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[Old Gold]

I've been thinking about buying something a bit more travel-friendly than my Dreadnought for a wander to Europe later this year. Electronics aren't essential... I'd prefer straight acoustic really.

Baby Taylor seems pretty decent (http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/baby/9130).

I also notice Fender have one... anybody got any advice to share?

[Alan Cynic]

I use Welsh travel guitars made by Shapelywood.....they're very small and easily portable, but not terribly robust. They've an in-built contact mike and electronic tuner, and sound very good when amplified, but, as the body is so thin, they've no bottom end played acoustically.

I've had mine to the USA a few times...it survived those trips fine, but suffered damage when I got on a N0.1 bus and gripped it between my legs while I was raking for change. I forgot I had various effects pedals in the case, and a plug cracked the guitar table

It still goes, though!

[Old Gold]

Originally Posted by Alan Cynic

I use Welsh travel guitars made by Shapelywood.....they're very small and easily portable, but not terribly robust. They've an in-built contact mike and electronic tuner, and sound very good when amplified, but, as the body is so thin, they've no bottom end played acoustically.

I've had mine to the USA a few times...it survived those trips fine, but suffered damage when I got on a N0.1 bus and gripped it between my legs while I was raking for change. I forgot I had various effects pedals in the case, and a plug cracked the guitar table

It still goes, though!

The Shapelywood I've heard you use does indeed sound great plugged in, but the lack of bottom end would be a hassle. I suppose that's always going to be a problem when buying a compact acoustic.

Did you manage to take your guitar on the aeroplane as carry-on? I loaned an electric hardcase to a friend for a trip to Austria and it was beaten up pretty badly. 'Course, I've only got his word that it was the airline's fault! All the same, I wouldn't fancy a travel acoustic's chances.

[Alan Cynic]

Yes...I always got it into the cabin no problem, and, as I travel very light I had it packed with t-shirts and underwear. (I always wear my oldest clothes to go in, then discard them and buy cheap new stuff for the trip back....a tramp in Union Square, NYC once refused my harris tweed jacket! (Bought, as new, from a charity shop in Aberdeen a week or so before).

I don't know if I could take it on board now, since they changed the size rules. I've contemplated getting one of those collapsible electric guitars for future use, if I can't get the Shapelywood onto the plane.

[Old Gold]

That could be the finest piece of travel advice yet: avoid snooty foreign hobos!

Travelling light would be a plan... I'm going to be living out of a backpack for a month. Hauling a dreadnought around (although it is quite a light one) just isn't going to be practical.

[Hogisbald]

Maybe try the Martin Backpacker Ry. Don't worry they are not the usual Martin prices.

[Old Gold]

I forgot that Martin did a travel guitar! Nice choice Hog. I seem to remember my old man borrowing one from a colleague about 5 years ago for no reason in particular. I'll have to ask him what he thought of it.

[britheguy]

Originally Posted by Alan Cynic

Yes...I always got it into the cabin no problem,

I saw someone with a guitar on a plane last week, so I think it will be okay. One thing though, it was in a gig bag and not a hard case. That could be the key.

[Alan Cynic]

Good point...mine is always in a gig bag. It looks like a pregnant tennis racquet.

[flossie suvara]

I won one of the blue moon travel guitars in a competition a couple of years ago

The Hobgoblin Acoustic Guitar Front Page

It's ok - the teardrop shape makes it a bit strange to play sitting down initially, but it's got a decent enough sound, and has survived quite a few trips to festivals and scout camps - comes with a gigbag with shoulder straps, but there's not much padding in it.

Regards

Flossie