Travel Guitars - Blackbird is awesome

[mrlancer]

A long time ago I owned a martin backpacker guitar, which was light but quite frankly it played so badly that it wasn't much fun to have along.

I just demoed a Blackbird Rider Steel and was blown away by how big the sound is and how great the action is for a guitar this size. It isn't cheap at $1600, but you can have something that is lightweight, plays great, practically indestructable,and fits quite nicely in the overhead bin.

Picking one up tomorrow and can't wait to take it on my upcoming trip to Cabo

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats on the Blackbird. I must admit, I'm unfamiliar with them. What's the scale length?

I agree with the backpacker, definately not much for tone but I guess that wasn't the marketing intent.

Make sure you post some pics!

[mc1]

Originally Posted by mrlancer

A long time ago I owned a martin backpacker guitar, which was light but quite frankly it played so badly that it wasn't much fun to have along.

I just demoed a Blackbird Rider Steel and was blown away by how big the sound is and how great the action is for a guitar this size. It isn't cheap at $1600, but you can have something that is lightweight, plays great, practically indestructable,and fits quite nicely in the overhead bin.

Picking one up tomorrow and can't wait to take it on my upcoming trip to Cabo

i love travel guitars, and accumulate them, both acoustic and electric. i also really like headless guitars, which are kind of a travel guitar in themselves.

those blackbird's look really nice. maybe a little too nice to travel with. ha. i don't think the size has much to do with the action.

given the shape, i wonder how comfortable this guitar is to play sitting down, without a strap. can you comment? it must be nice and light, the specs list it at 2.75 lbs!

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Congrats on the Blackbird. I must admit, I'm unfamiliar with them. What's the scale length?
...

24.5", the specs are here:
http://blackbirdguitar.com/rider_steel.html

[scooter74]

Congrats, these are awesome. I tried one at LA Guitar Sales last year and was quite impressed.

[patticake]

congrats on your rider. i tried the one at l.a. guitar sales, too, and it's an amazing guitar!

[dkoloff]

I hope you really enjoy the new guitar they are very unique.You should join on the carbon guitar forum to see material on your guitar and learn about the carbons. We had a road trip with the rider and enjoyed it very much.

www.carbonguitar.com

[garywj]

Not to get too far off track, but the Blackbird Ukulele is a standout as well.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by garywj

Not to get too far off track, but the Blackbird Ukulele is a standout as well.

Agreed, I was quite impressed by it back in 2010. As for the Rider, it is currently my go to travel companion and I own a bunch of great travel guitars.