Oct 1, 2008Submitted by: Stanley Loper, Brunswick, GA
I don't own an Esteban guitar, so this is a story of how he inspired me. I am 52 years old and disabled. Many years ago when I was in my early teens my dad brought home a steel string acoustic guitar he intended to use to learn how to play the wonderful music he'd heard in spain when he'd been on shore leave from the U.S.S Bennington as a sailor. His dream to play the Flamenco music he'd heard ended up abandoned. But his desire started in me a dream to do the same one day which grew as I heard examples of that music played through the years. However, family responsibilities and lack of access to teachers put that dream on hold for me as well. Finally, I reached the end of my fourth decade, disabled and veruy poor on what SSI gives one to live on. One night I was surfing channels and came across something which ccaught my attention. A man dressed in black was playing as beautiful a malaguenia as I'd ever heard. After he finished he told a story which made me sit up straight. He told of pursuing a dream to study with the great Andre Segovia and finally getting his wish, only to have himself robbed of the ability to play his beloved music by a tragic automobile accident. He then told of the determination which hit him after ten years to regain his mastery of the guitar and the miracle of doing so. That wonderful story hit me like a bolt out of the blue! So I decided right then and there that I would pick up the old dream of my youth, the one inspired by my dad, and learn how to play the music I love, Whatever it took. But it was not so easily done. I couldn't by an Esteban package. SSI only payed only a little over $500 dollars a month at the time, and severly limits what my wife can earn. So I had to take a different route. First, the guitar. I saved up for a number of months and bought an acoustic guitar for $40. That's not the guitar for what I wanted, but I could use it to begin learning things like cords and basic playing anyway. So, for a time I did research on basic techniques and cords and did what I could. Though those steel strings were right tough on the fingers and nails. I eventually saved up the money to buy a book, Visual Guitar, and used it as my guide. One day I was in the pawn shop window shopping when I saw a classical guitar for sale, the only one I've seen in the local pawn shops before or since. So I walked home and grabbed my guitar and headed back to the shop to sell it for the $20 dollars they'd give me to lay it away. On the way a man I'd never met saw me and asked me if my guitar was for sale. He needed one and mine was a good one. He offered me more for the guitar than I could get at the pawn shop, and with the $10 I already had in my pocket, I went and bought my Blureidge BR-C classical guitar. And that guitar has made a lot of difference. I am not incredibly talented by any means, but I am patient and I am learing to play for the pure pleasure and joy of playing. Finally, I've begun to find free resources online for instruction which are geared specifically for what I want to do. They are meager, but I use whatever I can find to achieve my goals. I have wanted to contact Esteban for a long time to thank him for inspiring me to get off my duff and go for it. Under my current circumstances I am not likely to meet him, so this will have to do if one of his staff will please print this off and show it to him. Thanks loads Esteban!! Thanks to your inspirational story I am on my way. I may never make a dime playing music, but that is NOT what it is all about for me. I can't aford one of your instruments, nor even your course. Heck, there isn't even anybody playing the kind of music around here I WILL play. And I watch you when I find out you are going to be on HSN to remind me of why I got started in the first place. Thanks for the example. Maybe one day when I feel confident enough to do so I'll call in and play one for you. Maybe a Tarantos, my favorite form, if that is alright with you. It would be even better to hear you play one. Why not do that some time and add some others like a minas, or Soleas, etc. They are not copyrighted and I am sure you can come up with some which will appeal to American audiences. But give me a heads up at my e-mail if you decide to. Stanley Loper
Oct 1, 2008Submitted by: J.C., Windermere, FL
I have been playing music for over thirty year. I am a moderate self taught guitar player and I saw the esteban guitars online. I kept pondering on weather I should buy a new guitar since I already had an acostic classical guitar. I decided to purchase the Master class cutaway steel string guitar. I was very excited that I had finally purchased one and was eagerly awaiting its arrival. I have always been skeptical about buying anything before I inspected it for myself. So I was expecting the worst and hoping for the best. When the guitar arrived I was pleantly surpriced when I received it. I opened the box and took it out. It was beautiful. It was the black colored one. It came in perfect condition. Everything came in the box as adverticed. The guitar's sound was awsome and I have learned so much from the CD's that came with it. They are so easy to follow. I play my new guitar almost everyday. I am so impressed with this guitar that I am planning on treating myself to another one of estanban's guitar. The Granada cutaway nylon string classical guitar package. The Master Class is the best purchase I have ever made and I am looking forward to receiving the Granada guitar package. Anyone wanting to learn to play should purchase one. I am really glad I did.
Sep 25, 2008Submitted by: Eddie Elkort, New York, NY
My testimonial is related more to the lessons(1-5). I have played the guitar before, but mostly as an accompiniment to the music I wrote. I had also worked in the music business for over 12 years, which exposed me to an appreciation of many different kinds of music. I took up the Esteban lessons to REALLY learn how to play the guitar. Much to my delight the music Esteban has chosen include many of my favorites(Pachabels Canon, Bach's Jesu Joy, Frankie & Johnny, etc..) I diligently practice at least an hour a day, strictly Esteban, and have just finished Vol.#4(in only a year and a half). Professional musicians who have heard me were delighted, and asked me to instruct them on especially the finger-picking music! My goal is to finish up DVD#5, before the second year is up, and then to see, as Esteban had mentioned, if I could play pretty much anything after successfully completing the 5 DVD's, at which point I'll probably obtain DVD's 6-10. Esteban, good job, and many thanks. Ed Elkort
Sep 25, 2008Submitted by: DAVID MATTAS, Fort Smith, AR
While channel surfing one night about 4 weeks ago, I came across HSN and saw Esteban playing and stopped in my tracks. I've always wanted to learn to play guitar. I taught myself how to play bass back in 1995 and played with my church praise band for many years but never learned enough to really play like I wanted to play. I can play by ear and can follow almost anyone if I know what key they're playing in. Anyway, back to my original story. I saw Esteban playing this amazing looking and sounding guitar with these big black racing stripes running down the length of the body of the guitar. On the neck enlayed in pearl was 'CAMARO'. Well, that peaked my interest and within 10 minutes, I was on the phone ordering the Limited Edition Camaro Steel String guitar package. After about 2 weeks, it arrived and I was so totally blown away by just the looks of the guitar, I got it out and just stared at it for a good 15 minutes before even attempting to play it. Came with everything I needed to start learning to play from the master himself. Got it all tuned up and popped in the first dvd. Within minutes, I was learning correct fingering position as well as correct finger picking and flat pick plucking techniques. The tips of my fingers developed calluses quite quickly and my left hand was sore for the longest time. The soreness has sense gone away and the calluses are very handy. I'm learning to play maleguena (sp) and look forward to the next dvd. Thank you so much Esteban for the opportunity to learn from a master such as yourself. I feel by learning to play the guitar, my bass playing will only get better. Keep up the great work! BTW: The guitar not only looks phenomenal but the quality of the sound is fantastic. I've got number 2551 out of 25,000.
Sep 23, 2008Submitted by: jason hall, riverside, OH
hello esteban i just wanted to say i watch you all the time when your on tv you inspired me to play again i just got two of your guitars packages the black&sliver limted edition &starlight limted edition guitar you stand by what you say about your guitars i like them very well i will cont. to buy more of your guitars packages i like how you talk about them and show your work shop all my friends like them too so i turned them on to you too and told them where to get theres keep making awsome guitars
Sep 12, 2008Submitted by: Troy Shanley, Port Lyden, NY
I received a black cutaway from my mom. I love that guitar more than any thing I have ever owned! I play with our praise team at my chuch with it, and i also play bluegrass and christian country gospel with my mom. I have and old Yamaha acoustic but that thing sounds like a tin can. I love what you do Estaban and I love what you stand for. My name is Troy Shanley and I'm 42 years old. Next time your on HSN remember me I cant call in because I'm not a regular customer, but I watch you every time your on. Thank You and GOD BLESS Troy Shanley
Sep 9, 2008Submitted by: R.T., Pasadena, MD
The guitar (8th Anniversary) arrived in perfect condition. After tuning, I was amazed at the low action and overall sound. It was impressive for a guitar at this price point. The paint was near flawless with a small bit of overspray on the cross member support brace right below the soundhole. I've heard some horror stories, but this model was a big winner with me. Everything in the 31 piece package was there and in top notch condition. This is the 10th guitar in my collection and the first one that was made in China. I'd have to say it's an excellent bargain for a beginner classical guitar student. Kudo's to Esteban! Keep the quality coming!
Sep 6, 2008Submitted by: E.M., Toledo, OH
I was looking around one day and I noticed a couple of Esteban CD's. I knew I liked the sound of the guitar so I checked it out. It was "Back 2 Back" with him and Eugene Fodor. I listened to it and loved it. I listened over and over and over and I absolutely loved it. I started then playing guitar and that has brought me a lot of joy lately, to be able to play another instrument. I thank Esteban for that and I sincerely hope that I will het to be the fortunate person who gets to win that lesson. -Sincerely, Eric Morrissey
Sep 2, 2008Submitted by: D.C., Fort Washington, MD
A fews years ago I decided I wanted to learn to play something more than the radio and TV before it was all over. I went into a music store and bought an upper level Yamaha Acoustic and started taking lessons. As an engineer I m always interested in how things work and why one thing is better than another by virtue of design. My close friends were musicians for 30-40 years and had played something since they were kids. I borrowed an electric guitar to take TAB lessons and found it easier to play. The guitar owner had fiddled with finishing etc on guitars and got me interested. I started making guitars as a hobby and found I was likely a better builder than a player. We have built several solid body guitars and I loved trying different woods to see what difference it made. Recently I was asked if I ever made an acoustic instrument. I happened to be surfing the channels and came across the HSN channel and stopped only because I saw the guy that did the GEICO commercails. I watched the segment on the Esteban Guitars and deceded to buy the black package for the sole purpose of disassembling the acoustic and using it as a pattern to build an acoustic unit. When I got it I was more thanshocked how well it seemed to be made despite being a foreign produced instrument. I asked my guitar playing friends to try it and they could not believe the sound and quality. I did lower the saddle just a tad to improve the action but I do that to others as well. When we have our jam sessions I always use the Esteban and the electronics are surprisingly good. I have read some other less complimentary reviews and do not agree with any. If you have applied Kaisen to the production process then let that information out because the product I bought is a good as most I have tried at music stores. We have compared this acoustic to Taylor, Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha, Guild, Dean, etc and it is as god or better than all of them at a much better price.
Sep 1, 2008Submitted by: D.C., Indianapolis, IN
I would like to say that the [gift of guitar] has changed my life. Took lessons when I was 8 ,for 2 years ,every Saturday and was bored to death, scales and more scales, fingers got sore and never did {get un sore} because I did not play enough, just enough for the Saturday session's. So I , thought about it after seeing the first song on the Antony banderols movie{desperate} when he is playing to the brown haired girl. and watching [H.S.N.] latter that night ,I saw your special and decided to buy the classical ,when it first came out . my wife said it "will just set around and collect dust "[as a kinda of challenge to me]. In a good way we have been together for 20 years, I said [we will see, dear."]. I received it and got passed the sore fingers, by watching the video and being decided to playing one hour a day, and in two weeks, I was playing with no pain and beginning to enjoy my self for the first time in over 35 years. Playing the guitar. and have been playing ever since. I really enjoy playing and all those lessons {scales] really came in handy , it is funny but the fingers still know how to scale and stay curdled, and go a lot faster than I remember. it is so cool, that all those early mornings, really did mean something after all... I am now playing a 12 string, and waiting for Estenban to have one of those made in a [Harley Davidson] motif. let me know when it comes out I want one more to play and look at, the funny things is the wife never has to dust it because it is always in my hands.. she complains that maybe she should have string and beautifully finish add to herself, at the Spa. to be held as much. ha ha. Estenban you have changed my wife and my life. we are much closer for your gift of "musica" I love sitting on the porch on cool evening and playing with you as you play on the CD and I imagine we are playing in the dessert, with the sun setting to the west.[LIke at red rock}. I would like to see you in person and maybe one day that will happen. thank you again... waiting for Indianapolis concert, or close! D.l.Camp Ps. I think Harley would be up for it.