Estrada Classical Guitar CL 4

I recently bought this Estrada CL-4 Classical guitar at a flea-market in Pasadena, CA. I've been researching on the web and have found only scant information about this guitar. I don't really care what it's worth, but I would like to solve the mystery of it's origins. The label inside says it was made in Japan and that it is "a product of MICA" - whatever that is...I have no idea.

Researching the web, I came across information about an old Japanese guitar/violin company called the Suzuki Violin Company. They are no longer in business. They had a reputation for making very nice acoustic guitars and classical guitars. They apparently sold their guitars under several different names, and one internet source seemed to think that "Estrada" might have been one of them. So my best guess is that this is the situation with this guitar.




In any event, I'd like to find out more info. I realized that if I put up these photos and descriptions here on Youtube, someone doing a google search on these guitars will find this video. So this is a bit like me putting a message in a bottle and tossing it into the sea...hoping someone will find it and help me solve this fun mystery.

Tom

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Estrada Guitar
• Estrada CL-4
• Classical guitar
• Estrada Classical guitar
• Suzuki Violin Company

[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).

[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.

[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....

[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.

[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

[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.

[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