A travel guitar is a small, portable electric or acoustic guitar that’s designed to fit into a carry-on bag or the overhead bin on a plane. These guitars are typically built with sturdy, quality materials and feature a neck that’s easy to play and stays in tune, even after lengthy flights. They are also often less expensive than standard guitars, making them an affordable option for anyone who wants to learn how to play the guitar or a dedicated player who frequently travels for work or pleasure.
One of the biggest drawbacks to a travel guitar is that it will not sound as good as a regular instrument. This is due to the limited size of the body and neck which causes a reduction in resonance. However, this may not be a huge problem for some guitarists who consider it to be a worthwhile tradeoff in order to be able to take their guitar with them when they travel. If you are a serious guitarist, you might want to consider an electric travel guitar with a piezo bridge instead of a pickup as this will allow you to play silently while still hearing an acoustic tone.
Some travel guitars feature full-size fretboards which will feel like a normal guitar when playing chords. This is a big advantage over some models that have smaller fretboards in order to keep the body size down.
When choosing a travel guitar, it’s important to check that the body is made of high-quality wood, even if it’s laminated. Laminates stand up better to changes in temperature and weather than solid wood and can be a great choice for a travel guitar, particularly if you’re concerned about your instrument getting damaged or lost while traveling.
It’s also a good idea to get a gig bag to go with your travel guitar, as it will provide extra protection and give you a place to store additional accessories. If you’re flying with your guitar, you might want to consider getting a hard-shell case as this will add more protection than a gig bag and may be required by some airlines. If you choose to fly with your guitar checked, it’s a good idea to try to get a nonstop flight to minimize the number of connections as this will help to prevent your guitar from being lost or stolen.
Lastly, be sure to thoroughly inspect your travel guitar before departing for your trip. If anything is damaged or missing, be sure to report this to the airline as soon as possible and ask for a replacement. If your instrument is worth a significant amount of money, you might want to consider purchasing “excess valuation” from the airline in order to ensure that it will be replaced if it does happen to go missing. With proper consideration, a travel guitar can be a wonderful addition to your musical arsenal and will make any trip more enjoyable. So pack your favorite guitar and hit the road!
