Esteban tidbits

[DonK]

I was at Borders this morning and was leafing through GW Acoustic (I never buy it; it's too much like the regular GW). Anway, they had a short feature on Esteban. He claims to have sold more than a half-million of those pine and shoe polish contraptions, and he talked about how much research he put into the design and in lining up the right manufacturer. Then he went on to say, "and these aren't just cheap crap...I've got touring musicians playing them on the road." Man, what I wouldn't give to know which touring musicians are playing an Esteban.

[Gretsch Fan]

Here is my question: Does Esteban have two or more different models he sells? One junk in every sense and the other better quality on par with a solid wood top Alvarez or Epiphone...

 

It seems I heard or read something to that effect and IIRC the review section on HC seems to indicate it too. I guess I just wonder because how would a guitar rag let him get away with such claims if there was no truth to them at all.

 

I cringe when I see him. I saw his infomercial and wish I could have rebutted his claims. Has he ever even played at the Redrocks?

 

In the end this guy leaves more questions than answers on everything but the quality of the guitars he hawks on the unsuspecting first-time buyers.

[knockwood]

 

Originally posted by DonK Man, what I wouldn't give to know which touring musicians are playing an Esteban.

 

 

It's a shame they didn't call him on this.

[Queequeg]

more tidbits...

David writes from Canada: "Here in Amerique du Nord we get these late-night TV infomercials for guitars by this guy named Esteban. They are astonishingly terrible displays of shameless ludicrousity." Esteban appears on the Home Shopping Network. This is his homepage there, selling four types of guitar and two types of Esteban fragrance. HSN claim that Esteban is an "internationally reknowned guitar virtuoso." This brilliant feature by Gilbert Garcia from the Phoenix New Times tells a different story.

Esteban is actually Stephen Paul, the 58 year-old son of a steel worker from Pittsburgh. He first appeared on HSN in November 1999, and by July 2001 he was selling 56,000 CDs in a week. How did Stephen become Esteban? He spent an uncertain amount of time in the 1970s with Spanish guitar legend Andr

[Mike_E_McGee]

Estaban kicked my cat.

[sgass]

Wait . . . Esteban is REAL?!

 

I thought he was just a character in a Geico commercial. No, seriously.

[kwakatak]

Aw jeez - he's from Pissburgh?!?

 

Get awta tawn!!!

[Hudman]

I have that issue of Acoustic Guitar World. I can't believe they called that 1 page article an "interview" with Esteban. 95% of the article was a copy and paste job off his website.

 

Acoustic Guitar World is weak.

[0rbitz9]

If he's fooled half a million people into

trying to play the guitar then maybe it's

not completely bad.

 

If he sold a campfire guitar that came

with a hatchet and lighter fluid I would

have to buy it.

[blueshawk1]

 

Originally posted by Gretsch Fan In the end this guy leaves more questions than answers on everything but the quality of the guitars he hawks on the unsuspecting first-time buyers.

 

 

 

I hate guys like this, they could end up discouraging a lot of people from learning to play because they get some piece of crap guitar, and not knowing it's junk, think it's just them, they can't make anything sound good.

Hmmm, this gives me the idea for another thread - two actually, I'll have to post in "Guitar Jam" since they could apply to acoustic or electric guitars.

[ben robinson]

The good news is that this guys is bringing more people to the guitar. The bad news is that the guitars are over priced, very low quality packages. Most of these new players will quickly lose interest in trying to learn and will pass up a rewarding hobby and art form. If they stick it out long enough, maybe they'll go to their local music store and buy a real guitar. By then they will have really well caloused fingers from pushing strings down a half inch to the fingerboard!

[Jeffa1]

It's almost too funny to watch him on HSN. On one show, they had a Martin next to his Esteban guitar. They claimed the Esteban model sounded just as good as the Martin. Why buy a Martin when an Esteban can be yours at a way cheaper price!

 

They have viewers call in to praise the Esteban guitar. Some callers have bought 3 to 4 of them. I can't believe it! Some people will collect anything.

 

I, too, want to know the touring musicians playing Esteban guitars.

[Preacher Will]

 

Originally posted by Jeffa1 I, too, want to know the touring musicians playing Esteban guitars.

 

 

That would be Mike Grzlnfy ("Grinder" to his friends) and Matthew (the "Hatman") Jacobs' "Trans-Kansas Tour 2005." They played Grinder's parents pre-anniversary party in Leoti, shot over to Dighton for Hatman's uncle's July 4 backyard bar-b-que, hitch-hiked down to the fabulous metropolis of Dodge City on the way busking in Jetmore where they had their best payday of $1.32. From Dodge City, they were able to Greyhound to Pratt (courtesy of the Dodge City Noise Abatement Society) where they sang "Baby Beluga" to Ms. Blakely's Kindergarten class. From there it was on to Wichita where they arived too late for the open-mic date they had scheduled. In Wichita, they caught an empty cattle truck headed for Fort Smith, but were given the opportunity to entertain the folks in a little town somewhere between Dorado and Eureka after they spent some time rehearsing in the back of the truck. Driver said something about not being able to hear the radio . . .

 

Anyway, Hatman and Grinder declared the tour a success as they were quite pleased with both the quantity and quality of footwear that appreciative crowds threw their way.

[leftync]

i was also disappoined in the GWA article. all he had to do to neutralize the writers was be nice to fans.

the article raised a lot of questions, but made no attempt to answer them.

 

however, the only "classical" guitar I've owned was an estaban i bought to restring lefty. it cost me $12, I sold it for $60, and it really wasn't too bad. not exactly a ramirez, but seemed solid. i've heard the war stories, but it didn't happen to me.

[DonK]

Originally posted by Preacher Will That would be Mike Grzlnfy ("Grinder" to his friends) and Matthew (the "Hatman") Jacobs' "Trans-Kansas Tour 2005." They played Grinder's parents pre-anniversary party in Leoti, shot over to Dighton for Hatman's uncle's July 4 backyard bar-b-que, hitch-hiked down to the fabulous metropolis of Dodge City on the way busking in Jetmore where they had their best payday of $1.32. From Dodge City, they were able to Greyhound to Pratt (courtesy of the Dodge City Noise Abatement Society) where they sang "Baby Beluga" to Ms. Blakely's Kindergarten class. From there it was on to Wichita where they arived too late for the open-mic date they had scheduled. In Wichita, they caught an empty cattle truck headed for Fort Smith, but were given the opportunity to entertain the folks in a little town somewhere between Dorado and Eureka after they spent some time rehearsing in the back of the truck. Driver said something about not being able to hear the radio . . . Anyway, Hatman and Grinder declared the tour a success as they were quite pleased with both the quantity and quality of footwear that appreciative crowds threw their way.

 

LOL, you had me going for the first couple of sentences...

 

Edit: make that "sentence"

[oorion1]

Price Paid: US $198

Features: 1

Year of Mfg.= about 2 minutes ago, based on the smell of fresh glue

Frets?= I thought the is was wire used for spike strips 22 of them.

Laminated ten-ply paper thin ratwood. Solid Piece of S*(#.

Pre-Amp, Claims to be "Powerful" Powerful all right all I got was an incredible hum similar to a b-1 bomber flying at 200 ft.

Make and model of pickups. No fool would put there name on this crap but Esteban.

Electronics Passive or active, how about bi-polar.

Body= seasoned ratwood or somthing from the forests of the wal-mart trash bin. Neck was bowed so badly I could use it for archry. Should have come with a set of arrows. Come to think of it, now I know what I can do with it.

Finish= Don't even go there. This thing is a bio-hazard. It should be picked up by EPA. I'm sure the paints and stains used on the piece of crap are illegal in the USA. In China they can get away with exposing their 7-year old slave workers to death traps like this. The powers of universe should sentence Esteban to play one his guitars for eternity in the fires of hell!

Bridge=The bridge broke off the minute I tried to tune it. It flew across the room and I still can't find it. No loss it was made of freek'n plywood, just like the neck.

Tuners= Mr. Grover would roll over in his grave. They slip so badly it would not stay in tune for more than 30 seconds.

 

 

Neck,Frets= Warning... the finish stains your hands after playing it, the frets stick out past the neck with shap edges similar to razor blade. This POS is an enviromental hazard!

Accesories= Crappy strap, shotty case, stupid video of an idiot in a zoro hat. Should have come with a hammer to smash the thing the minute it came out of the box. Could not be recycled, due the bio-hazard. The thing smells like a enviromental waste dump. I'm not kidding!!

 

 

Sound: 1

I guess if is was deaf it would sound good. It tins sound is similar to a cat trying to get out of garbage can.

Rattles everywhere.

Rich/full sound= You have to be joking. FU ESTEBAN

What sounds does it make? Sounds like a dull thud or buzz like a bee hive. Pick your option.

 

 

Action, Fit, & Finish: 1

There was not set-up in the factory unless it was done by a brain damaged worked on drugs. Action is so high you could drive a truck between the strings and fretboard.

Did it contain any flaws? Finish was running, bracing looks like cardboard, fretwire is really razor wire, it stinks inside the sound hole like a dirty diaper, or some other kind of hole I can't mention here.

 

 

Reliability/Durability: 1

Reliabilty= The bridge blew off in about 2 minutes, strings snapped and the body began to crack.

 

 

Can I depend on it? I can't even depend on the local charity gift shop to take it. Te guy there said he had well over 100 Estebans, and could not give them away. He refused any more!

 

Customer Support: 1

Support? Your joking right. Support implies help. All I got was three hours on the phone and no results. The guy on the phone did not speak english, nor did he give a damn. Esteban calls himself a recording artist. The only artist he is a con-artist. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!

 

Overall Rating: 1

Just learning now I want to quit.

What could I have asked before buying? How long was Esteban in jail during his last stay for selling such crap and calling it a guitar.

My favorite feature was the beautiful colors it gave off when I torched it. Must be all the "exotic" paints and glues. Nice fireworks display. Best feature of the guitar.

 

 

Esteban should take off the fake Zoro hat and face the people he sold this crap to. Must be about 20,000 of us that would love to meet this con in person FU ESTEBAN! You thief

[Jubilee Valence]

Don, "Thanks!!"--I try to never "miss" an opportunity such as this to "add my two cents"....in any of the forums, or any other time & place, when it comes to this piece of trash!

 

Here's that New Times article for you folks ta' read....they have an outstanding reputation for integrity!

 

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2000-09-21/news/feature_1.html

 

_____________________

 

Stephan Paul, you are a "LIAR" & a "THIEF";

 

"YOU" have had every opportunity imaginable to "RECANT" your LIES about The Maestro....but you keep shooting your mouth off--both "in & out" of character....

 

"YOU" have had more than ample opportunities to correct the manufacturing issues with one or more or your distributors, and/or factories, and repair the harm done to all of "your" customers who've been so "victimized"....It seems that you still refuse to acknowledge your crimes of Libel and Fraud and right the wrongs...

 

"YOU" are TRASH!

[oorion1]

Wow, more than I ever wanted to know about this master of sleeze. I knew he sold guitars made of pressed compost, but the man does not have one speck of integrity.

 

To use the master Segovia for his profit is one of the things thats going to make this crook burn in the fires of hell next to a pile of his death trap guitars. FU ESTSBAN !!

[DonK]

Great article JV, what a poseur. Ya gotta love the Zorro meets Jose Feliciano look, though.

[Queequeg]

Originally posted by DonK Great article JV, what a poseur. Ya gotta love the Zorro meets Jose Feliciano look, though.

yep.

dang.

why didnt I think of that???

[Jubilee Valence]

Originally posted by DonK Great article JV, what a poseur. Ya gotta love the Zorro meets Jose Feliciano look, though.

Thanks Don! 'appreciate that! BTW---I've got to give a Gallagher a home some day!!......"'75 Special" is the link I keep "Dear to my heart!!"

 

You must LOVE yer' "Doc'tor"!! .....Congrats' there, man!!

 

* I hear ya' on the look!!!!

 

Man, I LOVE "ol' Don Diego de la Vega from the old TV show & flicks & comics!!!---- and Jose Feliciano had been a major factor in establishing the Spanish Guitar in my youngster days(yep!...I'm "Fifty..."!!)

 

"Appearances...";--is critical in "dramatic arrays of the memorable sort"--all Propaganda Masters are hep ta' that one!

 

.....but ol' esteban's a "master baiter" ain't he.....huh??? LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!...AIN'T "HE..."??......get it??---BWAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

uhhh.....'sorry 'bout that boys...

 

Hasta!

 

Jubi

 

ps on that "Bright" thread about the 80/20s etc I mentioned "Cannonballin'"......

 

My Martin's a "Howitzer", daddy!

 

OOOOOO-WEEEEE...'shore do wanna "cannonball" on that Gallagher some day!!! (....looks like one o'them "A-tomic Cannons"!!!)

[babablowfish]

Thanks Don! 'appreciate that! BTW---I've got to give a Gallagher a home some day!!......"'75 Special" is the link I keep "Dear to my heart!!" You must LOVE yer' "Doc'tor"!! .....Congrats' there, man!! * I hear ya' on the look!!!! Man, I LOVE "ol' Don Diego de la Vega from the old TV show & flicks & comics!!!---- and Jose Feliciano had been a major factor in establishing the Spanish Guitar in my youngster days(yep!...I'm "Fifty..."!!) "Appearances...";--is critical in "dramatic arrays of the memorable sort"--all Propaganda Masters are hep ta' that one! .....but ol' esteban's a "master baiter" ain't he.....huh??? LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!...AIN'T "HE..."??......get it??---BWAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uhhh.....'sorry 'bout that boys... Hasta! Jubi ps on that "Bright" thread about the 80/20s etc I mentioned "Cannonballin'"...... My Martin's a "Howitzer", daddy! OOOOOO-WEEEEE...'shore do wanna "cannonball" on that Gallagher some day!!! (....looks like one o'them "A-tomic Cannons"!!!)

 

 

Umm, you might want to cut back on the caffeine.