Travel guitars are special instruments, and they have the potential to bring countless hours of excitement into your life. The only problem is that there are hundreds of different models to choose from, so it can be difficult to know what model is best for your needs.
All acoustic guitar players should own at least one travel guitar. A typical travel guitar has six strings, but you’ll find that it’s a completely different experience than what you’re used to. Many guitarists take a travel guitar on road trips because they don’t want to risk losing or damaging their primary instrument.
The variety of weather conditions can damage a guitar’s electronics and finish, so a travel guitar is almost always the better option. When shopping for these products, your choice is highly influenced by your preferences.
Many acoustic travel guitars are designed to be smaller versions of popular instruments, so they don’t take up as much space and won’t have you worrying about your prized instrument. Below, we’ve assembled a list of the top 10 best travel guitars.
Ten Best Travel Guitars Comparison Table
| Product | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha FG JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag |  | Spruce top Meranti back and sides Rosewood fretboard | $$ |
| Hohner HC03 3/4-Size Classical Acoustic Guitar |  | Sized for ages 8-13 All of the attributes of the HOHNER A+ Advantage 1 Year Warranty | $ |
| Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar Mahogany Top |  | Solid Mahogany Back & sides Conceived as a starter guitar for kids Ships with a durable travel-worthy gig bag made by Taylor | $$$$ |
| Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa Pattern HPL Top |  | "1-style" Sitka spruce bracing Martin's patented neck mortise | $$$$ |
| Washburn RO10 Rover Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar |  | Full 24" scale and guitar sized neck Guitar strap, picks and Learn to Play CD ROM | $$ |
| Martin Classical Backpacker |  | Mahogany neck, back, and sides Enclosed chrome tuners Includes gig bag | $$$ |
| Luna Safari Series Muse Mahogany 3/4-Size Travel Acoustic Guitar Natural |  | Celtic laser etched henna design by Alex Morgan | $$ |
| Martin LXM Little Martin |  | Spruce pattern laminate Mahogany Pattern Small, modified 0-14 Martin body | $$$$ |
| Traveler Guitar Speedster Electric Travel Guitar Red |  | One-piece maple neck and body with Candy Apple Red Metallic finish High-output dual-rail humbucker Removable upper arm support | $$$$ |
| Voyage-Air TransAxe Series TelAir Folding Electric Guitar Vintage |  | Fits in the overhead of most planes Custom Tonerider Vintage Plus Alnico pickups for that vintage Tele tone High Gloss Vintage Sunbust Finish with Black Pickgaurd | $$$$$ |
Yamaha FG JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag
The Yamaha FG JR1 is a top product to consider. You can choose from mahogany and standard body styles. When you consider the price of this guitar, it’s easy to see that it delivers significantly more value than many competing products.
This instrument is made with high-quality craftsmanship and offers incredible value for the money. You get the legendary playability and quality that you would expect from the FG series. The JR1 is an excellent guitar for younger players and travelers.
It’s ideal for someone who’s more comfortable playing a smaller-bodied acoustic guitar. The wood that is used to build Yamaha instruments is carefully selected. This particular guitar features a rosewood fingerboard, nato neck, meranti body and spruce top. It delivers some of the best value for the money.
Hohner HC03 3/4-Size Classical Acoustic Guitar
The Hohner HC03 is another excellent guitar for traveling. Since it features a smaller body size, it’s ideal for younger players, but it works just as well for adults.
It has Catalpa sides and back, and the top is made of Spruce. Since it’s a smaller guitar, it’s a great instrument to use while traveling. It has strings made of light gauge nylon, and with a comfortable neck profile, it’s easier to play for some people.
A special program has dramatically improved many of the details of this guitar. The wood has been properly cured, and the grain is facing the right direction. An improved bridge installation delivers a rich tone and helps the strings vibrate better.
Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar Mahogany Top
If you don’t mind spending a decent amount of money on a travel guitar, then consider the Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar. It produces loud, clean sound, and since it’s very responsive, it’s a lot of fun to play. However, you must realize that you won’t get real Taylor sound from this instrument.
When compared to the full-sized Taylors, the sound from this guitar isn’t nearly as clear. It features a classic dreadnought body, and to offer a much more attractive style, the body features unique curves.
If you’re looking for better sound than what you’ll get from several other travel guitars, the Taylor BT2 is a great product to consider.
Martin LXK2 Little Martin Koa Pattern HPL Top
Here is another great guitar for traveling. Although many consumers would consider it to be quite expensive, it brings plenty of value to the table. The headstock, sides, back and top of this guitar have high-pressure laminate.
The bridge and fretboard are made of quality rosewood. For superior style and functionality, the neck is carved out of natural colored Stratabond. Many consumers view this product as a premium travel guitar. It delivers high-quality sound, quality and craftsmanship.
The only issue that you might have with this product is the price because it’s significantly more expensive than other top travel guitars. However, if you’re looking for some of the best sound available from a smaller guitar, this is a top instrument to consider.
Washburn RO10 Rover Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar
The Washburn RO10 Rover features a body made of beautiful mahogany, and the top is made of solid spruce. The Cordura case has plush line interior, and you even get a pair of back straps.
If you’re looking for a travel guitar that is nothing more than a smaller version of a popular full-sized instrument, then this is not the product for you. The Washburn RO10 Rover has a body that is shaped like a lute or mandolin, so it produces sound that is different from an ordinary acoustic guitar.
The fretboard and neck are full size, and this guitar is ideal for practicing your skills while away from home. Since it’s quite small, you’ll have no trouble fitting this guitar into the overheard compartment of an airplane. It delivers loud, pleasant sound and will have you stringing along for hours.
Martin Classical Backpacker
One of the best travel guitars is the Martin Classical Backpacker. In many ways, this instrument sets an example for all other travel guitars. When it comes to projection, playability and quality, this guitar beats most of the competition.
Although the body has an odd shape, the sound produced by this instrument is top quality. The body actually looks very similar to a fan. If you want an instrument that produces the feel of a full-sized guitar, this could be a great product for you.
Martin is one of the top names in the guitar industry, so it should come as no surprise that this guitar is top notch. This product features a back, neck and top made of solid mahogany and has nylon strings.
Luna Safari Series Muse Mahogany 3/4-Size Travel Acoustic Guitar Natural
If you want something that you can feel proud of, you should consider getting the Luna Safari Series travel guitar. When compared to the Backpacker and Rover, this instrument is quite a bit different.
Almost every aspect of this guitar is like a full-size model, but it’s about 25 percent smaller. You get all of the features that you would expect from an acoustic guitar, but they’re delivered in the form of an instrument that is great for traveling.
The Luna Muse Safari has a dreadnought-shaped body, and the back, top and sides are carved from mahogany. The advantage of a mahogany body is that it produces pleasant sound. Although the neck is smaller than a standard guitar, it’s big enough to accommodate large fingers. Overall, this is a top product for the money.
Martin LXM Little Martin
Many consumers consider the Martin LXM Little Martin to be the best travel guitar. Like its well-known predecessors, this guitar is made with the best craftsmanship, and it has been designed to produce incredible sound.
As the name implies, it’s a smaller guitar, which can take some time to get used to. The Martin LXM Little Martin is very easy to play and made from high-quality materials.
If you’re looking for a great travel guitar that you can pick up and start playing anytime, then this could be the best instrument for you. You can jam on it while at home or on the road.
Traveler Guitar Speedster Electric Travel Guitar Red
This list wouldn’t be complete without some electric travel guitars. The Electric Traveler Guitar Speedster is a great example. The Speedster is a guitar that most collectors wish they had.
In terms of aesthetics, it’s much different from acoustic alternatives. It features a neck that doesn’t have a headstock. The asymmetrical body has tuning pegs rising up out of its midsection. For additional comfort, it even has a detachable armrest.
With a candy apple red metallic finish, you’ll never get tired of playing this guitar. The single piece maple body and neck look stunning, and when it comes to sound quality, the Speedster doesn’t disappoint.
Voyage-Air TransAxe Series TelAir Folding Electric Guitar Vintage
Here is a final product to consider. Although this is a full-size guitar, it folds for easy traveling. You can fit this instrument in the overhead compartment of most planes.
It’s ideal for motorcycle, bicycle and camping trips. With a high-gloss vintage sunburst finish, this guitar looks as good as it sounds. The fingerboard and neck are made of quality Maplewood. It features custom Tonerider pickups, so you can get the perfect vintage Tele tone.
Many consumers would consider this guitar to be very expensive, but it’s one of the best guitars for traveling that money can buy.
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