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

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