The Squier Mini Strat electric guitar is a surprisingly well-made and comfortable piece of equipment. While it is on the low-end of the price scale and certainly far from the best travel electric guitar out there, its quality genuinely out-performs what you'd expect from the price.

The sound quality of this particular mini electric guitar tends to be very good for what it is, although it may help to have some slight adjustments made to lower the action slightly. While this is possible, it is also something of a hassle and can take considerable time to get just right.Another flaw of the Fender Mini Strat is in the tuning pegs. They seem to be of somewhat lower quality than the rest of the guitar (which is fairly well made for the most part) and do not hold tuning like an experienced guitarist would expect.

The other complaint a guitarist would be likely to have about this guitar is simply the fret size. While many travel electric guitars boast a full size fret board with a compact head and body, the Squier Mini electric guitar actually has a smaller scale and more compact fret board.

The smaller scale also contributes to the issue with keeping this guitar in tune as the shorter length of strings also requires less tension to achieve the same sound, meaning more bending and more frequent tuning. Changing to higher quality tuning pegs will help but you cannot expect the issue to be entirely resolved by this.

The other effect of this more compact frets is that, if you are used to playing a full size guitar or even other travel electric guitars with full size frets, you will likely feel somewhat cramped. This can be a hassle and many experienced players will not appreciate the compact space but, for players with smaller hands and children (for whom, with its economic price, this guitar is perfect) the smaller area can be a blessing.

Likewise, however, experienced guitarists can also appreciate the Fender Squier Mini. Despite its small stature, this mini electric guitar is comfortable to hold and play. Like its larger counterpart, it fits comfortably in your lap or across your body when using a strap. Although the materials are far from perfect, it's generally sturdy and well made. While not the first choice for a serious musician, the Squier Mini Strat is a perfect travel guitar for a person on a budget or a young person just starting to play and lives up well to the Stratocaster name in sound and playability, if on a comparably smaller scale.

Features

• Small-scale neck
• (22-3/4")
• Three single-coil electronic pickups
• Master volume and tone controls
• Maple C-shaped neck
• Rosewood fretboard
• 20 medium frets
• Hard-tail 6-saddle bridge

OK folks, we are starting a new "Around the Campfire" series and it's going to be fun. We will be inviting guest musician/bloggers to take a seat around the campfire with us and share a little about themselves. In this weeks "Around the Campfire" we talk with Jamie Anderson.

Jamie Anderson writes a weekly blog that includes true stories gathered from 20 plus years of touring, how-to articles for musicians and profiles of performers. Also, she loves dark chocolate, can play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" behind her head, and twirls the baton badly.
You may find these articles by Jamie a fun read:

- Flying with instruments and mastering the fine art of Bambi eyes
- Winning the lottery, flaming skull tattoos and flying with guitars

1.) Do you check your guitar in at the airport?

Back when I had an anvil-style case I usually checked it in. That baby was made of 1/4 inch plywood and cushioned inside with a lot of foam. The only damage ever done was when the pick-up dislodged - easily fixed with some duct tape until I could get it to a luthier. You could tell that the case had been dropped and abused many times because it was covered in scrapes. The metal corners that were held on with grommets were knocked off one by one but still it protected the guitar.

As airline regulations changed it became harder to check it in without paying a lot of money. (The case was oversized.) Also, it was quite heavy.

Now I have a plastic molded SKB case with wheels. It's not a flight case per se but it's a lot lighter. I try to avoid checking it in but some airlines don't let me do anything but that. If I manage to slide past, I try to gate check it. It's rare that I can carry it on the plane with me because it's too big for most overhead compartments.

2.) Insurance, do you use it?

Yes. I have great insurance through my union, Local 1000, which is affiliated with the AFM. It doesn't cost very much and is well worth the investment.

3.) What's the worse Horror Story you've heard involving planes and guitars?

There are so many. It seems that when ever touring musicians get together, we all have at least one story. My favorite one was a musician who retrieved his instrument and found tire tracks over the case.

4.) What's the worse thing that has happened to your guitar while traveling?

See above. I consider myself very lucky.

One time it didn't show up until after the gig. I was told there wasn't room on the plane. I did the gig with a borrowed guitar.

5.) Has anyone, perhaps another passenger ever given you evil glares over your traveling companion guitar?

Sure. They look at me like I'm some broad who just over packed.

6.) What single piece of advice would you give a friend thinking about traveling with a expensive guitar?

Don't do it. If you're going to travel, get an inexpensive travel guitar. If you're performing, it's really all about the pick-up anyway. Jill Sobule does all her touring with a little travel guitar that sounds great.

If you really must travel with that vintage Martin, you might consider shipping it via UPS or FedEx. Put it in a hard shell case with padding under the head stock. Wrap bubble wrap around that, then put it in a box. Get insurance. It'll cost you a lot but given what the guitar cost you, it'll be worth it.

7.) Do you have a favorite story from the road?

Back when I was using the anvil-style case I flew from North Carolina to San Francisco. I checked the guitar with a sky cap and didn't have to pay any extra fees, probably because I gave the guy a good tip. I was to change planes in SF and head to Hawaii. The ticket agent there wanted to charge me $80 because my case was oversize.

My expenses were already so high I could barely afford a cup of lousy airport coffee so I knew the fee wasn't in my budget. I calmly reasoned with the employee and told her I hadn't paid anything for the flight there so I shouldn't be charged for the next one. Nothing could convince her.

I asked for the manager and got a pimply faced kid. I was old enough to be his mama. In his best big boy voice he admonished me about my big case. I crumpled my face into one of concern with tears just behind my Bambi eyes, amped up my Southern accent and told him I had no idea my little guitar would cost so much. Couldn't he waive the fee just this time? After a few minutes of pleading he sighed and said, "Okay but don't do it again." Sure, honey.

8.) What's your favorite campfire guitar song?

"Bamboo," an old Peter, Paul and Mary song. Great harmonies on that one. I'm also fond of "Brown Eyed Girl."

9.) Would you ever consider buying a travel guitar? If so which one?

I don't have the dough to buy another guitar. Even if I did, I would probably buy other things first since I'm really happy with my current (full sized) guitars. I do like the little Taylors, though. Don't know the model number but I played a friend's and liked it.

10.) Who is your favorite folk musician?

I have several - Cheryl Wheeler, Patty Larkin, Dave Nachmanoff, Chris Rosser, Catie Curtis and Cosy Sheridan.

Thanks Jamie

-Michael from Best Travel Guitar

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.

A few months back I was introduced to what is, in my opinion, one of the most innovative musical inventions I have ever seen. That invention was the SoloEtte travel guitar.

While perusing various guitar players on YouTube I stumbled upon a great clip of master classical guitarist and Grammy award winner Sharon Isbin performing on what was one of the most unusual looking, (and frankly, coolest), guitars I have ever seen. The guitar had an ergonomic body with the headstock at the bottom of the guitar. There was no ‘real’ body to guitar other then an aluminum frame that gives the perception/feel of a body. The guitar immediately caught my attention and I began doing some research. It turned out that the guitar was the SoloEtte travel guitar.

I contacted Rossco Wright, the owner of the company, and he sent me out the Jazz Songbird model for review. I already knew their guitars sounded remarkable because I saw Sharon Isbin, (Director of Julliard’s Classical Guitar Dept.), playing the SoloEtte, yet I was eager to play and hear one for myself. (There are also great sounding clips of jazz guitar master John Stowell playing the SoloEtte on YouTube).

After inserting the tubing of the guitar, (this took all of 30 seconds), I plugged the guitar into an amplifier and was blown away. Everything felt and sounded amazing! When the guitar is plugged in it sounds big, full, warm, and beautiful. I have no idea how they did it, but they did, and it’s incredible!

I immediately realized how advantageous this guitar could be to me for the rest of my life. For example, I would never have to worry about the stress of traveling with a guitar ever again. Recently, when doing some work in Mid-West I brought the guitar on the plane and was actually able to practice while sitting in my airline seat.

I plugged in some headphones into the guitar, practiced for the duration of a three-hour flight, and didn’t disturb anyone. (Except for my funny looking guitar faces that are inevitable when I play). Not only does the SoloEtte serve as a convenient practice guitar, it can be used in any live situation and sounds astonishing. In fact, I have used the guitar on more than dozen gigs in the past month and it continues to amaze me. I wouldn’t hesitate to do any gig for any situation on this guitar.

The Jazz SongBird is intended for the archtop player. It includes an EMG neck position humbucker pickup that provides a fat/warm sound. The neck width is 1 ¾ and has a body radius 16”. The guitar features 22 frets, strap buttons, dot inlays and a cutaway frame.

All of the SoloEtte models are a solid-construction, disassembling frame-design, travel, practice, and performance guitars that can be plugged into an amp can be used with headphones. The frame comes apart and fits into a small carrying case. When the SoloEtte is disassembled for traveling, it’s only 33 inches long and no wider than a guitar neck.

Some outstanding guitarists that play on SoloEtte guitars include Sharon Isbin, John Stowell, Gustavo Assis-Brasil, and Don Latarski, among many others. The SoloEtte is made in the USA in Eugene, Oregon.

Review by Dr. Brandon Bernstein

Stow Away Travel Guitar Review by Janis Kreilis

Custom Red Back Apart

Not long before graduating from college, I got a job offer that I had long dreamed of: a truly jet-set lifestyle which would involve flying to far-away countries that I would never otherwise visit and not staying in one place longer than a couple of months. Still, a problem remained. Reminding myself of all the trouble I had gone through just to bring my full-sized guitar across the Atlantic once a year, I kept thinking, does this mean that I would have to give up playing the guitar?

This is where the Stow-Away from Stewart Guitars comes in. The key thing about this guitar is Woody Stewart’s patented clip-joint system which allows you to easily remove the neck of the guitar without taking the strings off. Once detached from the body, the neck can then be stored into a special slot inside the guitar’s body. The whole procedure is remarkably easy and takes about five minutes to learn, as Woody provides great directions for assembly and disassembly. After that, putting the guitar back together is a matter of seconds. Disassembled, the guitar—even when put in the well-padded bag that comes with every Stow-Away—is small enough to fit in your average carry-on. I have never had an easier time bringing a guitar back to Europe (mind you, though, that the airport security might be curious—I had to open my bag in Germany).

What separates the Stow-Away from other travel guitars is that it is not really travel-sized when assembled. The guitar features a standard-scale (25½") neck with rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium frets, and the alder body is only slightly smaller than that of a standard Strat. Having no headstock means that the tuners can be found at the bottom of the body—while it felt slightly unusual at first, I got used to tuning the guitar with my right hand in no time. The Stow-Away comes equipped with three single-coil alnico pole magnet pick-ups, a five-way pick-up selector, a volume knob, and two tone knobs.

Now for the subjective part. It has been two months since I got this guitar, and I love it (to the point that I haven’t picked up my good-old LTD). I have tried it with my 5W all-tube amp as well as the little travel-sized VOX that I bought for my future hotel-room practice sessions, and the guitar sounds amazing. With the treble up, the pick-ups give you a crisp and punchy sound both in clean and overdrive, but playing with the tone controls will bring out the mellower part of the guitar’s character. Each pick-up has a very distinctive sound, so this amazing instrument has a lot to offer. The sustain is amazing—especially given the slot in the body and the unusual build.

The Stow-Away feels and looks great as well. You can clearly see that Woody Stewart pays great attention to every little detail and his guitars are of the highest quality. The sleek neck feels great when playing, and the frets have given me no problem for now. My Stow-Away is black with a pearloid pickguard (other variations are available), and the dark chrome finish on the output jack and strap buttons only adds to the elegant look. For me, Stow-Away is way more than a “substitute” travel guitar: it feels and sounds like a great “regular” guitar, and I wouldn’t even think twice about bringing it on stage.

Last word about Woody Stewart, the inventor and maker of this ingenious design: you will hardly find better customer service anywhere. I had to get mine on a short notice because I was leaving for Europe, and, despite some delays on the manufacturing side, Woody managed to get one of his Stow-Aways to me on time. He also mentioned that I could always send it back if I didn’t like it. Thanks, but mine is not going anywhere.
Body

• Alder
• Body Size 18 x 12 x 3.5”

Neck

• Neck Wood Maple
• Fretboard Wood Rosewood
• Scale Length 25.5”
• Neck Length 19”
• Number of Frets 22 Medium
• Fretboard Radius 14”

Hardware

• Neck Attachment Clip-Joint™ Neck Connector System
• Bridge Slotted Hard Tail
• Tuners Linear Tuning System
• Pickups Three Single Coils - Alnico Pole Magnets
• Controls Five Position Switch, Volume, Tone, Tone

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

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.

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.

The Hofner Shorty Travel Guitar is a great little Guitar that doesn’t feel or sound like a mini model. The beginner will enjoy the low price, high quality and tremendous value, while the most accomplished player will notice immediately that it has a standard sized neck. The Hofner sports a 24 ¾ scale neck and in the hand it feels a lot like a Les Paul except there is not as much body weight. The neck is fairly identical to other popular guitars but the body is smaller and lighter for easy handling and portability.

The Hofner Shorty is actually a redesign of a popular guitar built from 1982 -1986. In those days the Hofner was made in Germany. It was a fine example of German craftsmanship. The new design is practically identical to the original. The buyer can choose from four colors, black, blue, pink and red, just like in the 80’s.

Not Just another Practice Guitar
The Hofner Shorty TG is not just another practice guitar. It actually looks great and is suitable for public performances. It looks absolutely stunning and the sound quality is competitive with other electric guitars and far exceeding the sound quality of most guitars in its price range.

Excellent Performance Guitar
The lighter weight actually feels great once one becomes accustomed to it. It certainly makes those on stage moves a little easier and more comfortable. The Hofner Shorty Travel Guitar weighs less than ten pounds, has an overall length of only 32 ½ inches, and yet has a full sized neck. For this reason, the Hofner can become so comfortable that it actually does feel like an extension of the musician. Musician and instrument just meld together, and it feels very natural to hold.

Caring for your Hofner Shorty Travel Guitar.
The Hofner Shorty is durable but care should still be taken in storage. Just as with any guitar, the neck is a major concern. Whenever resting your guitar for more than a few hour, be sure that it is put in a case that provides proper neck support. Definitely consider a hard case for storage and travel. The Shorty is extremely portable, but always be careful when packing. This is true of any guitar.

Restringing the guitar can be a bit tricky for some people. Unless one has owned dozens of guitars, the task always feels a little strange the first time. If in doubt about the process research or enlist the help of a more knowledgeable friend the first time it is strung. It’s always good to have an extra pair of hands on this operation anyway. Beginners might consider asking a reliable music store to do the job the first time, and allow them to watch.

The Hofner Shorty Travel Guitar can be a Musician’s Favorite
Since the current version (2005 to present) is a slightly updated 180 its styling is reminiscent of the 80’s rockers. It is comparable to much more expensive guitars in sound, and overall quality and appearance. It features a standard 32 ¾ inch neck and all the features one would expect on a new guitar including a Humbucker pickup and output jack. It can be customized further by an experienced guitar technician, and it is a joy to hold. It’s truly an easy guitar to become attached to.

Yup, I saw it ...haha.  I've always been a big Ani Difranco Fan and the other night while cruising youtube clips I saw the backpacker.  I did a double take, paused the video and sure enough it looks like a backpacker to me. What you think? You know anyone else who tours with a backpacker? Check out the clip below.