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Traveling with a guitar
- Thread starter VanDubs
- Start date
Member II
I used to take my J-45 rw/ebony all the time. Now I have a Gibson J-15 that goes. They're far less threatened in the wild, than they are in the clubs.
Use the hard case.
Use the hard case.
Enthusiast II
I always bring my Taylor GS - GS Mini - It's small, but it has a completely playable scale length (23.5") and unlike most travel guitars, it doesn't suck. It has great projection and most importantly, plays fantastic. It's easily the best small guitar I've ever played. I definitely recommend picking one up, you won't be disappointed.
ChasingOurTrunks
Rank IV
Pathfinder I
Can you speak more to why to avoid the backpacker? I’ve got a full size but have been thinking about a compact for years, and have seen a few “Backpacker” acoustics available locally, but it would be helpful to know what makes them not as good. These things can get expensive soI would prefer to buy once and cry once!
The Backpacker sounds like crap. That's not a huge deal, perhaps, since any acoustic guitar played outside is not going to sound great. More importantly, for me at least, is it is almost impossible to play sitting down. There is no way to support it short of standing up to let it hang from a strap. For the money there are better options. Here's a pretty balanced video on some options:
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Off-Road Ranger I
I’m more concerned with heat/humidity than I am with banging it around.I used to take my J-45 rw/ebony all the time. Now I have a Gibson J-15 that goes. They're far less threatened in the wild, than they are in the clubs.
Use the hard case.
ChasingOurTrunks
Rank IV
Pathfinder I
Thanks very much Kwill. I’m a four chord campfire strummer at best, but that video was very informative.
Much appreciated!
Off-Road Ranger I
Have you played a Journey? That intrigues me because I can easily keep it in the cab of my Taco with two car seats.
I have no experience with a Journey. They are intriguing. As you get into guitar you will probably wind up with G.A.S. (guitar acquisition syndrome). After 20-30 years I have managed to kick it primarily by redirecting the obsession to my Tacoma and camping trailer.
Off-Road Ranger I
I’m on guitar 7 right now with my recent being a blue ghost flame Jackson Soloist. GAS is alive in my house. I had a Marin LX1 awhile ago and kick myself for getting rid of it.
Member II
They're tougher than you might think. My J-45 has done multiple road trips, day concerts, hot and humid, rain (you know, not actually IN the rain) and cold, too. Those old timers like Dylan, Arlo, Woody, Prine and such never let the weather dictate travel.
They had acoustic guitars at Woodstock.
Member II
You can get an Epiphone (Gibson's import division) used for a few hundred bucks, full sized and far better tone than those little midget guitars......
Member III
Bassist here... I usually bring an electric bass (5 string fretless, woooo) with me to noodle or get some practice on while out on the road. I just bring my road case with that one. :P
On the other hand.... My bandmates have been bugging me to get an acoustic bass guitar, but they're better as kindling imho.
I think the best bet would be getting a mid range acoustic you're comfortable with, used. I'd also suggest getting a good road case (look for one that seals, can survive having shit stacked on it and generally kicked around) and then sticking a little humidifier thingy in with the guitar in the case. That should help the wood retain moisture while you're out traveling. Guitars are sensitive to humidity, but they're not THAT sensitive, like if you go from the desert up to a rain forest across a few days they'll be ok, but if you start doing that stuff really really often then things like fret sprout weird changes to the guitars action can start happening. It'll also effect the glue bonds and tone over time, but unless you're doing it day in day out for months, I wouldn't worry too much.
On the other hand.... My bandmates have been bugging me to get an acoustic bass guitar, but they're better as kindling imho.
I think the best bet would be getting a mid range acoustic you're comfortable with, used. I'd also suggest getting a good road case (look for one that seals, can survive having shit stacked on it and generally kicked around) and then sticking a little humidifier thingy in with the guitar in the case. That should help the wood retain moisture while you're out traveling. Guitars are sensitive to humidity, but they're not THAT sensitive, like if you go from the desert up to a rain forest across a few days they'll be ok, but if you start doing that stuff really really often then things like fret sprout weird changes to the guitars action can start happening. It'll also effect the glue bonds and tone over time, but unless you're doing it day in day out for months, I wouldn't worry too much.
Hey! What's the difference between a bassist and a large pizza? The pizza can feed a family of four. 
I've played bass at times, too, and liked my Ibanez acoustic bass even though it was cheap. But there's really nothing acoustic about them, i.e. you can't hear them at all unless you plug them in.
I've played bass at times, too, and liked my Ibanez acoustic bass even though it was cheap. But there's really nothing acoustic about them, i.e. you can't hear them at all unless you plug them in.
Member III
Hey! What's the difference between a bassist and a large pizza? The pizza can feed a family of four.
I've played bass at times, too, and liked my Ibanez acoustic bass even though it was cheap. But there's really nothing acoustic about them, i.e. you can't hear them at all unless you plug them in.
Whats the difference between a good bassist and a good guitarist?
The bassist is in four bands and the guiarist is still searching on Craigslist....
I'm with you on the acoustic bass guitars though, none I've played have ever been good. The fretless ABG's are even worse... You have to pretty much play them with a pick in order to get enough volume out of em.
Member II
That short scale sounds so bad, though.....
Best of luck. You'll find one.
Best of luck. You'll find one.
Member II
I love acoustic bass.....
