Travel guitar info.

I got a Strobel travel guitar when I was travelling for a living. Through an iPad with headphones meant I could play it in the hotel at all the weird (late) hours we kept. Very quickly came apart and would fit in a briefcase that way. Good electronics, good design for removing the neck; all in all I was impressed. It has all the usual adjustments for action, neck relief etc, and sounds good.
I will say however it was not the cheapest "travel guitar" out there, and is a solid body (which I wanted). But it wasn't really expensive either. Anyway I still have it and do play it at home.

Hope you find what you need. Mine was in use all the time on the road.

 

I bought a J&D 3/4 Tele at Music Store Germany. Not for travelling poipoises perse, but it has turned out to be a bundle of fun for only $90 peanuts. http://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/think-i-found-my-next-travel-guitar.197095/

Maybe they offer something similar your way?

 

I have a Martin Backpacker.
Odd shape, but it fits just about anywhere, can be played in a recliner, and can double as a canoe paddle.
Built like a tank as well. 24" scale.

 

Hey Nick, I have a Treveler Speedster. It has a full scale fretboard and strings through the back. I pair it with one of those itty-bitty Fender Twin amps that run on a 9v battery. It plays great, and rarely needs anything more than strings. It has traveled all over the world with me.

Best of all, it even sounds good. The pickup in it is a decent humbucker and plugged into a decent amp it sounds terrific. Periodically, I'll bring it to a jam just to freak people out and they are consistently amazed by the great sound and playability.

It packs up light, small and solid. It easily fits in the overheads on airliners and fits inside my suitcase if I don't feel like carrying it.

I can't recommend it enough if you are looking for an electric travel guitar.

https://travelerguitar.com/products/speedster-wine-red

 

Not quite a baseball bat, but a substantial C shape. The guitar is pretty solidly built. That's why it sits out by my couch---safe from toddlers, cats and a lunatic dog. Mine's a first generation (narrow headstock) and is piezo equipped, that I got a great deal on at a GC blowout.

 

I'm about to head out on a four-month backpacking trip across Asia with my wife and our two young kids. I didn't want to go without an instrument, but it needed to be extremely portable. I chose an Ibanez piccolo guitar. It's the size of a tenor ukulele, but it's got six steel strings tuned ADGCEA. The fingerboard is a little cramped and the build quality is not spectacular, but it suits my needs just fine now that I've swapped in a set of brass pins along with a Tusq nut and saddle.

 

I'm really happy with my Steinberger Spirit. It's the same size or a little smaller than a Martin Backpacker. Full size fretboard, 3 p/ups, fairly resonant when unplugged, sits a lot better than my Backpacker that I constantly fight to just stay in one spot when playing it.

 

About ten years ago, my wife who knows not much about guitar brought me a Washburn travel guitar. I'd never played a Washburn before. Svelte. Nylon strings. Sounds great. Plays great. Taken it on about a dozen trips. The case is good. It is indeed a real guitar . It is not real loud which is a plus in a hotel room for a number of reasons. You could do worse. I see them on Ebay from time to time. (PS I own a Hofner Jazz Box and it is a VERY NICE guitar! You probably will do well with a Hofner also)

 

Hi Nick,

I've had a bunch because I travel a lot. Here's a description of the journey....
* I started with a MiniStar Castar (e.g. https://reverb.com/item/2790657-min...atural-finish-h-s-h-pickups-with-built-in-amp). It was the cheapest of the lot and one of the best. But it was too long for my suitcase and almost too long for my backpack, so I decided to try something else.
* I then bought a Steinberger Spirit, but I wanted something even smaller, and sold it.
* I then bought a Palm Guitar which was expensive but beautifully made ... but it was too small and I felt cramped on the fretboard, so I sold that.
* I then bought a 3/4 size Fender Squier strat but again I felt cramped, so that went out.
* I then realised that I really liked the Steinberger Spirit, so I bought another one of those.

So... knowing what I know now...
* I think the Hofner Shorty would be too cramped for me.
* The Traveler series (e.g. https://reverb.com/item/29125939-traveler-guitar-pro-series-maple-maple) looks intriguing, but they are expensive.
* I'd probably just buy another Steinberger. It fits in my pack, my suitcase or my daypack/carry-on, is comfortable with the fold-out leg rest, and stays in tune forever.

IHTH,
Peng

 

Yeah, you've got to use a strap with a Backpacker. Rest your hand on what would be the upper bout. Nice for finger picking that way. They definitely don't just sit on a lap like a regular acoustic.

 

I'm not so slim anymore either.

I blame Mrs. Slim's cooking.

 

Believe me, I've tried about every option with that thing. It's like trying to pin down a greased snake. I kinda hate the sound of it too, to be honest. Sounds like a tinny, unresonant banjo.

The Steinberger Spirit has 24 frets, and doesn't fly around anywhere near as badly...

 

I totally understand about the sound quality. I didn't expect it to sound like a dreadnaught. I got it coz it fits anywhere, has strings and frets, and so I can play whenever and not annoy anyone. ---especially with my lack of skills. There are tradeoffs in all things. I do like the Steinberger as well but it won't sound like a full size acoustic either without amplification. The little Martin was a great deal, and can sound like a full size instrument with it's piezo.