10 Best Travel Guitars for Nomadic Musicians and Wanderlust Strummers
Whether you’re chilling on a beach in Bali or waiting for a flight at JFK, music never leaves your side, does it? That’s the spirit! But let’s be real – lugging around a full-sized guitar is as impractical as trying to fit an elephant into a Mini Cooper. You need a travel-sized companion, and guess what? Here’s a breakdown of the 10 best travel guitars that won’t weigh you down but will keep those tunes rolling!
Your Travel Guide
1. Martin Backpacker Acoustic Guitar
The OG of Travel Guitars
Martin, as a brand, needs no introduction. The Backpacker Acoustic, with its peculiar, slim shape, might look like you’re playing a paddleboard, but hey, it works! Designed for easy portability, this guitar produces a sound that can surprise you, considering its size. It’s like hiding a lion in a cat’s body.
2. Taylor GS Mini
Not-So-Mini Sound
The Taylor GS Mini might be labeled ‘mini’, but its sound is anything but. This shrunken version of Taylor’s Grand Symphony models brings all the quality craftsmanship you’d expect from Taylor, just in a more compact form. With its rich and full tones, it’s the kind of guitar that makes you forget it’s a travel guitar.
3. Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic
Feather-Light Wonder
Weighing in at under three pounds, the Ultra-Light Acoustic from Traveler Guitar is your perfect travel buddy. With its unique design, you might get a few curious glances, but its performance more than compensates for its unconventional looks.
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4. Yamaha APXT2
Big Brother’s Little Bro
The APXT2 is the little sibling of Yamaha’s best-selling APX500. This 3/4 sized guitar not only boasts of incredible playability but also has a built-in tuner – pretty nifty for those on-the-go jams.
5. Cordoba Mini M
Nylon-Stringed Nomad
Fancy some classical tunes while you’re exploring ancient ruins or just sitting by a campfire? Cordoba’s Mini M, a miniature nylon-stringed guitar, is your guy. It’s light, easy to play, and brings a touch of Spanish flair wherever you go.
6. Washburn Rover RO10
The Roadster Rover
Looking like a prop from a futuristic movie, the Washburn Rover RO10 is designed to be your musical companion on the road. Its slim design doesn’t skimp on sound quality, thanks to its solid spruce top. Also, it comes with a hard case that has room for your essentials. Talk about traveling in style!
7. Fender CT-60S Travel Acoustic Guitar
Big Brand, Small Size
When Fender jumps on the travel guitar bandwagon, you know it’s legit. The CT-60S combines the brand’s legendary craftsmanship with portability. With a solid spruce top and easy playability, this guitar is perfect for strumming out tunes at hostels or by the beach.
8. Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III
The All-Rounder
This beauty isn’t just about playing acoustics around a campfire. The Mark III is an electric-acoustic hybrid that packs a punch. With a built-in headphone amp and tuner, you can jam electric or acoustic, with or without disturbing your fellow travelers.
9. Ibanez EWP14OPN Piccolo
The Underestimated Powerhouse
It might be called a “Piccolo”, but don’t be deceived. This isn’t a tiny flute but a 3/4 size, steel-stringed travel guitar. The Ibanez EWP14OPN is known for its unique tones, sitting somewhere between a guitar and a ukulele. A perfect tool to mix things up a bit on your journeys.
10. Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top
Retro Vibes
Going vintage is always in style. And if you’re the type who loves everything retro, the Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is for you. Designed to replicate the ‘Rex’ parlor guitars from the ’30s, this one’s for those who want their tunes to have an old-school touch.
Jamming On The Go: The Final Notes
Picking the right travel guitar is a mix of understanding the sound you want and recognizing the practicalities of your journey. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe, going on a road trip across the States, or just need a compact guitar for a weekend getaway, one of these ten travel guitars is sure to be your perfect musical companion.
So, next time you hit the road, take one of these beauties with you. Nothing beats strumming a tune while watching a sunset in a foreign land. Safe travels and rock on!
