Ideas on a good travel guitar?

[Crusader Rabbit]

Hi fellow MLP'ers,

Work currently has me covering a lot of countries in a very few days. I am thinking of picking up a travel guitar to keep me company. (Can't take the wife...)

Things I care about:

Size and weight (Obviously) - Fitting in an overhead travel compartment would be a big bonus, otherwise we are starting to worry about damage in the baggage hold of an aircraft. I am not averse to something I had to check in, but I guess we then need sturdy cases etc.

Tone and playability: Been around too long to play crappy guitars unless there is no other choice. Life is too short...

Happy to consider portable electrics or semi's I guess, although then portable amplification becomes a drama. Any ideas on this are welcome too!!

Cost (within reason) is not too much of a drama.

Show me what ya got!!

Thanks in advance guys!!

[djphelan01]

I have a CA cargo carbon fiber acoustic that is great and small enough. It is almost indestructable and I leave it in my truck all year with no worries about humidity. I believe peavey makes them now but any carbon fiber guitar is probably pretty strong. I can say the cargo has great sound for a travel size guitar too. I bought mine new for about $750 and from what I've seen used ones go for about that depending if they have electronics or not.

[alekssorokoletov]

I usually use a Spirit GT Pro by Steinberger and Korg Pandora PX5D with headphones as travel setup.

[Bubbletonic]

I just bought a strat to travel with. I'm going to unbolt the neck so it'll fit nicely into my suitcase

[kfowler8]

Originally Posted by alekssorokoletov

I usually use a Spirit GT Pro by Steinberger and Korg Pandora PX5D with headphones as travel setup.

I'd recommend the Spirit as well. I've had one for years. I kept it behind the backseat of my truck when I traveled. I'm in the process of refinishing it right now. I travel to the UK every three month and was planning on taking it with me. Small and tough.

[Crusader Rabbit]

Originally Posted by alekssorokoletov

I usually use a Spirit GT Pro by Steinberger and Korg Pandora PX5D with headphones as travel setup.

I used to have a Steinberger bass, I love the steinbergers, but can't get a hold of them easily. Maybe if I can get to Japan...

Thanks for the comment!!

[Crusader Rabbit]

Originally Posted by djphelan01

I have a CA cargo carbon fiber acoustic that is great and small enough. It is almost indestructable and I leave it in my truck all year with no worries about humidity. I believe peavey makes them now but any carbon fiber guitar is probably pretty strong. I can say the cargo has great sound for a travel size guitar too. I bought mine new for about $750 and from what I've seen used ones go for about that depending if they have electronics or not.

I looked these up, definitely interesting, how big is the body though? could I jam it in a plane overhead compartment do you think?

[michael2003x]

How about a mini-star? they are the smallest I've seen and you can get a Les star, a Strat star or a Tele star etc. It has a built in headphone amp and the Les has double humbuckers. I might get one myself.

[Crusader Rabbit]

Good stuff so far. Leaning towards a Steinberger at the moment!

[LSAR]

Every Ministar I've played has been unplayable on the high e, they were all way too close to edge of the fretboard, and slid of very easy, and I tried 5 or 6 different ones... If you want one, try the exact one before you buy.

These have been something I've been interested in for a while, if I had the money, I'd have one. They're a limited edition, so I don't what the chances are of finding one now...