suitcase guitar

evan · Post by **evan** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:12 pm

I'd like a travel guitar that fits in a suitcase--this means a short scale of no more than 18" and a body no more than 24"--any suggestions?

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:15 pm

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:34 pm

Voyage air guitar is a proper guitar that folds in half. Might be a bit pricy though, but it is a proper guitar.

luciguci · Post by **luciguci** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:45 pm

Sparky wrote:

You are kinda right there; they make guitaleles, which are just tiny guitars tuned to A, IIRC.

Realistically, you aren't going to find an 18 inch scale travel guitar. One of these is your best bet, as it also has a travel bag that straps to your back.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Xaviere-JTT ... c_298.html

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:07 pm

Gabriel wrote:Voyage air guitar is a proper guitar that folds in half. Might be a bit pricy though, but it is a proper guitar.

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ITS BROKEN

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:41 pm

I just don't understand the need for a guitar that fits in a suitcase. If you can even find a guitar that fits in a suitcase, it's going to take up most of the suitcase anyway, making it pretty much into a square guitar case that maybe you can cram an additional t-shirt and some undies into.

Are you trying to discretely travel with a guitar? Maybe if you expand on what your needs are, we can help find you a solution.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:53 pm

Maybe he puts a gun in the guitar case

James · Post by **James** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:53 pm

This is full scale but a neat idea and well executed. Link.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:01 pm

Lol that's horrible too

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:25 pm

brainfur wrote:Lol that's horrible too

+1 because it makes it look like you're carrying a flute. Ew.

George · Post by **George** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:38 pm

Last few business trips I've been on I've just unscrewed the neck of my cv strat and play through the iPhone

If you travel a lot or want acoustic you'll be hard to find anything that fits in a suitcase and still plays right

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:33 am

When I scrolled to this pic I kind of blushed and checked around to make sure nobody else could see my screen for some reason.

evan · Post by **evan** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:09 pm

Thank you all for your questions and suggestions.

I'm looking for a suitcase guitar because I like to travel light. If I'm going by car then a full size instrument is the choice. But for any travel that requires standing in line, checking in suitcases and so forth, I want a suitcase guitar.

I've checked out most of the travel guitars and find most of them lacking either because of their long scale or their bulk., The Voyage Air, for example, is a nice guitar, but bulky when on your back. The same is true of the Brunner, a carbon fiber travel guitar that folds. If I had to pick a travel guitar it would be the Blackbird Rider, the Emerald X5 or X7, or the CA/Peavey Cargo--carbon fiber guitars that take a beating and sound bigger than they are.

I'm currently looking into two Ukuleles: The Blackbird carbon fiber Uke and the DIY electric Uke kit(which I've ordered just to see). But the problem I have with Ukes is that they are two strings short of what I want to practice on.

I think I came up with the terminolgy "suitcase guitar," but the concept is certainly not new and can be seen in other terminology like "micro guitar." And I know the concept has been actualized because the Risa Electric guitar, though discontinued from production can be seen and heard on a number of Utube videos. The Risa is sort of what I'm looking for. I'm also thinking about just making what I want.

Anyway, I appreciate your questions and suggestions, thank you. If you run across any suitcase guitars, give me a sign.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:21 pm

paul_ wrote:

When I scrolled to this pic I kind of blushed and checked around to make sure nobody else could see my screen for some reason.

THAT SHIT IS SO CREEPY. I hate stop motion.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:33 pm

GET A SUITCASE LIKE THIS:

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:35 pm

I vote for the Sloan option.

evan · Post by **evan** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:44 am

James;

Thank you for the pictures and information of the innovative travel guitar. It is more expensive than the Yamaha, but about the same price as the Miranda and a bit less expensive than the Frameworks. The sound tracks sound solid and the guitar is obviously a serious contender in the travel guitar market. As you observe, it is a long scale and thus not exactly what I'm looking for, but it's sweet. Thanks for the taste.

evan

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 am

im for the sloan option as well.
keep in mind when you are dealing with a super short scale or 3/4 sized guitar the fretting isnt perfect so it won't play intune past a certain fret. the martin backpackers are "ok" and can be had for pretty cheap, but they sound like ass after the 5th fret or so....

luciguci · Post by **luciguci** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:43 am

Which is why the 24 inch scale Xavierre guitar I linked to is perfect, since its small enough to travel with easily, and has a long enough scale to still sound good while still being a short scale.

evan · Post by **evan** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:34 am

You guys surprise me. I thought, given the title of this forum, that you would be the first scouts for shortscale instruments.

Suitcase guitars do exist: check out the lapstick, the Palm guitar, the Microstar. And yes, the really short scale guitars are err to difficulties--not just bad intonation in the cheap models but hard to play.