Esteve

Purchased this model for $475 at a Guitar Center's annual sale at 1/2 off. I had been playing classical guitar for about a year when I decided to upgrade from the Yamaha student model (very solid performer, BTW). I shopped for a few month and played every make and model of classical guitar I could find. For what I could afford, this model gave me the most feel and depth of tone. The machine heads have flawless action. The volume and tone are adequate. I wouldn't recommend playing this guitar with either extra-light or light tension strings, as it makes fingering on 2nd and 3rd frets difficult (but not impossible)without fret buzz. Medium tension strings sound great on it, and I think produced better volume, as well. The action could be better, but overall is pretty good. My tutor has been playing for 30 years and said the thing was adequate. Considering she told me to expect to spend $1200-1600 price range, I feel I really lucked out. Hand crafted in Spain by Esteve, action set up by Ron Fernandez in Irvine, California. Rosewood front, fingerboard, back, and sides. Finish is laminant. Simple decorations, elegant looking overall. I have D'Arddio ProArte copper 80/20 strings on it. . .by look, feel, and sound it seems the guitar was built around these strings! I'm not going to say that this is the best guitar I've ever played. I will, state however, that Esteve guitars do not get enough attention. Members of my ensemble swore by Takimine or Yamaha, saying that if you can't afford the higher-end custom built handcrafted models that the best sound for the buck would be a higher-end factory model. They've all changed their minds because of this guitar. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com