Estrada Classical Guitar CL 4

[granville212]

I own an Estrada C-4, mint condition, identical to one on video. Traded late 60's/early 70's from electric to acoustic. House of Guitars, Rochester, NY. Rectangular label reads: A quality product of Mica, Syossettt, NY 11791. Hope this info helps your search for origin.

[TheOnit123]

Im playing one right now yea there from Paracho, Michuacan.. idk my Dad got me mine 23 years ago for $100...

[rcs82375]

been trying to find Estrada guitars for a long time...apparently was told by my grandfather (Ralph Estrada) my family made them in Mexico for many years a very long time ago. I recently also found out some were made in Japan under the same name. If anyone has the "Made in Mexico" label on it I would love to know how you found, they're VERY hard to find :(

[weirdone91]

i actually paid 30 bux for my estrada...my sis boyfriend found it at a dump and gave it to her but she didnt want it so she gave it to me and i fixed it up....i love this guitar its my baby...in my book it has great value it pretty much changed my life...i had it for about a year now.and nice playing dude.I too need to do some research.

[mmacrini]

MICA = Musical Instrument Corporation of America. The company my dad worked for back in the day sold textiles to MICA that were used to cover guitar amps, cases, and whatnot. When it was time for the parents to buy me a guitar Dad took me to MICA in Syosset NY and we left with an Estrada Hummingbird knockoff. This was late 60s early 70s. Still have it and had it re-fretted a few years back.

[CoachTomPasLax]

@mmacrini Thanks for the info. Funny thing is that while I live in the Los Angeles area and purchased the guitar here, I'm originally from Long Island, NY and last lived in Huntington, NY...right next to Syosset. The longer i own this guitar, the more I love it. The others I've seen generally don't have the Rosewood sides and back. It has a great sound and has clearly aged nicely. Thanks for the info. Tom

[mas4765]

My dad has an Estrada 6 string acoustic guitar that has the same "Made in Japan exclusively for MICA' on the label inside. I believe he got his in the 60's or 70's but I'm unsure about when it was made. I have no idea how much it's worth but would like to know. It has designs inlaid in mother of pearl and/or abalone. It's in basically mint condition. Any information would be great! Ebay has failed me for the first time lol.

[shawnmalain]

I have one too but mine says it was made in Mexico.

[Runbassskaterock]

My father handed down this guitar to me..its about 40 years old is all i know. It has the same kind of inalys that yours does

[gtrmonpa]

Bought my Suzuki Estrada CL-7 (iMade Exclusively for MICA, which IIRC was a distribution or parent company for a store or stores in USA) classical guitar at JH Troup, Harrisburg, PA in 1972. Cost me $79, 2 week's wages for me at the time. Back, sides, and neck are rosewood. The top may be spruce, the grain is fairly straight but easily distinguishable with some banding and a subtle sort of flaming going across. I used it a lot! Still play it some. Not as much as the 1928 S. S. Stewart though.

[Squeazle20]

could you send me the tabs for that song so i can learn it

[Squeazle20]

what is the song played in the background

[Paleoaleo]

@Squeazle20 I'm just messing around , but I borrowed the basic chords from some Led Zep song (forget the name off-hand). 

[Maverick5876]

Nice. Looks a lot like the one I've had since the mid-70's. Rectangular label:

Estrada

Quality Product of M I C A,

Syosset, N,Y, 11791

No Model Number

No Serial Number

And no fancy inlays on the back or headstock like yours. Nor, the oversized sound hole that cuts into your 19th fret.

I had to replace the machine heads a few years ago when the plastic dowels began to disintegrate. And my 14th fret is lifting up under the high E string.

[sistertwomoons]

I just bought one today! It looks just like yours, but it is a CL1 . I will keep you posted if I can find out more details about it. I am just excited to have my first guitar, only took me 37 years to get one, lol *peace*

[douglasclark1]

It's me again- FYI-from my guitar's label- Mica, Syosset , NY. Send me an emailI'll send you photos of mine.

[douglasclark1]

just caught your video on the estrada. I have an Estrada classic model CL-2K. no serial #. I bought it in 1971, mail order from Lafayette Radio for $34.00.I know more about guitars now. My Estranda is a cheap guitar that served me well for a lot of years.I've had Martins, Fenders, Gibsons and now Guilds. I'll never part with her because She was my first girl. I get her out once and awhile just for fun- though she's clearly out-classed by my Yamaha and 3 Guilds. The lowliest instrument is loved.

[jay6382]

I have one of these Estrada Mica mystery guitars. Though mine looks like a Gibson Hummingbird. It plays real nice I found it in an old barn. The tag is green, has craftsmen made Estrada, exclusively for MICA, model #F605 Made in Japan.

[yourtreat2]

After 18 hrs of research on this mystery, I have a theory about the origin of our guitars. It's most important to understand the meaning and origin of MICA Use Google and a search criteria of::

Mestizo Institute of Culture and Art 1969 +Japan +Guitar

Read about a dozen hits in Google. I believe our guitars were built in a joint venture between MICA here and guitar artisans in Japan. There's no direct evidence of it, but after researching MICA, it seems to be the only reasonable theory. .

[yourtreat2]

Nope! You can re-open that mystery! I have a guitar with a headstock labelled as Cameo. I am the original owner and purchased it somewhere1969 to 1972. My memory isn't all that clear, but '69 is most likely. Inside, is a sticker that ALSO says: "A product of MICA" and in the Center it says "Cameo" and next to it appears a Model Number of F-604. --- I too, have spent hours researching its value and maker's whereabouts. At this point, I'm inclined to think that MICA is a consortium or sorts.

[SkyMiZerMP3]

Sweet playing on CL4! I own 1 too since late 60's Bought at flea market to for 25.00, heel was glued but it has stayed intact since.Label in place #46730. need new strings, any recommendations (nylon right?) Nut has slight chip can I replace it? Who knows, may part with )0: It sure takes a beating as you said Thanx 4 bringing this good 'ol baby up front & for entertaining us too!

[meconium33]

hi i have a guitar very similar to yours. the label is pretty much exactly the same, but the saddle seems nicer on yours. mine has a huge neck too, i have yet to find a capo that can fit on it. have you managed to discover anything about their history and value?

[Paleoaleo]

Yes, I found that these "Estrada" guitars were made by Suzuki (Nagoya). I don't believe they are worth all that much. But people who own these Suzuki guitars really seem to like them. The value wasn't the important thing to me. I was intrigued by the mystery of the guitar's origins and having fun learning. I still don't know the years they were made or what exactly is MICA, so if anyone out there knows, it would be cool to learn more. Tom

[Paleoaleo]

P.S., the neck on mine isn't very wide. Other classical guitars I've played are much wider.

[seasidejimmy]

I have a CL-3 that I bought used back in the mid 80's for $5.

I love it. It's easy to play and has great sound.

Just a guess but I think mine is much older than yours....the label is very plain....anyway, I found your youtube video when I was looking for info on my guitar! Getting into Flamenco lately.....

[taagtoddy]

I have basically the same guitar I picked up in Alaska about 15 years ago. would love to send you a picture of the label. The guitar is made by Suzuki of Nagano Japan for MICA. I am also attempting to discover what MICA means, but suspect it's a brand that outsourced production to Suzuki... Have some other ideas, but still researching myself. Just saw a craiglist for one with a label similar to mine.

[Jnme3]

I can't believe you call that bad playing! Sure, I've heard better, but that was absolutely beautiful!!!! Thanks for sharing your talent so far with us. Hope I can one day become as good as you are, JoE

[zebraschatt]

I purchased an Estrada CL-3 for $60 earlier this year and have been playing it daily since and enjoying the huge neck and tone.

[BBAURLE]

Correction a cl-4.

[BBAURLE]

I just purchased an Estrada C-4 Saturday at an estate auction. Just started messing with it and find it to have a nice sound and good on the eyes. Got it for 60.00. Wish I new the true value though.

[Paleoaleo]

Cool. I only paid $80.00 for mine. I suspect they aren't worth all that much - maybe $150 tops...for a mint condition guitar? I like rescuing old, unwanted things from the hands of those who would neglect them! Sounds silly I suppose....

[Paleoaleo]

MYSTERY SOLVED! I found one on Ebay this morning. It has a great photo of the label. It reads "Suzuki Guitar Estrada Made Exclusively for MICA by Suzuki Nagoya Japan Model CL -6 Made in Japan." The label is rectangular, but from this I can say for sure that my guitar is one of these - likely made in the early 1970s. Now the collector in me wants to possess another one! lol....

[lmr1215]

I still have that exact guitar! as a matter of fact I just changed the strings today. I got it in the late sixties by accident. I had ordered something from a catalog (incense I think) and they sent me a guitar instead, so I don't have more info, just that they were sold in catalogs in the sixties. I've been curious about MICA too. Please keep me posted!

[Paleoaleo]

Very cool! Thanks for posting. I did recently see one posted on Craig's list in Ohio. The seller described it as a Suzuki Estrada. In his pics, you could just barely make out a corner of the label - indicating to me it was square, not round. He mentioned the word MICA in his description too. I called the guy, but he didn't call me back (probably thought I was a nutcase!). I was hoping he could take a photo of the label in his guitar. Maybe I'll call again....

[kumgangpoepsa]

oh by the way I'm the same as classicalguitar4all, just that on this account I post non classical stuff!

[classicalguitar4all]

Estrada is a well known luthier here in Argentina. Years ago his guitars were used by the most important guitar players here. But it doesn't seem a guitar by our Estrada (or Estrada Gómez)...may be just a Japanese or Korean guitar, but...does it really matter? I mean, if it sounds ok, play it and enjoy!

[Paleoaleo]

Yes, I have seen these beautiful Argentinian guitars! I wish it were one of those. This one is certainly not of that quality, but as you say, if it sounds good and plays well, that's all that matters. I completely agree! I'm still having fun trying to learn more about these Japanese Estrada guitars. Yesterday, I used a small mirror on a stick to look inside the guitar. There are Japanese characters written in white paint on the bottom of the sound board. I hope to learn more from these!

[kumgangpoepsa]

Ok if you are able to copy those characters, please send them to me as I can read some Chinese (Chinese is the root of Japanese as Latin and Greek are the roots of many Western languages). Best wishes, nice to know that you seen our Estradas, luthier Estrada (who is an old man now) still works...

[delfino2187]

beutifull guitar

[lebaronr]

i had one just like it, and i miss her,

she was stolen from a friends house! :(

good luck with your search.

reuben

[Paleoaleo]

Bummer Reuben! Do you recall if it had the same round label inside or was it a rectangular label? Tom

[lebaronr]

although i do not recall, i don't believe it was the same label, just a very similar design on the guitar in general.

reuben

[SadForgottenTroll]

Very Pretty! Hopefully its sounds will accompany future videos to come... :-)

[ShinobiKisune]

nice guitar