cheap travel guitar - a new necessity

Subject: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Mar 18 - 12:19 PM

last year I booked a week in Majorca. the travel agent said my guitar could count as my luggage. however when i got to the check in the nice lady said, sorry mate the guitar costs £85 there and £85 back.

luckily i had my car with me so i stuck the guitar in my boot, and went on holiday.

presumably i'm not the first with this problem.

the obvious thing is to buy a cheap travel guitar and put it in the attache case. the idea of not playing for the duration of a holiday- its not something i want to think about.

has anyone sorted out a cheap guitar for this very purpose?

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Cj
Date: 31 Mar 18 - 05:54 PM

I bought a 2nd hand baby Taylor for this very reason. Great for picking, terrible for strumming.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Mar 18 - 09:15 PM

All the travel guitars I've seen are too big to put in an attaché case - they tend to be the same length as a small ordinary guitar, though nice and light. Great for walking around up hills. I've got one I bought one year at Whitby, where all the roads seem to be uphill - in both directions. Great fun to play, and lovely to tote around, and quite a nice sound. But it wouldn't fit in the kind of case you can take on a plane.

The only one I've seen is one I bought a few years ago in a charity shop. A small guitar, but the thing is, the neck is fastened to the body in such a way you can detach it, and then you can fold it up and squeeze it into a small case. Needn't even take off the strings. It's a bit of a pain getting it reassembled and properly adjusted, but if you were making a single plane flight, and then getting around in other ways it'd be a fine solution. And it has a sweet tone - since it's got a shortish neck I find it responds better tuned two semitones high, so it's F#BEAC#F#. (Though it sounds fair enough in standard tuning.)

I've no idea who made it or how long ago, though I'd say a good few years ago from the look and feel of it, but I think that's a very practical way of dealing with a nasty problem. Easy enough for a guitar maker to build, and I think there'd be a fair niche market for them, but there doesn't seem any sign on the net of someone having produced something like that.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 03:11 AM

I'm sure this has cropped up before with suggestions like the one Kevin mentioned and probably identifying it. I have no trouble with my kazoo but the Washboard of Mass Destruction is banned on planes by the Geneva Convention!
RtS

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 04:03 AM

One of our friends on Mudcat uses a folding guitar. She came over from the US to paly at a local club and astounded us by taking it out of the case, unfolding us - and playing a perfectly in tune chord!

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Gazza2
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 04:07 AM

Hardboard Guitar Company? Seems to do the business!

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 04:11 AM

http://www.snap-dragon-guitars.co.uk/

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Tootler
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 07:40 AM

What about taking a ukulele instead?

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 09:31 AM

or there is the 6 string ukulele (called a guitarlele or guilele) which is like a standard-tuned guitar with a capo at the fifth fret.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Mark Ross
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 10:41 AM

Check out Voyage Air Guitars;

http://www.voyageairguitar.com/

They fold up, and are in tune when re-assembled.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 02:25 PM

Al - there are actually some quite acceptable apps for smart phones
which can emulate strums as well as picked notes.
Not ideal, but better than nothing..and quite good fun...

You can also plug into speakers....

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 03:36 PM

i've only got a dumb phone. i can't text. you can't even take pictures with it. however it was cheap and you only have to charge it once a fortnight.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 04:27 PM

yeah - I used the same simple reliable phone for at least 15 years until my close up eyesight got too bad to read the screen anymore..

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 05:14 PM

Something like this?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_traveler_steel.htm

Even that isn't, strictly speaking, small enough to qualify for most overhead locker rules – all of the so-called 'travel guitars' are generally at least 20cm or so too long for most airlines' rules, but I think you'd get away with it. I don't imagine most airline staff would quibble over it.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Matt Milton
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 06:19 AM

Actually that thomann guitar is, come to think of it, small enough to fit I an overhead locker bag diagonally as it is about the length of two 30cm rulers

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Anne Lister
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 05:57 PM

I have a Voyage Air guitar, bought on the recommendation of a couple of luthier friends. It plays well, folds into its own backpack and is generally pretty close to being in tune once the nut at the neck is tightened. Not sure how easy they are to find in the UK - I bought mine in the US at the start of a very short tour (at the end of which I was travelling home in style by Cunard rather than flying).

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: leeneia
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 06:10 PM

The Voyage Air guitar looks good, but I wouldn't rely on that case to protect it. Sometimes people shove their carry-on into the bin with considerable force, and a guitar top needs protection from that.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 07:35 PM

Some interesting examples there - though I wouldn’t call most of them cheap. You'd need to check the hand baggage size, because that seems to vary widely in the UK. Here's a site with comparative sizes for the various airlines. Mostly max length about 55cm, which could be just about right for the folding guitars linked to. https://www.skyscanner.net/news/cabin-luggage-guide-hand-baggage-sizes-and-weight-restrictions

I note Aer Lingus is the exception, with a max 115 cm, which could allow for a standard size guitar. Better check anyway.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Gurney
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 04:47 PM

This sounds like an opportunity for a lot of entrepreneurs.
Buy a lot of reasonable guitars and rent them out to touring pros.
If the entrepreneurs were also luthiers and could repair any damage, why, they could ......Hmmmm.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 07:55 PM

Here's Mudcat's Deb C demonstrating her Voyage Air Travel Guitar.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g5tyJkijsus

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 09:42 PM

THANK YOU - ChantyLass for posting the video.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

I will forward this new insurance ght...and Again THANK YOU

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,vectis
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 06:51 AM

Beaten to it again! I was going to suggest you contact Deb Cowan and ask her about her folding guitar. Amazing concept.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Anne Lister
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 07:27 AM

Leeneia - the case for my Voyage Air guitar is pretty sturdy, and it would be difficult for anyone to shove anything on top of it in an overhead bin. The crucial parts of the guitar are well protected, which is what you would expect for a case made for a travel guitar!

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 02:27 PM

Dare I mention Childen's half scale neck guitars...
Inexpensive, and some are reasonable quality with fair intonation.
I don't know if they are too big for air baggage, but maybe worth a quick look...???

I own and have played a few electric half scales at gigs,
They're ok but are factory fitted with mediocre pickups...

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Apr 18 - 11:38 AM

Luggage on top isn't the only concern.

Picture a short person who has to get a heavy piece of luggage in an overhead bin that they can hardly can't see into. What do they do? They swing the luggage upward and give it a fierce inward shove. If this shove has a sideways component, it will bang and then scrape the luggage to the sides.

Is the case strong enough for that? If not, go to a crafts store and get something to reinforce it. Better safe than sorry.
=============
Too bad the Deb Cowan video has almost no playing of the guitar.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,Anne Lister
Date: 07 Apr 18 - 06:35 PM

Leeneia, the case in question would fit into an overhead but wouldn't allow for anything else to be put in front OR on top. Trust me - I have one. And I am a short person. And I have travelled with it. And as they are entirely designed and built for travelling (on airlines as well as other forms of transport) and as the case is built to go with the guitar, believe me they are made strongly and well. I wouldn't want to put one in the hold, but then I wouldn't want to put any instrument in the hold if there was a choice, no matter how strong the case. I've done it - I have tales to tell and insurance claims to prove them.
If you are wanting to know more about Voyage Air guitars (and I believe Deb Cowan's is one of them) then google them - there are videos on line to demonstrate them in use as well as how to pack them.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Apr 18 - 09:19 PM

I have heard both Debra and Anne perform with theirs and thought they sounded fine, but I'm not a musician and have only a non-musician's ear.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 07 Apr 18 - 09:28 PM

Debra Cowan playing the Voyager Air Guitar -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1njE5ABGWk

http://www.voyageairguitar.com/

Debra is in UK right now (I've just reminded myself!) Dates follow

Sunday Apr 8, 2018
Debra Cowan @ Bothy Folk Club @ 8:00pm
Where: The Park Golf Club, Park Rd West, Southport, United Kingdom
Contact: [e-mail]

Monday Apr 9, 2018
Debra Cowan @ White Horse Folk Club @ 8:30pm
Where: Conservative Club, Wylies Road, Beverley, East Yorkshire United Kingdom

Friday Apr 13, 2018
Debra Cowan @ Bacca Pipes Folk Club @ 8:00pm
Where: 9 Henry Street (off Cavendish St), Keighley, United Kingdom
Contact: 01535 605310 / [e-mail]

Sunday Apr 15, 2018
Debra Cowan @ Laurel and Hardy Museum @ 7:00pm
Where: Ulverston, Cumbria United Kingdom

Ross

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: pattyClink
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:00 PM

Punk, I agree about the smaller-scale guitars, particularly if your travel is by car or van etc., and if you're not a terribly large-scale yourself. There are some good ones out there, and now you can get carbon or plywood construction, for durability while getting shuffled around various climates.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Apr 18 - 12:24 PM

The half scale electrics I bought about 15 years ago were I think intended for tuning A - A [think capo at 5th fret]
Obviously I string and tune 'em however I like...

They have proven very useful...

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: saulgoldie
Date: 19 Oct 19 - 09:14 AM

Recently, I decided that I "needed" a small guitar to carry around, so I could play when I wa inspired. At the time, it seemed to me that a full size guitar would be to inconvenient and off-putting.

So I got this little Luna. The sound is...meh. But it IS a guitar with strings and a fingerboard. However, I cannot get it tuned properly, mostly on the two high strings. "Close enough for folk music?" Um, no. It just bothers me. I need the correct notes so I can sing with them.

Now, taking it to a luthier would cost more than the guitar cost. And a "real" travel guitar, like a Yamaha, Taylor, or Martin would be in the range of $300+ And since this is not a dire necessity, that is too much. Having said all that, it seems like I am back to carrying a full-size guitar if I want the possible spontaneity.

This would make constant carrying somewhat less enticing. Thoughts from "the group?" Thanks!

Saul

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Oct 19 - 09:57 AM

If the intonation is bad on a cheap acoustic guitar;
one remedy is to carefully remove or sand down the bridge,
and replace it with a trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge...

A fairly easy and inexpensive DIY job on a guitar that is of no great value...

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 19 Oct 19 - 05:21 PM

Saul, which Luna model is it? Are they the same strings that came with the guitar? Have you changed them recently? I mean, old strings will sometimes be hard to get in tune.

What's the intonation like up the neck: i.e. is each open string in tune when you sound its octave at the 12th fret?

If there is indeed a fundamental intonation problem and the guitar is indeed untunable, can you adjust the truss road?

I would take it to a luthier and at least find out what the problem is, if only to satisfy your curiosity Get a quote to fix it. It might not be very much money. I wouldn't be too sure it'll cost more than the guitar's worth - looking online all the Lunas I can see cost over £120 new. It might only be a £30 job to get whatever the problem is fixed.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 19 Oct 19 - 05:32 PM

That said, I think I may recently have found the cheapest possible travel guitar solution. I bought one of these and I keep it in my locker at work, to play in the occasional lunchbreak:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/startone_cg_851_12.htm

It's a 1/2 size classical guitar. It cost me £30 (£40 including delivery).

Rather amazingly for a £30 instrument, the intonation is spot on and it's actually a fun instrument to play, with a decent tone to it. It has a nut width of 45mm, so actually still slightly wider than a conventional full-size steel string guitar, which is normally 43mm. (Though the advertised 45mm feels to me more like 43mm in practice when I'm playing it)

They do the same basic Startone classical guitar in 3/4 size and 1/4 sizes (and indeed full size) for the same price or even less, depending on whether your idea of a travel guitar can afford to be a bit longer, or needs to be even smaller.

Subject: RE: cheap travel guitar - a new necessity
From: banjoman
Date: 20 Oct 19 - 08:59 AM

I bought a Washburn Rover a couple of years ago. Its fine for picking and strumming although the volume is a bit weak. Cheap and cheerful is how I sum it up