Beginning out

[dannydanny]

Hi I was wondering if I could draw on some of your experience.
I've literally just started learning the guitar on my friends guitar, but as I work in Iraq and travel a lot, I want/need one of my own.
Im not good enough to play anything and distinguish what is good or not at the moment.
As I travel a lot I was looking at the Taylor GS Mini, Sigma TM series, yamaha SLG110 series. I've also heard the Seagulls are good, but might be too big to travel with.
What are your thoughts on any of these... or are there any others that you would recommend. I want something that will last me, that is easy to play for a beginner, i.e good action, and that I will enjoy.
My budget is around the £400-£500 mark. I would happily spend less if the guitar was good and suited me for what I need it for, and I will go to the higher end of my budget for the right guitar, and one that will last.
Thanks in advance for your views!

[Tom in Vegas]

Those guitars you mention are all fine guitars. Another one to consider if traveling with your guitar is a consideration, is the Voyage Air. I've not played one myself but know many people who have and some are even professionals and they swear that they sound amazing and they fold up for easy portability. They're not all that expensive either. Check out the website and see what you think. Good luck in the hunt!! http://www.voyageairguitar.com/

[Roselynne]

Taylor GS Minis are (usually) well set up for ease of play right out of the box. They come in a variety of woods -- to my ear, the GS Mini Mahogany has the richest, "biggest" tone of the bunch. I'm not in the market for a travel guitar right now, but the GS Mini's definitely on my radar for when I need one. (So's the Voyage Air, sorta. I just haven't had a chance to try one yet.)

Seagulls may be best known for their dreads, but they also come in Folk, Grand and Mini Jumbo sizes. Here's their specs page. Godin, the parent company, also makes Art & Lutherie, which tends to come a bit cheaper. Their Ami series comes in parlor size. Art & Lutherie also features folk sizes.

There are many, many brands out there that might work for your travel needs and budget. Recording King may be another name worth pursuing. GS Mini and certain Godins are simply the ones I know best.

[Tanque Verde]

Travel by international flight? Voyage Air, possibly laminate if keeping up with humidification is a bother in Iraq. Alternatively, something very very small, so there's no concern about getting it on board.

[DenverSteve]

Having owned many of the guitars you mention - to me - the Voyage Air wins out every time. The sound, tone and playability as as good as everything mentioned and better than most of them. Traveling a lot AND trying to travel with an instrument you're trying to learn is incredibly difficult. Why not try to keep one at your home base and another where you are traveling to?

[bobster7]

Originally Posted by dannydanny

Hi I was wondering if I could draw on some of your experience.
I've literally just started learning the guitar on my friends guitar, but as I work in Iraq and travel a lot, I want/need one of my own.
Im not good enough to play anything and distinguish what is good or not at the moment.
As I travel a lot I was looking at the Taylor GS Mini, Sigma TM series, yamaha SLG110 series. I've also heard the Seagulls are good, but might be too big to travel with.
What are your thoughts on any of these... or are there any others that you would recommend. I want something that will last me, that is easy to play for a beginner, i.e good action, and that I will enjoy.
My budget is around the £400-£500 mark. I would happily spend less if the guitar was good and suited me for what I need it for, and I will go to the higher end of my budget for the right guitar, and one that will last.
Thanks in advance for your views!

Hi there I would also go with 'voyage air' guitars. They would suit your purpose extremely well and sound fantastic. If your in the UK check out

http://www.playawayguitars.com/

The owner is a lovely chap and very helpful (he drove over to my place with the guitars for me to try!) and as they name suggests they specialise in Travel guitars which is unique.

I love my voyage air

Other makes which look great are Emerald's Carbon composite. This guitar will survive even the harshest conditions.

Good luck.

[Jeff56]

I'll give my vote to the voyage air. A full size portable travel guitar that folds in half, sounds and plays great for under $500. What more could you want.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Tanque Verde

Travel by international flight? Voyage Air, possibly laminate if keeping up with humidification is a bother in Iraq. Alternatively, something very very small, so there's no concern about getting it on board.

Since just starting out, the finer nuances of woods won't be important yet and you will upgrade once you develop your own preferences.

Guitars come in essentially three quality levels (my own view - not some standard metric):

1. Solid top, Solid body (sides and back)
2. Solid top, laminated body (sides and back)
3. Laminated top, Laminated body (sides and back)

Because of your air travel and humidity/temperature exposures, stick to an all-laminate guitar. Solid woods are WAY to delicate and sensitive and will bulge, swell, shrink and crack.

I have a 36 year old all-laminate Yamaha and its built like a tank. WIthout knowing better (ummmmm 30 years ago?) I left this in its case, no humidity control fully strung up. It is essentially unchanged.

[Tunes]

The Taylor GS Mini would get my vote, simply because I think it will give you the best sound in a small package. Depends on your priorities, is it sound or ease of travel? I admit I have not played a Voyage Air, but I can't help but be a little skeptical of how that folding thing really works sound-wise.

There are a lot of folks here that do like the Voyage Air, but I would sure want to play one before I bit.

[tomana]

how about this all solid tone woods Martin? Sells for $180 or less ...