Ovation CC012 Celebrity Trekker Travel Guitar Review

The Ovation CC012 Celebrity Trekker is a conveniently priced, round back guitar.  I recently bought one about 3 months ago and have played it consistently ever since.  From the moment you pick the guitar up, you'll notice that it has a very nice feel to it as it's not too big, but it's also not too small.  I'm a pretty small girl so it works for me.  It's length makes it very convenient to take with you on ventures such as camping trips, hence the name of the guitar.

The Trekker has a beautiful finish on it and boast a solid spruce top, walnut bridge and a mahogany neck/rosewood fretboard.  Construction looks pretty good and its definitely a durable little guitar.  Really I think the pictures on most retailers web pages simply don't do it justice.

One downfall of the guitar is if I play while standing I notice a tendency for the guitar to shift against my body.  The front of the guitar starts to point toward the ceiling and you have to fight it a little bit.  I don't know if repositioning the strap button might help or what can really be done.  I think the problem is actually a design flaw in the way the guitar is shaped or something.  I still find it comfortable to play and I don't think its such a issue that it really hinders my ability to play.  It's just something I noticed.

The only other problem I noticed with the guitar was the fact that the stock strings that come with it aren't the greatest in the world.  I'd highly recommend changing them out to Martin Acoustic Strings or D'Addario Acoustic Strings.  I personally found that the strings that come on the guitar sound a bit raspy as if you were plucking metal, but it's nothing that a good pair of 10 dollar strings won't fix.  Don't let these issues deter you away from this guitar as there are so many positive things about it.

Once you get a good set of strings on the guitar and have it in tune, you'll find that it comes very close to matching the acoustic sound of other full sized guitars.  In regards to other travel size guitars it definitely beats the martin backpacker hands down.  I'm comfortable saying that other travel guitars in this price range don't compare.  Sure, there is always better and the sound it produces isn't the brightest I've ever heard, but you'd have trouble finding something that sounds any better for any cheaper.

The Ovation CC012 also has a very good neck that will allow you to play anything from slow, mellow music to fast, alternative style rock.  To top it off, the reliability of the CC012 is outstanding.  It stays in tune very well, and intonation up the neck is pretty good.  You'll also find that the body of the guitar feels extremely sturdy.

In short, the CC012 Celebrity Trekker is a steal, priced at under 200 dollars. I'd highly recommend it to any beginner or novice guitar player who is looking for something to take on the road with them or play around the house. Pick one up today, and I promise you that on a budget, you won't regret it!

-Kate

Features

• 6-String Acoustic Trekker
• Body Type: Mini, Center Soundhole
• Top: Spruce
• Bracing: Modified A Brace
• Scale Length: 22-1/2"
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Bridge: Walnut
• Rosette: Ovation Oakleaf
• Nutwidth: 1-11/16"
• Machines: Chrome

Voyage Air VAOM-06 Travel Guitar Review

The Voyage Air VAOM-06 Travel Guitar is the ideal solution for musicians who want a travel-friendly guitar without sacrificing craftsmanship, durability or sound quality.

Unlike competing instruments, it uses patented design technology, featuring a hinged neck. This feature allows you to easily fold it in half to carry in a backpacker style carrying case, which is included with your instrument purchase. In fact, it boasts such a compact design that it easily meets the carry-on luggage requirements for all commercial airlines.

To be honest this hinged innovative design was the main selling point to me.  I can't believe nobody thought of this before but maybe they thought like I did.  I thought it probably won't stay in tune but I was wrong.  I'm amazed every time I pull it out of the case and open it up because its perfectly tuned.

I'm even more amazed when I start playing because it definitely exceeds my expectations for a guitar priced under $1000 dollars.  It actually sounds better than some other more expensive guitars I've played including a Taylor I own.  You will hear the following comment a lot, "wow, I can't believe how nice it sounds."  It also looks nice.

Featuring a beautiful East Indian rosewood fretboard, chrome plated tuning heads, and a distinctive pickguard, this guitar is perfect for those who don't want to forgo a stunningly designed instrument to obtain portability.

Featuring a bright, clear tone within all regions of the fretboard, it can tackle all genres of music no matter what strikes your fancy.

Constructed of durable African mahogany and a solid spruce top, you can count on the Voyage Air VAOM-06 Travel Guitar to perform expertly for years to come, no matter where your travels take you. This model is perfect for impromptu jam sessions around a campfire, family gatherings, and for those times when inspiration strikes at random moments. With this guitar, you never have to stifle creativity in favor of convenience because it is so easy to tote around that you never have to go without it!

Musicians who have particularly strict requirements regarding instrument playability can rest assured that each model is carefully inspected and expertly set up in the United States. This allows eager musicians to start playing immediately without having to worry about making adjustments to action or fret height.

This guitar is also perfect for touring musicians who must deal with cramped conditions such as tour buses or road vans on a daily basis. As seasoned performers know, instruments that are compact and easy to carry are indispensable.  Still, I wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself at home playing this guitar because you refer to it as your best guitar.

The Voyage Air VAOM-06 Travel Guitar is the ultimate in portability, playability and convenience for musicians with even the highest expectations. If you want an instrument that can exceed your demands while matching your active, globetrotting lifestyle, this is your perfect guitar!

Voyage Air VAOM-06 Features:

• Songwriter™ Series
• Select Solid Spruce Top
• Hand Inlaid 3-ring Soundhole Rosette
• 6-ply top binding
• African Mahogany Back and Sides
• African Mahogany Neck
• Select East Indian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Dot Inlay in Prewar-style staggered sizes
• Compensated Saddle
• Distinctive Voyage-Air pickguard in black
• Proprietary Voyage-Air Captured Nut
• Patented Folding Neck-Hinge System
• 25.5” Scale Length
• Traditional 1 3/4” Nut width
• Chrome Plated Die-Cast tuners .
• High-Gloss finish.
• D’Addario Phosphor Bronze strings.
• Includes Deluxe “Voyager” Carrying Case
• Thoroughly inspected & set-up in the USA

Check out Voyage Air for Additional Information and Guitar Models.  Check out The Perfect Travel Guitar:Voyage-Air Travel Guitar OM6 Songwriter for an additional offsite review by Wesley Lem.