Need some thoughts on Travel/Small guitars....

[RP]

Originally Posted by JHey!

I bought a RainSong parlor identical to the one listed in the link below from Elderly Instruments in May or June of this year.

RainSong Concert Hybrid CH-PA1100NSG Pure Acoustic 12-Fret Parlor Guitar https://reverb.com/item/4394555-rain...m_medium=share

Agree wholeheartedly. The prices of the Rainsong CH models rose considerably at the beginning of October but for some reason the price of this particular CH remained. The CH-PA1100NSG comes in an Access gig bag and without electronics. Grab one while you can at a terrific price...

[joelhunn]

I’ll add the emerald x7 to the mix. Not the cheapest option but mine has seen hotels and the deck in the evening for a couple of years and is going strong

[Atomnimity]

Again, thanks for the incoming info. A lot to look at! The Alvarez has caught my eye a bit.

@jaymarsch - I saw an older post comparing the AP and the MPA. You mentioned you use the laminated version for a travel guitar. Is the one of the AP or MPA or is there another model? I am assuming the MPA would need a bit more careful handling if using it for travel. They are beautiful and sound great for the price.

Jim

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Atomnimity

…I would like to find something with a bit wider nut. Would like for it to come with a nice tote bag.

Hi Jim
Voyage-Air VAOM series. Full-sized, full-scale OM (25.5") with 1¾" nut which folds and goes into a back pack (overhead bin compliant). Cases come soft or semi-hard.

I've had a VAOM-06 since 2010, and it's traveled the world.

[Lucky Ambrose]

You might want to look into Outdoor Ukulele.
They will be releasing and outdoor travel guitar coming up soon.
https://www.outdoorukulele.com/collections/guitars
If this guitar is anywhere close to the of quality and sound of their Uke, than this may be the ticket.
I personally have a Pre-Peavy CA Cargo that I absolutely adore.
The Outdoor Guitar is smaller than the Cargo and a hell of a lot less expensive.
Good Luck

[bsman]

If you don't feel the need for carbon fiber, you can get a wood Journey overhead guitar for about half the price. I got an OF420B (solid sitka over lam Pau Ferro) for almost exactly half what the OF660 goes for. The combination of the Manzer wedge and the 1 3/4" (hand-cut bone) nut width make it very playable and very toneful, and I've flown with it on everything from Embraer and Canadair regional jets to 767s with no issues at all. I do have two CF guitars, but the store I went to didn't have the 660 when I needed a travel guitars, and I've never regretted getting the OF420.

[Oldguy64]

I love my Journey OF660.
But it is pricey.
For half the price the Journey OF410 or Of420 would be a reasonable choice.

[StringMeUp]

Originally Posted by JHey!

I bought a RainSong parlor identical to the one listed in the link below from Elderly Instruments in May or June of this year. I paid a bit less than the listed price. I have a few wonderful wood guitars that get plenty of play time, but the RainSong is my go anywhere do anything guitar. I love it. It plays so easily and sounds sweet and plenty loud to my ears. I also really like its look. Last but not least, I really appreciate that I don’t have to be nearly as careful with it as my wood guitars. That, along with its small size, makes it a great travel guitar. It’s been with me pretty much every time at the beach, bonfires, camping, hotel rooms, and friends’ and family’s homes since I got it. I know from reading posts on this forum that they’re not for everyone, but I would encourage anyone who hasn’t to give it a try.

RainSong Concert Hybrid CH-PA1100NSG Pure Acoustic 12-Fret Parlor Guitar https://reverb.com/item/4394555-rain...m_medium=share

+1 Rainsong Parlors are the bomb

[BT55]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Jim

Voyage-Air VAOM series. Full-sized, full-scale OM (25.5") with 1¾" nut which folds and goes into a back pack (overhead bin compliant). Cases come soft or semi-hard.



I've had a VAOM-06 since 2010, and it's traveled the world.

Could not agree more. Full sized good quality wood guitar fitting in an overhead friendly backpack @ about $550. How can you beat that.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by dhalbert

Alvarez AP70, AP70W, AP66SHB, and other AP models, or step up to an MPA if in budget. 24" scale, 1-3/4" nut. I have played both GS Mini's and my AP70 side by side and prefer the Alvarez.

My answer as well given the price constraint.

The 00 size Alvarez "parlor" sounds a lot better than the GS mini (to me) as well. Considerably better neck.

Some 0 size guitars I like such as the Larrivee or Rainsong Parlors are out of budget, so is the cool removable neck Journey OF660

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by palsed

A Larrivee parlor has 1.75" nut and is about the size of a GS Mini, but the lower bout is smaller.
You can occasionally find used ones on Reverb for under $1000. Although I'd check with the seller to ensure those older ones do have the 1.75" nut.
https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=larrivee%20parlor

Only the first 200 (like mine) have the narrower nut. I'm still a bit annoyed at Matt about that. If I had known he was going to change it to 1.75 after the first run I would have waited.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by BT55

Could not agree more. Full sized good quality wood guitar fitting in an overhead friendly backpack @ about $550. How can you beat that.

Well, you have to find one.

Voyageair stopped making guitars and are currently revamping the product line. You can "pre-order" an OM-04G2 (OM-04 Gen 2)

They are currently estimating 45 days out.

[Mbroady]

Just so happens that there is an all solid wood voyage air for sale on the Forum. A little more money then the Taylor GS but its the real deal guitar that is made for travel

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=561677

Someone also mentioned a Furch Little Jane. They are not cheap but they are truly world class travel guitars

[pandaroo]

Originally Posted by BT55

Could not agree more. Full sized good quality wood guitar fitting in an overhead friendly backpack @ about $550. How can you beat that.

Another vote from me.

[ManyMartinMan]

+10. A full-sized guitar will always sound (and play) better. You don't have to have a "small" travel guitar if it folds in the middle. Check out Voyage Air.