Top 10 Best Travel Guitars for Musicians: Portable Acoustic Guitars Perfect for On-the-Go
Discover the top 10 best acoustic guitars for traveling musicians in our comprehensive guide. Explore portable options with exceptional sound quality, perfect for musicians on the go.
ACOUSTIC GUITARS
Jeffery Lewis Jr.
8/17/20247 min read
Top 10 Best Travel Guitars for Musicians: Portable Acoustic Guitars Perfect for On-the-Go
Traveling as a musician often means making sacrifices when it comes to the gear you carry. Finding a balance between portability and sound quality is key, especially when it comes to choosing the right acoustic guitar. In this guide, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 best acoustic guitars for traveling musicians, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on either. Whether you're hitting the road for a tour or just need a reliable guitar for your next outdoor adventure, these options have got you covered.
Martin LX1E Little Martin
The Martin LX1E, affectionately known as the "Little Martin," is a superb travel guitar that offers exceptional sound quality and convenience in a compact form. Despite its smaller size, this guitar is built with solid spruce and rosewood, ensuring a rich and full tone that rivals larger instruments. The LX1E features the Fishman Isys T pickup system, which enhances its versatility for both live performances and recording sessions.
Its compact design makes it incredibly portable, ideal for musicians who are always on the move. The included soft LX1E case provides extra protection, making it easy to carry wherever your music takes you. Whether you're performing on stage, traveling between gigs, or simply relaxing at home, the Little Martin is a reliable companion that delivers impressive sound and ease of playability.
Taylor GS Mini
The Taylor GS Mini Mahogany is a compact 6-string acoustic guitar that packs a surprisingly powerful sound into its small frame. With its Grand Symphony body shape, this guitar offers a deep, resonant tone despite its size. It features a warm mahogany top and layered sapele back and sides, paired with an ebony fretboard. Designed for musicians on the move, it measures just over 36 inches in length, making it perfect for travel, camping, and other adventures.
The guitar comes strung with phosphor bronze strings and is tailored for right-handed players. Its sapele neck and 23.5-inch scale length contribute to its comfortable playability. Many reviewers have praised the GS Mini Mahogany for its rich and full sound quality. To keep it safe during transit, it includes a padded soft shell case.
Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale
The Fender FA-15 3/4 is a compact acoustic guitar that's especially suited for beginners and players with smaller hands. Its 3/4 size makes it more manageable and comfortable for children and those who find full-sized guitars cumbersome. Despite its smaller body, the FA-15 still delivers a full, resonant tone that belies its size, thanks to its all-laminate construction which ensures durability and consistent performance.
I chose the FA-15 3/4 as my go-to travel guitar primarily because of its excellent balance of affordability and sound quality. It's an ideal choice for musicians on the move who need a reliable instrument that won't break the bank. Its compact size and robust build make it easy to transport, while still providing the rich, warm tones necessary for various playing situations.
Yamaha APXT2
Ideal for vacations, campfires, and road trips, the Yamaha APXT2 is a versatile 3/4-size version of the acclaimed APX500III. Designed with portability in mind, this compact guitar doesn’t compromise on quality. It features an ART-based pickup system and Yamaha’s highly sensitive tuner, ensuring precise tuning and reliable performance wherever you go.
The APXT2 stands out not just for its performance but also for its affordability. It delivers exceptional sound and build quality at a budget-friendly price, making it an excellent choice for traveling musicians. For those looking to amplify their sound, pairing the APXT2 with a Yamaha THR5A will provide a rich, full tone that enhances any musical setting. Whether you’re strumming around the campfire or performing at a small venue, the APXT2 offers both reliability and value.
Cordoba Mini II MH
I’m excited to unveil the Mini II, a fresh update to the popular travel-size nylon string guitar. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Mini II enhances impromptu jam sessions with a new scale length that's perfect for Standard E tuning. The neck features a narrow nut width, making it comfortable for both crossover players and beginners alike. Available in three dynamic tone-wood options, the Mini II stands out by delivering a guitar-like warmth and fullness, unlike some shorter-scale instruments that may sound more like a ukulele.
Introducing the Mini II FMH—a slightly larger version of the beloved Mini travel guitar, designed with an extended 580mm (22 7/8”) scale length for accurate Standard E tuning. Despite its compact size, the Mini II FMH boasts a deeper body depth that produces a well-rounded tone reminiscent of a full-sized nylon string guitar. The flamed mahogany top, back, and sides not only lend an exotic aesthetic but also contribute to a mellow, balanced sound that's ideal for both casual play and more serious practice.
Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic
The Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light is one of my favorites for its incredibly unique design and practicality. This guitar takes portability to the next level with its solid American hard maple neck-through-body construction and detachable lap rest, making it a breeze to fit into the included carry-on-friendly gig bag. Weighing just 2 lbs 14 oz and measuring only 28 inches in length, it's compact enough to slip into airline overhead bins, a true game-changer for frequent travelers.
What really sets this guitar apart is its acoustic piezo pickup and standard 1/4" output jack, which allow for seamless connection to amps, recording devices, or headphone amps. The innovative design relocates standard tuning machines into the body, eliminating the need for a headstock, which not only contributes to its compact size but also enhances its sleek, modern look. With a full 24 3/4" scale length and durable construction featuring a mahogany top, back, sides, and a walnut fretboard, the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light is a perfect blend of style, sound, and travel-friendly features.
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy
The Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy is a well-crafted parlor-style guitar that’s perfect for musicians on the go. Its 24-inch scale length makes it incredibly comfortable to play, while its non-cutaway sapele body and X-bracing deliver a warm, resonant tone that stands out despite its compact size. The top-load walnut bridge, paired with a compensated synthetic bone saddle, ensures precise intonation and smooth playability.
This guitar is ideal for travel due to its manageable size and sturdy construction. The C-shaped nato neck, joining the body at the 12th fret, adds to the playing ease, and the walnut fingerboard with vintage-style frets provides a familiar, comfortable feel. Its combination of portability, great sound quality, and durability makes it an excellent choice for musicians who need a reliable, easily transportable instrument.
Guild Jumbo Junior
The Guild Jumbo Junior Reserve Maple is a compact yet strikingly beautiful guitar that brings a touch of luxury to any musical setting. With its stunning flamed maple back and sides, exotic padauk body, and fretboard binding, it’s a visual delight. The guitar also features a padauk rosette and mother-of-pearl block inlays, all finished with a light satin natural coat.
Despite its smaller size, the Jumbo Junior packs a punch with its rich, warm tone and impressive volume, making it ideal for casual play on the couch, in the studio, or while traveling. The solid Sitka spruce top and arched flamed maple back and sides provide a classic Guild sound in a more portable form. With its 23 3/4” scale length, this guitar offers the playability of a full-sized instrument while remaining easy to take along wherever your music leads you.
Epiphone EL-00 Pro
The Epiphone L00 Studio acoustic-electric guitar is a compact, parlor-style instrument that's perfect for musicians on the move. Its smaller "blues box" body design provides impressive projection and tone, making it a great choice for both intimate performances and casual play. Crafted with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fretboard, this guitar combines quality materials with a rich, resonant sound.
The L00 Studio is equipped with a Fishman Presys VT under-saddle pickup and preamp, allowing you to amplify its natural tone effortlessly. An adjustable truss rod gives you the flexibility to fine-tune the neck relief to suit your playing style. Ideal for travel, campfires, or any on-the-go musical moments, the L00 Studio offers both convenience and exceptional sound quality in a portable package.
Washburn Rover RO-10
The Washburn Rover RO-10 is a dreadnought acoustic featuring a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, delivering a rich, resonant sound that’s perfect for any musical setting. It boasts a mahogany neck and a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, ensuring smooth playability and a comfortable feel. The glossy finish adds a touch of elegance and durability.
This guitar is considered one of the best travel guitars due to its robust construction and beautiful sound. Its balanced tone and sturdy build make it ideal for musicians on the go, providing exceptional performance whether you're at home, on the road, or performing at a campfire.
Conclusion
Choosing the right travel guitar doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice sound quality or playability. The options listed here offer a variety of choices, ensuring there’s something for every musician on the go. For more tips on finding the perfect gear, check out our other guides on Rythym Chasers.
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