travel guitar

bobbyg67 · #1 02-19-2016, 09:54 AM

has anyone compared the martin dred jr with the taylor big baby or taylor gs mini.i'm looking for a smaller guitar i don't have to worry about that i can also travel with or play outside.

kurth83 · #2 02-19-2016, 11:39 AM

Have you considered any of the carbon fiber models, like the Rainsong Parlor and so on? I have a journey for example.

Lots of threads around hear about the guitars you mention though. I bet their fans will arrive soon. :-)

Captain Jim · #3 02-19-2016, 11:58 AM

Do a search here and you will find plenty of threads about the GSmini vs the Martin D-Jr. Between those two, and for your purpose, I would be inclined to go for the Taylor due to the Taylor being more "climate resistant" since it isn't solid wood back and sides. It also has a better gig bag. And, is a bit smaller.

As far as which sounds better - that would be up to your ears. Both guitars have their fans.

I carted a GSmini all over, by boat and RV, from the desert to months on the water... never had an issue.

I would also second checking out the carbon fiber options for a travel guitar, although you will spend more $$. The Journey OF660 gets a lot of good comments (I haven't played one, yet). A RainSong Shorty has been my travel guitar the last couple years; added an Access gig bag for it. Light, plays great, doesn't care about changes in temp or humidity. Not as small as some of the other CF travel/parlor guitars.

#4 02-19-2016, 12:56 PM

My $169 Gretsch Jim Dandy is a fine little traveler. And a 12-fretter, to boot!

CSG · #5 02-19-2016, 01:21 PM

I have a Taylor Baby from maybe 10 years ago. Bought it used. A bit of a nuisance to keep adjusted but it's a neat little travel guitar. Just a bit fussy.

Kupuna50 · #6 02-19-2016, 01:31 PM

I have owned several Taylor minis and now own a Martin Dread Jr.
Honestly, I like the Taylor's, but the Martin is just more of a guitar: Better nut width @ 1 3/4 (vs 1 11/16 for Taylor); better feel; much better tone (more full tone and clarity) and projection. AND.....it has a pick up!

IMHO, the Martin is a superior instrument.

amyFB · #7 02-19-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyg67

has anyone compared the martin dred jr with the taylor big baby or taylor gs mini.i'm looking for a smaller guitar i don't have to worry about that i can also travel with or play outside.

voyage air is my travel/outdoor guitar - I didn't have to go "small" to achieve the goal.

I have never played a Taylor that I like, and Dreads don't speak to me at all.

But, try as many as you can. Everyone's tastes are a little different,
good luck!

DenverSteve · #8 02-19-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyFB

voyage air is my travel/outdoor guitar - I didn't have to go "small" to achieve the goal. I have never played a Taylor that I like, and Dreads don't speak to me at all. But, try as many as you can. Everyone's tastes are a little different, good luck!

Ditto, exactly. However, of the one's you listed the Dread Jr. is (to me) by far the best sounding of the three. Then the GS Mini. But, per above, the Voyage Air is smaller when folded and easier to "travel" with.

Guitartanzon · #9 02-19-2016, 02:07 PM

look at alvarez mini jumbo travel guitar. Lj60 is model number.
pretty sweet looking to me...300 bucks with awesome case.

robailey · #10 02-21-2016, 10:30 PM

If you're looking for a great worry-free travel solution, check out the OF660:
http://www.journeyinstruments.com/pr...n-fiber-of660/

We have wood versions as well, but the carbon is just super stress-free.

buddyhu · #11 02-21-2016, 10:59 PM

Itf you go with a smaller guitar, be sure that you are OK with the size of the nut. I have a Voayage Air VAOM 06. It has a good sound, but for me the most important thing is that it feels normal (1 and 3/4 nut, regular scale). I had a Martin Backpacker, and could have put up with its terrible some and imbalanced weight distrbution. But the narrow nut (and short scale) got very old very fast.