Suggestions for a mini to take on airlines?

[Tunesalot]

Hello fellow hills of TN person! I have tried a few travel axes because I travel frequently. The Washburn Rover was a no go, happy to send you mine. My GS mini is good but kinda big on the plane sometimes. Have settled on the Martin Backpacker with a unique strap-on attachment that sits it on your leg properly. The sound isn’t the best but I don’t perform, however the fretboard feels Martinesque for practicing. Bought a nice fitted bag on Etsy for it and it usually nestles along the plane wall near my leg under a coat, never been asked to move it. Have put in the bin after all the bags go in if not in a window seat. Those neck folding ones look like a great option but haven’t tried them. Best of luck and fun in your search.

[jp2558]

I will third VoyageAir. Made to travel, they sound great and are available at several price points.

[rllink]

If I want to take a guitar with me when I travel it is the Taylor GS Mini in an SKB case. Mine is a veteran of many road trips, train trips and trips on airplanes. Unlike most here, I check it, as I fly Delta a lot and get to check two pieces of luggage for free. I know that scares a lot of people. Anyway, the point is, it isn't specifically a travel guitar but it certainly is a good one for travelling.

[fwphoto]

I've been using a Voyage Air VAOM-02 for quite a while & it's really a great traveling guitar. I contacted Harvey Leach directly because they were sold out at the time & he sold me the one he had kept for himself in his office. I recently got a parlor for car travel (I'm recently retired) & to use on my small sailboat in the summer, so, I guess mine will go on the block soon. Just sayin'. :-)

Frank

[Justbrandon]

I recently picked up a Furch LJ for travel. Completed my first trip a few weeks ago and it was really great to travel with. The bag it comes in fits under the seat so it’s a personal item rather than a carry on. This proved really beneficial for me because one of my flights required carry ons to be gate checked, but because the LJ was a personal item, I was able to keep with me on the flight.

Also the bag had enough room to fit my iPad, over ear headphones, a kindle, extra strings, string winder, tuner and capo.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

... if you want a "real" guitar feel, sound, playability and build - get a Voyage Air.... get an all-solid model and you will totally forget you are playing a folding guitar. ....

But everything on their website is sold out. They must be good.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by gurroz

Agreed, I have a CSF3M... it plays like a real guitar!

True. It's a little guitar that plays like my great OM. And sounds good, too.

[cedartop52]

I enjoy my Furch Little Jane quite a bit. FWIW

[catdaddy]

Another vote for Voyage Air. Simply a great travel-size instrument that becomes a full-size guitar when you want it to.

[LAPlayer]

Originally Posted by vintage40s

But everything on their website is sold out. They must be good.

They release them in batches, and yes they sell out. Usually there are a few available used - but not always. It's a good idea to be on the watch for one you want and buy it when you find it. 🙂

[sinistral]

Fwiw, I noticed that new forum sponsor, Guitar HAUS, has nine—count ‘em, nine—Furch Little Janes in stock. I’m not sure I’ve seen that many Furch guitars in stock at a dealer, let alone Little Janes.

[fingerling]

I'd suggest a Larrivee T-40 or their O or P parlor range, most particularly the O-40. All of these are smaller than the Taylor GS Mini and to my mind sound better as done with solid woods. Also come with a hard case, better for travel.

[birdsong]

Originally Posted by tomcstokes59

I have a Composite Acoustics Cargo with a Gator travel bag sized for a GS Mini. I can fit it in the overhead, closet or even gate check it. What I like mostly about the carbon fiber is that I don’t have to worry about it in the trunk of a car - hot or cold. It is pretty indestructible. What I don’t like about it is the short scale - 22.75”

I have/do/feel the same. However, I’ve adapted quite well to the short scale. But I also play mine nearly every day as it lives in the kitchen/eating areas where I tend to spend time.

I used mine when I worked in some remote areas of northern Nicaragua. It was “the perfect guitar” for where I was and it was an easy fit in overhead bins.

If I had to buy something new today I’d like for another carbon fiber- one of the newer offerings. Just to try something different.

[KevinH]

Originally Posted by sinistral

Fwiw, I noticed that new forum sponsor, Guitar HAUS, has nine—count ‘em, nine—Furch Little Janes in stock. I’m not sure I’ve seen that many Furch guitars in stock at a dealer, let alone Little Janes.

Yeah that was surprising. It's rare to find more than one or two. They even had a Sitka/Mahogany version. I was playing my LJ last night and was reminded of how nice they sound for being a small guitar.

[gurroz]

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

I’m going to try a Journey Overhead on my next transoceanic flight. I’ll report back.

I looked hard at the Journey Overhead guitars and was scared off by the number of "B" stock guitars available.