Best travel guitars 2020: the best sounding portable instruments

Convenient ways to inconvenience fellow travellers - these are the best travel guitars.

Best travel guitars 2020: the best sounding portable instruments

Best travel guitars 2020: the best sounding portable instruments

Travelling with a guitar can be a hassle. The challenges, stresses and demands asked of an instrument on the road – both acoustic and electric – are quite different from those of a housebound guitar. And there's plenty of angst associated with hauling a fragile, expensive, temperamental music-maker around. Which is why you need the best travel guitar.

UPDATE:Fender has just launched a new guitar. The American Acoustasonic Stratocaster is an electric and acoustic guitar in one - you simply move from electric to acoustic at the flip of a switch. It still has the iconic Fender shape and the hollow Stratocaster-inspired body is naturally loud and resonant with plenty of projection whether you're on stage or sat on the sofa at home. There are five colours available including Dakota Red, Natural and 3-Color Sunburst. Available now for £1,749.

Fortunately guitar makers have developed increasingly crafty ways of building decent, playable, portable guitars. Whether it’s an instrument that folds at the neck, or one that disassembles completely, there are many options on the market vying for your consideration.

Choosing the right travel guitar is all about understanding your needs as a guitarist, but our list provides a great cross section of the market. All should sound incredible, be easily transportable and prove robust.

Upvote the one that has a place on your tour bus.

Best travel guitars

Journey Carbon Black Top Matte
Journey Carbon Black Top Matte: £1,199 at macaris.co.ukThis striking guitar is dripping in patented technology. The detachable neck system means the guitar collapses into a very portable package, and the under-saddle transducer pickup provides an accurate tone when playing through an amp. The carbon fibre construction is also temperature resistant, making it a rugged option for life on the road.
Yamaha JR1
Yamaha JR1: £125 at AmazonA compact guitar roughly three-quarters the size of a standard instrument, this affordable option is primarily designed as a first guitar for children. It still makes a fantastically priced, compact travel option, however, and unlike many travel guitars it’s very nicely balanced in the hand, making it extremely comfortable to play.
Taylor GS Mini
Taylor GS Mini: £529 at awin1.comThe Taylor GS Mini is one of the most popular travel guitars on the market. It’s about three quarters the size of a regular guitar, but features a solid mahogany top and ebony fretboard. Both contribute to a bold, full sound that’s especially suited to playing the blues. It looks as good as it sounds, making it a great option from one of the best luthiers in the industry.

Best travel guitars 2020: the best sounding portable instruments

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