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Travel and music are soulmates that create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you're sitting around a campfire, lounging on a beach, or unwinding in a cozy hotel room, a guitar can be your best companion.
In this guide, we'll explore the world of travel guitars, those compact and portable instruments designed for the wandering musician. From their unique designs to their surprising sound quality, we'll help you find the perfect travel guitar that doesn’t compromise on quality or playability.
So, pack your bags and tune your strings, as we look at the best travel guitars, ensuring your next adventure is musically unforgettable!
Included in this guide:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Martin Backpacker Travel Acoustic Guitar
| 4.6 | Check Price |
Runner-up  | Taylor BT2 Baby Acoustic Guitar
| 4.5 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Electric
| 4.4 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | Fender Squier Mini Electric Guitar
| 4.4 | Check Price |
Lowest Price  | Yamaha JR1 ¾ Size Acoustic Guitar
| 4.6 | Check Price |
Related Article: Best Starter Acoustic Guitars: Top 5 Picks For Beginners
The most notable feature of this travel guitar is its unique narrow and slender backpacker body shape, making handling and storage easier. When it comes to sound quality, this guitar produces more sustained notes—thanks to its mahogany and Sitka spruce tonewoods. Additionally, this 6-string Martin guitar is made with alloy steel, contributing to the sound's liveliness. Alloy steel strings are also known for their increased magnetic capacity. They’re excellent at playing high notes, too.
This small-form dreadnought guitar from the leading acoustic guitar manufacturer projects soft, mellow tunes with excellent depth. This portable dreadnought guitar weighs about 4.4 pounds and is about 34 inches long. Its top and body are sturdy mahogany wood, while the back and side material is layered sapele.Â
High-quality ebony wood makes up its guitar’s fretting board. This material is reputable for its extreme durability and resistance to wear. Meanwhile, its bronze strings allow smooth and light-tension strumming. Lastly, the chrome-plated tuners are stable and smooth to operate.
Measuring about 25 inches and weighing less than 3 pounds, this travel-friendly electric guitar is an excellent choice for traveling professionals and beginners alike. Despite its small size, the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Electric guitar is a full-scale and full-featured guitar model.Â
This guitar features an Eastern American hard maple body and neck. Interestingly, this hardwood is long-lasting and highly resistant to environmental changes. Its fingerboard material is black walnut with micarta nuts and chrome closed-gear tuners, which seals the gear from dust and elements. Each purchase includes a foam lap rest and a heavy-duty gig bag.
The Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster electric guitar features a vintage-style headstock with synthetic bone nuts. Its body material is made of poplar with a glossy polyurethane finish. The hardtail bridge and single-coil pickups support solid and smooth tuning stability. Meanwhile, its nickel-plated strings and light string gauge contribute to the lively sound output. Plus, this type of string is highly resistant to corrosion.
With its laminated wood body, mahogany wood back, and spruce top, this compact guitar features excellent craftsmanship. This guitar also has an open chrome tuning machine and bronze strings that produce smooth and warm sounds. Consequently, its Rosewood fingerboard allows warm and full-tone projections. The Yamaha JR1 weighs about 5 pounds and measures 22 inches in length.
Related Article: Best Mini Guitar Amps: Compact Powerhouses With Amazing Tone
The ideal size for a travel guitar depends on your needs and comfort. Generally, a ¾ size guitar is a great balance between portability and playability. These guitars are small enough to be easily carried, yet large enough to offer a satisfying playing experience.
Not necessarily. Travel guitars are designed to be more compact, which might require some adjustment in playing style, especially for those used to full-size guitars. However, many travel guitars are built with playability in mind, so with a little practice, they shouldn't be harder to play.
Travel guitars typically do not require special strings. They can be strung with the same types of strings as standard guitars. However, considering the guitar's size and scale length, lighter gauge strings might be more suitable and comfortable for some models.
To protect your guitar while traveling, invest in a good quality, padded gig bag or a hard case. It's also wise to loosen the strings slightly to reduce tension on the neck, and if you're flying, check airline regulations regarding instruments as carry-ons or checked baggage.
Absolutely! Travel guitars can be excellent for beginners. Their smaller size can be less intimidating and easier to handle for new players. Just keep in mind that transitioning to a full-size guitar later might require some adjustment.
In conclusion, choosing the right travel guitar can elevate your musical journey to new heights. Our top pick, the Martin Backpacker, stands out for its exceptional sound quality and portability, perfect for the traveler seeking a premium experience. For those who prefer a close second, the Taylor BT2 Baby Acoustic Guitar offers a splendid blend of tone and convenience. And if you're on a budget, the Yamaha JR1 is an unbeatable choice, delivering quality at an affordable price. No matter where your travels take you, these guitars promise to be reliable and melodious companions on your adventures. Safe travels and happy strumming!
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