10 Best Go-To Traveling Guitars

Cordoba

Cordoba Mini M

Find at Guitar Center

Find at Musicians Friend

Guild

Guild Jumbo Junior

Find at Guitar Center

Find at Musicians Friend

Taylor BT2 (Baby Taylor)

The Taylor BT2, also known as the Baby Taylor, is a travel acoustic guitar that packs a surprising punch in terms of sound and playability. This 3/4-size guitar is part of Taylor’s renowned line of travel and smaller-sized instruments.

Specifications of The Taylor BT2 (Baby Taylor)

The Taylor BT2 is a ¾-sized dreadnought with a solid mahogany top. The layered Sapele back and sides add stability and durability to the instrument. The BT2’s scaled-down size comes with a 22.75-inch scale length.

Pros and Cons of The Taylor BT2 (Baby Taylor)

Pros

It’s the best acoustic travel guitar for tone.

The BT2’s scaled-down size makes it incredibly comfortable to play for those with smaller hands.

The solid mahogany top provides a rich and resonant sound, especially compared to size.

Cons

The shrunk-down scale makes it hard to play for guitarists with large hands.

Martin LX1E (Little Martin)

The Martin LX1E, also known as the Little Martin, is a remarkable travel-sized acoustic-electric guitar renowned for its exceptional sound and portability. Crafted by the prestigious Martin Guitar company, it embodies their commitment to quality and craftsmanship in a compact package.

Specifications of The Martin LX1E (Little Martin)

The LX1E features a scaled-down dreadnought body. Its top is crafted from solid Sitka spruce, and the back and sides are made from high-pressure laminate (HPL).

The neck is carved from rust-colored Stratabond and the fingerboard and bridge are constructed from Richlite. The guitar comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup system.

Pros and Cons of The Martin LX1E (Little Martin)

Pros

It’s a popular choice for beginners due to its comfortable size and high-quality construction.

It’s fairly loud for its size, and it sounds clear and defined.

It’s very durable and able to handle the rigors of travel for a long time.

Cons

The pickup system may not satisfy everyone’s preference for tone

Martin Steel String Backpacker

The Martin Steel String Backpacker is a unique and compact acoustic guitar designed for travelers and musicians on the move. Introduced in 1992, it quickly gained popularity for its portability and distinct Martin sound.

Specifications of the Martin Steel String Backpacker

Introduced in 1992, the Martin Steel String Backpacker has a unique compact shape with a solid spruce top and solid mahogany sides. The neck of the Backpacker is crafted from select hardwood and has a 15-fret fingerboard.

Pros and Cons of the Martin Steel String Backpacker

Pros

Surprisingly loud sound compared to its size, thanks to the solid wood used in its construction.

Very easy to transport thanks to its unique shape.

Comes with its own bag.

Cons

The shape can make it hard to hold for some people and needs getting used to.

Traveler Guitar EG1 Custom BLK V2

The Traveler Guitar EG1C BLK V2 is a sleek and innovative electric guitar designed for musicians on the move. With its compact and ergonomic design, it’s perfect for those seeking a high-quality instrument that doesn’t compromise on portability.

EG1C BLK V2 Travel Guitar — ^{Image By Traveler Guitar}

Specifications of the Traveler Guitar EG1C BLK V2

The EG1C BLK V2 features a full-scale 24.75-inch neck despite its compact size. The body is constructed with high-quality Eastern American hard maple and sports a classic black finish. It’s equipped with a custom V2 dual-rail humbucker pickup and an In-Body Tuning System. Includes a built-in headphone amp with aux-in functionality

Pros and Cons of the Traveler Guitar EG1C BLK V2

Pros

The built-in headphone amp with aux-in functionality enables silent practice and jamming along with backing tracks.

The proprietary In-Body Tuning System™ allows for a traditional headstock-free design, contributing to its lightweight and easy-to-carry nature.

Comes with a free gig bag.

Cons

Finding accessories or replacement parts may be more challenging compared to mainstream guitar models

Luna Safari Series Muse

Luna’s Safari Muse guitar is a beautiful compact guitar handcrafted from Mahogany and walnut. The Safari boasts quality construction to match its sound and stunning design.

Luna Safari Travel guitar — ^{Image By Luna}

Specifications of the Luna Safari Muse

This guitar features a compact, 3/4-sized body made from mahogany. In fact, most of the guitar is made from Mahogany except for the bridge and fretboard, which are made from walnut. It features an open-pore satin finish and Luna’s signature moon phase fret markers.

Pros and Cons of the Luna Safari Muse

Pros

It is a very aesthetically appealing design.

Decent sound quality for its price range.

Comes with a free canvas gig bag and truss wrench.

Cons

Might need to replace the strings alongside minor tuning to truly get the best sound out of it.

Guild Jumbo Junior

The Guild Jumbo Junior is a compact acoustic traveling guitar that packs a powerful punch. Part of Guild’s renowned Jumbo series known for its larger body size and robust, resonant tone, the Jumbo Junior takes that signature sound and puts it into a smaller, more portable package.

Specifications of the Guild Jumbo Junior

The Jumbo Junior is crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and arched mahogany back and sides. It features a 23 3/4″ scale length and 14 1/2″ lower bout width. The slim C-shaped profile is comfortable for players of all levels.

It is also equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup system. Additionally, the guitar features a bound soundhole and rosette. Topping everything off is a satin finish.

Pros and Cons of the Guild Jumbo Junior

Pros

The sound doesn’t feel that much downsized compared to its larger cousins.

Strikes a perfect balance between price and quality.

Free gig bag included alongside the guitar.

Cons

Lacks some low-end depth and a slight amount of the midrange.

The Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG

Mark III MK3 MHG Travel Guitar — ^{Image by Traveler Guitars}

The Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG is a compact, innovative, and highly portable travel-sized electric guitar that caters to musicians on the go. Its convenient form factor, coupled with the onboard headphone amplifier and effects, makes the Mark III MHG an excellent companion for practice, recording, or jamming on the road.

Specification of the Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG

The Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG features a full-scale 24.75-inch mahogany neck with 22 medium jumbo frets, providing a familiar playing experience in a compact package. It’s equipped with dual humbucking pickups for a broad tonal range.

It has a built-in headphone amplifier with onboard effects, making it a versatile practice and recording tool. The guitar is incredibly portable, thanks to its detachable laprest and compact body, weighing in at just under five pounds.

Pros and Cons of the Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG

Pros

Full-scale length

Dual humbucker pickup provides versatility

Headless and lightweight

Cons

Not solid body, so there is less sustain

Cordoba Mini M Traveling Guitar

The Cordoba Mini M is a captivating and compact nylon-string acoustic guitar, perfect for musicians who crave a portable and versatile instrument. Its diminutive size, reminiscent of a ukulele, delivers a unique tonal character and a comfortable playing experience.

Designed for players of all levels and various musical styles, the Cordoba Mini M is an ideal choice for on-the-go jamming, travel, or intimate acoustic performances.

Cordoba Mini M traveler guitar — ^{Image by Cordoba Guitars}

Specifications of the Cordoba Mini M

The Cordoba Mini M boasts a scaled-down body with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, offering a warm and resonant sound with a crisp, articulate response. It features a 20-inch scale length and a narrow nut width, providing comfortable playability while retaining the essence of a full-sized classical guitar.

This model is strung with high-tension strings, ensuring a rich, traditional nylon-string sound. The Cordoba Mini M also includes a premium gig bag for easy transport and protection.

Pros and Cons of the Cordoba Mini M

Pros

Wide 48mm nut

Compact body taking little space

20-inch scale length

Cons

Quite expensive, around 300$

Yamaha CSF3M

The Yamaha CSF3M is a stunning parlor-sized acoustic guitar that embodies a perfect blend of compact design and impressive sound quality. This model is part of Yamaha’s well-regarded Folk Acoustic series, known for delivering full-sized guitar tones in a more travel-friendly package.

The CSF3M is a versatile choice for both experienced musicians looking for a smaller, comfortable instrument and beginners seeking a high-quality entry point into the world of acoustic guitars.

Yamaha CSF3M Old Violin Sunburst Tobacco Brown Sunburst — _{^{Image By Yamaha}}

Specifications of the Yamaha CSF3M

The Yamaha CSF3M features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, offering a rich and well-balanced tone with a pronounced low end and warm mids. Its parlor-sized body, along with the scalloped bracing design, enhances the guitar’s projection and resonance.

The 23.6-inch scale length and the comfortable slim neck profile make it an excellent choice for fingerstyle players and those seeking a smooth playing experience. This model also has a passive SRT Zero Impact pickup for easy amplification.

Pros and Cons of the Yamaha CSF3M

Pros

Quality body wood

Passive pickups are included

Good resonance for the small body size

Cons

Short scale length, inconvenient for soloists

Sheeran By Lowden S03

The Sheeran By Lowden S03 is a collaboration between renowned acoustic guitar manufacturer Lowden and the multi-talented musician Ed Sheeran. This remarkable acoustic guitar is designed to reflect Ed Sheeran’s preferences and playing style. Resulting in an instrument that blends artistic innovation and quality craftsmanship.

Whether you’re a professional performer or a dedicated enthusiast, the Sheeran By Lowden S03 offers a unique and expressive acoustic experience.

Lowden S03 Ed Sheeran Travel Guitar — ^{Image By Lowden}