Thursday, April 24, 2014

Why A Portable Guitar Is A Good Investment For Backpackers

By Essie Osborn


These days, going backpacking for a couple of months or even a year or two has become a rite of passage like never before. It's a more economical way to see the world and to experience local culture more authentically than you would have on an organized tour. Many backpackers also allow some time for volunteering, especially when they travel to developing countries. Traveling light is the name of the game but one item that will always come in handy on a backpacking trip is a portable guitar.

Of course all guitars are portable since this is how the instrument was designed. However, they're not normally the most traveler friendly objects. They're awkwardly shaped and bulky. However, travel guitars are made specifically for musicians who want to be on the road a lot. They're smaller by comparison but produce a similar sound, unlike ukuleles, which produce sounds at a higher pitch.

Travel guitars are wonderful for airplane trips. Manufacturers often take into account the maximum sizes of luggage that you're allowed to take with you into the cabin and then ensure that their guitars fall within those limits. The result is that you won't have to check in your instrument but can simply keep it with you as hand luggage. This eliminates the risk of the instrument getting damaged by baggage handlers.

When you backpack, you`ll probably find yourself traveling like the locals do. This means taking buses, small boats or even pick-up trucks for journeys between destinations. Traveling with bulky luggage can be very difficult and because your stuff may have to go onto the roof rack, it slows you down when you have to change from one vehicle to another for the next leg of the journey. Carrying only a compact guitar will make the trip much easier since you can normally keep it on you.

You may be spending some time hiking or trekking. This is another time when you'll be grateful for only carrying a small instrument with you. Not only is it light and easy to carry but it gives you a way to pass the time around the campfire at night, especially when you're far away from civilization, WiFi connections and clubs.

Musical instruments can help you make friends. You might meet like-minded travelers who'll enjoy jamming with you, for instance. You may even pick up some new tricks and learn songs in other languages. If you want some quiet time, however, you can also sneak away and strum some chords while looking out over the ocean or enjoying the sunset. This will help you become centered again.

Some people think that taking musical instruments along when you go backpacking is silly and impractical. However, they forget that musicians can easily make money on the road. You can busk for some extra coins anywhere you want. In many backpacker bars you may even be able to get a paid gig or two to help supplement your income.

Stores that sell musical instruments sometimes have a travel guitar or two in stock. However, if you're looking for a variety to choose from, your best option is to look online. Some companies even specialize in making travel guitars only. If you're a serious guitarist, an alternative is to ask a luthier to build an instrument especially for you.




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