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17 Best Headless Guitars in 2024 (All Price Ranges)

Headless guitars are back and more popular than ever! It’s pretty incredible to see their spike in popularity over three decades after being first conceptualized and built by American creator Ned Steinberger in the 1980s.

It’s fair to say Mr. Steinberger was ahead of his time as a new generation of guitarists, who tend to embrace modernity in guitar design, have paved the way for newer shops such as Kiesel and Legator who now produce their own renditions of the headless guitar concept.

I’ll start this article by sharing my thoughts on some of the best headless guitars out there right now, but if you want to learn more about them before reading reviews, check out our headless guitar information guide at the bottom of the page here .

Here Are the Best Headless Guitars

1. ibanez qx (best value).

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Estimated Price: $1,100

Pickup Configuration: R1 (S) neck, R1 (S) middle, Q58 (H) bridge Bridge: Ibanez Mono Tune Bridge Scale Length: 25.5” Body Material: Maple top / Nyatoh body Neck: 3 piece Roasted Maple/Bubinga Fret Count: 24 Fretboard Radius: 508mm Country of Origin: Japan

My Review: The Ibanez Q (Quest) series includes both slanted frets (QX) and traditional straight fret (Q) models. I’m personally not as experienced with slanted frets in my own playing, but when I sat down with each model for this review I forced myself to handle the fanned fret version as much as possible. I expected there to be more of a learning curve, but that didn’t end up being the case. My hand settled in on the slant of the frets quite naturally. One thing I learned is that this is especially natural for the hand in a more modern seated playing position with the guitar propped up high on your leg. I’m sure this was by design. The specific 8 degree slant of the frets is no accident and seems to be yet another great example of Ibanez listening and working with musicians on what they want out of a modern day guitar.

I loved the feel of the neck on this guitar. Even though the guitars i played were brand new, the roasted maple with satin finish neck had a perfectly “broken in” feel that so many guitar players desire. That, along with the narrow fanned frets made for a very natural playing experience, especially for fast tapping action.

I couldn’t believe how incredibly light this guitar felt. I put the guitar on a scale and this one in particular weighed in about 5.8 lbs. What I thought made this guitar feel even lighter then what it was is the compactness. Being someone used to holding a guitar with a headstock, you may be used to the weight of the guitar being more spread out. Picking up a headless guitar has a much more stable feeling with no subtle deadstock to body weight teetering.

The hardware is all good quality. The pots and tuning bridge move smoothly and are consistent. This guitar has a 5 way selector switch which function like a typical HSS Strat system would, however there is also an Alter switch, which when ON engages 5 additional pickup configurations. I love when guitars electronics offer as much versatility as possible so this was a huge plus for me. I spent the first hour just going through the switching system to dial in different tones. The one master volume and master tone simplified things a bit in that regard. I would have preferred a second tone knob to be able to blend atleast a subset of the pickup combinations but this configuration is fairly standard for headless guitars so its not necessarily a shortcoming compared to other comparable models.

I was disappointed these guitars only came with a gig bag. I personally prefer a hardshell case, especially for transportation purposes. I would describe the gig bag quality as “decent”. It has some padding, made out of a durable feeling material, has 2 front pockets to keep your cables and other accessories, and has both a hand grip and backpack straps for your preference in carrying method. Its also branded “Ibanez” if you like to show off your brand loyalty.

Headless guitars have historically been more of a niche product in the guitar market since their conception. Unless you live in a major city with music stores that stock boutique products, it’s can be difficult to even find headless guitars in your local music shop. This makes it next to impossible to try before you buy. Sometimes Guitar Center may have 1 or 2 Strandberg type guitars in store, but selection is typically very limited. One of the reasons I’m so excited about the Ibanez Q series is it will give alot more buyers a chance to walk into a local guitar store, pick up a headless guitar and play it for the first time. On top of that, this is made by one of the best known and trusted brands and is priced relatively affordably.

Target Customer: Modern and Prog metal, pop, rock players. Modern Finger tapping style.

Bottom Line: High build quality and all the specs that you expect from a fully equipped modern guitar all at an affordable value.

2. EART Headless Electric Guitar (Budget Pick)

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Estimated Price: $300

Pickup Configuration: 2 open double coil humbuckers Bridge: W1 model with Tremolo, W2 model with fixed Bridge Body Material: Carbonized African redwood xylophone body Neck: Maple, “C” curved Frets: Highly durable stainless steel frets Fretboard: Indian rosewood

My Review: Let me just say that I really enjoyed playing this one. I would honestly describe the fret job as “really good”, considering the price point. The playability was great and right out of the box, the guitar just needed a quick tune. The intonation was really close as was the action. Only some minor tweaking was needed to set up. The neck felt great and I was very impressed with the finish. The veneer they use on these guitars simply looks awesome.

Hardware is decent, but I suppose that’s where you can say they cut costs on this one for affordability. It’s safe to say they focused on quality in all the places it matters most and cut corners where it matters least. The neck, body, and fret job quality is good for the price, but I would rate the electronics as “usable” and suggest this is something that could be upgraded later. But electronics is a project that is easy enough for most tinkerers and would make a significant and budget friendly improvement.

I can tell you you’ll likely be very happy with this purchase. This is easily one of the best values on the market.

Key Specs and Features: There are 2 bridge options available, the W1 version will have a Tremolo bridge whereas the W2 version will have a fixed bridge setup. There are several incredible looking veneer finishes to choose from

Target Customer: Modern progressive metal, metal, rock, electro, modern pop-rock, and even jazz

Bottom Line: This headless guitar easily forced its way toward the top of this list with its great looks, awesome playability, and absolutely unbeatable value. When comparing it to a Strandberg guitar like it is styled after, I like to describe this guitar as 80 percent of the guitar for 20 percent of the money.

3. Strandberg Boden Fusion 6 (Best Overall)

Estimated Price: $2495

Pickup Configuration: 2 humbucking pickups and 1 single-coil pick Bridge: Strandberg EGS 5 Tremolo Scale Length: 25″–25.5″ multi-scale fingerboard Body Material: Alder Solidbody, Chambered Neck: Roasted Maple EndurNeck Fretboard Radius: 20″-radius fretboard with jumbo frets Fret Count: 24 Country of Origin: Indonesia

My Review: I absolutely love the chambered body on this guitar and the overall feel, when playing. Compared to the classic model, the pickups on fusion are slightly better. As the name entails, it’s perfect for fusion, and, while slightly on the pricey side, it definitely makes up for it. Interestingly, the neck of the guitar is thinner around the higher notes, making it easier to solo around that range. Of course, I’m in love with the EndurNeck, the intonation on this guitar is excellent and the tremolo system is stable and I like how much expression can be added by subtly using it.

Key Specs and Features: Another Strandberg beauty, this Fusion 6 features an Alder Solidbody, Chambered body, with a Roasted Maple EndurNeck. The pickup configuration is 2 humbucking pickups and 1 single-coil pick, with a .strandberg EGS 5 Tremolo Bridge. It has 24 jumbo frets with a 20” radius and a 25″–25.5″ multi-scale fingerboard.

Target Customer: If you’re looking for a great fusion headless guitar, then this guitar is for you.

Bottom Line: This instrument is extremely versatile, easy to play, and full of quality. If you can afford to invest more in your purchase and upgrade from the Classic version, then getting Fusion is definitely a good decision.

4. Strandberg Boden Plini Edition Natural (Best Signature)

Pickup Configuration: Suhr SSH+ and SSV pickups with a 3-way switch Bridge: Strandberg EGS Series 5 tremolo bridge & string locks Scale Length: Long Scale: 25.5” and Short Scale: 25” Body Material: Chambered Swamp Ash body with a maple top Neck: Roasted Maple neck Fret Count: 24 frets Fretboard Radius: 20’’ Country of Origin: Indonesia

My Review: If you’re into the modern progressive metal guitar scene, you’ve probably heard of Plini! Well, just like his music, this signature guitar is full of beauty and variety. Due to its advanced pick-up configuration, as well as the superior wood build, this guitar is well suited for premium quality sounds in any genre, whether you’d like to play hardcore djent riffs or just really intimate jazzy harmonies.

Key Specs and Features: The Strandberg Boden Plini Edition Natural features a superb Chambered Swamp Ash body with a maple top and a Roasted Maple neck. There are a total of 24 frets, with a fretboard radius of 20’’. Built-in Indonesia, this beautiful guitar has a Strandberg EGS Series 5 tremolo bridge & string locks and a pickup configuration of Suhr SSH+ and SSV pickups with a 3-way switch. The Long Scale is 25.5” and the Short Scale is 25”.

Target Customer: If you love Plini, an electric guitar with great acoustic and futuristic looks, then this guitar is for you.

Bottom Line: I really like Plini’s take on improving the stock Strandberg Guitar versions and feel like this guitar has its own character, capable of beautifully covering any styles from jazz to progressive metal and really taking that Solo Guitar journey further.

5. Asmuse Headless Travel Guitar (Best Travel Size)

Estimated Price: $395

Pickup Configuration: Combination of Neck Pick-up：LIGHTNING LH-N Aluminum-nickel-cobalt pickup (Switchable single coil pickup) and Bridge Pick-up：LIGHTNING LH-B Aluminum-nickel-cobalt pickup (Switchable single coil pickup） Bridge: Special Adjustable modular bridge for update and exchange Scale Length: 25.5 Inches/648 MM Body Material: Mahogany Neck: Maple

My Review: I like the design of this guitar and overall looks. The pickups and playability really good for the price range. The wood and overall build are very good. A really great value buy if you like a compact travel guitar without sacrificing playibilty and tone.

Key Specs and Features: This instrument has a combination of pickups consisting of 1 Neck Pick-up：LIGHTNING LH-N Aluminum-nickel-cobalt pickup (Switchable single coil pickup) and 1 Bridge Pick-up：LIGHTNING LH-B Aluminum-nickel-cobalt pickup (Switchable single coil pickup).

Target Customer: Anyone interested in a good looking budget Headless Guitar.

Bottom Line:  I would recommend this guitar if you have a very low budget.

6. Boden Original 8 Black

Estimated Price: $2395

Pickup Configuration: HH pickup configuration with 3-way pickup selector, neck, neck and bridge in parallel, and bridge Bridge: Strandberg EGS series 5 fixed bridge & string lock Scale Length: Long scale: 28” (8-string) Body Material: Swamp Ash with 4A Flame Maple top Neck: Roasted maple neck Fret Count: 24 Stainless Steel frets Fretboard Radius: 20″ Country of Origin: Indonesia

My Review: I’ve been playing this guitar for many years now and I have to admit, I have found absolutely nothing to complain about. The sound is dynamic, balanced and the neck is very fluid and ergonomic. Despite it having 8 strings, it is considerably light and comfortable. It is my first 8 string guitar and I’ve mainly purchased it because I just had to have a Strandberg Guitar and if I could get more strings on it, why not. It felt a bit weird switching to an 8 string in the first week, especially when playing chords, but soon adapted to it. Having the 2 additional strings instantly made me rethink the instrument overall, as they offer completely new possibilities.

I’ve initially used the E – B – E – A – D – G – B – E bottom-down tuning, which is very useful to quicker translate chords you’re used to playing as a 6 or 7 string guitarist, but then went more adventurous and played around with other configurations. The EndurNeck makes it very efficient to reach that 8 string, while also playing chords on the higher strings and the pickups do a great job at accurately capturing and rendering the frequency spectrum. I quite like the neutral black look of it and the paint holds up really well but might change it to a swirl, or painted body in the future. Not to mention how groovy you can get with bass techniques like thumbing, while at the same time being able to express a wide range of harmonic content.

Key Specs and Features: This amazing 8 string Strandberg Boden Original electric guitar features a Swamp Ash body, with a Roasted Maple neck built in Indonesia. The pickup configuration is HH with a 3-way pickup selector – neck, neck + bridge in parallel + bridge. It has 24 frets, with a fretboard radius of 20’’ and a 28’’ long scale. It also has a patented Strandberg EGS series 5 fixed bridge & string lock.

Target Customer: Anyone interested in the best ergonomic 8 string guitar ever made. If you’re looking to jump from a 6 string, or a 7 string to an 8 string, then this guitar is for you.

Bottom Line: It’s a really well made 8 string guitar, with lots of extra features compared to other 8 string guitars out there and if you like the headless look, then I’m sure you’ll be happy with this purchase.

7. Legator Ghost Performance 7 (Best 7 String Headless)

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Estimated Price: $1000

Pickup Configuration: HH, Passive Neck + Bridge: Alnico. Bridge: Legator Headless Monorail Bridge with a Legator Single Saddle Monorail Scale Length: Multi-scale 25.5–27 in. Body Material: Double cutaway Solid Ash Body, with Polyutherane finish Neck: 1-piece Maple with a Modern D shape and Satin Poly Finish Fretboard: Purpleheart Fret Count: 24 Fanned Frets, Medium Jumbo Country of Origin: South Korea

My Review: This Legator Ghost Performance 7 Multi-Scale Electric Guitar White Ash is the perfect 7 String Headless Guitar option for Trash Metal players. While it has received a lot of critiques, I find it useful for Trash Metal particularly because of the cons. The frets are not as leveled or polished and the pickups sound quite messy, but again, the messy sound is characteristic for Trash Metal riffs.

Key Specs and Features: Legator Ghost Performance 7 Multi-Scale Electric Guitar White Ash features an Alnico HH, Passive Neck + Bridge configuration, with a Legator Headless Monorail Bridge, that has a Legator Single Saddle Monorail. The body is a Double cutaway Solid Ash Body, with Polyutherane finish and the neck is made out of a 1-piece Maple with a Modern D shape and Satin Poly Finish. Manufactured in South Korea, it has a multi-scale 25.5–27 in scale length, with 24 Fanned Frets, Medium Jumbo, and a Purpleheart Fretboard.

Target Customer: Due to its overall aggressive and muddy tone, it’s most appropriate for Trash Metal players.

Bottom Line: I would definitely recommend this guitar for aggressive and noisy metal sounds. It may be good for other styles too, but in that case, the pickups, leveled and polished frets, as well as other minor details, which eventually add up, would need to be improved.

8. JAMMY MIDI Guitar (Best MIDI Headless Guitar)

Estimated Price: $500

Pickup Configuration: MIDI Scale Length: N/A Supported Software: Garage Band, Ableton, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase, and other major DAWs Color: Black Fret Count: 15 Country of Origin: China

My Review: I find the concept of this guitar really interesting and certainly useful, especially if you’re a guitarist looking to compose music via MIDI. It comes with a really cool app, where you can change tunings, select capo, sounds, etc. You can connect your guitar to your main DAW. It’s nice that is wireless, as that makes things more comfortable, however, it doesn’t feel anywhere near a good real guitar neck. But that’s fine, it’s not meant to be for performance. It’s also portable, so that’s a huge advantage if you’re traveling.

Key Specs and Features: The JAMMY MIDI Guitar App-Enabled Digital Guitar, MIDI Controller has a MIDI pickup configuration and it’s supported on all major DAWs, including Garage Band, Ableton, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase, etc. It comes in Black, it’s manufactured in China and has a total of 15 frets.

Target Customer: It’s targeted towards Audio/Music producers and Composers, with a background in guitar performance.

Bottom Line: If you’re an audio/music producer and composer, who doesn’t like using MIDI keyboards, then this may work very well for you. Being a keyboard player myself, as well as a guitarist, I’ve also noticed how coming up with ideas using JAMMY puts me in a different creative mindset. The guitar is the closest instrument to my heart and being able to orchestrate synths, strings, or even drums, by playing the guitar, not only makes things easier but also pushes me to generate ideas differently compared to using a MIDI keyboard.

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9. ZA6 Kiesel Zeus (Best Headless Acoustic Electric Guitar)

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Estimated Price: $1550

Pickup Configuration: LR Baggs Element Acoustic Bridge: Hipshot hardtail Scale Length: 25.5’’ Body Material: Mahogany with spruce top Neck: Tung-oiled mahogany with 2-way adjustable truss rod and dual carbon-fiber rods for additional strength & stability Fret Count: 24 stainless steel medium-jumbo, .103 wide X .048 tall Fretboard Radius: ebony, 14″ Country of Origin: USA

My Review: I have to say, this guitar sounds a good bit different then most electric-acoustic guitars out there, but in a good way. Its a dream to have an acoustic headless guitar that is easy to hold and flexible to play, especially when soloing. The aesthetics are incredible, although I would’ve preferred if the Kiesel logo was more subtle like the Strandberg logo is, this is just my subjective opinion. It is ideal for singers/songwriters and due to its small body, it feels exactly like an electric guitar, but with an acoustic tone. I personally really like the differences in sound it has and the fact that you can play fast, easily reaching the 24th fret, which is not something so simple to do on most acoustic electric guitars

Key Specs and Features: This American ZA6 Kiesel Zeus Headless has beautiful specs, where the body is made out of Mahogany with a spruce top. There are a total of 24 stainless steel medium-jumbo, with a scale length of 25.5’’. The pickup configuration consists of LR Baggs Element Acoustic, with a Hipshot hardtail bridge. The neck is made of Tung-oiled mahogany with 2-way adjustable truss rod and dual carbon-fiber rods.

Target Customer: If you like the idea of having a headless acoustic guitar in your collection, then this guitar is for you.

Bottom Line: This instrument is really good if you’re interested in having a versatile headless electro acoustic. It’s really advantageous to be able to play it with such commodity and there aren’t many brands out there offering this level of comfort and sound, for an acoustic electric guitar.

10. Strandberg Boden Classic 6 Trem

Estimated Price: $1495

Pickup Configuration : Strandberg Signature Humbucker Bridge and Two Vintage-Flavored Single-Coil Bridge: Strandberg Signature EGD Series 5 Tremolo Bridge and String Locks Scale Length: Long Scale 25.5’’ and Short Scale 25” Body Material: Solid Alder Neck: Roasted Maple with Carbon Fibre Reinforcement Fret Count: 24 Maple or Pau Ferro Fretboard Radius: 20’’ Country of Origin: Indonesia

My Review: Strandberg is one of the most innovative brands of electric guitars, making their products some of the best for the modern guitar player. While this particular model is a stock version, part of the classic series, it is the best value in terms of money and quality. Due to its headless design, it’s much lighter than your average electric guitar and its overall dark tone makes it perfect for guitarists who like to be expressive in their playing. The original EndurNeck design just makes it so much more ergonomic, while also promoting a more correct playing position. Unlike most guitars, the tuning actually takes place at the guitar’s body, rather than at the end of the neck, which I’ve found to be a much more reliable and flexible system.

Key Specs and Features: The Boded Classic 6 Trem is the most affordable version Strandberg has and it is available with a solid alder body. The neck is made of roasted maple with carbon fiber reinforcement and 25 frets on the maple or pau Ferro fretboard. Because of its triangular shape, with a diagonal line for the thumb design, plus its overall lightness (approximately 2,4 kg), the guitar is highly ergonomic and easy to play.

It has a satin finish which gives it a very luxurious feel and a Strandberg designed humbucker bridge pickup with two vintage-flavored single-coil pickups. The exact pick-up configuration is H-S-S where the neck and middle both have a custom OEM Strandberg single coil, while the bridge has a custom OEM Strandberg humbucker. Master Volume and Mastertone are also built-in, with a 5-way pickup selector consisted of Bridge, Middle and Bridge, Middle, Neck and Middle, and Neck. The original hardware is plated with chrome with original luminary green side dots and inlays and a Strandberg EGS series 5 tremolo bridge & string locks.

Target Customer: If you’re a fan of guitar players such as Plini, David Maxim Micic, Jakub Zytecki, Tosin Abasi, or Aaron Marshall, or just want a great value headless, then this guitar is for you. They’ve all used it at some point, due to its versatility in sound, looks, and overall playability.

Bottom Line: While it’s the cheapest guitar Strandberg has on the market, being a stock model, this instrument is flawlessly designed and may very well be a lifetime investment. It is not particularly cheap, but it’s still the best headless guitar for the money in my opinion.

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11. Boss V-BDN VG-Strandberg

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Estimated Price: $5190 Pickup Configuration: Mode selector; 5-way switch, modeled humbucking and single-coil pickups. Bridge: EGS pro 4 tremolo bridge & string locks Scale Length: 25.5″ – 25″ Body Material: Baswood Neck: Roasted maple EndurNeck Fret Count: 24, stainless steel Fretboard Radius: ebony, multiscale, 20″

My Review: This amazing guitar comes with the same benefits and features a Strandberg guitar has, only this time it has been merged with specific guitar modeling techniques developed by Boss. It features switches that allow you to change the tuning, without having to traditionally do it.

Key Specs and Features: Boss V-BDN VG-Strandberg is the result of a fruitful partnership between Strandberg Guitars and Boss. The body is made of Baswood, featuring the ergonomic roasted maple EndurNeck, patented by Strandberg. It has 24 frets, stainless steel with an ebony, 20’’ multiscale fretboard radius. The bridge is an EGS pro 4 tremolo with strings lock and, despite all the electronics, it weighs only just above 5 pounds. The unique pick-up configuration has a mode selector and 5-way switch, to provide access to the onboard standard pickups, modeled humbucking and single-coil pickups, bass, sitar, acoustic guitars, and synth tones.

Target Customer: I’d say this guitar is mainly targeted towards musicians who play experimental music, but it’s not limited to this. It can be very well used in pop, especially if that entails live music or just generally to create orchestrations and productions of various sounds. With this beauty, the sky is the limit.

Bottom Line: In many ways, I feel like this is the future of guitars, and coming from a music technology background, I surely hope these initiatives keep on progressing. The ability to generate different instrument sounds, while being expressive, not only shifts the role of a guitarist in a band but also allows for the musician within to explore creative and compositional ideas, using the familiar approach of performing on an instrument. Surely, one can make the case that that would be easily achieved on a MIDI keyboard, but the difference is in the little details. I’ve personally found it much easier, flexible, and efficient to use instruments that support the performance element more, rather than post-production programming, regardless of the advanced expertise I have in that, as a qualified Audio Specialist.

12. Steinberger (GM) GM4T w/TransTrem (Best Rock/Fusion)

Estimated Price: $2000

Pickup Configuration: 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup Bridge: Steinberger S-Trem, Steinberger TransTrem, Steinberger vibrato Scale Length: 25.5 inches scale-length Body Material: alder body, maple body Neck: Carbon Fiber Fret Count: 24

My Review: This guitar is a pure work of art and it’s no wonder. Ned Steinberger is the man who widly gets credit in terms of the whole headless guitar industry inception. Released in 1988, it still is the best of the best when it comes to rock/fusion, as it’s the full embodiment of the 80’s guitar tones. However, due to its solid body, it doesn’t quite offer the same weight benefits as many of the other headless guitars discussed, as it’s pretty much just as heavy as a normal headstock electric guitar.

Key Specs and Features: The Steinberger (GM) GM4T w/TransTrem is an ideal guitar for rock/fusion players. It features 2 single coil pickups and 1 humbucker pickup with a bridge that has Steinberger S-Trem, Steinberger TransTrem, Steinberger vibrato. The body Is alder body, maple body with a carbon fiber neck. There are a total of 24 frets, with a sale length of 25.5 inches.

Target Customer: If you want the absolute ultimate sound in terms of the 80’s guitar scene while having the headless look, then this guitar is ideal.

Bottom Line: While Steinberger guitars haven’t been used a lot after the ’80s, with a few exceptions, they still remain and in particular this model, some of the most beautiful guitars ever built.

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13. HH2 Allan Holdsworth

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Pickup Configuration: Kiesel Holdsworth Passive humbuckers Bridge: Hipshot; optional Hipshot/Kiesel Tremolo System Scale Length: 25.5’’ Body Material: Alder body with Kiesel logo; optional chambering Neck: set-in Eastern hardrock maple with 2-way adjustable truss rod and dual carbon-fiber rods for additional strength & stability Fret Count: 24 stainless steel jumbo, .108 wide X .055 tall Fretboard Radius: 20’’ Country of Origin: USA

My Review: Allan Holdsworth was truly one of the most innovative guitarists and musicians ever and this guitar is really a ‘’beautiful machine’’, to quote the master himself. The chambered body along with the vintage-ish pickups make it very dynamic and full of color. It’s extremely fluid and easy to play and for these reasons, I would mostly recommend it for soloing or intervallic chordal playing.

Key Specs and Features: Allan has worked with Calvin Guitars (now Kiesel) for many years in realizing the HH2 Allan Holdsworth guitar. Originally from the USA, the instrument features an alder body and optional chambering (highly recommended). The eastern hardrock maple neck is strong and stable, while fro the neck you have the option of choosing between the Hipshot or Kiesel tremolo systems. There are a total of 24 stainless steel jumbo frets and the pickup configuration features the original Kiesel Holdsworth passive humbuckers.

Target Customer: Here’s a tough one. The main target customer, in this case, would be someone who’s a fan of Allan, but because his music is so unique, there isn’t really a wider category in which to fit the customer target, other than this. Having said that, If you love Allan’s music, then owning this beautifully designed guitar is going to help, but it shouldn’t be purchased to sound like him, but rather to be used as a complementary tool in finding your own voice.

Bottom Line: The overall value in relation to price is exceptional for this guitar and I couldn’t recommend it more. While initially designed for a very niche type of music, the final result translates well for most genres.

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14. Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe

Estimated Price: $400

Pickup Configuration: Pickup Bridge: Steinberger Guitar Humbucker, Pickup Middle: Steinberger Guitar Single-Coil, Pickup Neck: Steinberger Guitar Humbucker Bridge: 40: 1 Direct Drive R-Trem Tremolo Scale Length: 25 – 1/2″ Body Material: Maple Neck: Hard Maple Fret Count: 24 Fretboard Radius: 14”

My Review: The genius Ned Steinberger designed this guitar to be a useful headless travel guitar and in honor of that, it just has to be the best travel headless guitar out there. I have to say, I like this guitar a lot. Great playability, it is comfortable and the pickups are good quality. It’s a travel instrument, but it doesn’t really compromise on sound and could definitely be used on stage or even in professional recordings. There is a slight disadvantage in that you can’t use regular strings with it, but apart from that, this guitar is great.

Key Specs and Features: The Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe Electric Guitar comes with a Maple Body and Hard Maple Neck. The pickup configuration consists of a Steinberger Guitar Humbucker Bridge, Steinberger Guitar Single-Coil Middle Pickup, and a Steinberger Guitar Humbucker Pickup Neck. It has a Scale Length of 25 – 1/2” and 24 frets, with a 14” Fretboard Radius.

Target Customer: Musicians who are traveling or who want a good value Headless Guitar. If you want a great sounding portable headless guitar, then this is for you.

Bottom Line: If you’re on a tight budget this is the best cheap headless guitar that’s still pretty good quality so I definitely recommend it.

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15. Ibanez EHB1505MS 5-String Headless Bass

Estimated Price: $1700

Pickup Configuration: Nordstrand Custom Big Split pickups Bridge: MR5HS bridge (18mm string spacing) Scale Length: Body Material: Poplar Burl top/Selected lightweight African Mahogany body Neck: EHB5 9-piece Panga Panga/Walnut neck with Graphite reinforcement rods Fretboard: Highly durable stainless steel frets

My Review: The Ibanez EHB1505MS 5-String Multi-Scale Ergonomic Headless Bass Pacific Blue Burst Flat has the same features as the Ibanez EHB1506MS 6-String Multi-Scale Ergonomic Headless Bass Black Ice Flat mentioned earlier, except with 5 instead of 6 strings.

Key Specs and Features: The Ibanez EHB1506MS 5-String Multi-Scale Ergonomic Headless Bass Pacific Blue Burst Flat features a Poplar Burl top/Selected lightweight African Mahogany body, with a 9-piece Panga Panga/Walnut neck. It has Highly durable stainless steel frets and Bound Panga Panga fretboard with Abalone off-set dot. It has an MR5HS bridge (18mm string spacing), with a Nordstrand Custom Big Split pickup configuration.

Target Customer: Modern progressive metal, metal, and jazz players.

Bottom Line: Overall this bass offers great tones, combined with a lovely and comfortable playability, as well as superb looks. This is an excellent choice for a 5 string Headless Bass Guitar.

16. Marconi Lab Ego Thunder 2k17

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Estimated Price: $3200

Pickup Configuration: Neck pickup: A Little Thunder Black + Bridge pickup: Lace alumitone Deathbucker Black Bridge: Tremolo-6 strings- chrome Body Material: Alder Neck: Maple black finish with AVS (Asymmetric Variable Shape) Frets: 6105 type Fretboard Radius: Compound Radius 10″-16″ Country of Origin: Italy

My Review: Not usually a fan of passive pick-ups but this guitar really challenges that! Sounds really unique in its own way and the Little Thunder pick-up has a nice feature where you can use it to switch for lower tones. The tremolo bar is really on point and easy to maneuver, while the design is modern and smartly build to reach higher notes effortlessly. The guitar is extremely fluid and easy to play.

Key Specs and Features: This incredible machine features a pickup configuration designed as a Neck pickup: A Little Thunder® Black + Bridge pickup: Lace alumitone Deathbucker Black, an Alder body with a Maple black finish with AVS (Asymmetric Variable Shape). The type of the frets are 6105 and fretboard radius is compound, 10’’ to 16’’. Made in Italy, it features a Tremolo-6 strings- chrome bridge.

Target Customer: If you’re looking for a uniquely looking headless guitar with a hybrid set of details in the build, then this guitar is for you.

Bottom Line: A really good take on a headless guitar from the Marconi Lab – Highly recommended.

17. Rick Toone USM-PRO

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Estimated Price: $11000

 Pickup Configuration: OEM Custom DiMarzio Pickups Bridge: Patented Intonation Cantilever Bridge Scale Length: Multiscale / N/A Body Material: Carbon Fiber and Laminated Birch Neck: Single Billet Machined Aircraft Aluminium Fret Count: 24, Stainless Steel Country of Origin: USA

My Review: This guitar is truly a monster, in the best sense. The overall build and feel are truly unique, while the sound is crisp and beautifully articulate. Rick Toone is really and inventor in the guitar world and always comes up with ways to push the boundaries of what an instrument can be.

Key Specs and Features: The Rick Toone USM-PRO electric guitar, features a pickup configuration of OEM Custom DiMarzio Pickups, with a Patented Intonation Cantilever Bridge. It has a Multiscale scale length, with 24 Stainless Steel frets. The body material is Carbon Fiber and Laminated Birch with a Single Billet Machined Aircraft Aluminium neck, made in the USA.

Target Customer: Just like the Teuffel Guitars Nickel BirdFish, this guitar is aimed at people with a higher budget that seek to invest a cutting edge instrument, in the guitar sector.

Bottom Line: If you are an advanced player and wish to find that special guitar to express a full range of techniques and sounds, then this is easily one of the best headless guitars out there. It does ultimately come down to your playing in order to achieve that, but having a cutting edge guitar certainly is an important factor.

Choosing a Headless Guitar (Buying Guide)

So, if you are interested in going headless, there are a few crucial aspects to consider, so as to make an informed decision if this is the best idea or not for your needs. While buying a headless guitar may sound like an edgy thing to do, thus making the decision itself more subjective, there a few objective and technical aspects to look for:

So, if you are interested in going headless, there are a few crucial aspects to consider, so as to make an informed decision if this is the best idea or not for your needs.

While buying a headless guitar may sound like an edgy thing to do, thus making the decision itself more subjective. Let’s talk about what features to look for in a headless guitar .

Technical Aspects to Look for in a Headless Guitar

• They are much lighter than the average electric guitars. If you take any other headstock electric guitar, it will weigh an average of 3.6Kg, while a headless guitar will only weight around 2.5Kg. This makes them more kind to your body over time and considerably easier to hold.
• They are significantly more ergonomic, especially if we are to take into account the EndurNeck design from Strandberg.
• They stay longer in tune. While there are multiple factors that determine if the guitar’s tuning is stable or not, generally, the tuning systems available on headless guitars are much more reliable and durable.
• It is much faster to change the strings on a headless guitar.
• On average, headless guitars have a much better sustain.
• They are very portable!
• There are generally no noise issues.
• As a bonus, having a smaller body also implies less wood, making them more environmentally friendly.

Now the aspect, being mostly a subjective factor, can’t really be analyzed. It simply comes down to whether or not you like the looks of a headless guitar or not and I don’t want you to take this lightly! If a new instrument, as innovative as it may be, doesn’t make you feel good by the way It looks, it is almost irrelevant if the technology itself is better.

Once you’ve decided whether or not a headless guitar is for you, there are of course many other important elements to look at, such as understanding the specs of each guitar. I will briefly go through each of them.

In many ways, the bridge determines the action of the strings, thus also influencing the playability. It is an important part of the hardware that has the main purpose of holding the strings to the body of the guitar. It contributes greatly to the overall vibration and amplification of the strings.

My personal favorite bridges for headless guitars are the patented Intonation Cantilever Bridge by Rick Toone, the Tremolo-6 strings- chrome on the Marconi Lab Ego Thunder 2k17, the custom bridge designed for the Teuffel Guitars Nickel BirdFish and finally the Strandberg EGS series 5 fixed bridge & string lock.

There are two main types of electric guitar bodies and those are solid and chambered. The chambered body is around 25% lighter than the solid one, so look for chambered, if you’re aiming at a really light headless guitar. Another thing to consider is the difference in sound they add to the guitar. I much more prefer the chambered body, just because it sounds more full, resonant, and articulate in my opinion, but the differences are really subtle.

Now, the most common types of wood used for Bodies are Mahogany, Swamp Ash, Maple, and Alder. In terms of weight, they weigh pretty much the same, but the sounds differ considerably. Mahogany tends to bring out the low mids more, which does make sense why it’s present on guitars which are intended to sound heavy and be more metal riffs oriented. Swamp Ash tends to be richer in high and also quite full in the low end. This to me is the perfect combination since in my playing I love to incorporate intervallic chordal playing, which sounds immersive and somewhat dark, but at the same time have the ability to really attack during solos. For this reason, my guitar has a chambered, swamp ash body with a maple top, which is the same build the Strandberg Boden Plini Edition has. Because maple is more toward middle frequencies, adding that top to the recipe is exactly the last ingredient in realizing a perfect balanced guitar, like my 8 string Strandberg. Alder bodies tend to soften attacks and be more towards upper mids. There are many great guitars with alder bodies in our list, such as Strandberg Boden Classic 6 Trem, HH2 Allan Holdsworth, Steinberger (GM) GM4T w/TransTrem, Teuffel Guitars Nickel BirdFish, and Marconi Lab Ego Thunder 2k17.

Aim for the body that works with your needs, as it’s best to get the best result acoustically. However, if say you find a guitar you love overall, but you can’t change the body to the desired specification, don’t be put off by it. After all, you can always use EQ to compensate.

The main types of frets are stainless steel and nickel frets. I’ve always found stainless steel to feel much better to touch and also bend considerably well, compared to nickel. They last much longer than nickel too, however, nickel does tend to sound brighter, so it all comes down to what you’re after.

The Fretboard Radius

the compound Radius 10”-16″ is by far the cleanest, which is one of the main reasons why Marconi Lab Ego Thunder 2k17 excels on this level.

The two main types of pickups you want to look for when choosing the ideal Headless Guitar are humbucker and single coil.

The Humbucker pickup got its name due to its ability to remove hum, while playing distorted sounds, hence why it is usually preferred by metal or rock players. Single Coil sound brighter and are generally used for cleaner sounds, in styles such as funk, jazz, bluet, etc. In some cases, however, they are used for rock or even metal. It all depends on the other features of the guitar if using single coil for metal, for example, is a good idea or not.

The Single Coil or Humbucker pickups can be passive or active. The main difference between them is the ‘flavor’. Because they don’t use a preamp, passive pickups tend to render a slightly different, more interesting tone. However, they often have the downside of generating a lot of noise, due to their high sensitivity. On the other hand, active pickups are the exact opposite. They render a high degree of control over hum reduction, but in doing so, they reduce the dynamics.

I’ve personally seen guitarists using active or passive pickups in all genres, regardless of the genre they’re playing, so when you’re deciding upon which pickup to choose, you should consider the overall build of the guitar and what you like most, in terms of sound.

Type of Strings

There are two main types of strings most commonly used on electric guitars: Nickel and Steel. Nickel is generally best If you want to play warmer, smooth melodies. They are much richer in tone whereas steel is brighter, resulting in an overall higher presence.

Conclusion:

Finally, if by the end of this article you have not decided which headless guitar to purchase, put everything on paper and devise a balance of pros and cons that work for you specifically, based on the information provided and further research. Test the guitars yourself, as there’s no better way of telling which one’s the best for your needs.

When talking about headless guitars, there’s a huge list of what can be classified as best and this article covers only some, but it should hopefully be enough to help you in finding the Best Headless Guitar that fits your own particular requirements as a Musician.

My name is Chris and I’ve had a passion for music and guitars for as long as I can remember. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts so we could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content.

I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and am an avid collector. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all.

I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University. With my engineering experience, I’ve developed as a designer of guitar amplifiers and effects. A true passion of mine, I’ve designed, built, and repaired a wide range of guitar amps and electronics. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.

3 thoughts on “17 Best Headless Guitars in 2024 (All Price Ranges)”

This is a detailed analysis of some of the best headless guitars. Over the years, i have developed a desire for this type of guitar having observed the sound output from one of the best known African soloist artist from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I will now critically re examine the analysis and possibly come with one or two types for purchase. Thanks for enlightening us on this critical area of entertainment.

I’m surprised to not see any NK guitars in here. I have an NK multi-scale 7 string headless and I think the “bang for the buck” is spectacular. If you’ve never played one, you should give one a try.

I’m definitely interested in checking out some of these headless guitars!

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MOOV Travel Guitar 7 String

1,850 € – 2,200 €

*VAT is not included (EU only)

(Bag Included)

MOOV Travel Guitar 7-string standard production specifications are: right-handed orientation, flat and fretted fingerboard, scale length 650mm. You have the option to customize your MOOV Travel Guitar by changing the default settings and selecting the appropriate boxes of your own preferences.

​We use the high quality string sets “8 String Guitar”  &  “Acoustic Guitar” by RC Strings . Some options need additional work and an extra charge might apply.

• Description

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Six strings are not enough for you? Do you want to expand your chords, their voicings, the limits of the guitar range and experiment on new possibilities on the guitar? If you search for more bass or treble notes then the 7-string MOOV Travel Guitar is your instrument! Don’t forget to try different tunings for countless new combinations. If you can imagine it, you can do it!

Absolutely silent and portable, as all MOOV Travel Guitars are, the 7-string version offer to you the ability to practice, have fun or professionally perform anywhere, anytime, anyhow.

Be on the MOOV!

• Dual source piezo & mic preamp
• Mic blending system with independent volume & tone
• Fine tuned 3-band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble +/-12db)
• Phase shift
• Powered by a 9V battery
• Low Battery LED indicator
• Two independent outputs for headphones & Amp/Mixing desk

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Headless Electric Guitar, 7 String Fanned Fret Travel Guitar (Pink)

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About this item.

• 【HEADLESS ELECTRIC GUITAR】Batking's headless guitar the fanned fret makes the effective length longer while giving it a wider range of sound. Headless electric guitar is very convenient to carry with you wherever you go.
• 【Material】 The headless electric guitar Body Material Ash with flame maple veneer, Neck Material is Multiscale Birdeye Fingerboard Of Luminous Inlay with dot luminous inlay on the top
• 【Brass Bridge】The Brass Bridge of guitar Fully made out of Bell Brass, Solid contact saddle, Fully CNC machined and quality plating, Easy for intonation.
• 【Rock Design】The design of the shape of the guitar body is inspired by the ROCK gesture. Tummy Cut and Countered Heel Polished, better fitting the human body more comfortable.
• 【Appearance Perfect】 The appearance of the guitar is perfectly finished, the surface through the matte nitrocellulose spray paint, so that the guitar looks very textured.
• 【Fret Upgrade】We have upgraded the frets to 57110 stainless steel frets, which are not only anti-corrosion and more durable, but also have a smoother surface to avoid cutting your fingers. This makes it easier for us to play.

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Product Description

Batking, as a professional guitar maker for over 10 years, with sales experience from all over the world and the comprehension of guitar, have developed this headless guitar series by themselves in the past 2 years.

During the past 2 years of R&D time, we have solved all the technical issues encountered and refer to comments from old customers around the world, especially the human oriented designed guitar body and the real brass bridge have brought many advantages.

The whole guitar shape design is inspired by the ROCK music gesture.

Trust our original design will bring you more happiness when playing guitar!

Let’s enjoy the fun of playing headless travel guitar!

7 String Travel Guitar

Batking Brand

Batking is aiming to be innovative in musical instrument development. Batking Team, have got over 10 years experience in this field, always focus on providing the best value to our customers. Reliable quality & 100% responsibility, to manufacture each product, strive to be your choice.

7 String Headless Specification

Construction : 4-Screw Bolt-on

Scale Length : 25.5-26.25 inch

Body Material : Ash with Flame Maple Veneer

Neck Material : Multiscale Birdeye

Hardware : Alnico 5 Pickups & Bone Nut 54 mm & Custom Brass Bridge

Controls : 3-way Switch & 1 Volume 1 Tone Control

Finish : Matt Nitrocellulose Paint

Fret material : Stainless Steel

Neutral Fret : 7

Fingerboard Inlay : Luminous

From the brand

Welcome to Musooguitars

Batking is brand worthy trust. Not only has nice item, but also good servic.

You can buy your favorite musical instrument at here

• Batking is aiming to be innovative in musical instrument development.
• Our Team, have got over 10 years experience in this field, always focus on providing the best value to our customers.
• Reliable quality & 100% responsibility, to manufacture each product, strive to be your choice.

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Best travel guitars 2024: Top acoustic and electric guitars for musicians on the go

Out top picks for practicing your guitar on the move, wherever the road takes you

Best overall

Best for volume.

• Best Strat-alike
• Best electric
• Best full-scale

Best foldable

• Best solid wood
• Buying advice
• How we choose

As guitar players, our passion and joy shouldn’t have to stop the second we leave the house or the practice room. Sometimes, when you’re on the go; whether that be travelling for work or just for fun, you want to be able to take your music with you. That’s where the best travel guitars come in.

Travel guitars are smaller, more compact instruments that are easier to take on the road. If you’re heading out on a road trip, and space in the car is tight, a travel guitar will fit in a much smaller gap than a full-size guitar. Some of them even pack down into a rucksack so you can take them on a plane as hand luggage.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re more into playing acoustic or electric, we’ve picked out the best travel guitars currently on offer to make sure that the music doesn’t have to stop when you hit the road.

Best travel guitars: Quick list

This ¾-sized dreadnought comes with all the quality and projection you’d expect from one of the acoustic world’s biggest names, just in a size that can be hauled around anywhere without breaking your back. Or, indeed, your wallet. 

Read more below

The Martin Backpacker has a unique body shape, that’s for sure, but coming from a name like Martin you can rest assured this guitar will perform brilliantly. What surprised us was the volume and projection this little guitar pumps out, thanks in part to the solid mahogany used in the body.

The Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe definitely fits the travel guitar bill due to its distinctive size and shape. Despite the smaller body, the Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe features a scale length of 25.5”, making the actual playing area larger than that of a standard Les Paul.

You can instantly see those famous Stratocaster outlines of the pickguard, the three single coil pickups and the control knobs. Yet the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed anything on the body that isn’t underneath the pickguard has been shaved away, leaving a guitar which is 35% lighter and 14% shorter than a regular Strat.

This is a short-scale travel electric guitar featuring a single mini-humbucker, two-piece poplar body, bolt-on neck and fairly sturdy tuners. It doesn’t pack down any smaller than it is, though it’s very compact already and if you really needed to, you could always take the neck off, if you were packing it up in a suitcase for example.

The Shorty provides full scale-length familiarity which, when combined with the tiny body, makes for a comfortable playing experience. The single humbucker at the bridge is meaty enough to blast out your favourite riffs, while you’ll feel instantly at home with the classic maple/rosewood combination neck and fingerboard.

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This handy, foldable acoustic is great for players who want something quality but affordable. It’s got a solid spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides. You can get a great tone from it, whether you’re playing with a pick or with fingers. It’s dynamic, and while it might not be as loud as a full size guitar, can still throw out a good amount of volume.

This is one for serious acoustic players. It bears a hefty price tag, but you can get some serious tones from this guitar. Boasting a solid red cedar top and solid African mahogany back and sides, the Furch Little Jane yields a beautiful, rich and balanced tone with a good amount of projection. 

1. Taylor Baby Taylor

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

If the more outlandish styles of travel guitar aren’t for you, maybe the Baby Taylor will be. This ¾-sized dreadnought comes with all the quality and projection you’d expect from one of the acoustic world’s biggest names, just in a size that can be hauled around anywhere without breaking your back. Or, indeed, your wallet. 

The Baby Taylor would be the perfect option as a second (or third) guitar in anyone’s collection, designed to be stashed in the included gig bag and taken anywhere. Players with larger hands may feel a bit cramped navigating the 22.75” scale length, but for the majority of people the Baby Taylor is easy to recommend.

2. Martin Backpacker

We weren’t lying when we said travel guitars can jar a bit visually. The Martin Backpacker has a unique body shape, that’s for sure, but coming from a name like Martin you can rest assured this guitar will perform brilliantly. What surprised us was the volume and projection this little guitar pumps out, thanks in part to the solid mahogany used in the body.

Originally launched in 1992, the Martin Backpacker has carved itself a nice niche in the world of travel guitars, and its exceptional build quality means it will last for many more years to come.

Best with a trem

3. Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe

While not officially marketed as a travel guitar, the Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe definitely fits the bill due to its distinctive size and shape. The classic Steinberger ‘headless’ design is correct and present, making the same bold visual statement of its more expensive stablemates, yet the decision to use wood over composite materials makes the whole thing more cost-effective and suited for travelling. 

Despite the smaller body, the Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe features a scale length of 25.5”, making the actual playing area larger than that of a standard Les Paul. It’s also pretty rare to find neck-thru bodies at this price point, which all adds up to a decent value instrument regardless of how you end up using it.

Best for Strat players

4. Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe

It’s called ‘cognitive dissonance’. That conflict you feel when something you know to be right is challenged. The Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe is a relative example; to look at it, you can instantly see those famous Stratocaster outlines of the pickguard, the three single coil pickups and the control knobs. Yet the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed anything on the body that isn’t underneath the pickguard has been shaved away, leaving a guitar which is 35% lighter and 14% shorter than a regular Strat. 

Weighing in at only 5 lbs, the Travelcaster Deluxe may take some getting over visually, but in use it provides that same Strat experience, the same 25.5” scale length and the same tonal versatility of those pickups. If you can get over the cognitive dissonance, it may just be the perfect travel guitar for you.

Read the full Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe review

Best electric options

5. Blackstar Carry-On Travel Guitar ST

This is a short-scale travel electric guitar featuring a single mini-humbucker, two-piece poplar body, bolt-on neck and fairly sturdy tuners. It doesn’t pack down any smaller than it is, though it’s very compact already and if you really needed to, you could always take the neck off, if you were packing it up in a suitcase for example. 

It plays great and the shorter 20.7” scale length doesn’t take long to readjust to - younger beginners might find that they can fret chords and make stretches between frets more easily too. The mini-humbucker covers a lot of ground, so will suit any musical style you can throw at it. Whether you’re playing clean or super distorted, this little thing can really pack a punch! 

There is a more expensive version that’s around double the price with some upgrades, but in terms of value for money, we feel that the Blackstar Carry-On ST is one of the best travel guitars around. 

Best full-scale experience

6. Hofner Shorty travel guitar

The Hofner Shorty has been around since the 1980s, and has long been a favourite for players looking for a portable electric they can travel with. It provides full scale-length familiarity which, when combined with the tiny body, makes for a comfortable playing experience. The single humbucker at the bridge is meaty enough to blast out your favourite riffs, while you’ll feel instantly at home with the classic maple/rosewood combination neck and fingerboard.

Sure, it’s not going to win any awards for tone, and you’re unlikely to see them used on album-of-the-year contenders, but as an inexpensive way to add a bit of portability to your line-up the Hofner Shorty is well worth consideration. 

7. Journey Instruments PJ410N

This handy, foldable acoustic makes for one of the best travel guitars for players who want something quality but affordable. It’s got a solid spruce top and layered mahogany back and sides. You can get a great tone from it, whether you’re playing with a pick or with fingers. It’s dynamic, and while it might not be as loud as a full size guitar, can still throw out a good amount of volume.

It fits perfectly inside the included padded rucksack, and can be assembled in 20 seconds. Simply put the neck into position, snap it in place and lock it from the back of the body. Then you’ve got a guitar with a 23” scale ready to play. It’s great for experienced players who want something that sounds good while they’re on their travels (the bag will fit under many airline seats), but also makes for a great beginner guitar for kids . 

Best all-solid option

8. Furch Little Jane LJ-10

This is definitely one of the best travel guitars for serious acoustic players. It bears a hefty price tag, but you can get some serious tones from this guitar. Boasting a solid red cedar top and solid African mahogany back and sides, the Furch Little Jane yields a beautiful, rich and balanced tone with a good amount of projection. 

The guitar can be folded down and fit into a rucksack (included). The headstock, neck and body are separate from one another to save space but can be assembled into one piece very quickly and easily. Once the neck is locked into position using Furch’s proprietary assembly system, it’s ready to play and will even go back in tune. 

The included rucksack is well padded and will ensure that it’s protected enough on your travels. Travel acoustic guitars seldom sound this good, and to be fair the price reflects that, but it really is one of the best out there. 

Best travel guitars: Buying advice

What is a travel guitar?

Essentially, a travel guitar is a guitar designed with portability and mobility as its key function. This will usually mean the guitar has a significantly smaller body or weight, and they often boast creative solutions to common issues like tuning or storage. From conception to construction, the travel guitar is designed to be thrown in a bag and transported anywhere, everywhere, and all those places in between. 

Standard-sized guitars can be, as we know, too large, too heavy or too delicate to carry around for long stretches, so travel guitars offer a specialist tool for those specific situations. Realistically, you’ll not find too many studio musicians reaching for the travel guitar to nail that perfect tone, but then that’s not what they’re for. Portability, size and weight are order of the day here, and it helps that there are travel guitars on the market today which also nail that other crucial element; tone. 

What makes travel guitars different?

At first glance, the sight of a dedicated travel guitar can jar a little. Often, they have quite striking aesthetic differences from regular guitars. Like looking at something you know, only quite different. Manufacturers employ all kinds of measures as they seek to reduce the overall size and weight of the guitar, and it’s not uncommon to see guitars without headstocks, or with radically different shaped bodies, or even no body at all. Yet a guitar still has to function, so there is still the need for tuning pegs, a bridge, and other essential components.

What are the key features of travel guitars?

There are two major schools of thought when it comes to travel guitars. One is to take a regular sized guitar and zap it with a shrink ray, keeping the same proportions relatively but in a smaller overall package. This approach ensures the instrument retains its familiarity, and also makes them attractive to younger learners.

The other approach is to redesign the instrument completely, perhaps taking the tuning pegs and installing them in the body. Of course, such radical design changes can create other problems, so you may see these compensated for with the inclusion of detachable arm and leg rests, for example. While these guitars may look unfamiliar, the playing experience should be largely the same as a regular guitar. Scale lengths, fret locations and pitch will be the same, even if the physical form of the guitar is quite different.

Are travel guitars playable?

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If you’ve never had the chance to play a travel guitar, you may be looking at the best travel guitars in this list and wondering if it’s playable in the same way as a regular guitar. The good news is that yes, absolutely they are playable. In the same way that jumping from the thin neck of an Ibanez RG-style electric to a 50’s style Stratocaster neck may take a bit of readjustment in your technique, so too will the leap from a regular to certain travel-sized guitars. It’s not difficult to adjust though. You may also have to sit differently to accommodate the smaller body, but as these guitars are inherently lighter in weight, this shouldn’t cause too much of a headache. Or, more accurately, backache.

Electric or acoustic?

All of the best travel guitars will either be electric or acoustic. Electrics do tend to be thinner, as the body doesn’t need to resonate as much to get a good sound, although it’s worth remembering that you’ll need an amp to get the most out of it. The body of a travel acoustic will normally be deeper, but as a result of this you can get a fairly loud sound without any amplification.

What do I get when I spend more?

The quality of the best travel guitars does vary, and as you might imagine, it does go up as you spend more money. As the price increases, you’ll likely find better hardware, which can not only help keep the guitar in tune and playing nicely, but can also improve how it sounds too, increasing resonance and sustain.

On electrics, you’ll find better quality pickups - these will be more dynamic and have a wider frequency range so you’ll get more detail and clarity. With travel acoustic guitars, you’ll get better quality, and even solid woods which will give you a better, more responsive and richer sound.

Who might use a travel guitar?

The breadth of today’s range of travel guitars means there is a guitar to suit most playing styles and genres, so the quick answer is that yes, there is a travel guitar for everyone. In terms of scenarios, travel guitars are, as their name suggests, designed to be taken places ordinary guitars cannot reach. 

Small enough to fit on your back as you scale a mountain, or taken on a plane as part of your hand luggage, travel guitars give players the freedom and convenience of being able to play anywhere, at any time. For that, we applaud them. Let’s examine some of the best travel guitar options available today.

Can you buy travel guitars for children?

Travel guitars, as well as being the perfect accompaniment to a musician on the go, can also make for great instruments for children. If you’re looking for one of the best travel guitars to get a kid started on their guitar playing journey, then look for one that has a shorter scale length. This will mean that the notes are closer together and will be easier for small hands to fret. 

Scale length and string gauge

Speaking of short scales, the gauge of strings you use is also worth considering. The strings on a guitar with a shorter scale will feel slinkier - they will be easier to bend and to some players may even feel too loose. One way to combat this is to use thicker strings, so something like 12s on an electric might make them feel a little more like 10s on a full size guitar. Though, if you’re just starting out then the thinner, slinkier strings might be better so they don’t quite hurt your fingertips as much.

How we chose the best travel guitars for this guide

Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear-related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording, and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides. 

When choosing what we believe to be the best travel guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So, we carefully consider everything from budget to feature set, ease of use, and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best travel guitars on the market right now.

Find out more about  how we test music gear and services  at MusicRadar.

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Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar and bass gear, to synths, microphones, DJ gear and music production hardware.

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• Date: December 19, 2020
• Posted In: Acoustic Guitar

10 Best Travel Guitars (2021 Buyer’s Guide)

• By Brian Lamacraft

If you’re on the go all the time, you may be looking for a travel guitar. These are smaller versions of full-size instruments. They’re ideal when you have limited space, such as on an airplane.

Quick Look: Best Travel Guitars

★ #1 Best Travel Guitar Overall: Traveler EG-1   ★

• Best Travel Guitar for Beginners: Dean FLY NYL
• Best Intermediate Travel Guitar: Washburn RO10
• Best Travel Guitar for Professionals: Traveler Viabrant Deluxe
• Best Cheap Travel Guitar: Johnson JG-TR3
• Best Travel Guitar Under $1,000: LAVA ME 2
• Best Travel Guitar Under $500: Alvarez LJ2E
• Best Electric Travel Guitar: Traveler EG-1
• Best Acoustic Travel Guitar: Washburn RO10SK
• Best Acoustic-Electric: LAVA ME2
• Best Collapsible Travel Guitar: Journey Instruments Collapsible
• Best Hiking Travel Guitar: Martin Backpacker

SEE THE FULL LIST

This guide to the best travel guitars should help you find something that works for your needs. I have reviewed several different instruments so you can find a guitar to take with you on that next trip.

• Acoustic Guitars

Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guides

• Best Acoustic Guitars
• Best Acoustic-Electric Guitars
• Best Resonator Guitars
• Best Semi-Acoustic Guitars
• Best Classical Guitars
• Best Travel Guitars
• Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars
• Learn More About Acoustic Guitars
• What Is a Travel Guitar?

A travel guitar is essentially a smaller version of a regular guitar . They come in both acoustic as well as electric versions. Many top manufacturers now make travel-size guitars, so you have something to play when you’re on a trip.

Some instruments collapse down, meaning you can take the neck off of them, while others don’t offer this feature. They may have more stripped-down controls or not as many frets as a regular guitar.

• What Types of Travel Guitars Are There?

There are several different types of travel guitars that you need to know about. Here are the basic types that you might want to consider purchasing.

Electric Travel Guitar

The electric travel guitar is a stripped-down version of a regular electric guitar. The instrument may have an odd shape compared to a regular electric guitar that you have to get used to, but they offer the same basic functions.

Acoustic Travel Guitar

An acoustic travel guitar offers you more options. This is because a lot of manufacturers make smaller size instruments designed for students. These would make excellent travel guitars.

Some manufacturers also make what are called “baby instruments.” These are smaller versions of regular brand name guitars. For example, both Taylor and Martin offer baby instruments, such as the Little Martin or Baby Taylor .

Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar

An acoustic-electric travel guitar is a regular acoustic guitar with a pickup system . This gives you both the sound of an acoustic guitar and electric guitar in one portable package.

Collapsible Travel Guitar

A collapsible travel guitar is a guitar where you can take off the headstock. This makes it the best guitar for airline travel since you can take it apart.

Backpacking Travel Guitar

When you’re on travels, you might want to go hiking or backpacking. It’s difficult to take a guitar with you if you want to play after your hike. This is where a backpacking travel guitar is beneficial.

A backpacking travel guitar is a small portable guitar that you can take with you. They offer great sound as well as tone in one compact package.

• 10 Best Travel Guitars Overall

As a guitarist and guitar teacher for many years, I’ve personally had the opportunity to play these travel guitars and countless more. Here’s my list of of the best travel guitars on the market today.

1. Traveler EG-1

• Scale length: 24.3
• Pickup type: Humbucker
• Body shape: Travel size
• What’s Included in the B0x: Guitar, documentation, gigbag
• Material & finish: Walnut, alder, gloss finish
• Best for: Travelers that want the tone of a humbucker

I like the Traveller EG-1 because it gives you the big tone of a humbucking pickup. This guitar also has a built-in amplifier with various effects, so you don’t have to lug an amplifier with you on your travels.

Why I Recommend It The EG-1 Is a great-sounding traveler guitar. It has an excellent pickup, a nice neck, a headphone amplifier, and an output jack, so you can jam along with your favorite tracks. It comes with a gig bag , so it’s ready to go.

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2. Dean FLY NYL 6-String Nylon Travel Guitar

• Scale length: 22″
• Pickup type: N/A
• Included in the box: Guitar, documentation
• Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, satin finish
• Best for: Beginners that want a simple travel guitar

The Dean FLY NYL is a simple nylon string guitar . I like this model because it’s made of solid mahogany wood, so it has an excellent tone. This the best beginner travel guitar thanks to its easy playability.

Why I Recommend It The Dean FLY NYL is a good choice if you’re a beginner and want to travel with your guitar. It’s made of solid wood, has a decent tone, and it’s small enough to pack away in tight locations while you’re traveling.

3.  Taylor Mini-e Guitar

• Scale length: 24.3″
• Body shape: Dreadnought travel size
• Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gigbag
• Material & finish: Spruce, rosewood, laminate satin finish
• Best for: Beginners or intermediate players that want a reliable acoustic for traveling

The Taylor Mini-e is ideal for anyone on the go who wants a simple acoustic travel guitar. It has an excellent tone, easy playability, and comes with a gig bag, making it one of the best travel acoustic guitars you can buy.

Why I Recommend It

I like the Taylor Mini-e since it’s a well-built guitar that sounds great. It has a great pickup, an excellent neck, a great finish, and the smaller size means it’s perfect for traveling.

4. Alvarez LJ2E Little Jumbo

• Scale length: 24″
• Pickup type: Undersaddle
• Body shape: Travel jumbo dreadnought
• Material & finish: Sitka spruce, rosewood, mahogany, gloss finish
• Best for: Travelers that want a good dreadnought style guitar

The Alvarez LG2E is a nice dreadnought jumbo style travel guitar. I like this model because it comes with a pickup, a built-in tuner, and has an excellent tone. It’s ready to go with a gig bag for your next travel adventure.

This guitar is a great choice for any traveler because it comes with a pickup, tuner, and excellent tone. I like the solid wood construction and easy-to-play neck. This is the ideal guitar for any intermediate player.

5. Traveler Guitar Viabrant Deluxe

• Scale length: 25.5″
• Pickup type: 2 x humbucking 1 x single-coil
• Body shape: Electric travel size
• Material & finish: Maple, alder, ebony, gloss finish
• Best for: Shredders that want to rock during travels

The Traveler Viabrant Deluxe is one stunning travel guitar. The instrument has two humbucking pickups and one single-coil pickup for a big tone. It also has a 24 fret guitar neck, so it’s perfect for any shredder.

The Traveler Viabrant Deluxe is quite a treat for a travel guitar. It has a huge tone with an amazing pickup combination. This is the best electric travel guitar for those into rock guitar.

6. LAVA ME 2

• Scale length: 23.62″
• Tremolo: N/A
• Pickup type: L2 pickup
• Body shape: Dreadnought
• Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, case
• Material & finish: Carbon fiber
• Best for: Advanced guitar players looking for a unique travel guitar

The LAVA Me 2 is a unique guitar for anyone traveling. It has a built-in pickup and effects, so you don’t have to use an amplifier. It’s made of carbon fiber for added tone and easy playability.

The LAVE ME 2 is a modern take on the travel guitar. This instrument has a well-rounded tone, and I like the fact that you can play it with or without an amplifier. This is one of the best travel guitar options on the current market.

7. Martin Backpacker

• Frets: 15 frets
• Included in the box: Guitar, documentation, gig bag
• Material & finish: Spruce, select tonewoods, satin finish
• Best for: Hikers or when space is limited

If you want to hike and want to play guitar, the Martin Backpacker is a great choice. It has excellent tone and sound in a small compact package. It’s the best backpacker guitar you can buy because it has that famous Martin tone.

The Martin Backpacker is a guitar you want to take with you on your travels. It’s easy to play, and its small size makes it portable for almost any situation. It’s one of the best travel guitars for airplanes or wherever you are.

8. Johnson JG-TR3 Travel Guitar

• Material & finish: Spruce, gloss finish
• Best for: Travelers that need a cheap guitar

The Johnson JG-TR3 is the ideal choice if you’re looking for the best cheap travel guitar. This instrument has a nice neck, easy playability, and its small size means you can take it with you wherever you go.

This is one of the best cheap travel guitars on the market. It has a decent tone, easy playability, and it ships with a gig bag. The guitar comes in at under $200, so it’s a great investment.

9. Journey Instruments Collapsible Guitar

• Scale length: 24.5″
• Pickup type: Transducer
• Body shape: Collapsible dreadnought
• Included in the box: Guitar, case, documentation
• Material & finish:  Mahogany, ebony, satin finish
• Best for: Those whose space is at a premium

The Journey Instruments Collapsible is an excellent guitar because it collapses right down into a small package. You can take the neck off to carry it with you on an airplane. It has a great tone, a nice finish, and easy playability.

This is the best travel guitar for airplane travel. It folds down into one nice compact package. The guitar itself has a decent tone and easy playability. I also like the solid wood construction and the pickup that it comes with.

10. Washburn Rover Spruce Top

• Scale length: 23″
• Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, satin finish
• Best for: Beginners or intermediate players that want a reliable travel guitar.

The Washburn Rover is an excellent travel guitar. It has a great sound, a nice playing neck, and it’s suitable for backpacking because of its small size. It comes with a bunch of extras, such as a tuner, a guitar strap, and a gig bag.

The Washburn Rover is the perfect instrument for traveling. It can deal with tight spaces. Its small size means you can take it backpacking if you want. It has a great tone and is perfect for many situations.

• What Are the Best Travel Guitar Brands?

There are several travel guitar brands that you might want to buy your instrument from. All of these manufacturers make some of the best travel guitars on the market today. Here is a rundown of the best ones.

One of the better companies for travel guitars is Traveler. They have constructed travel guitars since 1992. Some of their guitars have a unique design where the tuning pegs are located in the guitar’s body and the neck is headless.

Since 1974, Taylor has been making musical instruments. They produce the excellent Baby Taylor guitar, which is their travel or student size guitar model.

Martin has been producing instruments since 1833. They have a couple of excellent travel-size guitars. Two of their better models include the Martin Backpacker and the Little Martin Guitar.

Since 1887, Yamaha has been making a wide range of musical instruments and other products. They offer several student size guitars, which make excellent travel guitars.

Washburn offers several different travel guitars. Their model is called the Rover, and it’s one of the better acoustic travel guitars on the market. This company has been in operation since 1883.

• What Are the Best Beginner Travel Guitars?

A beginner travel guitar is a basic instrument that you can take with you when you’re on-the-go. Don’t expect the best tone or sound of these instruments. You’ll have something basic to help you practice when away from home.

• Washburn Rover Spruce Top : This guitar is an excellent choice for beginners as it has a great neck, easy playability, a great finish, and it’s portable.
• Johnson JG-TR3 : This is a simple travel guitar. It has an excellent neck, easy playability, great tone, and a nice finish.
• Dean FLY NYL : This is an excellent guitar for beginners as it has nylon strings, easy playability, a great wood construction, and it comes in at a low price.
• What Are the Best Intermediate Travel Guitars?

At the intermediate level, you’ll have more options available to you in terms of travel guitars. These instruments are made with better wood, have a better tone, and are more reliable than a basic instrument.

• Traveler Lightweight Acoustic-Electric : This guitar has a nice tone and easy playability. It comes with a pickup and is easy to take with you no matter where you are.
• Martin Backpacker : This Martin guitar is one of the best travel guitars because it has a small size and a great tone. It’s made with solid wood and has a nice finish.
• Washburn RO10 : This instrument is perfect for backpacking. It has a great tone, easy playability, and it won’t take up much room no matter where you are.
• What Are the Best Travel Guitars for Professionals?

At the professional level, you’ll find an instrument that sounds amazing, has great playability, and gives you all the options you want. The instruments listed below are some of the best guitars for professionals.

• Traveler Viabrant Deluxe : This guitar has excellent pickups, a great tone, and is everything that a professional would want in a high-quality electric travel guitar.
• Tayor GS Mini-e: This instrument has the sound you expect from Taylor with a nice neck, great tone, pickup system, and wonderful finish.
• LAVE ME 2 : This instrument can be used with or without an amplifier. It has a great tone, nice neck, and unique design, making it an excellent travel guitar.
• What Are the Best Cheap Travel Guitars?

If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on a travel guitar, you can still find many options that don’t cost a lot of money. Here are some of the best cheap travel guitars that you might want to consider.

• Johnson JG-TR3 : This instrument is portable and has a nice sound and good finish It comes with a gig bag, and, more importantly, it has a low price tag.
• Cordoba Mini II M : This instrument has a small size, a solid wood construction, easy-playing nylon strings, and a great tone for any beginner.
• Yamaha JR-1 FG : This guitar is a nice 3/4 size instrument with a nice tone, a smooth finish, and easy playability, making it perfect for any student or traveler.
• What Are the Best Kids Travel Guitars?

If you have small children, you may want to pick up a travel guitar for them to take with you on your vacation. Here are some options below that would make excellent travel guitars for younger kids.

• Tanglewood TW2T : This travel-size guitar kit includes an excellent guitar, strings, picks, a tuner, and everything else that a young beginner needs.
• Ibanez EWP140PN : This travel guitar features a cutaway, an excellent tone, a smooth finish, and easy playability for any small child.
• Hofner Shorty Guitar : Great electric travel guitar for kids with a good pickup, easy-playing neck, and an excellent tone.
• What Are the Best Electric Travel Guitars?

For those who don’t want to play an acoustic but prefer electric, you’ll find a wide range of electric guitars suitable for travel. Here are three of the top choices in this category, including the best electric travel guitar on my list.

• Traveler EG-1 : This guitar has a classic look, a great humbucking pickup, smooth neck, and a cutaway so that you can access all of the higher frets with ease.
• Hofner Shorty : This electric travel guitar is easy to play, and it has a comfortable neck and a great pickup. It’s suitable for beginners or intermediate players.
• Traveler Guitar Viabrant : This instrument features excellent pickups, a great tone, a smooth playing neck, and everything else you could want in an electric travel guitar.
• What Are the Best Acoustic Travel Guitars?

There are quite a few acoustic travel guitars available on the market. Here are some top choices that you might want to consider picking up.

• Washburn RO10SK : This instrument has a great tone, a nice finish, excellent tuning machines, a tuner, a strap, and it ships with a gig bag to protect your guitar.
• Cordoba Mini II M : This instrument has easy-to-play nylon strings, a solid wood construction, a great tone, and easy playability.
• Journey Instruments PJ410N : This acoustic instrument is collapsible with a smooth finish, an excellent tone, and great convenience for traveling.
• What Are the Best Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitars?

When looking for the best travel guitar, you may want the best of both acoustic and electric sounds. There are several acoustic-electric guitars on the market to choose from. Here are three choices you might want to consider.

• Traveler AG-105E : This instrument has a nice finish, comfortable neck, built-in pickup, tuner, and headphone jack. It’s one of the best travel guitars under $500.
• LAVA ME 2 : This guitar has a smooth finish, easy playability, a great tone, a solid construction, and you can play it with or without an amplifier.
• Cordoba Mini EB-CE : This guitar has a smooth finish, an excellent pickup system, easy playability, and it’s easy to take with you as it’s only 1/2 size.
• What Are the Best Collapsible Travel Guitars?

When you’re traveling, you don’t have a whole lot of room for your guitar. In this case, you’ll want one that collapses down. Here is a guide to several that are the best collapsible travel guitars you might want to go with.

• Journey Instruments OF66OR1M : This instrument has an exceptional tone, easy playability, a great neck, and it collapses down into one easy-to-carry package.
• Cross Guitar 1.0 : Offers a full acoustic guitar neck, easy playability, great tone, and it folds down so you can take it with you.
• Journey Instruments OF312 : This instrument offers an exceptional tone, has a great finish, comes with a pickup, and collapses down so you can take it with you.
• What Are the Best Backpacking Travel Guitars?

When you’re on the go and don’t have a whole lot of room to spare for your guitar, you might want to consider a small backpacking instrument. Here are a few of the best backpacking guitars you might want to pick up.

• Martin Backpacker : One of the best instruments for backpacking is the Martin Backpacker. This guitar has a great tone, easy playability, a solid construction, and you can take it with you anywhere.
• Washburn Rover 6 : This small backpacking guitar has a great tone and excellent playability. It comes with a gig bag and is easy to take with you.
• Cross Guitar 2.0 : This guitar is simple to take with you as it folds down, and it has a great tone and playability.
• Things to Consider When Choosing a Travel Guitar

There are several things that you want to consider when choosing a travel guitar. Below are the options that you should keep in mind before you make your purchase.

• Budget: Have an idea of the budget you have to spend on your instrument. You can spend anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to close to $1,000 on a travel guitar.
• Acoustic or electric: You have to decide whether you want an acoustic or an electric guitar. You could also buy an acoustic-electric guitar , so you have the best of both worlds.
• Wood: The wood choice for a travel guitar can make a difference. Some of these instruments aren’t made with the best materials, while others use solid wood in the construction.
• Playing level: If you’re new to playing guitar, you probably want an instrument that’s easy to play. If you have more experience, then you can probably go with a more complex travel guitar.

Level of Experience

You’ll find a travel guitar whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or an advanced player. What you decide to buy will all depend on your various needs. Here are some of the things you can expect at different playing levels.

Beginner Travel Guitars

At the beginner level, you can expect to find basic instruments. They’ll probably cost you only a couple of hundred dollars. They’ll have a basic tone and playability. They’re perfect for anyone that’s just starting.

Intermediate Travel Guitars

At the intermediate level, there are more options available to you. For example, you might want to go with an electric guitar as your intermediate travel instrument. These guitars cost more but use better wood and have a better sound.

Professional Travel Guitars

If you’re a professional player, you can pick something that will work for your individual needs. Whether you’re an acoustic or an electric player, there’s an option out there for you.

Some travel guitars have a full-length guitar neck, while others have a length that’s a bit shorter. You can also get instruments that are 1/2 or 3/4 size. These smaller student guitars are also perfect travel guitars for adults.

There are various types of wood used in guitars. Here are some of the options you can expect to see when you make your purchase:

• Mahogany: This word is often used in the top and sides of acoustic guitars. It has an excellent tone and resonance.
• Maple: This wood is durable and is often used in the construction of guitar necks for electric instruments.
• Spruce: Acoustic guitar tops are often made of spruce wood as it has a great tone and reliability.
• Rosewood: Fretboards of acoustic instruments as well as electric instruments are often made of rosewood. This wood is smooth and easy on the fingers as you play.
• Alder: This wood is often used to make the bodies of electric guitars as it’s reliable, long-lasting, and sounds great.
• Laminate: Some instruments are made with a combination of wood called laminate wood. This is usually used on lower-cost instruments.
• Shellac: This is used on guitars because it’s durable and long-lasting.
• Oil and wax: Some acoustic instruments are finished with oil and wax, as they bring out the wood’s natural shine.
• Nitrocellulose lacquer: This is a common finish used on modern instruments because it has an excellent shine, great durability, and it helps protect the guitar.
• Polyester: This is another common finish used, as it offers great durability and is long-lasting.

Travel guitars come in various colors. Common colors include natural, white, black, and so on. There are not as many color options for acoustic instruments, but electric ones tend to have more color options.

The Overall Tone & Sound

You want a travel instrument that has a decent sound and tone. If you can spend a little bit more on your travel guitar, it’s certain that higher-cost instruments will have the best sound.

Travel guitars come at various price ranges. Here is what you can expect when you make your purchase.

Budget Travel Guitars

At the budget level, you can expect to pay between $75 and $200. You should try to spend at least over $100 on your guitar. Instruments on the lower end of the spectrum don’t tend to be all that great.

Midrange Travel Guitars

You can expect to pay from $200 to $400 for your instrument at the mid-range or intermediate level. You’ll get better wood, better sound, and an instrument that has better playability at this price.

Top-End Travel Guitars

At the professional level, you have the most options available to you. These instruments cost anywhere between $400 and up. They have the best sound, the best tone, and the reliability you want in a professional instrument.

New vs Used

If you have some experience playing guitar, you can buy a used travel guitar if you want. If you’re new to guitar and want a travel instrument, it’s best to buy it new as you won’t have any problems.

• What’s in a Travel Guitar Box?

You can expect to find several things inside the box when you get your guitar home. Here are some of the things that are commonly found in a guitar box.

Documentation/Checked-by Tag

In the guitar box, you should find a manual or some sort of documentation. You should find a checked-by tag. This ensures that the instrument has been inspected at the factory or at the music store where it was sold.

Accessories

If you buy a guitar kit, you may have several accessories inside the box. This may include a cable, picks, strings, a guitar strap, and other related accessories that came with the package.

Hardshell Case/Gigbag

If your instrument includes a gig bag or hardshell case, you’ll find this in the box.

You may find a few tools in the guitar box. This might include allen wrenches to adjust certain aspects of your instrument.

Whenever you buy a guitar, there are a few extras that you might want to pick up. You were some of the common ones:

• Lesson books
• Guitar stand/chair
• Travel Guitar Brands to Avoid

Try to avoid low-cost guitar kits. This is anything that is under $100 or so. These instruments don’t tend to be made to a high quality. It’s far better to go with a brand name and spend a little extra on your instrument.

• Travel Guitar Parts & Accessories

There are several different parts of travel guitars. This will cover both acoustic as well as electric instruments.

The headstock is where the tuning pegs of the guitar are located. This also includes the string slot and nut. Some travel guitars don’t have headstocks, and the tuning pegs are located in the body.

The neck of a travel guitar is where you’ll find the frets. The neck is attached to the body of the guitar. The neck and headstock are usually one piece of wood.

The travel guitar body is where you’ll find the bridge and electronics if the instrument is electric. You may also find the tuning pegs located here on some guitars, such as the Traveler brand of instruments.

Strap Buttons

Most traveler guitars have two strap buttons. Some of them only have one, so you’ll have to install an extra one for your guitar strap.

Electronics

Electric and acoustic-electric guitars have electronic systems. These include pickups, tone control, volume control, input jack, and some guitars have built-in speakers.

• Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions about travel guitars that you need to know.

How Much Do Travel Guitars Cost?

There are various price ranges for travel guitars. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or more advanced player, there’s a travel guitar out there for you. The basic costs are:

• Beginner: $75-$200
• Intermediate: $200-$400
• Advanced: $400+

What Are the Best Travel Guitars?

The three instruments listed below are what I consider to be the best travel guitar that you can buy. These are suitable for all skill levels and needs.

Traveler Viabrant Deluxe: Best for Advanced Players

The Vibrant Deluxe is an excellent instrument for advanced players. This guitar features a combination of humbucking and single-coil pickups. It produces an amazing tone in one compact package.

Martin Backpacker: Best for Intermediate Players

You get the great tone and reliability of a Martin guitar in one small compact size. This instrument has excellent machine heads, a great tone, a smooth finish, and easy portability.

Dean FLY NYL: Best for Beginners

This instrument is easy to play for beginners as it features nylon strings. It has a solid wood construction, a nice neck, and it comes in at a very attractive price.

Where Are the Best Travel Guitars Made?

Most of the best travel guitars are made in the United States. Several companies offer excellent instruments, including famous brand name companies such as Taylor and Martin.

What Is the Best Sounding Travel Guitar?

The Traveler EG-1 is an excellent travel guitar because it features a great sounding humbucking pickup . I like the neck on this guitar and the fact that it has a classic electric guitar feel.

What Is the Best Guitar for Backpacking?

The Martin Backpacker is the best guitar for backpacking. It’s a small instrument, so you can take it with you no matter where you go. This guitar has a great tone, sound, and playability.

Where to Buy Travel Guitars

There are several places where you might want to pick up your travel guitar. You’ll have to decide whether you want an acoustic, electric, or an acoustic-electric combination. There’s a guitar available for everyone, no matter your level.

Amazon is probably the best place to buy your instrument. You can return it for your money back, read customer reviews, and they have attractive prices. Amazon often has specials so that you can get great deals.

Guitar Center

Another place to purchase online is Guitar Center. They have a huge selection and an excellent guarantee, so you’re sure to find something that meets your needs.

Your Local Music Store

You can always shop at your local music store. This might be an option if you have a location near you. Take someone with you that understands musical instruments if you’ve never bought a travel guitar before.

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Table of Contents

In Conclusion

This concludes my guide to the best travel guitars. There’s a wide range of different instruments for you to choose from depending on your skill level and requirements.

Please leave your questions and comments about travel guitars, as I want to hear from you. Have fun on your next travel adventure and enjoy playing your travel guitar.

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Ciari Guitars Ascender Standard review – a foldable travel guitar that unfolds into a fully fledged pro-level instrument

Developed with acclaimed luthier joe glaser, the ascender standard is a foldaway travel guitar with a difference – you'll want to play it all the time.

Guitar World Verdict

With folding technology that’s precisely engineered, the foldable Ciari Guitars Ascender Standard is a professional guitar that’s ideal for traveling guitarists.

When folded, it meets airline qualifications as a personal item.

Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers.

Unfolds in tune and ready.

Everyone asking you to demonstrate the folding process.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The sad fate of a travel guitar is it can never be more than just that – an occasional travel companion that gets played out of sight in a hotel room or lazily strummed on a beach. Such clichéd views have often made it seem frivolous to own one since it’ll be less likely that you’ll ever use it except when on vacation. 

But that notion will dramatically change once you unfold the Ciari Guitars Ascender Standard – a full-sized professional electric guitar with pioneering foldable tech that neatly folds the guitar in half, allowing it to be easily stowed in an overhead bin or tucked under an airline seat when you travel. Best of all, there’s nothing gimmicky about it, because it’s not your run-of-the-mill travel guitar. 

The Ascender Standard is a precision state-of-the-art instrument that can double as a travel guitar – or as your main guitar – and is equally suitable to be wielded onstage or in the studio with its full-scale design, premium components and desirable asymmetrical looks.

The Ascender Standard is without peer as a travel guitar. Whereas other travel guitars tend to look awkward or unconventional (to accommodate their compact dimensions for travel), the Ascender Standard is, by all appearances, a standard-sized electric guitar with a 24 and ¾-inch scale length just like a Gibson, and to be fair, I feel it’s better to consider it more as a conventional guitar (with the ability to fold in half). 

It has many traditional features, such as a nano-satin basswood body in a black matte finish, a 3-ply black pickguard, a mahogany neck with a natural-neck finish and an ebony fingerboard (planed and fret-leveled by Plek-machining), 22 medium jumbo nickel frets, a small 3+3 headstock with Ciari locking tuners, Tune-o-Matic roller bridge, the classic combo of two Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers, a master volume and tone and a three-way pick-up selector. 

The guitar incorporates a novel and patented foldable system accessed from the back of its body that looks far more intricate and intimidating than the actual act of unfolding or folding the guitar.

This folding mechanism includes an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy mid-neck hinge, a translating locking strut to selectively enable or disable the hinge and a floating tailpiece, all of which work collectively to fold the guitar down to a travel-ready 18 ½-inch length and 12 ½-inch width.

Pulling the concealed actuator lever underneath the body toward the center strap pin starts the process of folding the guitar by gently releasing the neck backward and dropping the string tension (from 118 lbs. to 3 lbs).

From there, the strings slacken into the guitar’s six “protective” V-shaped grooves at the 12th and 14th frets, allowing them to safely follow the fold and stay in place by a plastic guide bar behind the nut as the neck splits in two at those respective frets.

Conversely, holding the neck and slowly raising it up from the back of the guitar while keeping the strings in place and pulling the actuator lever toward the neck plate will lock the neck in place and fully restore proper string tension. Adding to its top-notch provenance, the Ascender was designed in cooperation with acclaimed luthier Joe Glaser and is manufactured in Ciari Guitars’ Nashville shop.

Performance

The Ascender Standard arrives completely folded inside a compact and durably quilted Ciari gig bag (there’s also a Ciari backpack sold separately that can house that gig bag along with extra pockets for accessories and room for even a laptop).

Once you unzip the gigbag , it’s astonishing to see this folded heap of metal and wood – which looks like it's been put through a car crusher – unfold into a fully fledged pro-level instrument. Nothing about the process of folding or unfolding the guitar compromises its structural stability or the integrity of its setup and swift playability.

It all neatly locks into place in seconds in an uncannily accurate and stable manner. Even more surprising, the Ascender Standard has been so precisely engineered that once unfolded, the guitar is miraculously close to being in tune – if not in tune. 

And since this guitar has been built to exacting standards, and with Plek tech, it almost seems unnecessary to tell you that it plays smoothly and without any fret buzz; plus, the versatile Duncan ’59 humbuckers sound articulate and harmonically rich for any style of music. The only drawback I foresee is that your musician friends might ask you to show them how it folds – repeatedly.

• PRICE: $1,799
• TYPE: Full-sized foldable travel electric guitar
• BODY: Basswood
• NECK: Mahogany
• SCALE LENGTH: 24.75"
• FINGERBOARD: Ebony, Plek'd
• PICKUPS: 2x   Seymour Duncan ‘59 humbucker pickups
• CONTROLS: Volume, Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• HARDWARE: Tune-o-Matic Roller Bridge, locking tuners
• FINISH OPTIONS: Black, White, Seafoam, Blue, Red
• CONTACT: Ciari Guitars

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Paul Riario has been the tech/gear editor and online video presence for Guitar World for over 25 years. Paul is one of the few gear editors who has actually played and owned nearly all the original gear that most guitarists wax poetically about, and has survived this long by knowing every useless musical tidbit of classic rock, new wave, hair metal, grunge, and alternative genres. When Paul is not riding his road bike at any given moment, he remains a working musician, playing in two bands called SuperTrans Am and Radio Nashville.

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7-string practice/travel guitar! - check it out!

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Take a look at what i found while wandering around the Japanese Fernandes site: http://www.fernandes.co.jp/g_b/ZO-7/ZO7.html Nifty!  

7-string practice/travel guitar! LOL!  

7-string practice/travel guitar! They must be kidding... :sarcasm:  

7-string practice/travel guitar! I think they look quite cool  

7-string practice/travel guitar! i'm actualy in need of a travel 7 string... i was thinking more along the lines of the martin backpacker than the fernandes nomad though... but thinking about it, electric would be the way to go, because the backpacker would just sound way too weird in a 7 string version... i wonder how hard it would be for me to pick one of those up... before feb 20th...  

7-string practice/travel guitar! I saw dweezil zappa rip some mad riffs on one of those guitars. I have the martin back packer but I am an electric player and the fernandes would rock.  

7-string practice/travel guitar! I was actually joking with a friend of mine one time (a couple years ago) about these guitars. I said "I wonder how long it'll take before they'll make a 7-string version!" I meant it as a joke and I can't believe it actually happened! Gawd! Gabe  

7-string practice/travel guitar! thats exactly the same thing i thought to myself when i first saw them... actualy thats the first thing i think whenever i see a nifty guitar...  

I'm not sure any other bigger well-known companies make a small 7-string guitar. All of the main traveler type guitars are 6-string unfortunately. I believe a company called Wing Instruments makes a 7 string travel guitar that is pretty compact. They market it towards being able to fit into most 21" carry on luggage. I've never played one, but I have seen their booth at NAMM. They look pretty legit, but they better for $1k. I'm not sure what your budget is, but this guitar would fit your needs. It's just crazy expensive.  

Isn't every headless 7 string guitar falling in the travel category ? (There should be reward for this 18 year thread resurrection.)  

peromucho7 said: Isn't every headless 7 string guitar falling in the travel category? (There should be a reward for this 18-year thread resurrection.) Click to expand...

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What Strings For Travel Guitar? (Important Tips)

Chief Music Officer

The best strings for your travel guitar will depend on the type of travel guitar you have, and what your priorities are with respect to playability and sound.

We explain each of these issues throughout the rest of the article.

Guitar String Playability

When choosing guitar strings it is important to be clear what of music you expect to be playing (for the most part) as this will have an impact on the string thickness that is best for that technique.

Thicker guitar strings require more tension to achieve the same vibration which makes them harder to press down. This also means they are harder to bend (if you are playing play solos and lead guitar). As a result, some find heavier strings better for strumming, but lighter strings better for lead guitar and soloing.

However, if strings are too light for you, they can bend too easily and you can find them moving around more than you would like.

Guitar String Sound

The desired sound from your travel guitar is also an important consideration. If you want to play in front of people then the volume is important, compared to if you are wanting volume to be lower, if you will need to be quiet.

Thicker strings, that require more tension, produce a louder sound, whereas thinner strings tend to be quieter.

Travel Guitar Design

If your travel guitar is just a smaller version of a standard guitar (e.g 3/4 size), then it will be capable of handling any strings you want to try with it.

But if you have a travel guitar that is a modified design, for example, a folding guitar, then there might be some other factors to consider. The travel with radically different designs, especially folding ones, maybe specifically engineered to handle a certain string tension. Given this fact, if you put heavier strings on them you can void your warranty and potentially damage your guitar.

For example, Journey instruments are very clear on what strings their guitars are made for, and which ones will void the warranty of the instrument.

What Strings Do You Recommend for My Journey Guitar?

So if you do play a heavily modified type of travel guitar it would be wise to check with the manufacturer’s instructions or website, to see what string thickness they recommend.

There is no concern about the actual brand of strings, as long as the thickness is compatible with the design.

But if you have a standard, but a smaller acoustic guitar, then you should be able to try any strings you would like.

Can I Use Any Guitar Strings On A Travel Guitar?

In many cases, you can use any strings you would like on your travel guitar, but if you are using a heavily modified travel guitar (folding neck), etc, then there may be some manufacturer recommendations about the best strings for that instrument. Also be wary if you use strings that are thicker than recommended by the manufacturer, they can cancel your warranty.

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Kostroma Travel Guide

Introduction

Kostroma is a cosy and hospitable Russian city with a unique atmosphere and Russian Empire spirit. Standing on the banks of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers, it boasts lovely embankments and numerous historical sites.

Historical Overview

Kostroma is located 370 kilometres from Moscow. Its population numbers 300 000 people. The city of Kostroma was founded in 1152 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. In the Russian chronicles, the city was first mentioned as late as 1213, when Kostroma was devastated and burned. In 1238, Kostroma was attacked by the Tatar-Mongols. There are two different versions of the origin of the city’s name. The word Kostroma could come from the Finno-Ugric word kostrum, which means a fortress. The second version is related to paganism. During pagan holidays, a straw doll followed by dancing was called Kostroma, and then the doll was burned or dumped into the river. Paganism was strong in the villages around Kostroma. Rituals involving a doll were held until the 19th century. In the middle of the 14th century, Kostroma became part of the Moscow principality. It was also an important trading base and attracted eastern and Russian merchants. During the fire of 1413, 30 buildings were burned in Kostroma. The period from 1425 to 1450 was especially difficult for Kostroma, as there were endless battles over Russia’s lands. Kostroma was located between the Moscow and Galicia Principalities, which competed with each other. Therefore, Kostroma was often pillaged by both the Moscow and Galician princes. The Kazan Tatars also attacked Kostroma. During the Time of Troubles, Kostroma survived difficult times. In 1608, the Poles invaded the city. In neighbouring Galich, a popular uprising took place. The militia liberated Galich and then Kostroma. Soon, the popular movement in Kostroma was suppressed. A year later, a new militia attacked the Poles from Kostroma. The survivors settled in the Ipatiev Monastery and remained there for more than six months. As a result, the wall of the monastery was blown up, and the Russians were victorious. In 1612, the Polish interventionists were expelled from Russia’s lands. Kostroma was the birthplace of new Russian Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov. It’s also the homeland of Russian national hero and martyr Ivan Susanin. Among Kostroma’s attractions, there is a museum dedicated to Ivan Susanin in the village of Susanino, on Sovetskaya Street. During the Soviet period, many churches were destroyed by the Bolsheviks.

On 13 August 1944, Kostroma became the administrative centre of the newly formed Kostroma region. In 1950-1980, the textile, electronics and woodworking industries grew rapidly.

Where to Stay

Kostroma is a popular city among tourists, and most attractions are within walking distance. Most hotels are located on the Volga River embankment, near Gostiny Dvor and the Fire Tower. If you want to admire the incredible view of the Volga from a balcony, take a look at Boutique Hotel Ostrovsky Prichal. It offers good access to the city’s main attractions. Moskovskaya Zastava Hotel is just 10 minutes’ walk from the beach. Ya-Hotel, Dom Na Sennom and Boutique Hotel Old Street are located in the heart of Kostroma. You can also book an apartment or a guest house in the city.

Bars and Restaurants

Despite the size of the city, it’s easy to find a nice restaurant or café here. To try local and international cuisine, have dinner at Izbushka. It’s a modern, chilled-out café where they serve various salads, vareniki (dumplings), fried perch and traditional Russian soups like borshch, solyanka or shchi. Slaviansky is a popular place where you can try vodka-based beverages and meat dishes prepared to traditional Russian recipes. Hundertwasser is named after a famous Austrian architect. Come here to relax with a cup of coffee. Dudki-Bar, Old Pier and Volga are also recommended by both locals and tourists alike.

What to See

• The Ipatiev Monastery is located between the Volga and the Kostroma River. The monastery, founded in 1330, was a kind of fortress on the Volga. In the 16th century, the monastery was surrounded by stone walls, and a number of monastic buildings were also made of stone. In 1613, Trinity Cathedral saw the solemn ceremony to elect Michael Romanov. The first Tsar lived here with his mother. It was referred to as the cradle of the Romanovs. The beautiful Trinity Cathedral is also an outstanding highlight of any visit.
• The Fire Tower is a prominent architectural monument from the 19th century, located on Susaninskaya Square. It is one of five buildings that form the main complex of the Kostroma Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Today, it includes an excursion department of the museum and storage facilities. The Fire Tower was built on the order of Governor K.I. Baumgarten. At the end of 1823, architect P.I. Fursov developed a draft of the building and a budget for its construction. Construction works were carried out between 1824 and 1825 by A. Stepanov, while S.F. Babakin and S.S. Povirznev, two sculptors from Yaroslavl, continued working on the project from 1825 to 1827. When visiting Kostroma in 1834, Emperor Nicholas I was fascinated by the building.
• The Museum of Wooden Architecture was founded in 1958. It is located in the area around ​​the Ipatiev Monastery. The museum is very unusual, as all of its exhibits are located outdoors and represent examples of the religious and residential architecture of the past. Susaninskaya Square is a huge square in the centre of Kostroma. Here, you will see large arcades from the ancient markets, the firewatch tower, the Guard House and the palace of General Borshov. The latter was built between 1819 and 1824. Borshov was a hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. In 1849, the building became a hotel (Hotel London).
• The Bogoyavlensky (Epiphany) Monastery is a church surrounded by strong walls and several massive towers. It’s open to the public, so don’t miss the chance to visit it.
• The old shopping arcades were built in 1796. Here, there were large market halls. Some of these arcades became sophisticated modern stores, but many of them still stand empty.
• The Guard House (Gauptvakhta) is a museum not far from the Fire Tower.
• The Drama Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the country. This classical building was opened in 1863. In 1923, it was named after the famous Russian writer Alexander Ostrovsky. You can also see his monument opposite the building.

Novaya railway station is located 3.5 km from the city centre. Kostroma bus station is just 1 km from the railway station. From here, you can get to Vladimir, Yaroslavl and other Russian cities. If you prefer to go by air, there are 2 flights a week from Moscow to Kostroma. You can also go by bus (7 buses a day), but it will take you 7 hours to get there. If you travel from St Petersburg, the train is the easiest option. Getting around Kostroma is easy – you can use trolleybuses, buses and taxis.