Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Review

Finding a proper guitalele to purchase can often be a tough decision. Many of these instruments are manufactured only for novelty's sake, and do not have the proper materials or craftsmanship to produce a decent sound. The Yamaha GL-1 aims to be a guitalele worthy of its manufacturer, and mostly succeeds in this regard.

The Yamaha Guitalele is a great addition to the Best Travel Guitar Family, Inexpensive, and not a Toy!  The Guitalele is a lot of guitar packed into a really small package.  I was iffy on this one and I don't know why really.  I guess I have had my hands on quite a few different travel guitars and I thought $99.00 wasn't going to buy me much.  Well, I was wrong, probably the best $99 dollars I spent all year.  It's perfect for travel, it's fun, and it's actually quite loud.  So what makes us say these things.  Let's review.

Before delving into the features of the Yamaha GL-1, it is important to consider the price. At just around 100 dollars, the GL-1 is a bit pricier than most standard quality ukuleles, and substantially cheaper than most guitars. As a fusion of both instruments, however, this price is to be expected. A guitalele is a great instrument for a guitarist looking for a new way to play, or a ukulele player who wants to produce a fuller sound. At this price, both types of enthusiasts can experiment without any possibility of buyer's remorse.

The tuning on this Yamaha guitalele is ADGCEA, meaning the same chords played on guitar can be played on this instrument. The only difference is that the guitalele will sound a bit higher, due to its smaller build. As with most ukuleles, the higher notes and chords will stand out more, but with the GL-1 this is a definite boon. No other instrument can produce such a mix of high and deep sounds, which is probably why the guitalele has become popular with spanish-style players. The instrument is very sturdy, and is made with the highest quality wood materials, meaning it is a instrument that will last for years with proper care. Particular attention was paid to the neck, which has the feel and action of a comparable Fender guitar, only much smaller. At 17 inches, the guitalele is perfect for carry-ons and road trips, and won't feel so minuscule in the hands of bigger players, like a ukulele might.

Like most instruments, this Yamaha guitalele isn't perfect. Although they can be changed out, the guitalele comes with nylon strings, as is common for most ukuleles. Also like most ukuleles, the guitalele is prone to going out of tune quite rapidly. It is not uncommon for a musician to find their instrument almost completely out of tune after one extended jam session. Unlike the ukulele, this Yamaha instrument has 6 strings, as opposed to 4. That means a bit of extra time spent tuning, which may frustrate some players. After a certain amount of time, however, tuning the guitalele becomes second nature. Another issue with the strings is that they are very sensitive. Pushing down too much or bending them during play will cause the instrument to go out of tune even faster, although their sturdiness ensures they will not break.

Guitaleles are unique instruments. It is advisable to practice with one before buying, to make sure the purchaser enjoys the sound. If that is the case, then they can enjoy their Yamaha purchase for years to come.

Martin LXM Review

One of the best travel sized guitars on the market, the Martin LXM has the classic looks of a standard Martin guitar and the sound quality to match.  Small and lightweight, this little Martin is a versatile and handy instrument that lends itself to impromptu jams.  Weighing in with a 23 in. scale length the Martin LXM Little Martin is a best sound per pound contender.

A spruce top gives the guitar a bright tone while the mahogany back and sides add a warmer depth to the guitars voice.  Because of its size, the LXM is easy to play and even provides a new approach to guitar playing, enabling you to stretch between notes normally out of reach.  Although small, its unique construction creates a big voice and as a result, the LXM can hold its own against the bigger, standard sized instruments.

Martin have a reputation as one of the finest makers of acoustic guitars in the world and the LXM serves to support that reputation.  Although it is amongst the budget models in the Martin range, the build quality is still exceptionally high with thoughtful additions such as chrome tuning pegs and a textured finish to the spruce top.  The fingerboard is plainly finished and has no dot markers on the frets.  This minimalist design gives the guitar a look all of its own and reinforces the impression that players of this little instrument are looking for a no thrills guitar that delivers.

Another feature that may endear the LXM to players is the inclusion of a strap on the neck and another on the bottom of the body.  This little addition enables the guitar to be a true travel guitar and no doubt conjures up images for many people of being strapped to someone's back as they hitchhike across the globe.

There are many features about the guitar that make it so appealing.  First of all, the inclusion of a gig bag is a nice addition and saves the owner trying to find an appropriately sized gig bag themselves.  The addition of touches such as the strap buttons, chrome tuning pegs and high quality woods for the body make the LMX stand out amongst other models in its class.

Whether you are a serious musician looking for another guitar for your collection or merely someone who wants a small bodied guitar for recreation, the Martin LXM is a guitar worth considering.  Affordable for most budgets yet still part of the prestigious Martin family, this little Martin is fun to play and has a great sound.

Martin LXM Little Martin Acoustic Guitar Features:

• Modified 0-14 Martin body
• Wood-pattern HPL top
• "1-style" Sitka spruce bracing
• Micarta fretboard and bridge
• 23" scale
• Stratabond modified low-oval neck
• Martin's patented neck mortise
• Gotoh nickel-plated tuners
• C.F. Martin script logo on headstock
• heavily padded travel bag

Wechter 1720 Elite Travel Guitar Review

Thanks to Abraham Wecther’s commitment to providing quality at an affordable price, the Wechter model 1720 Elite stands alone among travel guitars. With a solid mahogany top, sides, and back, it produces a warm, full tone comparable to its traditional sized counterparts.

This model also features a nato neck, rosewood fingerboard, and Plek Pro Setup, a technique which gives each guitar a personalized setup that is accurate as well as perfectly buzz-free. Wechter uses the Plek Pro Setup on all of his guitars.

The Plek Pro machine is computer controlled and has the ability to level frets to .001 mm accuracy. This adds to the guitar’s playability and eliminates problems caused by high string action. Though this feature is not usually offered on an inexpensive travel guitar, Wechter, once again, has proven his commitment to quality.

It is this Plek Pro Setup, which gives the Wechter 1720 Elite a low action. Stated simply, action on an acoustic guitar refers to how high the strings are from the fret. The higher the strings, the more difficult the instrument will be to play.

High action on an acoustic guitar will compromise the playability of the guitar, and can actually be painful for the picker. High action also makes it difficult to keep the guitar in tune.

Because the Wechter Elite is a travel guitar, durability is important. The mahogany wood it is fashioned from is a type of hard wood, used in furniture and boats. This wood’s strength makes it the perfect choice for a travel guitar.

The satin finish, while detracting a tiny bit from the tone, is also an important component when building for durability. It is a given that a travel guitar is going to get knocked about at some point, and the satin finish makes it even more durable.

Though the Elite is among the smallest of Wechter’s guitars, 23.3” scale as opposed to the normal scale of 25.5”, there is not enough difference to make it awkward to switch between the normal sized acoustic and the 1720 elite. That makes it a perfect guitar for professionals to use when practicing or traveling, as well as an excellent first guitar for beginning players.

Overall this is an amazing travel guitar from one of the supreme guitar makers, Abraham Wechter. He brings the same innovation and insight of his high end models to this compact 1720 Elite travel guitar.

Taylor GS Mini Review

Excitement abound - the GS Mini was in at the local store and damn it, I had to buy it.  I'm in no way financially ready for this investment especially with Christmas coming but I couldn't resist.  The powers were to great and my only comfort is holding the beautiful guitar and thinking, "It delivers".

Guitar players looking for a big sound in a deceivingly small package should look no further than the Taylor GS Mini Acoustic - seriously!  Completely different from Taylor's “Baby” guitars, this Mini is a treasure that will not disappoint even the pickiest player.

Small enough to fit into the overhead compartment on a plane, this six string guitar's impressive tone can be taken virtually anywhere to be played at any given time.  Extremely lightweight, this guitar fits comfortably in the my lap, and gives off a rich, full sound when finger picked.

The way the body is designed allows the player's arm to be bent at a less severe angle while playing, which is an extreme advantage to this model. The NT neck makes it easy to play – even for children and people with small hands, and the fret board's ebony inlay makes for a fantastic visual, as well as making it easier to place fingers correctly.

Very few bad things can be said about this guitar, and the biggest complaint is that it does not sound as “bassy” as its larger counterparts; but it isn't supposed to. For its size, price, and design, this GS Mini is everything that it needs to be, and more.

While not designed to reach the far corners of arenas, the tone and volume produced by this instrument's full-sized sound hole are perfect in medium to large rooms.  A deeper body allows the Mini to be tuned to standard, taking away the “high strung” feel and sound from a smaller guitar.

This guitar comes with a hard case bag, which helps to protect the gorgeous back and sides of this guitar – which are made of laminated sapele, and gleam like gold in bright light.

Though most definitely not the same as a full sized guitar, this Taylor Mini offers many advantages to players. From the way that it fits on a player's lap, to the simple, refined look of this model, Taylor has broken the boundary between large and small acoustic guitars wide open.

The first chord played on this model will highlight this guitar's ability to stay in tune, carry across a room, and hold its own with the larger models. The fact that this is not a full sized guitar should not be a focal point; in fact this can sometimes be forgotten when concentrating on the way that this Taylor GS Mini looks, handles, and plays.

Bottom Line is I love it and definitely recommend this purchase to anyone with the extra cash.  I know Christmas is coming but it's a great investment.

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.

Blackbird Rider Steel String Guitar Review

When I started Best Travel Guitars It was really about traveling and finding that perfect guitar to fit the journey. It wasn't so much about the guitar as I have my old trusty Martin and it fits me well. Despite being old it's in great condition and I don't like slopping it all over the place. The solution was a small portable beater.....right?

I thought so but after being giving the opportunity to play a lot of different travel size guitars I find myself in a new predicament. I have a new found appreciation for small pint size guitars and they can hardly be called beaters.

When the Blackbird Rider Steel String arrived (thanks to Joe Luttwak at Blackbird Guitars for letting us DEMO it), my appreciation was never greater. As I pulled the guitar out of the box I was actually giddy. "Oh wow, this is nice", I thought. Yeah, my mind wasn't in technical guitar review mode yet and I was thinking like a kid on Christmas. After I settled down a bit, passed the guitar around to some friends this was the consensus among us.

Action, Fit & Finish: First pulling this thing out of the box I was struck with shiny envy.  The body just looked awesome, very sleek and shiny like I was looking at a high end performance race car.  The only complaint anyone had here was the shape, some liked it, some didn't.  It also only comes in one color -carbon fiber, with a  high gloss polyurethane clear coat.

Being the guitar I played was a demo model there were a few minor cosmetic flaws in the urethane clear coat which could have been buffed out.  I should also note there was no pickguard which makes scratches in the clear coat almost inevitable.   I think earlier versions of the blackbird may have had a pickguard but after noticing some sound dampening qualities they decided to forgo it.  Otherwise, the craftsmanship was excellent.

Setup was pretty much spot on, in-tune and delivering clean crisp notes without any issue.  The action was pretty good overall and intonation excellent up the neck.  I really had to point this out as its been a problem or has become a problem with some small guitars I've played.

The rider also stood out in one other crucial area, playability.  I have to admit, the first day I walked around with it strung around my neck as this was immediately comfortable.  I don't just mean comfortable as in adequate either.  I felt like I could chase my cat down outside while still holding a tune.  Sitting down took a little longer and it tended to slip a bit but once I got the feel of where it should sit in my lap and using the neck-up support it became very comfortable to play.

Features: Being a bunch of backpackers we opted to test the Steel String Rider (No Electronics) to reduce weight.  It's also a bit  smaller than the Nylon version.  This model don't have a ton of frills but just a solid design plan that makes up a ton of useful features.

First, the ultra light and ultra strong one piece carbon fiber construction makes it the perfect travel guitar.  This thing can take a serious beating both physically and environmentally.  Also unique to the design is the hollow neck that carries sound up and out a second sound hole near the tuners.  The tuners are Gotoh solid quality.  I never encountered any trouble with tuning or pitch.  Sometimes while fitting the guitar into the tight fitting case I became concerned about the tuning but every time I pulled it out it was fine.  Everything about the guitar speaks high quality, this is no toy.

Sound: If you have any experience with travel guitars you know this is the real test.  This is the bread and butter question,.. how does it sound?  Travel guitars are not known for producing great sounds.  This is because most travel guitars are a diminished interpretation of the full scale guitars we have come to know.   The diminished size does not translate well and often results in poor intonation, weak deficient tones (especially bass) and compromised playability.

This is where the blackbird rider really shines with its full 24.5" scale and unique innovative design.  The first thing my friend said to me after showing it off a little bit was "wow, its pretty loud".  Indeed, but it's not just loud, it resonates with amazing sustain and a full range of warm acoustic tones.  Seriously, this thing sounds better then some full size acoustic guitars I've played.

Whatever magic is taking place with the smart hollow neck engineering, unique shape, additional sound hole and carbon fiber construction its definitely working.

Durability: Two words, Carbon Fiber...cmon this thing is military grade!

In the end its unfair to compare the Blackbird Rider up against say, the Martin Backpacker.  The one guitar that strikes me as comparable is the Composite Acoustic Cargo and they are not in business anymore.  Lets be honest, these guitars are in a class of their own when it comes to travel guitars.

Still, for anyone that has to consider cost this is probably not going to be your best option.  The Blackbird Rider comes with a price tag of around $1600 which is a serious investment for some folks.  At the same time, we would expect to spend this much for a nice notebook computer or serious camera so why should we skimp out on our music.  If you bought one today I would bet in 10 years you would still have a great functioning innovative guitar.  I can't say that about a computer.

The Blackbird Rider Steel String is a Good Solid Investment and its not a stretch to say it's the Best Travel Guitar.  Our votes in, whats yours?

Blackbird Rider Steel String Guitar Features:

• Compact 2/3 size acoustic
• Durable and stable Carbon fiber construction
• Resonance-driving hollow neck and head with sound port
• Ultra-light at 2.75 lbs and not neck-heavy
• Full 24.5" scale length

Aria Sinsonido Travel Guitar Review

I travel all over the world for work as a cinematographer (www.dancoplan.com) and for vacation. I've suffered guitar withdrawal enough that I decided it was time to find a travel-friendly instrument. I needed something light, compact, relatively indestructible, and quiet enough so I could play anywhere without disturbing other people. I also wanted something fairly inexpensive but still good enough quality that I wouldn’t regret the purchase. I’ll save you the details of my exhaustive search but I ultimately chose the Sinsonido by Aria (www.adirondackguitar.com/electrics/aria/as-100.htm).

Licensed by SoloEtte (soloette.com), the guitar is nearly identical yet less than half the cost. The main part of the guitar consists of a single block of wood including neck and body, minus the upper and lower bouts. The headstock and tuners are built into the base which saves inches off the length while maintaining full size playability. This single piece, similar to an Irish hurley (a field hockey-style paddle used in hurling) is all you need to play, though this would be awkward without the upper and lower bouts to rest against your body. Three lightweight metal rods covered in foam padding fit into the body and form the guitar's body shape. Compact, lightweight, rugged – perfect! This also makes for a great conversation starter because it looks so unique.

A pickup is built into the bridge and a standard 1/4” jack lets you plug in to an amp or with headphones. An easily accessed 9V battery on the back supplies power to the jack. This is perfect for playing at volume without bugging anyone. Controls include volume and tone.

The guitar plays really well. I had to dial in the action at the bridge (thumbwheels on bass and treble side – easy peasy) and tweak the truss rod (allen wrench included!), but the neck and frets feel great and sometimes I don't even put on headphones – I just pluck and strum away, satisfying my 6-string fix. The tuners are plastic – not the best quality, but for less than $20 I replaced these with a metal set that fit the peg slots and mounting holes perfectly. The volume and tone knobs are pretty cheap as is their functionality, but they work well enough. For the cost, travel-friendliness, and the way the guitar plays I'm willing to accept this as a compromise. Finally, I find the tone to be a bit twangy, but I'm willing to forgive juicy tone just to be able to put a guitar I feel good about in my hands while traveling.

The Sinsonido includes a pair of fold-up headphones with the proper 1/4” plug adapter, an allen wrench to adjust the truss rod, and soft padded carrying case. I’ve literally taken this thing all over the world and played in airports, on buses, boats, trains, on hikes, and countless other places where a standard guitar would be too cumbersome. As far as travel guitars are concerned, this one gets high marks.

Dan Coplan is a Los Angeles based cinematographer and staff writer for www.sharemyguitar.com. He can be reached through his website mentioned at the top of the article or at dancoplan@sharemyguitar.com.

Aria Sinsonido Travel Guitar Features:

• Back and Sides Mahogany
• Fingerboard Rosewood
• Hardware Black
• Neck Material Mahogany
• Nut Width 1 11/16"
• Frame Aluminum encased in soft rubber
• Pickups Soloette Original made of two stereo condenser
• microphones
• Controls Volume, Tone
• Controls Stereo, Built In
• Includes Includes headphones and free Aria gig bag.

Blackbird Rider Nylon String Guitar Review

The Blackbird Nylon Rider is my first travel guitar and it has proved to be a revelation.  To my great astonishment it has become my #1 favorite out of my collection of acoustic, electric, steel string and nylon classical guitars; all luthier instruments.  I bought the Nylon Rider for accompanying groups of singers.  This music is from Brazil where nylon guitars prevail so I set out to find the very best electric nylon guitar and this turned out to be a travel size instrument!

I was tipped off about the Rider from a musician's blog site.  The writer also owned the two nylon electrics which were at the top of my list but he personally recommended the Nylon Rider.  I decided to take the leap and ordered one from Joe Luttwak at Blackbird Guitars.  My Rider has the RMC gold pickups with Polydrive II preamp, I feed this signal into a 96K digital reverb and then into two KRK studio monitors.  The results in sound and playability are simply outstanding.

The Rider has a unique, one piece design with the vented hollow neck incorporated into the body resonance chamber. Also the interior surfaces all face each other at angles.  These design elements reduce the typical lower midrange resonance peak which is the reason most acoustics sound too boomy when amplified.  The ultra fast carbon top articulates the higher harmonic series of each note with an astonishing clarity and purity. Higher notes are warm and pure yet the crisp bass notes are supported with a true fundamental. This harmonic correctness has an ear candy result that really inspires my practice time.

The Nylon Rider's sustain is superb.  Musical details, chords and polyphony retain clarity even in complex music like Bach.  Plugged-in, the guitar sounds natural and acoustic, not really possible with a solid body design.  This sound can be eq'd very effectively because the usual boxy resonances are not present.  Its like being able to dial in the sound that studio engineers strive for on recording sessions.

The construction of the carbon fiber top and the electronics in the Polydrive have all been specially tuned to eliminate feedback, I have experienced no problems in this area even when supporting over 50 singers.  The Nylon Rider is the most playable nylon guitar I have ever experienced.  The luthier work is excellent.  Carbon fibre construction makes the instrument impervious to temperature and humidity changes.  Perfect action is maintained regardless of season changes and the usual tendency of the bridge to rise due to string tension.  This also makes for more carefree use, I don't have to worry about leaving the instrument in the car in summer or winter.

Another carbon fiber benefit is pitch stability.  Tuning time is much reduced, I really appreciate this when performing.  The neck is radiused which helps make a steel string player feel at home. Intonation is excellent all the way up the neck.  My Rider came with a neck-up support which is attached by a suction cup so the guitar is always perfectly balanced in my hands.  I am able to play standing up with perfect ease.  It is a featherlight 3.3 pounds; this is so comfortable.  I even practice walking around the house with the guitar strapped on.  In the gig bag I can take it anywhere on my back and I barely notice its weight!

The Rider is so ergonomic that it reduces stress on my body, Previously I had some signs of tendinitis in my left elbow, this has now subsided in a few weeks.  The physical balance is perfect due to the hollow neck.  A light instrument is a real joy but not if it is unevenly balanced to the neck.  In short, the Rider is comfortable and really fun to play!

Most of my hours of playing are practicing and having fun, for this the Rider's acoustic performance is quite satisfying.  It has less volume than my (very expensive) concert classical, yet I find myself drawn to the tone of the Rider because of its purity.  I would not say this if there was no true fundamental on the low E string.  This is essential for long term playing satisfaction and the Rider delivers, size notwithstanding.

I am very grateful to have received this instrument from Blackbird.  The design is really excellent. The usual trade offs for tradition, marketing schemes and bean counters have been set aside so that all aspects of tone, playability, consistency and durability are optimized.  For example I know they are using the best quality carbon fiber and excellent tuners, these details are not obvious at first but are very important for long term playing satisfaction.

The RMC hex pickups and the Polydrive are the perfect setup for driving a guitar synth.  The Rider's low action is entirely free of fret buzz so that synth tracking will be consistent.  I really look forward to exploring this exciting possibility.

The Blackbird Nylon Rider is a true synthesis of intelligent design, high technology and dedication to quality.  It is a really cool guitar!  Finally I can say that dealing with Joe Luttwak has been a real pleasure.

BlackBird Rider Nylon String Features:

• Carbon Fiber strength and environmental stability
• Body cutway to reach the higher frets
• 3 lbs. among the world’s lightest guitars
• Resonance-driving hollow neck and head with sound port
• 25.6" (650mm) Scale Length
• RMC string saddle MIDI compatible pickups available
• Optional Guitar Support for enhanced comfort

Baby Taylor Travel Guitar

The Baby Taylor travel guitar is exactly what it says. This small three quarter dreadnought size acoustic guitar is made for the road. Its light weight and sturdy build make it ultra portable, and it comes with a gig bag instead of a hard case, so it fits easily in airplane carry-on, or the back seat of a car. As is true to the Taylor name this guitar is well built, with back and sides of sapele mahogany laminate, and choice of a solid sitka spruce or mahogany front. The spruce lends itself to a quite, simple eloquence, while the mahogany flaunts a darker, richer beauty. With their satin finish both guitars are nice looking little instruments.
The Baby Taylor, like the full size Taylor guitar is quality made. It has 6 Elixir® light gauge string with NANOWEB® coating, an ebony fret board with inlayed pearloid dots, and an ebony bridge. The neck of the guitar is tropical American mahogany. The tuning machines are enclosed, die-cast and chrome plated, and the sound hole rosette is laser etched. It is easy to see that Taylor used the same fine attention to detail when designing this baby guitar as they do with their full scale models.
This baby guitar has remarkable volume, tone, and versatility for its size. Naturally some of the sound is sacrificed to the smaller dimensions, however; of the baby guitars on the market, the Taylor definitely takes the cake. It can be difficult to get a travel guitar that compares to the sound of a full size, especially in the base end, but the Baby Taylor performs well. The mahogany is especially proficient at producing richer bass tones. This guitar is also versatile; it can be played high strung, with a capo or a slide and in alternate tunings. However, keep in mind that because of its smaller fret size capo use can be limited, and finger picking past the third fret can be more of a challenge for adults.
The Baby Taylor travel guitar is not just for adults, but also makes a wonderful starter guitar for children. Its small size lends itself to smaller hands, and is not as intimidating as a dreadnought. It also holds its value and can be used as a trade in on a larger guitar. It sounds much better than a cheaper $75 guitar, yet is still affordable at $275-$300. So, with this guitar a child can gain true appreciation for finer music, but on an instrument that’s just right for them.
Though the Baby Taylor travel guitar is not considered a specialty instrument for recording or performing, it is completely appropriate for more informal settings. It’s a wonderful instrument to take on those weekend family getaways, or as a child’s first guitar. It holds up well, has a lasting value, and best of all, because it’s a Taylor it comes with great customer service.

Taylor Baby Taylor Mahogany Top Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Features:

• Solid mahogany top
• 3/4 scale
• Sapele arched back and sides
• Ebony fretboard and bridge
• Lexan headstock veneer
• Laser-etched rosette
• Enclosed die-cast tuners
• 22-3/4" scale
• 1-11/16" nut width
• Taylor gig bag

Whats your opinion?  Cast your User Star Rating **

Next Page »