What is the best travel guitar?

August 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Headline

So, you probably came here with this very question and your in search for the best travel guitar.  Unfortunately, this question can not be answered with just one answer.  There's likely to be many factors which make the best travel guitar for you different then the best travel guitar for someone else.

This is especially evident in our review pages.  We asked people like you to give a honest take on the travel guitar they have and list why they like or dislike their particular model.  We received some pretty interesting responses.

Some people were relatively positive while describing their guitar and almost seemed to praise it.  Then at the same time they would turn around and rate certain aspects on a scale of 1-10 with a brutal honesty that did not bode well for the review.

So why the discrepancy?  Well, although nobody is a psyche major here at "Best Travel Guitars" we like to think we have answers.  We concluded that given the chance to describe and relate their life experience with the guitar people were more likely to shape their review around personal needs.  They took into account the reason they picked that model in the first place.  Reasons like, it was inexpensive or it was the most durable and smallest one they could find.  Within that context, they wrote the review with a positive spin because well, it filled the bill.

On the other hand, when rating the guitar on a impersonal system of 1-10 stars people rated the guitars based on what else is out there.  They made comparisons with a careful consideration of available choices, A or B.

With this in mind lets look at what guitar fills the bill best when it comes to needs.

Best Travel Guitars

Product Name Best Bang for the Lowest Buck - The Amigo AMT-10
When we think cheap we think under 100 bucks.  There's quite a few choices here but we recommend the Amigo AMT-10 with a solid spruce top.  Read the full review here.
Product Name Best little traveling buddy - The Martin Steel String Backpacker
If size is everything like it is when your backpacking then nothing beats the backpacker by martin.  This little guitar can take some abuse as well.  Check out the full review here.
Product Name Best Buzz generator and most fun - The Washburn Rover
We got a lot of feedback on this guitar when developing Best Travel Guitars and apparently a lot of people have it and love it - the buzz!!!  This is funny because I have 7 of these, yup 7, haha.  I got addicted to buying them on eBay and every time I see one for cheap I have a hard time resisting.  They are just fun to play and I love the sound.  I have to confess I  play the rover more then I play any of my other guitars.  When my friends come over they all pick up the rovers and we jam.  We can't help it - we are sick with the washburn fever.  Read the full review here.
Product Name Winner of 4 Awards - The Composite Acoustics Cargo Travel Guitar 

OK, I've heard this called the holy grail of travel guitars and its a easy choice for BEST OVERALL.  Nothing says durable like the Composite Acoustics Cargo Travel Guitar and the sound is just simply astounding.  Out of the box it was actually in tune and the action - PERFECT!!!  Its truly in a league of its own and this 3/4 size guitar sacrifices nothing for size. It's a bit expensive but not overpriced considering the product.  If you have the cash the best travel guitar is a easy choice.  Check out the full review here.

UPDATE: OK, this post has been heading our front page for a while. Still I think its probably the most important question people want to know when looking to purchase a travel guitar.  For that reason I decided to add the dynamic leaderboard right here.  These are the travel guitars leading the way as voted by you, our valued readers.

If you want to place your vote click on one of the guitars below and go to the post, at the end of the review you will see interactive stars to cast your vote for such things as fit & finish, sound, playability, etc.  Remember, we are working to get more reviews but I'm not rich and don't have every travel guitar out there. I rely on you. Please help us and Add a Guitar Review or tell us which one we should try to get our hands on to review. Thanks.

Acoustic Travel Guitars

TitleVotesRating
1Blackbird Rider Nylon String Guitar Review6
2Blackbird Rider Steel String Guitar Review12
3Voyage Air VAOM-06 Travel Guitar Review11
4Martin LXM Review7
5Wechter 1720 Elite Travel Guitar Review2
6Baby Taylor Travel Guitar13
7Washburn Rover Travel Guitar5
8Taylor GS Mini Review15
9Composite Acoustics Cargo Travel Guitar Review9
10Martin Backpacker Nylon String Travel Guitar3
11Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele Review1
12Montana Backpacker Travel Guitar4
13Ovation CC012 Celebrity Trekker Travel Guitar Review2
14Aria Sinsonido Travel Guitar Review2
15Johnson Trailblazer Travel Guitar Review1
16Martin Backpacker Steel String Travel Guitar4
17 The Amigo AMT-10 Backpacker Travel Guitar3
18Applecreek Acoustic Travel Guitar1
19Applecreek Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar 1


Electric Travel Guitars

TitleVotesRating
1SoloEtte Jazz Songbird Travel Guitar Review1
2Rambler Travel Electric Guitar Review9
3Ministar Lestar Travel Guitar Review4
4Stewart Stow Away Travel Guitar Review3
5Fender Squier Mini Player Electric Guitar Review2
6Ministar Rokstar Travel Guitar Review3
7Traveler Speedster Travel Guitar Review8
8Ministar Castar Travel Guitar Review6
9Hofner Shorty Travel Guitar Review5
10Traveler Escape EG-1 Travel Guitar Review4
11Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar Review1

Don't be shy, were interested in what you have to say. So, what is the Best Travel Guitar according to you?