A Quick Spin with Travel Guitars
- Darren Godwin
- Jun 2, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Jun 13, 2019
Before delving too deeply into the various travel guitars available think about how compatible a guitar will be with the trip you are planning. How much playing you get done rather depends on the type of journey you are about to embark on. Is it hiking through the Himalayas, a family beach holiday or a business trip? You might optimistically imagine regular quiet time to yourself, plucking away. The reality might be toting something impractically large half way around the globe to use all but once.
So, it’s worth being realistic and understanding your intentions before leaping in with both feet, especially since their are some compromises you’ll need to make.
First is scale length. There are full scale length travel guitars around so check you’re not playing a slightly shorter scale length to what you are used to when not travelling. This might impact on string choice, overall setup and how comfortable it feels.
Second is type. Will it be acoustic or amplified? There are some rather nice acoustic travel guitars which need no amplification. Electric variants often need a battery and headphones although Traveler Guitar produce a series which use a “stethophone” headset allowing you to forego the batteries.
Third is sound. If keeping your fretting hand in shape is the primary goal then overall sound may not be critical. But if you envisage campfire singalongs or impromptu jazz club jams the quality of the output might be more important.
Portability is key so a combination of folding or removing parts that all collapse into a small, padded gig bag you can put in an aircraft overhead locker is thoughtful.
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