What's the best "travel" guitar?

I prefer a classical guitar, since it has a smaller body size than an accustic one.

If you want the metalic sound (or more 12 strings) you'll have to get an accustic one, though if you consider a Banjo a kind of a guitar you can always take that since it smaller (though not everyone likes the sound of it ;-) ).

There is another option, which is to get an electric guitar and get a battery powered small amplifier like this one.

I'm not sure I understand your question the way Eran did -- are you looking for recommendationf for travel guitars like one this page?

Paul, you got my meaning. Thanks for the link; hadn't seen that site. But what I am seeking is a recommendation - and I should have been more specific: A small guitar, acoustic or classical, for taking on plane trips. Mostly for practice, although maybe for casual playing with friends. The Martin Backpacker seems the obvious choice, but I've seen a lot of negative comments about it on bulletin boards.

I'm a determined newbie on the guitar.

All recommendations appreciated.

Joel, I personally prefer, as I've said, a bit larger guitar than the Martin Backpacker because sound is very important to me. If you want those bass strings to actually get heared as they should you need a larger sound box and that takes up space.

I wonder if someone will invent a folding guitar, that the sound box can be folded without compromising the sound :-).

Regarding the reviews you've heared/seen on the Martin Backpacker guitar, I've looked at Harmoney Central, a web site specializes in music (it also got a large collection of tabelture and chords files for a lot of songs) and you can see the reviews here. As you can see, they are not that bad.

The recommendations I received here were just what I was looking for. I haven't bought a travel guitar yet, because my grandchildren gave me a lovely ukulele for Father's Day, and its tiny size makes it easy to carry while I learn to play it. But I will get one of the recommended guitars, too. Thanks to all responders!

Joel hi,

 For sure the advertised travel guitar does not give you nice feeling of playing guitar too. As I travel a lot between Israel and Holland I decided to leave my acousitc guitar in Israel

Traveling with a small acoustic guitar is do-able when you are the first one to check in into a plane (or fly business).

There is no such fun as hearing the natural sound of a guitar in your hotel room

Jos Voskuil

The best travel guitar is made in the Netherlands by a guy called Phil Neal. I'ts called the Lapstick. Why is it the best? Because it's the only one that you can play while travelling so in a way it is the only real travel guitar. The rest are just portable. Don't believe me? Take a look at

I just bought my daughter an acoustic, and the salesman suggested that if it didn't work out for her, it would make a great "travel guitar" for me. It's a Martin, specifically a "Little Martin". I really enjoy playing it already...