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Entertainment & Artistry => Music => Topic started by: Perspective on September 04, 2020, 09:00:46 AM

Title: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: Perspective on September 04, 2020, 09:00:46 AM
I've been looking for a good travel guitar. Something small and good for camping, cottages, and taking to friends' back-yard fire pit parties.

I had pretty much decided on a Taylor GS Mini (https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini) since I love Taylor guitars and the GS mini sounds amazing for its size. But I've discovered a few interesting alternatives lately.

One is the KLOS full carbon travel guitar (https://klosguitars.com/products/klos-full-carbon-fiber-travel-guitar?variant=31556656726059). It's pretty much indestructible, can handle any temperature, humidity, dryness, etc... And the neck is detachable for compact travelling. Pretty cool.

Then I came across the Lava Me 2 (https://www.lavamusic.com/en/lava-me2) composite carbon fibre guitar. It's injection molded, so it's basically plastic with bits of carbon fibre that they claim help it hold up to heat and humidity. The really cool part of this guitar is that it has onboard acoustic effects. You can get reverb, delay, and chorus without an amp. It has a built in unit that vibrates the back of the guitar.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: hans on September 04, 2020, 10:58:01 AM
I have an old Go guitar. They don't make them anymore AFAIK but it was a nice little travel guitar. I don't think I've played it for years though at this point. I have a walnut grande with the gig bag.

https://www.go-guitars.com/
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: Perspective on September 08, 2020, 08:20:30 AM
Nice, I love their website :D
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: Perspective on September 21, 2020, 08:33:45 AM
I've added the Martin DJR-10 (https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/junior/djr-10/) to my list and I'm leaning towards that as the winner. Even though a detachable neck and tiny body are appealing for a travel guitar, my intended use is less about hopping on planes and more about camping / cottage trips. So I'd rather a better sound even if it's a little less portable. That puts the Taylor GS Mini and Martin up front, and since I already have a Taylor I'm leaning towards the Martin. It sounds great in the demos I've seen, still have to try one in person.

I also came across Journey Instruments (https://journeyinstruments.com/product-category/overhead-firstclass-collapsible-wood-guitars/) which has a cool "quick snap" detachable neck (vs. the 4 screws in the KLOS). Even comes with a TSA certified carry-on bag. Cool product if you're flying a lot.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: hans on September 21, 2020, 09:17:46 AM
If you'll be outside a lot and in changing weather, my preference would go to a carbon fiber or other composite material body. Humidity changes will mess with any wood guitar.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: Perspective on September 22, 2020, 08:27:36 AM
Yeah, I expect 3 - 4 camping / cottage trips per year and we're pretty good about keeping guitars in a case with humidifier when not being played. This guitar will also be our main "around the house" guitar (and the junior size making it more accessible to the kids). I'm still on the fence about the lava me 2, but leaning towards the Martin.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: hans on September 22, 2020, 08:55:31 AM
My around the house and travel guitar is an old Larrivee parlor. Might also be worth adding to your list. Mine is an older one before they added all the bling.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: Perspective on September 28, 2020, 09:43:54 AM
I went to the store last week to buy the Martin and came out with the Taylor GS Mini Koa. The sound wasn't even comparable, the Taylor mini Koa is just incredible for its size. The Martin sounds good, but not even comparable to the Mini Koa in my opinion. I also liked the Taylor's fretboard better (real wood) vs. the Martin's Richlite board. The only thing I liked better about the Martin was the 1 3/4" nut width. The taylor is smaller, but still comfortable to play. It will be better for the kids too I suppose.

Took it up to a cottage over the weekend and it was thoroughly enjoyed :D Very happy with this guitar.
Title: Re: Lava Me 2 (and travel guitars)
Post by: hans on September 28, 2020, 06:42:32 PM
Hey, a friend of mine just bought one of those too. Super pretty.