achieve a sound to cut through. It is not so trebly as to be unpleasant, just when put up against my Martin or Taylor, the bottom is a little less prominent but then again, these guitars both cost in excess of $1000, and the Esteban less than a three quaters of the price, and aestehtically it blows them away.

Again, sorry for those of you that got skunked, but mine, after changing the strings, (after all have any of us been happy with the strings that came with a guitar originally), plays nicely, no buzzes, and after acclimating it to the climate, has had no aberrant tuning issues. The finish is certainly eye-candy, and since it has the doves on it and what I interpreted to be the North star, I use it for Worship services. I think eventually I will knock off the little inlayed jewels, but so far so good.

I am a guitar instructor and several of my students have other models of Estebans. This one was a gift given to me, and I haven't had any issues as of yet. One of my students dropped her guitar and broke off a tuning peg. She freaked and was afraid her parents would punish her for breaking the guitar. I explained to her that it was fixable, and offered to fix it for her. I contacted Ingenious Designs LLC., the company who produces the guitar for E, and they sent me not just a single peg, but a whole set for free. I call that good service.

See previous category.

This was a gift, but I certainly use it, it seems reliable, sounds good, and looks fantastic. Sure it's not the sound quality of a $1500 Taylor, but is equal to many $500-$700 ac/elects out there by name brand companies. PS- if you think your name brand isn't made overseas, I have a house to sell you in New Orleans. :-) For it's looks, price point, functionality, and the slew of freebies, I give this instrument an overall 9.
As I mentioned I am now a teacher but have been playing professionally over 25 years, and though I gig rarely anymore, I hold a paid position as a music minister. As for other instruments, let's just say I could play a different instrument everyday of the month without repeating. :-)