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17 Best Travel Guitars in 2024 (All Price Ranges and Styles)

If you’re a musician that’s always on the move, you know how difficult it can be to carry a full-size guitar along all the time. Bumpy roads and crammed flights can damage precious instruments in a single unfortunate moment. Instead of risking your primary guitars, taking a more compact travel guitar is a great option that all musicians should consider.

Travel-friendly guitars not only sound and play like regular guitars, but are compact, lightweight, and are far easier to travel with on road trips than full-sized guitars. If you’ve been thinking of getting yourself a travel-sized guitar but are unsure which one to pick, then you’ve come to the right spot.

I’ll start this article by reviewing the best travel guitars at each price point, but if you want to learn more about them before reading reviews, I’ve included some information about travel guitars at the bottom of the page. In this article, I’ll cover all the different styles of travel guitars so you can find the one to best suit your needs!

Here Are the Best Travel Guitars

1. martin lx1 little martin acoustic guitar (best overall acoustic).

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My Review: When it’s a Martin, you can rest assured that it is going to be a top quality guitar. The iconic American brand is well known for crafting some of the greatest sounding acoustic guitars around. The Little Martin is a testament to the saying that good things come in small packages. Built with solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, this small wonder produces the same resonant, loud projection akin to top-of-the-line Martins and comes with a padded gig bag.

Overall Build and Size: We are in awe of Little Martin’s smart design which has delivered a great guitar that belies its 23” scale and 15” length. This wonderful sounding model is extremely sturdy and very easy to play, making it a perfect travel companion as well as a great pick for beginners. Little Martin is a popular choice when it comes to a travel guitar as it packs comfortably into overhead compartments of most airlines. This natural golden-brown, small-bodied acoustic comes equipped with a black Micarta bridge with compensated white Tusq saddle and chrome small-knob tuners.

Overall Sound Quality: Little martin’s powerful projection and a well-balanced tone set it apart from other miniature parlor guitars. It delivers a pretty bright and resonant sound and scores high on versatility. Take it along with you on your next trip to the hills and let the magic unfold.

Body and Neck Wood: This Martin LX1 boasts of a solid Sitka spruce top with a warm satin finish which gives it classic look. The back and sides are made up of Mahogany high-pressure laminate. The guitar has a hand-rubbed rust birch laminate neck which has a modified low oval shape with standard taper making it extremely comfortable to play. The use of sustainable wood in some of its parts has made us fall in love with this beauty all the more.

Key Features:

• Solid Sitka spruce wood top
• Big on tone, quality, and versatility
• Perfectly travel-sized and easy to carry
• Eco-friendly construction using sustainable wood parts
• Affordable for a Martin guitar

2. Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar (Best Value Acoustic)

My Review: If you are looking for a pocket-friendly 3/4 acoustic travel guitar with a good tone and easy playability, the small and portable Yamaha JR1 FG might be worth looking at. The natural Spruce top and the rosewood fretboard offers great playability and a bright tone, while locally sourced tonewood adds a reliable durability to the overall body. Compact, light, and bearing the time-trusted Yamaha brand legacy, this travel guitar is lightweight without compromising on the sound quality. Overall, I would say this is the best travel acoustic guitar for the money.

Overall Build and Size: The JR1 FG is a well designed 33 1/4-inch medium-sized dreadnought that strikes a good balance between value and quality. Despite being originally positioned as a beginner guitar for children, we found it to be quite a good option for adults looking for a reliable travel guitar as well. What we like about this model is that it doesn’t let its compact size come in the way of offering a great tone.

The build is of good quality with a rosewood fretboard and a sturdy mahogany neck which offers a comfortable playability. This makes it a great fit for most guitarists – from young students just starting out to someone looking to play an impromptu gig by the bonfire.

Overall Sound Quality: Thanks to the Spruce wood top, players get a nice resonant tone that amplifies lower tones surprisingly well – normally you wouldn’t really expect a guitar this compact to have such an impressive low end. Because of this quality, this will work well when playing in intimate settings with a small audience. Its sound is great right out of the packaging, without any tweaks needed. You’ll also see that the brand offers quite a comfortable action on it already.

Body and Neck Wood: The Luna uses a Spruce wood for its top, locally sourced tonewood for the body and sides, and rosewood for the fretboard which makes it long-lasting and durable. The neck is sturdy, but not too wide, which gives it an easy feel when playing, especially for kids or someone with smaller hands. It is well-balanced, and, when played sitting down, fits quite comfortably as you play.

• Compact, well-designed body
• Spruce wood top
• Amplifies lower tones remarkably well for its size
• Affordably priced

3. Taylor Baby Taylor BT1 Walnut Acoustic Guitar (Editor’s Choice Acoustic)

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My Review: Thinking of getting yourself a travel guitar which is an all-rounder? Look no further than Baby Taylor BT1. Manufactured by Taylor, a brand renowned for carefully crafted, high quality, and great sounding acoustic guitars packed with playability enhancing features, Baby Taylor BT1 fits this definition to a T. The small-bodied guitar is made with a premium tonewood combination of Spruce/Walnut and comes with an X-braced top, die-cast chrome tuners and a Micarta Saddle. In addition to being a great choice for travelers, this little wonder will make for a perfect starter guitar for young players.

Overall Build and Size: Baby Taylor BT1 is a trimmed down, sleek ¾ dreadnought and great for traveling players who prefer smaller instruments. This dread may be small but offers the same features that make this iconic American brand so legendary. The guitar has a solid spruce top which works well in enhancing resonance as well as capturing nuances and dynamics. The layered walnut body offers resilience from temperature and humidity and gives it an aesthetically pleasing look. The acoustic sports an elegant, natural look with a varnish finish.

Overall Sound Quality: Don’t be fooled by its small size- Baby Taylor BT1 delivers a surprisingly bold and loud sound for a scaled-down dreadnought. Thanks to the bright sounding spruce wood top and walnut back and sides. The guitar’s tonewood pairing works well in creating a warm and resonant tone with great definition.

Body and Neck Wood: The BT1’s top wood is expertly crafted with solid Sitka Spruce wood and teamed with a layered walnut body and a glossy smooth ebony fretboard. The sleek Maple neck feels familiar and very comfortable when held. There is no doubt that you will have an absolute blast playing this great little guitar wherever you decide to take it.

• Perfect Travel Buddy for all guitar enthusiasts
• Scaled-down dreadnought with short maple neck, easy to play
• Solid high-quality tonewoods used- Spruce top, Walnut body
• Taylor hard bag included

4. Travelcaster Deluxe Electric Guitar (Best Overall Electric)

My Review: Fender has always been known to push the envelope for quality and player-friendly features, and they’ve done it again with the neat little travelcaster deluxe. This innovatively designed electric guitar retains a full scale length, but cuts down the body design in an innovative fashion. Weighing extremely light, you can enjoy the quintessential tele sound even when on the move, thanks to its high quality single coil pickups and a delicious vintage tremolo. If you’re looking for the best travel electric guitar and are willing to spend the money, this is one of my top recommendations.

Overall Build and Size: Weighing only 5 lbs, the travelcaster scores high when it comes to portability, especially for an electric guitar. We’re quite impressed with its innovative design that retains the essential contours of an electric guitar’s S-shaped body while cutting out the rest to make it travel-friendly. Its adjustable 2 point fulcrum bridge adds even more customizability, while chrome tuning machines let you tune your strings to perfect precision. This allows you to enjoy a full scale length with a guitar that can easily fit into a cramped car space or overhead compartment of a plane.

Overall Sound Quality: This is perhaps the best part about this little wonder – unlike some other travel guitars that may sacrifice certain elements of playability or tone, the travelcaster deluxe offers the same crisp, snappy, high quality tone and sound quality that Fender is famous for, even in this compact setup. This has been made possible because of the three high quality ceramic single coil picks, and a 5-way pickup selector that lets you mix and match to zero in on the perfect tone. Finally, the vintage style tremolo lets you squeeze out a fabulous variety of sounds and sustains, so there’s nothing that holds you back from expressing your creativity, even on a travel guitar.

Body and Neck Wood: The lightweight of the travelcaster deluxe has been made possible thanks to its poplar body, which keeps the overall setup extremely portable and nimble. The maple neck and fretboard allow for butter-smooth playability anytime, anywhere.

• High quality ceramic single coil pickups
• Vintage style tremolo for more creative possibility
• 5-way pickup selector for tone customizability
• Extremely lightweight at 5 lbs
• Full scale-length

5. Traveler Guitar 6 String EG-1 Custom (Best Full Scale)

My Review: If you are scouting for a full-scale electric guitar which is also light enough to travel along with, look no further- The Traveler Guitar EG-1 Custom fits the bill. The single-cut guitar’s alder body makes it compact and lightweight while also giving it a strong, clear, and full-bodied sound. It features Traveler’s proprietary 4-channel in-built headphone amplifier, an in-body tuning system, and an aux-in jack, making it perfect to jam privately or rock out.

Overall Build and Size: The Traveler Guitar EG-1 retains the full scale 24.75” and 28.5” length of a standard-sized guitar while weighing less than 5 pounds and packs effortlessly in an airplane overhead bin. It has been cleverly designed without a headstock and built from a lightweight yet top-notch Alder, making it compact yet ideal for those unwilling to compromise on a scale as well as playing experience. It comes in a classic glossy black color.

Overall Sound Quality: The EG-1 Custom’s alder body and mahogany neck give it a rich and balanced tone with a great playing experience. It is equipped with Traveler’s custom onboard headphone amps which allow you to choose from clean, boost, overdrive, and distortion tones using the custom tone knob push-pot. With this travel guitar, you are not only getting a full-sized feel but also a world-class quality sound, thanks to the chromatic Shadow E-tuner built right into its Alnico Humbucker 9K pickup.

Body and Neck Wood: The snazzy travel guitar is crafted from premium tonewoods with an alder body, an African mahogany neck, and a walnut fingerboard. It features some fantastic aesthetically pleasing appointments such as a white-black-white binding on its glossy black Alder body, a gold humbucker with cream pickup ring, and black dish knobs with Gold caps.

• Full scale and ergonomically designed travel guitar
• Crafted from top-notch hardwood
• Built-in headphone amp with 4-channels
• Aux-in for riff learning and jamming to your favorite songs
• Chromatic E-tuner on pickup ring
• Comes with a compact, custom gig bag

6. Martin Steel-String Backpacker Travel Guitar

My Review: Martin Guitar Co.’s Backpacker has been innovatively designed to be the perfect travel mate for you. This well-built acoustic is a steal considering it has a solid Spruce wood top and is priced within an affordable range of $300. It’s incredibly fun to play and can act as a great backup guitar when your primary one is not around. This popular travel guitar was launched more than 25 years ago in the mid-nineties and we’ve only heard great things about it since. This is easily one of the best travel guitars for backpacking and trips where you just can’t bring a larger guitar.

Overall Build and Size: Martin’s Backpacker is an incredibly light and compact guitar making it easy to stow away and take along on treks or trips without a worry in the head. Although designed to be easy to carry, weighing less than 2-1/2 lbs., nowhere does it compromise in the sturdiness and durability department. Built with a solid Spruce wood top and Mahogany back and sides, it has a beautiful natural hue and a matte finish.

Overall Sound Quality: The Backpacker has a robust and impressive sound for a guitar its size. It may not give out the rich tone rendered by a typical dreadnought but don’t let that make you think that you’ll be sacrificing in the tonal quality with this little travel buddy. The guitar has been crafted from high-end hardwood which lends it an unamplified projection, making it perfect for travel.

Body and Neck Wood: This travel guitar has a solid Spruce top and Mahogany back, sides, and neck giving it the classic Martin acoustic sound. It has a narrow body with 15 frets and a flared lower bout making it extremely easy to carry. Just sling it over the shoulder and you are good to go!

• Ultra-compact and extremely light
• Made from high-end spruce and mahogany hardwood
• Narrow body, easy to carry
• Unamplified and consistent sound
• Comes with a padded gig bag and chrome tuners

7. Luna Safari Series 3/4 Size Travel Guitar

My Review: This 3/4 size dreadnought is a part of Luna’s pocket-friendly Safari series. The brand has a reputation for crafting great-looking guitars. This model features a solid mahogany top, back, and asides and has an eye-catching Celtic laser etching around the soundhole. This beautifully handcrafted guitar is lightweight but packs in a punch with its powerful tonal quality. Luna Muse Safari comes with a branded gig bag which makes it easy to carry it when you are on the go.

Overall Build and Size: This stunning acoustic has a scale length of 22.5” and weighs just shy of 4 lbs., making it an incredibly light and ultra-compact travel companion. All panels of this 3/4 sized dreadnought have been crafted with mahogany. It also comes with a 19-fret rosewood fingerboard and bridge and chrome-colored hardware. The tuning machine is sealed die-cast and the nut and saddle are Graph Tech BC6115. The charming reddish-brown shade of mahogany makes this guitar a real treat to the eyes.

Overall Sound Quality: The Mahogany body and dreadnought structure of Luna Safari Muse ensures that players enjoy a rich and articulate sound. It may not be too low-end heavy, but with its delightfully bright sound and a pocket-friendly price tag, it sure is a steal!

Body and Neck Wood: Luna Safari Muse has been entirely made out of Mahogany which is a popular tonewood known to produce and sustain a well-balanced tone. The C-shaped neck makes for a breezy playing experience. The warm natural satin finish and the mother of pearl moon phase inlay on the fingerboard give it a classy and mystical look.

• A travel-sized dreadnought with laser engraved Celtic rosette
• Fun and easy to play, ideal for younger players
• Rich and articulate sound
• Perfect for left as well as right-handed players
• Budget-friendly with most websites offering it under $200

8. Traveler Guitar Mark III MK3 MHG Acoustic-Electric Guitar

My Review: When an entire company is dedicated to building top-of-the-line travel-friendly guitars, you know you cannot go wrong when you opt for one of theirs. The Traveler Mark III MK3 Acoustic-Electric is a full scale, unique looking guitar with a Mahogany body. Like other Travelers, it too features an in-built Shadow headphone amp, an aux input for jamming, and a proprietary in-body tuning system. With a standard tuning system, this travel guitar does not need a special set of strings and works perfectly with any standard acoustic strings you prefer.

Overall Build and Size: Measuring around 30” in length while weighing less than 5 pounds, this Mahogany guitar has a minimalistic body which makes it portable and player-friendly. The in-body tuning system eliminates the need for a headstock, making it sleek and travel-sized while offering a full-scale playing experience. The Escape Mark III comes equipped with a Shadow NanoFlex piezo under-saddle pickup which produces the authentic acoustic sound while the standard ¼” output jack lets you effortlessly switch to the electric mode. The control plate allows you to adjust the volume and tone directly from the guitar.

Overall Sound Quality: The Electric-Acoustic has been cleverly built to produce exceptional electronics as well as the authentic acoustic style sound. The choice of hardwood used lends it a resonant, well-balanced tone which is carried through even when you plug in the guitar and use it as a semi-electric.

Body and Neck Wood: The Escape Mark III has a natural finish mahogany body with a cutaway for access to higher frets, and a bolt-on mahogany neck. To top it off, it has a Rosewood fretboard which is the most commonly used fretboard owing to its warm and rich tones and the ability to even out the high-end harshness.

• Full scale, versatile guitar
• Stows away comfortably in overhead bins
• Built-in headphone amp with clean, distortion, boost, and overdrive tones
• High quality, plush gig bag included
• Built-in chrome tuner

9. Cordoba Mini M Nylon String Guitar

My Review: Cordoba has a well-earned reputation for making traditional Spanish guitars with a modern twist. The brand is an innovator and leader in high-quality nylon-string guitar and the model we are about to review here is no exception.

Cordoba’s Mini M is a travel-sized traditional looker. With a mahogany body and a spruce top, it has an incredibly rich tone and a full, bright sound. The brilliant combination of its ultra-compact body and a full-sized 1.96” nut width makes it very easy to play and an ideal companion for your vacations or road trips.

Overall Build and Size: Mini M is an extremely lightweight,18-fret, nylon string parlor with a beautiful rose pattern etched out along its rosette. A short 20” scale length and full 1.96” nut width makes it an ideal travel sized guitar while retaining the string spacing and the overall feel of a full-sized guitar. The natural satin finish gives it a gorgeous sheen without betraying its woody feel. The guitar comes with a custom Aquila string set, tuned to A but can be tuned to standard E tuning with a thicker gauge. The Minis also come in three different wood combinations-spruce/mahogany, spruce/rosewood, and all ovangkol.

Overall Sound Quality: Despite its easy on the pocket price tag, Cordoba’s commitment to quality and sound with Mini M is truly admirable. It has a lightweight body with an impressively loud sound thanks to its smart design and the quality tonewoods used.

The solid spruce wood top offers a blend of clear, rich, and complex sound which is backed by a powerful tonal foundation owing to its mahogany back and sides.

Body and Neck Wood: With Mini M you get a solid Spruce wood top guitar without hurting your pocket. A solid wood top is an unbeatable vis a vis laminate or select wood, as it not only gives out a great tone but also lasts for longer. The mahogany body enhances the sturdiness property and clubbed with spruce wood top and rosewood fretboard contributes to the deep richness and resonance of this guitar. Mini M’s solid and heavy Mahogany U-shaped neck enhances the sustain and captures every nuance and detail, beautifully.

• Affordable, lightweight guitar with an impressive sound
• Solid top and body made from quality tonewoods
• Comfortable U-shaped Mahogany neck
• Includes a gig bag

10. Fender CT-140SE Travel Acoustic-Electric Guitar

My Review: Perfect for all guitar enthusiasts- whether professional or hobbyists, The CT-140SE acoustic-electric is undeniably one of the finest travel bodied guitars made by Fender. Compactly built with solid Rosewood and a spruce top, it features a sophisticated Fishman Presys pickup and preamp system, which ensures an authentic sound is reproduced even when plugged in. The solid high-end components and a hardshell case all priced under $400, make this Fender a great value and should definitely be explored when picking out a guitar for serious beginners or simply for your travel needs.

Overall Build and Size: Traveling with CT-140SE is a cakewalk thanks to its compact dimensions. An auditorium shaped travel body has been scaled down to 23.5” to ensure it fits well into cramped spaces and overhead airline compartments. With premium hardwood used through the body as well as Fishman pickups and preamp system, rolled fingerboard edges, players can expect an easy to play high-quality guitar that’s quite sturdy in its design. CT-140SE comes with two color options- Natural and Sunburst with a glossy finish and equipped with chrome-plated hardware.

Overall Sound Quality: CT-140SE offers high-quality Fender sound at a reasonable price. The spruce wood top renders a powerful sound and detailed dynamics while the rosewood body & fretboard delivers rich overtones. The scalloped, X bracing design also plays a vital role in enhancing this bolder, richer tone as well as its harmonic output.

Body and Neck Wood: The Acoustic-Electric has a solid spruce top is a popular choice of wood for acoustic tops as it offers unparalleled durability and a full, bright, and versatile sound. The rosewood body and neck mellow down the bright punch delivered by the spruce wood. All in all, you get a well-balanced tone that responds well to any style of playing, from hard strumming to fast or delicate picking.

• Top-notch fender quality with a great value
• Solid Spruce top & Rosewood body delivers a rich, balanced tone
• Scalloped, X bracing design
• Easy to play neck with rolled fretboard edges
• Sophisticated Fishman Presys pickup/preamp
•  Hardshell case included

11. Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe

My Review: This next guitar comes from the extensive heritage NY-based brand “Steinberger”. These guitars for their distinctive shape, and high-quality construction, having been used by likes of Geddy Lee (Rush), and Sting (The Police), back in the day to more modern day artists such as Arif Miradolbaghi (Protest the Hero). They feature a headless design, and a compact size playable even on an armed office chair. The GT-Pro brings the same quality and aesthetic to a more affordable line of travel guitars.

Overall Build and Size: The original Spirit was one of the most popular attempts at making a body-less travel guitar in the 80s, and the modern Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe has some unique features to match! Featuring a full 25-½ scale length, and a tight fretboard radius, the Spirit is quite easy to handle, play and travel with. Keeping it simple with one volume and one tone knob, and including a tremolo bridge and the locking tuners make for a stable and well-tuned guitar, even without a headstock.

Overall Sound Quality: The deluxe model features a humbucker pickup on the bridge and neck, with a single coil in the middle. The twin humbuckers designed by Steinberger and perfected by Epiphone, make the Spirit sound fat and round while reducing the tinny signals to a minimum. The 5-way pickup selector also makes the guitar versatile and comfortable across a large selection of amps and amp plugins. Perfect for both the Stage pro, and the couch pro !

Body and Neck Wood: The original Spirit guitars designed by Ned Steinberger, were made from a composite of carbon-fiber, however, the new Spirit GT-Pro eschews that for a completely maple body and neck. In such a small guitar, this resonant wood makes for a big jump in playability and sustain. The Spirit is able to hold its own against full bodied guitars while delivering the same resonance and exceptional output!

• Classic Steinberger design
• Hyper compact
• Gibson (Epiphone) construction, reliability, and warranty
• Bridge and Neck Humbuckers for a well-rounded rock/metal/blues sound

12. Hofner Shorty Electric Travel Guitar

My Review: Are you someone who doesn’t want to be away from their guitar even when traveling? Then the Hofner Shorty Electric Travel Guitar has to be one of your top choices. It offers a full-scale length while being ultra-compact which enables you to take it along with you wherever you go. Fitted with a single Hofner open humbucker pickup, and volume and tone knobs, the Shorty is designed with no flashy bits except for its curious design.

Overall Build and Size: The Hofner Shorty has a basswood top and back, a neck made from maple, and a fretboard made from rosewood. Basswood is a lightweight wood which produces a good sound and works especially well with Hofner’s open humbucker pickup. Considering the price range, the craftsmanship and the materials used to make this guitar are of a better-than-expected quality. The black finish gives it a slight rock and roll feel. The shape of the guitar can feel a bit strange in the beginning with its short body, long neck and the headstock, but you soon get used to it. Overall, the Shorty Electric is a sturdy little guitar that needs some time to adjust to its style and shape.

Overall Sound Quality: Without amplification, the guitar sounds quiet, and is suitable for a quiet day of practice. Once amplified, the sound produced is bright, trebly, and strong. The volume and tone controls work very well and you can get a range of tones from this little guitar from clear to dirty. The action on this guitar might need a touch of adjustment.

Body and Neck Wood: The basswood body and maple neck make for better playability when playing standing up. Its small, neck-heavy body makes it a little awkward to play, which is also compounded by there being no place to rest the playing arm.

• Compact size
• Considerably lightweight
• Strong sound when amplified
• Crisp, clean tone
• Durable gig bag included
• Good bang for the buck

13. Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III

My Review: Looking for a guitar which can hold its own during travel and on stage? Look no further! The Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III offers a full-scale 25.5” while being small enough to fit into the overhead compartment in an airplane. This acoustic-electric comes packed with a plethora of features – from an in-body tuning system, a headphone output to a Shadow under-saddle pickup – that helps you stay on top of your game. This is a great lightweight option for a performer or even for a student who wants to up his game. The Escape Mark III also comes with a deluxe gig bag that keeps it protected when not in use. Overall, I would say this is one of the best travel guitars out there.

Overall Build and Size: The Escape Mark III is just 30” despite boasting a full-scale at 25.5” and has a compact mahogany body, back, and top with a bolt-on mahogany neck. The natural satin finish gives it a refined feel. The single cutaway gives the player access to the higher frets while also giving it a tasteful look. The full-sized scale has a comfortable, familiar feel to it while playing. The relatively thin body needs some getting used to and it can be difficult to rest your arm while playing, but the overall balance of the guitar is excellent. Despite being quite lightweight at 4.5 lbs, it does compromise on the quality, durability, or sturdiness of the piece.

Overall Sound Quality: When not plugged in, the Escape Mark III sounds like any other unplugged electric guitar, but once plugged into an amplification system, produces a sound that emulates a steel-string acoustic guitar. This guitar has a clean, warm, mellow sound and is not disturbed in the slightest by string hum or any other problems. The premium quality mahogany used in the guitar allows for greater resonance and a better sustain. Altogether, the way the Escape Mark III is crafted makes for a truly exceptional auditory experience.

Body and Neck Wood: This guitar features a mahogany body and neck which adds sturdiness to the piece, and the black walnut fretboard gives it a smooth feel while playing. The headstock has been removed from its traditional place and added to the body itself which gives it a different, non-traditional appearance. The In-Body tuning system is sturdy and reliable, and the tuners are protected from outside interference.

• Mahogany wood body
• Full-scale fretboard despite the compact size
• Warm, mellow sound, great resonance
• Shadow under-saddle pickups and In-Body tuning system
• Cutaway to reach higher frets easily
• Lightweight, highly portable
• Great choice for multi-city gigs

14. Voyage Air VAOM-02G2

My Review: Traveling with a guitar, be it a regular sized guitar or that of a travel variety, is awkward due to their long, thin necks. But, with the Voyage Air VAOM-02G2, its manufacturers have found an ingenious solution to that age-old problem – a patented hinge which lets you literally fold the guitar in half! It comes with its very own deluxe Voyager case in which you can stow the guitar when not in use. For someone who doesn’t want to compromise on the dimensions or the size, this is a great fit!

Overall Build and Size: The Voyage Air is a full-sized acoustic dreadnought guitar. The body is made from mahogany as are the back and the sides and has a single-ply laminate spruce top with bracing. The fingerboard and the bridge are crafted from laurel – a soft-colored, brown wood that is almost identical to rosewood. It has a high-gloss protective finish which gives it a soft look. The foldable neck-hinge has been tested under pressure and is very dependable. The build of the guitar is quite sturdy, no matter how strange it might seem to fold and unfold the guitar each time. The only thing to keep in mind is that the strings need to be slackened off before folding!

Overall Sound Quality: Despite being a travel guitar, the Voyage Air is a full-sized acoustic guitar with a full, rich sound and a good deal of projection. The full-scale fretboard offers comfortable playability and adapts to any playing style, be it fingerpicking or strumming.

Body and Neck Wood: The body and the neck are both crafted from mahogany as are the sides and the back. The top is made from a single-ply laminate spruce which can be a letdown for some people. The fretboard is made from laurel as is the bridge on the guitar.

• Foldable design for better storage and transport
• Full-size guitar that can be easily carried around
• Mahogany and spruce laminate body
• Full, rich sound like a regular sized acoustic guitar

15. Cordoba Mini II M, Mahogany, Small Body, Nylon String

My Review: The Cordoba Mini II MH travel guitar is a handsome ½ size guitar. Whether it be an impromptu performance or a relaxed practice session while camping, you won’t hesitate to bust out this beauty. It has a delightfully warm, full, well-balanced tone that seems more like a guitar than a ukulele. The Cordoba Mini II Mahogany is a beauty that ticks all the right boxes in looks, sound quality, playability as well as price!

Overall Build and Size: The small body of the Cordoba makes this an ideal choice for a travel guitar. Being a ½ sized guitar, it is easier to carry along on trips than other bigger guitars. The satin polyurethane finish gives it a more sophisticated look than other guitars in this category. Despite a slightly cramped scale at 22.8”, the guitar tunes perfectly to a standard E and the fingerboard offers overall comfortable playability. Guitar players who have slightly smaller hands will certainly find this to be a more manageable instrument than a full-sized acoustic guitar. The build of this guitar speaks of quality and a solid body that can take the pain of travel.

Overall Sound Quality: The Cordoba Mini II promises to sound more like a full-sized guitar than a ukulele – and delivers! It has a nuanced, full-bodied tone that is mellow and full of warmth. Compared to some other travel guitars, this one has a deeper body that projects the sound well. Even though it isn’t particularly loud, it has enough volume for a lonesome practice session or small, intimate performances.

Body and Neck Wood: The layered mahogany body and neck, and the Morado fretboard (with 19 frets) are instant visual hooks that draw you to this little fellow. There is a single action truss rod inside the neck. Even though this guitar doesn’t feature a full-size scale, the fretboard offers good playability and is easy to adapt to.

• Layered mahogany body and satin finish
• ½ sized guitar easy to carry along
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Warm, full tonality
• Pocket-friendly price
• Ideal for kids and players with smaller hands

16. Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar

My Review: The Traveler Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric is marketed as the smallest, lightest full-scale travel guitar on the market, and it certainly delivers on all these counts. The compact design of the guitar without a headstock is unique, yet offers a full-scale playing experience that one gets on a full-sized acoustic. The piezo pickup delivers a bright acoustic sound when plugged into an amplifier. Despite being a higher-priced guitar, the Traveler Ultra-light Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar is certainly worth a try.

Overall Build and Size: This Traveler Ultra-light guitar really lives up to its name. Weighing in at only 3 pounds, it is one of the lightest travel guitars on the market. At only 24 ¾”, it can even fit into some suitcases and is easy to carry around. Made from a single piece of maple wood with a regular-sized fingerboard made from ebony wood, it comes with an adjustable truss rod. Despite the guitar’s shape, the detachable lap-rest makes it comfortable to play sitting down, although the different designs might take some getting used to. The overall build is quite sturdy and can easily be taken along on your travels and even stowed in the overhead bin on a flight, thanks to its detachable lap-rest. The range of satin finishes it comes in allows you to choose the color you feel the most comfortable with.

Overall Sound Quality: This Traveler guitar comes with a ¼” jack socket and a built-in acoustic piezo pickup which can be used to amplify its sound. The piezo pickup gives it a bright, crisp tone once plugged into an amplifier. This one is a silent guitar and only finds its voice through an amplifier. Given this little fact, it can’t be used to strum a few chords around a campfire but can come in handy when looking to practice quietly. It is also well-suited to live performances where there is an amplification set up at hand.

Body and Neck Wood: The body and neck of the guitar are crafted from a single piece of Eastern American Hard Maple. The full-size fingerboard is made from ebony wood and has 22 frets which are easy to adapt to from a conventional acoustic guitar. The satin finish on top gives it a smooth, hand-friendly feel while playing.

• Extremely compact build
• In-body tuning system
• Bright, crisp, articulate sound
• Piezo pickup for amplification

17. Washburn RO10 Rover Steel String Travel Acoustic Guitar

My Review: Washburn guitars have been consistently delivering guitars crafted with extreme care and quality since the 1880s. The Washburn RO10 Rover features a mahogany wood body, back and sides, a solid spruce top, and a full-size neck which makes for good playability. This guitar produces a sound that emphasizes the treble without being too loud or resonant, which makes it suitable for different playing styles – whether flat-picking or playing finger-style

Overall Build and Size: The Washburn Rover is a visually appealing 33.5” long acoustic guitar, with a beautiful mahogany body and a solid spruce top which enhances its look and overall feel. It has a rosewood fingerboard and a full-size neck which feels like a regular-sized guitar and needs no time to get used to. The fingerboard also makes for good playability. The overall build of the guitar is sturdy and robust and makes for a good, albeit heavier travel guitar. The Washburn is available in a natural finish as well as a blue finish. The deluxe gig bag, included with the instrument, makes sure that no harm comes to the guitar when carrying it around with you.

Overall Sound Quality: The Washburn isn’t made to produce a loud sound, but taking into account its compact size, the sound is quite impressive, if a little more treble-y than usual. For a travel guitar with a full-size neck, the Washburn RO10 Rover lives up to its potential.

Body and Neck Wood: The Washburn is made from a mahogany body and the fretboard is crafted from rosewood. The solid spruce top gives the guitar a nice resonance, although the wood used and the full-sized fretboard makes the guitar a tad heavier than expected.

• Robust, well-built guitar
• Full-sized neck
• Solid spruce top
• Versatile, good playability for multiple playing styles
• Moderately priced

Choosing the Right Travel Guitar (Buying Guide)

Adding a travel guitar to your collection means you can take your 6-string pal along on road trips without a worry. And as you can see from our top 17 list, there are several great options to choose from. What matters is that you pick a type of guitar that you’d prefer – be it playability, size, or tone quality. If you ask us, then our pick for the travel guitar with the most impressive sound quality would be the Baby Taylor BT1 for acoustic and the Travelcaster Deluxe for electric. Be it an intimate impromptu gig or a long road trip, this beauty sounds like a dream and is so compact to travel with.

If you ask us for a great affordable option for a 3/4 travel guitar, then the Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic is worth exploring for those on a budget. Finally, for those looking to strike a balance between the top of the line quality as well as not spend a bomb then you should check out the Washburn RO10 Rover Steel String. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and having a portable companion that gives you the freedom to strum along wherever you are. We hope this list gave you all the information you need to take your pick. Bon voyage!

What Is a Travel Guitar?

Simply put, travel guitars or travel-sized guitars are a more compact, lighter version of a full-sized guitar. You’ll find both acoustic travel guitars and electric variants in the market, depending on your needs.

Most travel guitars have the same or almost the same scale length (distance between the nut and the guitar’s bridge) as regular guitars so that you get a more compact guitar without compromising the playability of the instrument. On the other hand, you also have travel guitar options that have 3/4, 1/2, or even 1/4 scale length as full-size guitars.

Travel guitars have smaller body and neck, which makes them lighter and easier to carry with you wherever you go – be it a month-long cross-country tour, a weekend road trip, or even a backpacking hike to the mountains!

Why Should You Buy a Travel Guitar

Whether you’re a hobby guitarist or an experienced player, there are so many good reasons to get yourself a travel guitar either way. Here are a few for you to go through:

• Light & Portable: Travel guitars are far easier and hassle-free to carry with you when traveling. This is thanks to their compact size and lightweight that lets them easily fit on flights or a vehicle.
• Great Backup Option: they work great as a backup guitar for musicians who don’t want to take their primary guitars on a trip where they’ll be roughing it out.
• Strum On the Road: Inspiration can strike a musician anytime, especially when you’re traveling! Having a travel guitar lets you flesh out your song ideas as and when you think them up – even when you’re out on the road or on vacation.
• Take Up Less Space: If you’re packing up your van for a long road trip, you’ll find that travel guitars take up far lesser space than traditional guitars do, freeing up more storage space for other things that you’d want to carry along.

What to Look For In A Travel Guitar

With several options for travel guitars available in the market, it’s crucial to know what to look for when sizing each option up. Here are the key features you should consider when comparing travel guitars and making your decision:

Full-sized scale-length vs. Reduced Scale Length

Many travel guitars come with a full-size or almost full-size scale length (around 25.5 inches). When making such travel guitars, the manufacturers choose to make them compact by reducing the size of the guitar’s body, instead of the fretboard size or length. These guitars feel like you’re almost playing a regular guitar, just more compact and more portable.

On the other hand, you also find one-half (1/2), three-quarters (3/4), or even as small as one-quarter (1/4) sized guitars. These have smaller fretboards than regular guitars. So consider the scale length you’ll be comfortable playing on when taking your pick.

Overall Size

Even amongst travel guitars, you will find options of all sizes to choose from. While some travel guitars are only slightly smaller than full-size guitars, others are extremely compact. Most full-size guitars are 38 inches in their overall size.

On the other hand, travel guitars So do consider how compact a guitar you’re looking for and look at the measurements when taking your pick.

Tone Quality

As you already might know, the wood used in the guitar’s construction affects its tone and sound quality. Woods like Maple, Spruce, Sitka Spruce, and Rosewood produce a bright, higher, slightly treble-heavy tone and sound.

On the other hand, woods like Mahogany and Koa have a richer, warmer tone that is mid to low-range in its character. So it’s all about deciding what type of sound works best for your playing and style, and going with it.

Quality of Wood Used

As is the case with full-size guitars, do consider the type of body, neck, and fretboard wood used on your potential travel guitar. The better the quality of wood used, the sweeter and richer the sound and the more durable the construction. You can choose from a wide variety of woods such as mahogany, maple, spruce, walnut, and more, depending on the look and sound you prefer.

Overall Shape and Design

Travel-friendly guitars come in a wide variety of shapes and designs. Some travel guitars are more compact versions of the classic shapes like a dreadnought, concert, or auditorium style guitars. However, you will also find extremely futuristic and innovatively-designed travel guitars as well, that are foldable, triangular-shaped, and even ones with barely any guitar body!

I know of buddies that would love a triangular-shaped travel guitar, but also know a few who wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing! So it’s all a matter of personal taste. This is why it’s important to see the shape and design that you will be comfortable playing with and carrying, and choosing accordingly.

Last but never least, it’s a good idea to have a budget in mind when browsing through options. Travel guitars are available in a wide price range – from affordable, budget-friendly options under $200, mid-range options between $200 to $400, and higher-end travel guitars that are in the $400 plus range.

Do make it a point to check the features and wood quality that you’re being offered at any price point. While very low-priced travel guitars may seem enticing at first, you may end up shelling out more in its repairs in case the instrument is not well-built. So it’s important to pick an option that is value for money, no matter its price.

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.

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The 10 Best Pocket Guitars

Let’s assume you want a pocket guitar but know next to nothing about them – is that statement even remotely accurate? If so, you’re in the right place. This article will equip you with the knowledge needed to understand what pocket guitars are, what makes the best pocket guitars so good, and how to pick the best pocket guitar for the buck.

Let’s start off with easy steps before we jump off to the buying guide – the first things on the menu will be defining what pocket guitars are, their main benefits, who they’re good for, and how are pocket guitars used.

What is a Pocket Guitar

A pocket guitar is a miniature, down-scaled version of an acoustic – electric guitar which was specifically made for people on the road who want to stay in guitar playing shape. Even though they’re very compact in nature, pocket guitars are not to be confused for travel guitars – the latter is smaller, more compact versions of acoustic guitars, but they still bear much semblance to the real deal (unlike pocket guitars, which are substantially smaller in shape and size).

The design of pocket guitars is what makes them so unique – most models feature a retractable fingerboard, so it’s quite easy to mistake them for some other (completely unrelated) items while they’re folded. Some models come with a full set of six strings, and they offer the most realistic practicing experience, but there are models which feature only two or three strings – getting your chord play game up was never as easy as with these ones.

The 10 Best Pocket Guitars:

Below we list and review the ten best pocket guitars you can currently purchase online.

1. WoGod Portable Pocket Guitar

Basically, WoGod’s portable pocket guitar is a plain tool which isn’t exactly unordinary in nature, but there are a couple of things that make it special.

First of all, there are two complementary features included within the bundle. There’s a black easy carry case, and a special finger practice tool. The case is rather small and thick, but wide enough to accommodate the pocket guitar.

As for the finger exerciser, it serves a similar function as the portable guitar, but it’s much smaller. That makes it an ideal substitute – it can be used to practice and perfect your finger coordination and speed.

One of the most notable characteristics of this portable guitar is that it’s lightweight and rather small. The fretboard is comprised of only four frets, but that should be enough for you to practice scales and chords.

The real-like strings aren’t loud at all, as you’ll see once you start playing. They resemble the real strings which come on electric guitars, but they’re very, very thin, thus producing a small, barely noticeable sound. Note that this is a helping tool, so it can’t be tuned.

This portable guitar is made of durable plastic materials that should be sturdy enough to withstand a couple of years of usage.

As for the price, WoGod’s Portable guitar practice tool comes quite cheap. Even though it features gratis goodies and accessories, it’s as affordable as any other pocket guitar. There are a couple of things that are not to be neglected, though.

First of all, most people state that there aren’t any instructions – not being able to use your pocket guitar straight out of the box is certainly a bummer, and the situation only gets worse if you have to search up how to use it via external sources.

On the other hand, the brand clearly stated that “this guitar produces a thin, small noise once used”. Apparently, some people didn’t get the picture, which is why you’ll often encounter comments such as “this guitar is noiseless/useless”, and such.

Overall, WoGod’s Portable guitar practice tool is a cheap practice tool that’s certainly worth every buck. There are a plethora of things you could like about it, and but a few cons that aren’t really that big of a deal.

• Comes with bonus accessories – WoGod’s Pocket compact guitar comes with a special finger practice tool, a neat black carry case, and a tuning wrench
• High-quality build materials – this remarkable portable guitar was made of high-quality plastic materials which are decently durable and sturdy
• Thin noise – you can rest assured that you won’t bother your household members or neighbors, as WoGod’s pocket compact guitar produces a very thin, nearly soundless noise once used
• Lightweight and miniature size – these qualities allow you to use your WoGod’s pocket guitar virtually anywhere
• Superb value for the cash – even though it’s cheap, WoGod’s pocket guitar holds a massive value for the buck
• No instructions – you’ll have to look up the instructions elsewhere

2. Ohuhu Wooden Pocket Guitar

The second portable guitar in this review comes from Ohuhu – this is, in fact, one of the best-selling pocket guitars on the market, as it boasts a substantial value for the cash, being cheap yet still providing a good feature outfit.

The strings Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar comes outfitted with resemble the ones used on actual, real guitars, only they aren’t as dense. They are substantially thinner when compared to the real deal, hence they provide a small, barely noticeable sound once strung. Even though this might appear as a bad thing at first, it actually comes in handy in certain situations.

First of all, you’ll be able to play this pocket guitar whenever, wherever. The silent method of operation allows you to practice your technique without bothering anyone – be it a bus, train, your workplace, car. The list of places where you could practice your Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar is virtually endless.

Furthermore, this pocket guitar features a nearly weightless construction. Namely, it weighs only 0.34 pounds, and it’s safe to assume that you won’t even feel it once you start using it.

One of the best things about Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar is that it comes with a gratis set of features – you’ll get a complementary chord chart and a convenient carry case.

The chord chart lists the most basic, common chords – it’s neatly illustrated, featuring precise and accurate finger positions, and it’s safe to say that even the immediate beginners will be able to figure out how these are supposed to be used.

The carry case is pretty plain and simple – it’s a blue tube-like bag that can accommodate your pocket guitar.

Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar is very durable. It’s made of high-strength plastic materials and features a rosewood fingerboard – both materials are considered as fairly sturdy. Best of all, the ergonomic design literally falls into the hand, boosting the overall playability in a substantial way.

There’s one thing you might not like so much, though. Namely, the spacing between the strings doesn’t feel quite right. You might need some time to get accustomed to it, but don’t break your head about it – it’s perfectly normal since pocket guitars aren’t real guitars.

Overall, Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar boasts a superb value for the cash. It’s cheap, sturdy, and one of the best selling pocket guitar models on the market, so it’s safe to say that you won’t be disappointed with it.

• High-quality strings – The strings Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar comes equipped with resemble the strings most real guitars have (electric guitars)
• Silent method of operation – This portable guitar is all but loud, so it’s safe to say that you’ll be able to practice your playing technique anywhere
• Very durable – Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar is made of high-quality plastic and rosewood materials
• Ergonomic design – intentionally introduced to help the immediate beginners feel more comfortable while they learn the basic principles of guitar play
• The spacing between strings is quite odd – again, this is but a subjective flaw. Most beginners won’t even notice it, and once you get accustomed to it, it won’t bother you, guaranteed.

3. SUNYIN Finger Thumb Picks

Next up is a set of finger thumb picks by SunYin – even though we’re mainly talking about pocket, portable guitars, it wouldn’t hurt to spice the menu up a bit with a package of versatile guitar accessories made for beginners.

Basically, this is a bundle that contains four finger & thumb picks, ten-finger protectors, five regular guitar picks, and a pick holder – most of these guitar accessories are used by immediate beginners and kids, as they significantly help minimize the pain from skin abrasion.

Let’s discuss each piece in more detail, starting with the finger & thumb pick. Basically, the finger & thumb pick is a ring-like wearable item that features a pick-like extension. It should be worn on your thumb, where it will allow you to pluck the E-string more easily, again, without any abrasion whatsoever.

The finger protectors are basically nylon (or plastic) wearable parts that simply protect the fingers while slightly reducing the mobility and playability. They’re very useful for beginners, but it’s safe to say that they won’t be of much importance once you get the hang of your guitar.

Since there’s no need to explain what regular guitar picks are, let’s skip them and talk about the pick holder.

Basically, this convenient contraption holds the picks for you. It comes in handy in situations where you own multiple different pick types (bass pick, wider picks, different material), since they will be all in the same place. That’s precisely the case here, as this bundle includes picks that come in three different sizes.

Lastly, all of the aforementioned items come neatly stored in a gift-box package. Overall, the price is more than fair, the accessories are practically ideal for beginners, and it’s safe to assume that this little bundle holds quite a value for the money.

• Ideal for beginners – the accessories contained within this bundle will help beginners learn the ropes of guitar playing
• Versatile bundle – the bundle contains four finger & thumb picks, ten-finger protectors, five regular guitar picks, and one pick holder
• Comes in a beautiful gift box – all of the items contained in this bundle are neatly tucked in a ravishing gift box
• Superb finger protection – these items can be used standalone or in combinations. Regardless, they provide maximum protection to the wearer’s fingers
• Made for small-handed people, kids, and teens – it’s only obvious that advanced guitar players won’t find much use of this guitar accessory bundle. It’s practically reserved for kids and teens. Alternatively, people with small hands who desire to take up a guitar playing hobby could use them.

4. Calla Lily Flower Pocket Guitar

Calla Lily Flower’s pocket guitar is somewhat different from an average pocket guitar – it’s somewhat larger, yet still small enough to be labeled as “compact” in size, but that’s not all.

Namely, this portable guitar features a profoundly durable shell that is impervious to short-term wear and tear, which combined with the ergonomically designed fretboard allows for a complete, unique beginner experience.

Let’s start with its length. Basically, there are six frets on the fretboard – this isn’t so common, as most pocket guitars come with four frets tops. The reason for that is quite simple – most portable guitars are used to help players practice chord play, and four frets are usually enough.

The addition of two extra frets can help you practice more versatile scales, although you should know that you won’t be able to hear the notes. This portable guitar features ultra-thin strings which produce a very thin sound, so finger positioning is virtually everything you could hope of practicing.

As for its weight, the Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar weighs approximately half an ounce, which is considered as practically weightless.

Just like every portable guitar we’ve reviewed so far, the Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar features the ergonomic design – basically, it makes you feel more comfortable while you play and practice, as the “neck” gently slides straight into the hand.

You’ll also get a convenient black bag for easy carry – the brand made a clear point that this portable guitar is best for traveling guitarists and people who are frequently on the move. The only “average” thing about Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar is that it’s neither cheap or expensive.

All things considered, the Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar is a remarkable portable guitar. It boasts a considerable value for the money as it provides you with everything you need to start practicing straight away.

• More frets – Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar comes with 6 instead of regular 4 frets, allowing you to practice more versatile scales and note combinations
• Very durable exterior – This amazing portable pocket guitar features a remarkably durable plastic shell which fits perfectly with the rosewood fingerboard
• Ergonomic design – Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar was designed to help immediate beginners and newbie guitarists feel more comfortable while they practice their guitar skills
• Ultra-quiet strings – plucking the strings while you practice your guitar technique won’t bother your neighbors as this guitar produces a thin sound
• Slightly bigger than most standard pocket guitars – Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar is just a bit larger and heavier when compared to regular portable guitars, but not in such a way that we should label it as “bulky”

5. Nanagogo ZH-02 Pocket Guitar

Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar is very similar to Calla Lily Flower Pocket portable guitar which we reviewed in the section above. It features a set of six strings and six frets, and it was designed with ergonomic qualities in mind.

The dimensions of Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar are pretty convenient. While closed, this guitar is 25 centimeters long, 5 centimeters wide and 5 centimeters thick. When opened, however, the length reaches approximately 44 centimeters – that’s a bit too long for most beginners, but it’s still small enough to pass as a compact guitar practicing tool.

As we already mentioned, there are six strings which are fairly normal, but there are also six frets, which is, suffice to say, too much for most beginners. However, the additional two frets could be used to practice more difficult, complex scales, note combos, and finger positioning.

The strings on Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar are made of high-quality steel – they’re durable and won’t pop so easy, but that also means that they produce a somewhat louder noise when compared to average pocket guitars. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – you’ll be able to coordinate your fingers more easily as you’ll hear the sounds more accurately.

Just like any pocket-size guitar, the Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar aims to help beginners learn and improve the two most basic guitar techniques – finger coordination and dexterity. Alternatively (if you already think your skills are adequate enough), you can improve the speed of your fretting hand.

The only thing which is not so remarkable about Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar is that it doesn’t come with a carry case. This feature is present in nearly all pocket guitar bundles, but it doesn’t make the carrying job much harder on you – with 25cm of length (when closed), it’s safe to say that Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar won’t take up much of your carry space.

Nevertheless, this pocket-sized guitar boasts a considerable value for the buck. It can be used by both experienced guitar players who are out on a voyage and beginners who are yet to venture into the world of guitar play, it doesn’t cost much, and it’s pretty durable altogether.

• Great dimensions – this pocket-size guitar is fairly small, even when retracted. It’s 25 centimeters long when closed and approximately 44 centimeters long when opened
• Six-string and six frets – the strings on Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar are made of premium-quality steel and are pretty durable. There are six frets in total on which you can practice various chords, scales, and improve your finger positioning
• Ergonomic design – it’s safe to say that you’ll feel very comfortable while practicing on Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar
• Costs just a bit above the average – even though Nanagogo’s ZH-02 pocket guitar costs just a few dollars above average, it can still pass as a “cheap” pocket-size guitar

6. Ammoon Pocket Acoustic Guitar

Ammoon’s Pocket guitar is up next, and if you’re looking for the best compact guitar, you’re in for a real treat. This is, by far, the most durable pocket guitar in this review, it features all the necessary accessories (including the carry bag and hexagonal wrench), and it’s pretty sturdy altogether. The only bad thing about it, however, is that it costs a bit more than average.

Namely, this is among the most expensive models of this type in this review, and even though the difference in price is measured in several bucks, it’s still more expensive when compared to regular models.

The base material of Ammoon’s Pocket guitar is plastic, but not just of any sort – the plastic cover of this pocket guitar is pretty sturdy, as well as stylish. The fretboard is made of robust Rosewood materials, which is fairly common.

Furthermore, its miniature size comes in handy during trips and voyages, making Ammoon’s Pocket guitar one of the best solutions for traveling guitarists and people who are frequently on the move.

Now, even though you’ll get a hexagonal wrench (which can be used to make additional adjustments), you won’t be able to tune your pocket guitar. The strings are “as is”, so you should expect a sound that is almost certain to be out of tune at all times. This is not necessarily a flaw, as guitar practice tools aim to help you improve your technique, not your hearing.

Further on that topic, Ammoon’s Pocket guitar features a set of high-quality strings which emit a mellow, thin sound. Your neighbors, as well as your parents,  won’t even notice that you are playing your pocket guitar.

Overall, even though the price of Ammoon’s Pocket guitar is slightly above average, it still holds quite a value for the money.

• Standard-issue pocket guitar – Ammoon’s Pocket guitar looks like an average pocket guitar and features four frets which will help you figure out finger positioning, scales, and chords in the easiest way possible
• High-quality materials – The fretboard of Ammoon’s Pocket guitar features Rosewood materials, the cover is made of high-grain plastic
• Gratis features included in the bundle – you’ll get a hexagonal wrench and a blue carry case when you make the purchase
• Moderately affordable – Ammoon’s Pocket guitar Costs just a bit more than an average pocket guitar

7. OIBTECH Pocket Guitar

Oibtech’s pocket guitar is a 6-fret type that boasts a massive value for the buck. This is one of the most affordable pocket guitars available on the market, and it’s safe to assume that every kid could purchase it from lunch money alone.

First of all, this is a small, portable guitar with incredibly small dimensions that is virtually weightless by nature. It is quite petite, even though it features the extension of two frets – once you put it back together (retract it into its original form), it can be carried in any large-sized pocket or smaller bags without taking too much of your space.

Oibtech’s pocket guitar features an ergonomic design – that means that it gently slips into the hand, all the while being very comfortable to use.

The gentle, yet durable strings were purposefully thinned so as not to bother anyone in your near vicinity. You can practice your guitar skills on your Oibtech’s pocket guitar for as long as you like, anywhere, anytime.

One of the best things about this pocket guitar is the 2-year warranty. Even though it’s quite durable, this guitar can get damaged or destroyed, so you shouldn’t worry too much, as these guys will give you a replacement should you happen to need it (within the 2-year gap, that is).

There’s just a small flaw of which you should be warned about. Namely, there’s a gap between the fretboard and strings which can cramp up your playstyle if you’re already accustomed to real-like guitars. Beginners, on the other hand, might even find it as convenient.

Regardless, the sheer fact that Oibtech’s pocket guitar is among the cheapest pocket-size guitars on the market means a lot, so this little flaw shouldn’t fall too hard on you.

• Ergonomically designed – Oibtech’s pocket guitar gently slips into the players’ hands, making the experience more comfortable and easy
• Miniature size – you’ll be able to store your Oibtech’s pocket guitar virtually anywhere without fear of compromising the space you need (ideal for travelers)
• Six strings and six frets – this is a 6-fret pocket guitar type, and it allows for a more versatile approach to guitar practice
• Very high action – there’s a gap between fretboard and strings which can’t be bypassed or adjusted
• No gratis features – you won’t be able to benefit from complementary features, as this pocket-size guitar comes with none

8. ElecGuru Portable Wooden Pocket Guitar

Next up on the menu is Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar. Basically, this is a 6-fret type pocket guitar that features high-quality materials and ergonomic design. It’s made of highly durable wood and boasts a lightweight, yet sufficiently sturdy shell.

While closed, Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar is approximately 25 centimeters long, while opened it should reach some 45 centimeters. This might appear as slightly more when compared to an average pocket guitar, but it’s still small enough to be characterized as “petite” and “pocket”.

The ergonomic qualities of Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar can be seen in its playability. Essentially, the players using this pocket guitar should feel more comfortable while doing so, as the neck smoothly falls down in the palm of the hand, feeling comfortable all the while.

Now, the only bad thing is that there are no gratis features – most pocket guitars come with at least a carry case, and certain models come with a hexagonal wrench, picks, and such. However, this is not such a case.

Nevertheless, Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar isn’t expensive, and even though it costs a dollar or two more than your average pocket guitar, it still holds a massive value for the buck.

• Small design – Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar is 25 centimeters long when closed, 44-45 centimeters long when opened
• Portable and practical – this pocket guitar is absolutely perfect for guitarists and people who travel from time to time
• A must-have for beginners – immediate beginners could shape up their techniques with this practice tool in no time
• Premium-quality build material – robust plastic and premium rosewood were used in the construction process of Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar
• No complementary features – there’s no carry case, picks, or wrenches

9. Jinli Pocket Guitar

Here we have Jinli’s Pocket guitar. This is, basically, a retractable guitar helping tool that features six strings and six frets which allow for hours and hours of fun.

This pocket guitar is exceptionally small, and it’s safe to say that it could fit in nearly any convenient luggage, leaving plenty of space for other items. Even though it is petite in nature, don’t think it’s flimsy – it’s quite the contrary. Namely, the materials used in the manufacturing process of Jinli’s Pocket guitar included durable plastic and premium-class Rosewood.

We all know that pocket guitars come cheap, but this particular model is affordable even by “cheap” standards. It is a couple of bucks below average, which is more than enough for kids and teens who search for budget guitar helping tools.

The strings on this pocket guitar are incredibly sturdy, emitting faint noise – you can rest assured that your neighbors won’t complain.

Lastly, Jinli’s Pocket guitar features an ergonomic design – this is one of the vital characteristics of every high-quality pocket guitar, as it substantially improves the playability and reduces the hand fatigue buildup.

Now, most people don’t like one thing about this pocket guitar – the strings are quite thin, and the sound emissions are faint at best, but don’t be surprised if you don’t hear anything at all. Apart from that, everything seems to be in perfect order.

• Ergonomic design – Jinli’s Pocket guitar boasts superb playability due to its outstanding design
• An exemplary level of portability – This pocket guitar is exquisitely small, and it’s safe to say that it could easily fit anywhere without compromising your much-needed luggage space
• Works like a charm for beginners – there’s no better tool than Jinli’s Pocket guitar a beginner could possibly want
• Superb value for the money – Jinli’s Pocket guitar is affordable, even by “cheap” standards
• Soundless – there’s a strong possibility that you won’t hear anything at all while you play this pocket guitar

10. ELENKER Portable Pocket Guitar

The last pocket guitar in our review comes from Elenker – a semi-famous brand that boasts a broad, versatile catalog of various goods, ranging from infant safety helmets to 10-hole blues harmonicas.

These guys have done a wonderful job with this pocket guitar – it’s very compact, durable, and addicting once you start using it.

The design of Elenker’s portable pocket guitar is quite basic – it’s an ergonomically designed guitar helping tool that feels very comfortable to play. It has a total of four frets which can help you learn the ropes in a plain and straightforward fashion, and it boasts quite a level of playability and versatility.

One of the greatest things about Elenker’s portable pocket guitar is that it features durable plastic materials. The shell is quite strong and resilient, and it’s safe to assume that Elenker wanted it to last for years to come.

Even though the strings are so thin that they won’t bother your neighbors, they appear a bit too lose – you won’t have any options to tighten them, so you could only hope of practicing your guitar fingering technique.

What’s more, this particular model is substantially more expensive when compared to regular pocket guitars. Nevertheless, it holds a massive value for the buck, as it’s among the most durable and best pocket guitar models ever made.

• Exceptionally durable – Elenker’s portable pocket guitar is among the most durable pocket guitars on the market
• Superb value for the cash – even though it costs a bit extra, this pocket guitar is very compact and addicting
• Versatile function – you can improve your finger’s dexterity, speed, positioning, and accuracy, all with one pocket guitar
• Genuine strings – they might appear a bit lose to you, but these strings resemble the real deal, unlike most strings that come with other pocket guitars
• Great gift idea – children would be thrilled to play with this toy-like pocket guitar as it looks quite amazing
• Slightly more expensive when compared to regular pocket guitars – Elenker’s portable pocket guitar costs a couple of bucks above the average
• The strings are loose – you’ll have a hard time practicing chords, as the strings on Elenker’s portable pocket guitar are loose. There’s no way to tighten them

Who is Pocket Guitars Ideal for?

Dedicated, committed musicians seldom leave their homes without their side guitar (at the very least), so it’s safe to say that pocket guitars aren’t really meant for experienced veterans. Although that’s not a rule (as even experienced musicians could use a little practice if they’re off to a long trip), pocket guitars are ideal for immediate beginners not able to carry full beginner guitars with them. Why is that so?

Simply put, beginners often struggle to keep tabs on which finger is supposed to go where, what’s the name of the string they’re holding, in what key are they supposed to play, and so on. Basically, beginners are thrown into a complex, enormous world of music theory, so it’s quite normal that the “practice” part feels just as hard.

It’s safe to assume that beginners are the ideal group of people who should use pocket guitars. You may be wondering “why is that so”, and the answer is rather simple – playing a real guitar is very hard. The process of learning the very basics of theory could take months, even years, and what about the actual “playing”?

A pocket guitar usually doesn’t emit any sound – alternatively, it’s very faint and hard to hear. What bugs most beginners is the sound of a failed strum, wrong notes, scales, and such. Furthermore, the fretboard is reduced to four-six frets. Rather than playing on an entire neck, you could simply use the smaller, downscaled pocket guitar to learn the basics.

Kids & Teens

Kids and teens who wish to learn how to play guitar usually have to do several things before they get to that part. First, they need a guitar, which is expensive. Secondly, they need to hire a tutor or professor, which is even more expensive.

That means that kids depend on their allowance or the goodwill of their parents, but what if that was taken out of the picture? It’s safe to assume that kids and teens need at least several months to save up enough cash for a guitar alone – most of them give up after finding out that they need a professor to teach them how to even hold the instrument, let alone play it.

Not only are pocket guitars cheaper, but they’re also much easier to play. These are just some of the main reasons why kids and teens are ideal pocket guitar owners.

Guitarist on the Move

Most professional and veteran guitarists have several guitars in their arsenal, and more often than not, there’s that one acoustic guitar they usually bring on trips and voyages. However, some guitarists have only one, and they often feel reluctant when it comes to bringing it on long trips.

This situation involves two issues. First of all, guitars are considered as “valuables”. Losing it, or even worse damaging (or destroying) it is the last you want to see. Secondly, guitars often take up quite a lot of storage space, regardless of the means of travel you are using.

Owning a pocket guitar solves both of them. They’re cheap, so it’s not a big deal even if you lose it, and they’re so compact that they won’t take up up any of your much-needed space. If you are a musician who travels a lot, consider owning a pocket guitar.

How to use a Pocket Guitar

Using a pocket guitar is much simpler when compared to using a regular guitar. Basically, you don’t even need to know how to play a regular guitar (regardless of type – acoustic, electric) in order to play on pocket guitar, as it is considered as a guitar helping tool. There are some similarities, though.

First of all, you’ll need a guitar pick (unless you want to perfect your fingering technique than you just need the guitar).

The strumming technique can be implemented in the same way as if you played a real guitar, only this time you won’t hear virtually anything. Simply use the pick to familiarize yourself with how the strings feel when plucked.

The neck of a pocket guitar, as well as the fretboard, are both smaller when compared to real guitars. This makes it easier to play chords and practice finger positioning. This means that you won’t have to trouble yourself with holding the entire neck – beginners with smaller hands often find this as the hardest part.

Last, and the best part is – you can’t make a mistake. Playing on a regular guitar produces loud sounds, which are often indicators that you’ve failed to do something right. Simply relax and use your pocket guitar in whichever way you think is best. It will help you learn the basics eventually.

Buying Guide – Things to Consider

Price – how the price of a pocket guitar should affect your buying decision.

As it’s only normal, most people who want to buy a guitar seldom consider alternatives ­– there are a plethora of budget models which most people can afford. Kids and teens, however, have to rely on their allowance (pocket) money, which is hardly enough for them to buy even the cheapest of guitars.

That’s why pocket guitars are great – most models are approximately ten times cheaper when compared to usual budget guitars ( electric or acoustic , regardless).

That being said, we actually imply that you don’t have to consider the price if you deem your financial situation as average. There are no high-end models or boutique pocket guitars as nearly all models are made as helpful tools rather than branded guitars. That leads us to the next factor of importance.

Brand – Trustworthy Brands Aren’t Exactly a Thing Here

Simply put, don’t expect to see names such as “ Ibanez ”, “ESP”, or “BC Rich” next to the price tag of a pocket guitar. As mentioned earlier, these are tools rather than actual guitars, so popular and famous brands don’t produce them. Exceptions are possible, but fairly hard to find (if they exist, that is).

So, it appears you are stuck with underdog brands, but that doesn’t have to mean that your pocket guitar will perform badly. In fact, there are certain benefits you could reap – brands that aren’t as famous as leading names in the industry often keep their prices very low. That’s why this and the previous section are so tightly correlated. The important question is – what can you expect?

In the best-case scenario, you’ll have a decent helping tool in the form of a portable guitar which will help you learn the ropes in the easiest way possible. This guitar will last you for a couple of years – just the time you need to step up your skills before buying an actual guitar. What’s best about it? You don’t have to pay a fortune.

Worst-case scenario? You’ll have a cheap, flimsy portable guitar which you’ll rarely use out of fear of breaking it. Even if such a thing is to happen, there’s no reason to cry above a glass of spilled milk – portable guitars are shamefully cheap, so your initial “investment” wouldn’t hurt you even if it failed horribly.

Design – Pocket Guitars are Intentionally Simple in Design

If you are totally unfamiliar with the design of pocket guitars, learning more about it should help you pick the one which will suit your needs. Namely, there are only two factors that deserve attention when it comes to pocket guitar’s design – its durability and the number of frets.

The durability of a pocket guitar is determined by the type of materials used in the construction process – most common materials are plastic (shell material) and rosewood (fretboard material). There are no distinctive differences between the types of materials (e.g. types of plastic or sub-types of rosewood), so for as long as these are present, you should be fine.

The number of frets is somewhat important. Namely, there are only two variants of pocket guitars in this segment – 4-fret pocket guitars and 6-fret pocket guitars.

Four-fretted pocket guitars are considered as basic pocket guitars and they’re the most widely used (and produced) type. These guitars are the smallest, hence the most compact models you could find.

Six-fretted pocket guitars are not so rare, but they’re certainly less popular than their four-fretted counterparts due to the increase in size. They’re less compact, but they allow for a more versatile approach (which means that you could practice playing scales rather than chords alone).

Pocket guitars are relatively new to the market, which is one of the reasons why it’s imperative that you are well informed. The buying guide may appear a bit over-extensive, but there’s no such thing as “too much information”.

Finding the best pocket guitar is extremely difficult, even though you might not think so. Most models are very similar to one another, and it’s the little details that make them different. Follow the buying guide through and through and your chances of finding the model perfect for you will rise dramatically.

Marko Jovanovic

Marko is a freelance music journalist from Serbia. As a tech savvy individual and a regular Ultimate-Guitar.com news and feature article writer, he contributes on a wide array of musical topics with at least a pinch of rock 'n' roll always present in his work.

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Do any of these pocket guitars come for left handed

I purchased one similar to many of these, marketed under the name Eason, via Facebook ad. First, I “assumed” that as they call it a guitar, and it has 6 strings, and the strings are secured with Allen heads, with a wrench, that it could be tuned. Wrong. It should be marketed as a practice NECK, not a guitar.

Hi Lincoln,

These are generally marketed as a “pocket guitar” which is different from a “travel guitar” which is just smaller more compact version of a guitar.

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Home » Gear » best travel guitars

12 Best Travel Guitars • A BARGAIN Buyer’s Guide for 2024

Traveling the world and playing the guitar are my two greatest passions. But, unfortunately, they don’t seem to go hand-in-hand, do they? Traveling requires minimalism, and guitars are big, awkwardly shaped and are not fun to haul around in airports and buses.

For years I had to make the tough decision –  to either travel  without a guitar, or to painfully drag my oversized acoustic around the world. Both options sucked, and after years of this, I needed something different.

So finally, I bought myself one of the best travel guitars and my life literally changed forever.

As a guitarist of 15 years, and a non-stop world traveler of 10, I know exactly  what is needed from a travel guitar.

With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily know which of the best travel guitars is perfect for you and your style of music and travel. We’re going to cover a whole scope of six-stringed sweeties in this post: travel acoustic guitars, travel electric guitars folding neck guitars. Something for every homeless musician out there!

Get excited because here are some of these best traveling guitars and they are  epic!

Unfortunately, as I was researching which travel guitar to buy, I realized there are hundreds of travel guitars… and a ton of them suck.

Which is exactly why I wrote this epic guide to the best travel guitars.

Quick Answers – The Best Traveling Guitars

The best traveling guitars mega-list: acoustics, electrics, and a few bass guitars because why not, the best travel acoustic guitars, best travel electric guitars, the best folding guitar for travel, time for some other stringed travel instruments, traveling with a guitar – what to look for, faq about the best travel guitars, closing thoughts on the top travel guitars.

• Best Travel Acoustic Guitar – Ultra-Light Classical 6-String Guitar
• Best Travel Electric Guitar – Traveler Guitar Travel Guitar
• Best Folding Travel Guitar – Journey Instruments OF660M
• Best Travel Bass Guitar – Traveler Guitar TB-4P
• Best Travel Budget Guitar – Yamaha GL1 Guitalele

Today, we’re cutting straight to the goodies because goodies are delicious! First, we’ll round up the most portable guitars just built for travel and worldwide escapades. After that, I’ll get to the no less delicious goodies on choosing the right travel guitar for your needs.

Are you ready? Ok, you sexy shredder; let’s do this! The best guitars for travel that most certainly do not weep.

Ultra-Light Classical 6-String Guitar

• > Great action

Baby Taylor BT2

• > Taylor-made

Yamaha Guitalele

• > Vibrant classical tone

Yamaha GL1 Guitalele

Hohner HAG250P 1/2 Sized

Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Electric Travel Guitar

• > Humbucker pickups

Hofner 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar

• > 0.176 ounces
• > Gig bag included

Best Travel Electric-Acoustic Guitar

• > 2lbs 14 oz
• > Great neck

Journey Instruments OF660M Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar Matte

• Best Folding Travel Guitar > $$$$$
• > Great for professionals

Traveler Guitar TB-4P Electric Travel Bass

• Best Travel Bass Guitar > $$$
• > 6 lbs 8 oz

Kala Teak Tri-Top Concert Acoustic-electric Ukulele

• > Level-10 Portability

For the natural earthy sound. The downside of the portable guitars is the sound isn’t so rocking as an electric baest. The upside?

…Well, you don’t need an amp.

These are the travel guitars you can bring to the campfire or out at the hostel at night to the sneak into the hearts (and pants) of wayward travelers around the globe. Sexy and swooning.

REI is one of America’s biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers.

Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

Best Travel Acoustic Guitar #1 –  Ultra-Light Classical 6-String Guitar

If you are looking for the best travel acoustic guitar, do yourself a favor and stop right here because this creature is as good as it gets.

This compact travel guitar is an extraordinary instrument and they have accomplished the goal of creating an affordable yet high-quality travel acoustic guitar.

In TBB fashion, you get only the best of the best! A solid mahogany top, a unique fret design, and a 24-inch scale length mean that you’ll never have to sacrifice quality to have an amazing travel guitar.

This guitar was designed for lightweight travelers in mind. The guitar and strap only weigh a total of 2 lbs. 14 oz combined, making this our smallest travel guitar. And when placed in the included protective bag, the two combine to weight a total of 3lbs. 12oz!

• Removable lap rest
• Only 2 lbs 14 oz – the perfect small travel guitar
• Shape can be awkward or uncomfortable to some
• Very small – not ideal for professionals
• Leg rest is a bit slippy

While I clearly think this guitar is the cream of the crop… I don’t recommend it for everyone.

This traveling guitar is for backpackers; perfect for those who love to travel with their guitar but aren’t trying to do anything too hardcore with their music career. Why?

In an effort to make this mini guitar as travel-friendly as possible there is a detachable leg rest, whilst this is amazing meaning you can get the benefit of playing a full-size guitar sat down, I have found it to be a bit slippy on my pants! I’ve remedied this by wrapping a cloth around it but it’s not the ideal solution.

Bottom line:  If you are a traveling professional musician, this might not be the guitar for you. Everyone else – if you can afford it – this tiny Guitar is literally as good of a travel guitar you can get. Click the button below to see the best price.

Best Travel Acoustic Guitar #2 – Baby Taylor BT-2

Taylor guitars are one of the most reputable acoustic brands on the planet and this guitar is an incredible example of why.

The Taylor Baby BT-2 is not technically a travel guitar; it’s just one of the best 3/4 guitars out there. This means that it’s 25% smaller than a normal-sized acoustic guitar, and many 3/4 guitars are made for kids.

But obviously one can see why 25% less guitar would be very beneficial for travelers. An extra 25% of the guitar means an extra 25% weight off your back and the ability to stow this guitar on tons of flights.

Plus, along with a smaller size, you also get everything else that is amazing about Taylor guitars – solid wood, ebony fretboard, and a beautiful sound that resembles a choir of glowing angels.

• High quality and long term durability. This guitar will purr
• Great for traveling professionals
• Come with a gig bag
• Almost weighs 8 lbs with the case
• Probably too big for lightweight backpackers
• 19 frets might still not be enough for some

What you’ve got to love about this guitar is that for a 3/4 guitar’s size, it almost sounds exactly like a full-sized acoustic guitar. That’s why it’s easily one of the best travel acoustic guitars on the market. Typically 3/4 guitars sacrifice sound for size but with this Taylor, the tradeoff is barely noticeable.

Taylor has earned their reputation, and this compact guitar is another sterling example. If you don’t mind dishing out a bit more cash, you’ll be very pleased with the tone and sound of this instrument.

Bottom line – The Baby Taylor BT-1  delivers a phenomenal sound and long term durability all of which comes at 3/4 the size of a regular acoustic guitar. If you are looking for an ultralight travel guitar, look elsewhere. But if the quality is your number one concern, you may have found the mini travel guitar of your dreams.

Best Travel Classical Guitar #1 –  Yamaha Guitarlele

What happens if you cross a guitar with a Ukulele? The Yamaha Guitalele is what! This is a masterpiece of instrumental engineering, and could quite possibly be the best travel guitar ever made!

With a solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard, and a gorgeous mahogany body, this classical guitar is stunning in that sexy classical fashion like a finely produced oil painting. Yamaha clearly invests a lot of time in design, and this travel classical guitar is one of the best examples of that.

And thankfully it sounds as good as it looks! This classical, nylon string Guitar-Ukulele is well-reviewed, giving warm and bright tones. This ensures it delivers the best sound for its size and build.

• Nylon strings for the nylon lovers
• Gorgeous looks and sound
• Comes with gig bag
• If you prefer steel strings,then this is not the guitar for you

It ain’t too pricey and it ain’t too big – good things come in compact and affordable packages! You are getting an extremely well-designed and beautiful acoustic classical guitar that is built just for travelers.

Bottom line – Whether you are a professional or casual musician – if you are looking for a travel classical guitar, this is a fantastic option at a good price.

Best Cheap Travel Guitar #1 –  Yamaha GL1 Guitalele

I’ve gone through a ton of guitars in my life, but one of the best, most durable acoustics I ever owned was a $200 Yamaha. Did it have the rich sound of a Martin? Obviously not. But it played well, had great action, and was so durable I was convinced it would survive a nuclear apocalypse.

This is exactly why the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is my pick for the best cheap travel guitar!

Yamaha makes solid guitars for low prices, and the GL1 Guitalele is a perfect example. Well reviewed and affordable, this was an easy pick for the best budget travel guitar.

• Super affordable and well-reviewed!
• Yamaha’s products are always durable
• A cool fusion of a guitar and ukulele and their A/D/G/C/E/a tuning ensures you get a great sound
• It’s still cheap, but for $75 more you can get something significantly better
• Alternate tuning might dissuade some
• Nylon strings may not be ideal for others

Something to consider is that this is technically NOT a travel guitar . As the name would suggest, this is a hybrid between a ukulele and an acoustic guitar. To accomplish this fusion in the best way possible, Yamaha strings this guitar up to the 4th in the tuning of A/D/G/C/E/a.

If this scares the crap out of you – don’t worry! It just means due to its smaller size, this guitar sounds best with a non-standard E/A/D/G/B/e tuning. Since this is a great cheap travel guitar, this also makes for a great traveling gift !

Bottom line – If an alternate tuning doesn’t scare you and you are on a budget, then this is the best budget travel guitar. A cool guitar-ukulele-combo, the Yamaha Guitele is a solid choice for a traveler looking to save a bit of money on their instrument without compromising too much on quality. It also just happens to be the best guitalele – go figure!

Best Budget Travel Guitar #2 –  Hohner HAG250P 1/2 Sized

OK, before I continue, I should clarify: this is absolutely, without a doubt, 100% a toddler guitar. This is, however, one of the best inexpensive guitars you’ll find.

It’s small, not of the highest quality, and won’t last a lifetime… And that’s exactly why it’s the best budget travel guitar on this list! A bargain guitar this cheap means all feelings of love and affection go out the window: throw, bang, and transport this instrument on buses in Asia to your heart’s content… unless you get attached.

But we’re travelers; we don’t go in for that attachment nonsense anyway.

Think of it this way… have you ever been to a hostel and they have that small, beat up, classical guitar sitting in the main room? Or have you ever been to a beach party, and some dude with dreadlocks busts out a nylon-stringed guitar that looks like it was made in 1953 for a hobbit?

That’s exactly what this guitar is. It won’t win you a grammy, but it’s cheap, and you better believe that it will play… albeit maybe slightly out of tune.

• It’s a cheap guitar… don’t get your hopes up

The Hohner 1/2 Sized is for anyone looking for a cheap travel guitar to buy online. Simple as that.

Bottom line – This is the ‘I’m on a shoestring budget backpacking through Southeast Asia . I’m going to party on beaches and all I want is a throwaway guitar I can play some Sublime singalongs on in between cheap beers in hopes of getting laid’ choice. If this sounds like you, then look no further.

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Do you want to power those chords properly? Whammy those sustains? Really get that cheap meaningless sex at hostels in Thailand?

Then here we are: the best electric travel guitar. Something with a bit more shazam for the busker in all of us .

Best Travel Electric Guitar #1- Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Electric Travel Guitar

While not the most creative company name, Traveler Guitar has put together some pretty impressive traveling instruments and this was an easy pick for the best travel electric guitar.

Amazing design and stellar reviews make this electric guitar one of the coolest travel guitars on the market. The Traveler Ultra-Light comes with dual rail humbuckers and packs an impressive sound. Depending on your amp and pedals setup, this electric should be able to get whatever sound you need out of it.

The Ultra-Light guitar is 28% shorter and 68% lighter than a typical electric guitar all the which while retaining 100% of its size between the nut and the bridge. This means that while this guitar is not going to feel 100% like a full-sized electric… it’ll come close. Plus, you shed all of that weight in the process.

• 68% lighter than a standard electric guitar
• Humbucker pickups
• A gig bag is included
• Lap rest is included as well
• Might not be enough for professional traveling musicians
• Mixed reviews on comfort of detachable lap rest (and overall balance in general)

This travel electric guitar is perfect for super lightweight travelers who need an electric guitar with them at all times. But unfortunately, the lightweight build comes with some sacrifices. And the sacrifice here is the balance.

By eliminating 68% of the weight, some reviews claim the guitar is difficult to balance, or that it’s too light to play or solo on comfortably. Others claimed this was easily overcome with a couple days’ practice. Regardless, if you are considering purchasing, expect a bit of discomfort and imbalance at first, but don’t worry: you’ll be rocking that Red Hot Chili Peppers cover in no time  😉

Bottom line –  Maybe not the best choice for professional musicians but this is still a great travel size electric guitar for someone who loves to shred while they journey. While the balance might take a bit of getting used to, there is simply no better-designed travel electric guitar on the market.

Best Travel Electric Guitar #2 –  Hofner 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar

Just like the Ultra Light Travel Guitar, this model is unique in its design. But unlike its sibling, Traveler Guitar looked at the Hofner as an opportunity to give you a full electric experience while still trimming as much weight as possible.

To accomplish this, they’ve basically cut out everything in the body apart from a tiny area roughly the size of a pick guard on a regular guitar!

By cutting out the majority of the body, Hofner has created an electric guitar that is 14% shorter and 35% lighter than a typical electric guitar. And the impressive part? All of that is done while still keeping the guitar 100% at scale from the bridge to the neck!

• Full electric experience, but 14% shorter and 35% lighter
• Awesome for traveling professional musicians
• Gig bag included
• Too large for casual musicians
• Won’t play like a Strat (please don’t expect it to)
• Mixed reviews on its playability out of the box – might take some tweaking to get desired the feel and sound

Aside from its innovative design, this kickass travel electric guitar comes with 3 single-coil pickups, 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob.

While this compact electric guitar is highly recommended, you will still have to accept that its bold design can cause some complications.  While this travel electric attempts to mimic a full-sized electric – don’t expect it to feel exactly like a Strat or Tele. It comes close, but you can’t expect the same feeling (especially when sitting down).

Truthfully, if you are looking for one of the best electric travel guitars, there aren’t tons of well-reviewed options and Hofner is the only company putting out quality products.

Bottom line –  If you are a traveler looking to shed a few pounds off your electric guitar – this is a kickass option. The Hofner was meant to be lightweight while sacrificing as little playability as possible… Highly recommended for a professional who isn’t sure if the Ultra-Light can make the cut for them.

Best Travel Electric-Acoustic Guitar –  Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric

Welcome back Traveler Guitar! Lemme make you a tea; you’re welcome anytime as long as you keep pumping out the grade-A stories.

With their third product on this list, I have to say I’m impressed by Traveler Guitar’s commitment to their niche. This product is one of their best!

It’s 100% full scale from the nut to the bridge, but 31% shorter and 43% lighter than a typical acoustic guitar. In particular, this guitar has a nice aesthetic and a gorgeous finish. Reviews claim the neck is smooth and that the guitar is durable and stays in tune very well.

• 43% lighter than a typical acoustic guitar
• Great finish – well-reviewed neck
• Gig bag comes included as well
• Too niche – only recommended for those who ALWAYS plug in their acoustic (or record acoustic)

But where I think their other products are more versatile… I would only recommend the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric for a very specific person.

Simply put – this guitar only sounds great when it’s plugged in. Why?

Well, think about it. This guitar has no body (aka – where an acoustic gets that warm, vibrant, reverb-y sound from). In the pursuit of lightness, Traveler Guitar made an instrument that only sounds good when plugged into an amplifier – which can totally work for the right person!

When it is plugged into an amp it sounds delicious! But otherwise, it’s basically just another electric guitar that gives much less when unplugged. It’s good for recorders, buskers traveling with an amp, and people gigging… and that’s about it.

Bottom line – Look at the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic-Electric as an electric-acoustic guitar, and ONLY as an electric-acoustic guitar. If you love to record acoustic while you travel, or play a ton of live shows – this could be your axe. Everyone else – look elsewhere.

You could get a mini guitar that carries on your back… or you could just get one that folds in half completely! Holy folding guitars, Hendrix! Lookout virtual reality and simulated blowjob machines – the future is here!

In all seriousness, a folding guitar is a supreme traveling instrument. Easy to carry, stow on planes, and you’re not so likely to snap the neck. Trust me: nothing breaks your heart quite as much as a broken guitar neck.

To be fair – in terms of quality, this is absolutely the best travel guitar that money can buy. It’s the best sounding travel guitar, it’s got a gorgeous make, and it packs up real nice.

But here’s the con – it’s ridiculously expensive. Like, I peed myself a little when I first saw the price tag.

But if you have no problem dropping a bit more money, this is a guitar that will not only be your primary travel guitar… it will be your primary guitar – period. Made from carbon fiber, the Journey OF660M is a modern, durable, sexy looking axe. This guitar gives a super warm, bright and rich tone, and is extremely versatile.

• The best travel guitar on the market
• Rich sound – every note rings
• Carbon fiber is the real deal, making this guitar super-durable (important for travel!)
• Most expensive guitar on the list
• 10lbs means what you gain in quality, you lose in travel convenience

Old school guitarists might not like the new school design or the fact that it’s made of carbon fiber, but I must disagree… While I think carbon fiber is an amazing material for any guitar, it’s especially perfect for traveling guitarists!

Traditional wood guitars need to be kept out of humidity and heat to keep them from warping. In contrast, carbon fiber means you can bring your guitar in any weather and travel to any climate stress-free. While I respect the traditionalist view, carbon fiber has proven to be a durable material for guitars, while also providing the guitar with a modern, cool look. No warping, no fear of heat or humidity; this is a huge factor to consider for any traveler guitar.

Bottom line – If you have the budget, don’t need something super-light, and are looking for the best sounding travel guitar money can buy, you’ve found your match.

Everyone and their mom knows how to play the guitar! Well… that’s quite true. It would be fairer to say that everyone and their mom knows how to play a C, G, Am, and F chord. So let’s branch out… starting with a travel bass guitar.

Bass players are sexy. Have you seen their fingers? Think of the things they could do with those fingers…

The Best Travel Bass Guitar – Traveler Guitar TB-4P Electric Travel Bass

Another Traveler Guitar? Seriously? What can I say: this company does it right!

Similar to their travel guitars, this awesome travel bass guitar is designed to feel as much like a standard bass, while trimming as much of the weight as possible.

The Traveler Guitar TB-4P is well reviewed and well designed. It weighs in at 25% lighter than a standard bass – which you will definitely appreciate while traveling – an also measures at 22% shorter than a standard bass. Slap that sucker across all seven continents!

• 25% lighter and 22% shorter than a standard bass!
• Well designed – innovative wrap around tuning design
• Balance might be an issue for some
• Not going to sound as chunky as a standard bass

The Traveler Guitar Travel Bass comes with volume controls, tone controls, and the standard electronics to get your bass rigged up to any pedal or amp you need! A cool side-perk is they also include a 1/8 inch headphone jack. This means that while you are at your accommodation, you can still pop some headphones in and really jam out!

Remember though, the sound will be nice, but not as full as a typical bass. Duncan pickups help this bass to deliver some great tones but don’t expect to sound exactly like Flea.

Bottom line –  This is the best travel bass guitar money can buy. Like all of the best travel guitars, you are definitely going to sacrifice some tone for the sake traveling lighter,  but if light is what you need, then Traveler Guitar TB-4P Electric Bass got you covered.

Annnnd the Ukulele – Kala Teak Tri-Top Concert Acoustic-electric Ukulele

C’mon, you had to see this coming. It’s the quintessential rookie-backpacker move. Buy a uke, learn the aforementioned C, G, Am, F, ‘ Somewhere over the Rainbow’ and ‘I’m Yours’ , strap your new companion to your backpack , and you’re officially that guy!

I’m taking the piss. I adore ukes! …In the hands of someone who actually plays the ukulele. Once you learn the chord variations up and down the fretboard and some scales, they’re actually quite darling.

So, what’s the best ukulele for travel? Well, that’s the beauty of ukes… they all are! They’re all small enough to go as carry-on on a plane and they strap nicely to most backpacks.

So what’s the best ukulele? Well, probably not this one; I imagine the best ukulele was crafted by an ancient Hawaiian God and is sitting lodged in a rock at the bottom of some volcano somewhere waiting to be exonerated by the chosen one. Otherwise, though, there’s this one!

• Electric-acoustic so plug in for an even sweeter sound
• Built-in tuner
• Unique shape and design
• The intonation isn’t perfect for a connoisseur’s ear
• Excellent for beginner’s and a great intermediate uke but experts may seek elsewhere

It’s a sexy uke that sounds pretty. The built-in tuner is a massive plus and plugging to an amp is really gonna make this bad-boy shine (yes, I did just refer to a ukulele as a “bad-boy”). Kala make good gear and they’re not just in the ukulele space either.

Also, the Kala Teak Tri-Top Concert Acoustic-electric Ukulele just looks mega-pretty. Koa, mahogany, walnut, and a seductive satin finish to seduce the park hippies (and South Asian men) with.

All in all, if this is just you following the stereotypical first-time traveler route, there are cheaper ukuleles you can spend your money on and that’ll do the job right. But, if you’re upgrading from that phase, or are just genuinely interested in learning the ukulele it’s a fine choice.

Bottom line –  Well, my mom says ukes are cool! Actually, she hates them but she has to put up with me anyway. This may not be the best travel guitar but it’s certainly a good deal lighter and smaller than any portable guitar you’ll find.

Protip: Try finding nylon guitar strings that fit the gauges (it’s super doable) and putting them on to swap that high G out for a low one; a uke with a bass not – yum!

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

As an avid traveler and musician, I can tell you that buying a great travel size guitar was one of the most important decisions I ever made. I can now easily transport a guitar anywhere I go in the world, meaning never have to be without a guitar again!

When it comes to the best travel guitars, there are a few things, in particular, you want to keep an eye out for. Here are some important things to consider when you are trying to pick your personal travel guitar.

1.  Do you need a top quality travel guitar?

The guitars on this list are certainly some of the best travel guitars on the market… but some are certainly higher quality than others. Keep an eye out for prices. Yes, we are all trying to save money with our broke backpacking ways , but sometimes spending the extra $50 can be the difference between a just-ok travel guitar that will get you by or an exceptional travel guitar that will literally change the game.

This is especially true if you are a traveling professional musician. Do not try and get something cheap – it will quickly come back to haunt you.

Backpackers looking for a travel-friendly guitar that they can just jam on, have a bit more leniency in their choices.

2. How many frets for your travel guitar?

Something I overlooked was the fact that travel guitars don’t always have the standard amount of frets! Obviously it makes sense as the smaller the neck, the more travel-friendly the guitar. Consider your guitar playing style. Do you prefer to shred solos high up the neck? Or are you just looking for something to jam out with beachside, and play some zombie chords?

If you don’t need the additional frets, you’ll find that your options are better and the portable guitars to choose from will be much more compact.

3. What about the length and weight of your travel size guitar?

The first thing you need to consider is your travel style. Are you a fast traveler or slow traveler ?

If you travel the world spending a month at a time in AirBnb’s , you won’t be as concerned about the size and weight of the guitar. If you blitz from hostel to hostel, then you should seriously consider purchasing one of the lighter and more compact travel guitars.

4. Remember this one important fact…

Here’s the deal…

The standard guitar is literally a miracle. It’s a perfectly crafted instrument. Over the past 500+ years the guitar has slowly been tweaked to perfection. With the modern-day guitar, the size, shape, and build of a standard guitar ensures that you get the absolute best comfort, sound and durability from this amazing instrument.

This is where traveler guitars screw the proverbial pooch.

Ultimately, travel guitars are smaller, and because they are smaller they aren’t going to sound as good as a standard guitar. There is no way around this. If you want a smaller guitar, you are going to have to make some other sacrifices. To get a guitar smaller, lighter, and more travel-friendly means sacrificing a few other important things (like possibly sound, comfort, balance).

Don’t worry- the best travel guitars sound amazing! Just don’t expect it sound like a song from ‘Eric Clapton Unplugged’ … Because it won’t.

But I promise you, whatever travel guitar you choose it will sound awesome, it’ll be lightweight, and it will accompany you around the world  🙂

Can a travel guitar replace my primary guitar?

The easy answer – absolutely.

The more complicated answer… well, it depends on your needs.

If you are more of a casual guitar player (like I am these days) then you will be stoked to know that a travel guitar can absolutely replace your primary guitar (especially if you don’t mind spending a bit more). The selections from Cordoba, Martin, and Taylor on this list are truly epic instruments, and if you don’t need to worry about gigs, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised that your travel guitar can absolutely become your primary guitar.

But people that are truly invested in their musical journey, possibly even at the sake of their world-wandering journey, a travel guitar, long-term, isn’t going to cut it. Eventually, the lack of frets, or the lower quality sound, or some other aspect is going to wear thin.

Eventually, in your world-wandering journey, you’re going to stumble across a truly magnificent instrument and that’s when your mini guitar built for travelers isn’t going to feel so special anymore.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

Can you fold guitars?

Not all of them are foldable, but there are some cool options. One of them is the Journey Instruments OF660M , that can literally fold in half.

Should you get a travel guitar if you don’t know how to play?

Hell yeah, why not? Spend those long hours waiting for flights or buses by learning how to play on your cool travel guitar and impress your friends once you’re back home.

What should you look for in a travel guitar?

Keep these key-features in mind: 1. Does it have to be top quality? 2. The number of frets 3. Packability and size

What is the best affordable travel guitar?

The best budget travel guitar is the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele. It’s super durable and offers a great sound as well.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

There you have it! The 10 best travel guitars (plus two extras).

I know that with the help of this epic buyer’s guide, you’ll easily be able to identify and buy the travel guitar of your dreams. Get out there and find your baby.

Treat her well too. It’s a lonely road and there may come a night in the future where it’s just you and her alone under a bridge in the storm. Trust me, on that day

Is there anything I missed? What’s your favorite travel guitar? Comment below! It’ll help other travelers know which guitar is best for them – safe travels!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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You need to look into the Furch Little Jane travel guitar. It will blow you away with it’s design, looks and most importantly sound. There is also a LR Bagges pickup option if you need to be plugged in. Check the company out.

You must consider the Stow-Away by Stewart in the best travel guitar list. It clearly is the best option for an electric travel guitar.

I am a resophonic guy. My 1975 Dobro 33, metal bodied has traveled all over. Altbough many reso players are strictly slide and open tuning, I prefer standard and play many genres. I’d like to see a metal bodied resophonic that truly is travel friendly and works well in standard tuning. Metal bodies, like carbon fibre tend to be highly durable, but tend to weigh alot. Still, reso is loud enough to be a busking or session guitar in a multitude of situations.

Why are, we reso players always the stepchildren of these attempts to find the holy grail of travel instruments?

Traveler makes several other travel guitars with actual small guitar bodies which include preamps and other settings, yet have full sized fretboards. You might want to take a look at them. Yamaha makes an excellent travel model too, but it’s expensive. Also, you might include a comment about their ultra-light models being good for quiet practice in those hostels and places where noise is a factor. With a small preamp, you can use headphones to get the big sound you want without disturbing others. All useful factors for a travel guitar! And remember, some of us are classical guitar players and have no interest in “jamming”, but want a full fingerboard to play/practice on. I looked up the website on the eo guitars and, as you said, there is no information on how to buy one, the price, availability, etc, nor any reviews on the quality of build or the sound. The only way to get further information is to e-mail them which is not a plus for their marketing. It looks very interesting, but it’s too much of an unknown to pursue.

Damn, Mr Rogers- those are some hot tips! Next time I update this article (which should hopefully be before too long), I’ll 100% look into Traveler and Yamaha’s model. And you’re right: quiet practice in a hostel is definitely much-appreciated. I’ve gotten told on more than once for getting too carried away hahah! But I do certainly hope some classical guitar players still wanna jam. The more the merrier 🙂

Great site! I’d like to make you aware of my folding guitar which is the smallest travel instrument in the world yet with a full size neck and scale length. Patented robust joint mechanism allows the neck to fold to be only 42 cm long and weighs <1.5kg. The ultimate portability. With integral headphone amp. Play while you stray! eo-guitars

S’up Ken!

I am most certainly aware of the eo-guitar now – I love what it’s about! Small, light, innovative, and sexy. This post will need an update eventually, however, it’d be nice to get the eo-guitar in it in the future. As it stands though, info and feedback on the guitar online is pretty sparse.

It also seems like the only way to purchase one is through your email listed on your website. It’d be great to see this being sold in some online marketplaces, and we’d love to feature your guitar once it’s more readily available. The possibility of a hands-on review might be cool too, but it’d be better if you got in direct contact for discussing that.

For anyone reading these comments though, the eo-guitar is one to keep your eye on!

I am gobsmacked you haven’t reviewed the Furch little jane. I can only assume you haven’t come across it. If you had, the others would not even come into contention.

Thanks for your comment; I took a little squizz at the Furch Little Jane and you’re right – she’s a sexy beast! Although, she’s a pretty pricey gal and a bit chunkier than a lot of other travel guitars on the market.

This post got an update not so long ago, but it’s overdue for another. As far as I know, I’m the only muso on the team, so when the world is a bit less smashed and I got the time, I’ll be updating this review. You can almost definitely expect the Little Jane to feature then 🙂

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• 9 Best Pocket Guitars of 2024

What are the things you carry in your pocket? What are the possibilities?

Phone, wallet, keys, earphones, snacks for when you get hungry, pens, tiny books and guitars.

Yes, you read that right. Guitars. Yes, it’s a little crazy but not that much.

Now, if you’re an aspiring musician or a super cool rockstar, the one thing that people from either side of the spectrum have to do is to practice.

No matter how good you get at playing the guitar, it’s important to maintain dexterity. If you lose that, you’ve lost a chunk of your musical skill.

Before we dive into the various rad pocket guitars available in the market today, let’s look into what it is?

Table of Contents

Our top picks, 1. wogod portable pocket guitar – best overall pick, 2. zebra 6 fret pocket guitar – best beginners guitar, 3. amoon pocket acoustic guitar – best compact guitar, 4. oibtech pocket guitar – most affordable pocket guitar, 5. yamaha slg200s silent guitar – best electric-like guitar, 6. elecguru portable wooden pocket guitar – best travel pocket guitar, 7. jinli pocket guitar – best affordable pocket guitar (runners up), 8. ohuhu pocket guitar – best practice tool, 9. elenker pocket guitar – best durable pocket guitar.

What is a Pocket Guitar?

We’ve all seen minivans, tiny handbags, small dictionaries, mini lipsticks. If you notice, all though they have shrunk in size– they still perform, more or less, the same function as their blown-up versions. A minivan will still help with transport, a tiny handbag will still carry your things, a small dictionary will still provide you with meanings of words that you don’t know, and a mini lipstick with still act like a lipstick.

It’s not very different for the pocket guitar.

It’s basically a “honey! I shrunk our kids” version of an acoustic-electric guitar.

What it really helps with is traveling.

When you’re on the road or even on a plane, a pocket guitar is handy.

How on a plane?

Well, these guitars are practice guitars. They are to help you with practicing chords, dexterity and improving skills. Pocket guitars don’t really produce the kind of sound you would expect from an actual guitar. Isn’t that cool?

Now that we have a fair idea of what a pocket guitar is and what we could possibly use it for, let’s get into it!

Here’s a list of our top picks from the array of pocket guitars available in 2024 .

• Our Best Overall Pick: WoGod Portable Pocket Guitar This is an all-rounder. Works really well for both beginners and professionals!
• Best Beginners Guitar : Zebra 6 Fret Pocket Guitar Love the look of this Pocket Guitar. Even the case looks nice. It’s very user-friendly. Went from beginner level to intermediate on Zebra 6 Fret Pocket Guitar in a few weeks…
• Best Compact Guitar: Amoon Pocket Acoustic Guitar Didn’t think you could adjust and fix your pocket guitar. Love this one because it comes with a hexagonal wrench. A cool feature to have for a Pocket Guitar.
• Most Affordable Pocket Guitar: OIBTECH Pocket Guitar One of the cheapest pocket guitars out there. It’s so worth the price. Quality hasn’t fallen because of how affordable it is. Great purchase!
• Best Electric-Like Guitar: Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar Makes going back to the electric guitar so much easier because the Yamaha SLG200S has 22 frets! That’s the convenience of practicing on this Pocket guitar.
• Best Travel Pocket Guitar: ElecGuru Portable Wooden Pocket Guitar I’ve carried this pocket guitar even to the washroom. It’s so light, you can’t feel the weight on your shoulders while carrying it. It’s addictive. Can’t stop practicing on this.
• Best Affordable Pocket Guitar (Runners Up): Jinli Pocket Guitar The frame opens and closes! You can make this pocket guitar fit into your pocket and then stretch it out to practice. It’s a smart buy. It’s affordable too!
• Best Practice Tool: Ohuhu Pocket Guitar I’ve learnt to play the acoustic guitar so well because of the chord book that comes with this pocket guitar. It’s the best pocket guitar for beginners.
• Best Durable Pocket Guitar: ELENKER Pocket Guitar Haven’t bought a new pocket guitar in 2 years now. Elenker Pocket guitar has been through thick and thin with me. It’s one durable guitar!

Top Pocket Guitar Reviews of 2024

The  WoGod portable pocket guitar  is one of the  rad-dest  ones out there. If you’re looking to practice and enhance your guitar playing skills, this should be the one.

WoGod is a god which helps you with your finger exercise. It helps with picking up speed and helps a ton with finger coordination. If you’ve recently learnt to play the guitar, you would have noticed that it’s extremely hard to memorize the chords and to shift from one chord to another. Especially if you’ve learnt to play the guitar by yourself.

If you’re devoted to learning the guitar and mastering it, you don’t have to carry around your big, expensive guitar. You can just practice on this!

Portable or travel guitars  are different from pocket guitars but they more or less perform the same function.

So if you’re in a metro or bus and can’t stop thinking about getting home and practicing on the guitar, this really does solve the problem.

The WoGod does have strings that resemble an actual electric guitar but the strings are so thin that they produce a very little sound.

This pocket guitar is light-weight. It’s made of heavy-duty plastic; which helps you carry it around anywhere. Also, it’s super affordable.

The strings give you the feeling of a real electric guitar, so you won’t have a problem with switching from this to that.

The WoGod has 4 frets which make it perfect to practice on.

It does not come with a guide on how to efficiently use the guitar. It does come with a case! It keeps the pocket guitar in good shape and keeps the guitar functioning for a long time.

• It’s so quiet, you can practice it anywhere.
• Made with heavy-duty plastic. It’s good quality.
• Comes with a case.
• It’s the perfect finger  exerciser .
• Portable and light-weight.
• Affordable!
• Does not come with an instruction guide.
• It can’t be tuned.

The WoGod has helped a lot with improving dexterity. As the name suggests, it’s portable so you don’t have to think about carrying a big guitar, especially to places where you can’t play the electric guitar. It’s affordable and it serves its purpose!

Now, this guitar is an auxiliary tool. It can’t produce the sound of an acoustic guitar but–

It’s super compact and lightweight.

The frame of the guitar is made with Mahogany and it looks quite beautiful. It’s made with plastic that has high-strength. It’s super durable.

The  strings are made of steel , giving it the real-guitar feel.

Also, the Zebra 6 fret pocket guitar’s strings have the right distance from each other. Just like the acoustic one.

Oh, you can also slide the fret section in and out of the guitar, that’s why it’s so compact.

It’s an amazing choice for beginners. If you’re looking to practice to improve speed and changing chords faster, then the Zebra 6 fret pocket guitar  should be your first choice.

The guitar comes with 6 frets, which is not a common feature in pocket guitars. Gives you more flexibility while practicing and switching from frets. That’s another hurdle most beginners have to cross. Quick fret-changing skills.

• It’s super durable.
• Great look.
• Highly user-friendly. Beginners, this one’s for you!
• Comes with a cool case.
• Can’t produce the same sound as an acoustic guitar.

Initial problems while learning the guitar are how to change frets quickly while keeping up with the rhythm. This 6 fret guitar really helps with building on that skill. The strings are made of steel, making it easy to practice on; once you switch from your acoustic to pocket. Also, we’re all looking for durable pocket guitars and this one is!

This miniature guitar is durable and will come in handy for your musical moments whether you are in a cafe or sitting by the window on a sunny day. It is made of sturdy plastic and the fretboard is made of Rosewood to provide it with a stylistic edge. It looks pretty cool!

It is perfect for travellers as it is super compact. However, it is a little bit more expensive than your usual pocket guitars.

The strings are finely made and the sound is warm and light. You surely won’t get complaints from your sleepy-head flatmate.

While the price tag might make you think twice, the quality definitely makes up for it. Plus, you get a blue carry bag and a hexagonal wrench.

• Super compact. Helps with improving finger exercising and dexterity.
• Comes with a hexagonal wrench and a case!
• A good, high-quality pocket guitar.
• A little more expensive than the rest.

It’s the quality of the guitar. The  Amoon Pocket guitar  looks so sleek and the strings are strong. It comes with a hexagonal wrench; which is a tool needed by most guitars. So not only can you use it for your pocket guitar, but you can also use it to fix your acoustic one. It’s also so easy to handle and carry around.

No, seriously this is a super affordable pocket guitar. You can buy this guitar even when you’re on the verge of going broke (at the end of the month I mean).

The  OIBTECH  is super ergonomic. What that means is it has great efficiency and is very comfortable to work with.

The guitar is so light, you can carry it to the airport and not worry about paying extra money for baggage.

Like the Zebra 6 fret guitar, this one has 6 frets too. It helps with switching and practicing on different frets. The extension of two frets can retract back into the guitar. That’s so cool, right?

The strings on this guitar are super thin. It produces bare minimum sound, which is what you need out of a pocket guitar.

You could possibly sit in a library and practice on the OIBTECH, and no one will hush you.

The guitar is so tiny, you can carry it anywhere without having to make a lot of room for it; in your bag. So the next time you’re on your way to a band practice session or a fun meet-up with your friends, you can practice on your way. It really helps with improving speed and it fits right into your hand.

• Small, compact pocket guitar. Carry it in your pocket, quite literally.
• Super ergonomic. It’s very efficient.
• Six frets and six strings. Just like an acoustic guitar. Easy to switch.
• Super affordable.
• The gap between the fretboard and strings. Easy for beginners to learn on but needs adaptability.

Affordability always gets me. With the kind of quality you get, it’s really a steal deal. Also, the fact that it has 6 frets and 6 strings is what you should ideally look for if you’re trying to translate your practice on the pocket guitar to the acoustic.

The Y amaha SLG200S Silent Guitar  has 22 frets. Now, you may wonder, how in the world is this a pocket guitar?

Well, guess what?

It has a fully collapsible body. It is a proper functioning electric-acoustic guitar.

The technology that Yamaha uses provides a full body resonance. What this means is that you can get the dreadnought sound of the electric guitar without having to care about the size and the weight of an actual electric guitar.

The Yamaha SLG200s body is made with Mahogany. Frankly, Mahogany wood gives such a classy look to the guitar. The strings are made of steel.

All you need is a laptop or a  guitar amp  and you can play this pocket guitar like an electric-acoustic guitar. If you’re looking to play this is a quiet place, that doesn’t allow you to headbang to the sound of your guitar, you can choose the silent option.

The only problem that has been reported with the guitar is that a couple of notes together, it produces an unnecessary pop sound. It also requires much more tuning than other pocket guitars.

• Super slim.
• Portable- carry it anywhere.
• Detachable frame. Reduces the size of the guitar.
• Quieter than most electric-acoustic guitars.
• 22 frets. More practice!
• Comes with necessary accessories.
• Popping sound while playing multiple notes together.

The Yamaha SLG200S is your travel partner! It barely takes up any space. Also, how cool is the fully collapsible feature? That’s one reason why this guitar is so different from the rest.

The  ElecGuru Portable Wooden Pocket Guitar  is made of really good quality materials. The wood shell is super durable. It’s also very lightweight. So, even though the guitar may look fragile and you may experience a mini panic-attack if you drop it. Don’t you worry, it’s a sturdy one.

This pocket guitar is highly ergonomic. The design, the look, the feel and the kind of efficiency it provides is great!

What’s cool about this guitar is that it’s around 45 cms when it’s opened and reduces to almost half, around 25 cms when closed.

That’s what makes it an amazing travel partner.

The guitar comes with 6 frets, which contributes to its functionality. You can use this pocket guitar to its full potential and practice to become a pro!

Another cool feature about the ElecGuru Portable Wooden Pocket guitar is that it comes with a warranty; provided by ElecGuru. It’s affordable but in any case, you have a warranty, which is great.

• Ergonomic design and functionality.
• 6 fret pocket guitar.
• Good quality wood shell
• Comes with a warranty.
• You can gift this to your fellow musician friend.
• Does not come with any other additional features.

It’s simple. It got me at ergonomic design. It’s also super light and affordable. It comes with a warranty. The ElecGuru helps to improve picking and strumming skills and improve dexterity, this pocket guitar is your gateway. Did I mention, it comes with a warranty. That’s pretty rad.

You’re in for an absolute treat if you get the  Jinli Pocket Guitar . It’s the runners up for ‘Best Affordable Guitar’.

It’s a tiny, retractable pocket guitar that will fit into any pocket.

Again, this pocket guitar has 6 frets and 6 strings. It’s ideal to get a pocket guitar with 6 strings because once you’re done practicing on your pocket guitar, it’ll always be super easy to start playing on the acoustic or electric guitar. Won’t be too much of a change from the pocket guitar to the acoustic one.

The strings are sturdy and ergonomic. It’s so comfortable to use.

Also, it emits a very little sound so you can practically play this anywhere; without missing out on practice time.

The fret-board is made of premium-quality Rosewood and it looks incredible!

Even the design is ergonomic.

Because of its design, it makes it so much easier to play on the Jinli Pocket guitar. For what it’s worth, the quality of the Jinli Pocket guitar is remarkable. It definitely helps with reducing hand fatigue buildup.

One problem you might face with the Jinli Pocket Guitar is that sometimes it doesn’t emit any sound. But hey, it’s super affordable and does its job just right.

• Super durable.
• Retractable and easy to travel with
• Got a great price on it!
• Ergonomic design. Perfect to practice on.
• 6 frets and 6 strings.
• So quiet, you probably won’t be able to hear it.

It’s so affordable! For the kind of quality you receive, it’s so worth the money you spend. Also, the ergonomic design truly comes to so much help. You can seriously reduce the strain on your fingers while practicing on the Jinli Pocket Guitar. It helps with improving your speed, for sure.

If you’re on your way to mastering the acoustic guitar, the  Ohuhu  is ideal for it.

Here’s why…

This pocket guitar produces small, barely noticeable noise which can help you practice at any given time of the day. Whether you’re traveling in public transport or even in a cab, you can easily whip this guitar out of your bag and work on your fingering skills and improve your chord changing skills.

The strings on the  Ohuhu Pocket Guitar  are very similar to the strings on the acoustic guitar. So don’t worry about how you’re going to switch from a pocket guitar to any other.

What’s great about the Ohuhu Pocket guitar is that it comes with a chord chart. You can practice changing chords on this super well. It’s just the right tool for it.

The chord chart comes with a list of basic chords that you can practice on the Ohuhu Pocket guitar. So, beginners, this one should work for you!

It’s safe to say that the guitar is close to weightless. What else could you want? It doesn’t take up the strain of carrying the guitar in your hand and helps you focus on the actual skill; rather than how to carry it while playing it, kind of problems.

The only problem you could have with the Ohuhu’s Pocket guitar is that it’s not as compact as other pocket guitars. But hey, guess what?

It comes with a handy case that you can carry around, wherever you go!

• Thin strings, makes just the right amount of sound.
• Comes with a chord chart- perfect for beginners.
• Comes with a protective case.
• Durable and sturdy.
• Affordable.
• A little bigger than most pocket guitars.

Even though this one is a little bigger in size, it still is considered as a pocket guitar because of how easy it is to use and carry around. With the Ohuhu, you can master changing chords, especially because it comes with a perfect guide. It’s the perfect improving speed positioning.

Last but not the least, we have the  ELENKER Pocket Guitar . Elenker is a pretty famous brand and let’s just say that they have done a great job with making this pocket guitar.

You won’t be able to stop yourself from practicing on it. It’ll probably annoy everyone around you because it does become an extension of you.

The best part about this pocket guitar is that it’s super durable. It’s made of good quality plastic material which makes it not that affordable but comes with extremely good quality.

The shell is sturdy and strong, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon. It’s here to stay.

The strings are super thin so go on, practice this anywhere you want. It won’t bother anyone around you.

The design is ergonomic, making it very comfortable to practice on.

It has 4 frets which will help you learn the ropes pretty well.

I mean, think about it, it’s durable, ergonomic and compact. This is what you need in a pocket guitar.

A problem that you might have with this one is that the  strings get pretty loose  and there’s no extra aid or tool to help tighten it. So, what it does best is help with improving dexterity and increasing speed and agility on the guitar.

• Extremely durable.
• Made with good quality plastic.
• Ergonomic design. Very comfortable to practice on.
• Great gifting idea.
• A little more expensive than other pocket guitars.
• Strings can get loose. There’s no way to tighten them.

When we are looking to buy a new pocket guitar, I’m sure all of us want to buy a good one that we won’t have to replace within a year to two. Well, this one is so durable that it stays with you; till the end of time. It’s compact, durable and gets you addicted to staying on it and practicing till your heart’s content.

Pocket Guitar Buying Guide

Here are some of the things you should consider before choosing a pocket guitar.

Before you dive into buying a pocket guitar, it’s essential that you keep a budget in mind. There are so many pocket guitars – all with different prices on them – so don’t worry about whether you’ll get a good pocket guitar or not.

You will, for sure. What you have to keep in mind; is the budget. No matter how low or high your budget is, there is a pocket guitar available for you.

Another important thing you should look into, before buying a pocket guitar for yourself, or even gift, is to see the kind of design it has.

There are so many pocket guitars available in the market, with an array of designs to choose from. Pick the design that suits your needs best!

There are multiple ergonomic guitars available, that will help you adapt to the pocket guitar in a jiffy.

Keeping your budget in mind, you can always get the design of your choice.

Whether you’re looking for more than 4 strings or a bigger fretboard, it’s all there. Look carefully into the design before buying!

A lot of brands that make acoustic and electric guitars don’t really make pocket guitars. So, the brands that you associate most with, when it comes to good quality instruments, won’t really have a pocket guitar that you could buy from a brand that you trust with your eyes closed.

That’s one major problem most pocket guitar buyers have. They never know which brand to resort to.

What you should keep in mind is the kind of quality and price assured to you. Some brands even give out warranty with the pocket guitar, like the ElecGuru Portable Pocket Guitar.

The thing is, most pocket guitars are pretty affordable and durable. So you don’t have to worry about buying new pocket guitars every year or 2. Pocket guitars are best to practice on and if the brand helps with that purpose, then you’re good to go.

Some of the unheard, underdog brands come out with super cheap and durable pocket guitars. So don’t worry too much about the brand. Pick what fits your purpose!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pocket Guitars

What is a finger exerciser.

This is literally a workout for your fingers. If you’re looking to improve finger dexterity, the pocket guitar comes very handily. If you’re a beginner, you can start with practising various notes on one fret and move up the fretboard. Moving up the fretboard doesn’t mean you’re moving up the difficulty level of playing. It only means that you can now start to learn how to switch from one fret to another without twisting your fingers. For musical pros, you know what it does! Once you’ve got the hang and feel for the strings and fretboard, you need to master it. A pocket guitar will help you exercise your fingers, and make you really good at what you do!

Does the no sound feature help with a Pocket Guitar?

Yes! The whole point of a pocket guitar is to practice what you have been on the acoustic/electric guitar. You can fit this guitar in your pocket, as the name suggests, and play this literally anywhere. Take it to the library, a crowded bus or practise at odd hours. Nobody will ever complain. The strings are really thin, produces a faint sound. The best part is, you’ll get the feel of an acoustic guitar!

Do I need a 4 fretboard or a 6 fretboard?

If you’re a musical champ, you can do with a 4 fret. The point of the pocket guitar is to improve dexterity. If you’ve already got the hang of the strings and frets, then, you don’t need a 6 fretboard because you have a pretty good memory of the acoustic. With beginners, you will need to adjust to both the instruments. Although the pocket guitar is like an acoustic/electric, it is much smaller in size. To really get hands-on practice on both; without having to learn new skills every time you switch from pocket to acoustic, a 6 fretboard makes sense to invest in.

How long will my pocket guitar last for?

Pocket guitars are super durable. Most of them, at least the ones listed out before, is made of sturdy and ergonomic materials. The frame is strong and the strings can withstand years of practice. Don’t worry about buying a pocket guitar every few months. If your pocket guitar comes with a case, then you’re good to go!

What is a hexagonal wrench?

A hexagonal wrench or Allen wrench is a tool to fix your guitar. What it does is, it fixes back loose nuts or bolts back into the guitar. It keeps the pocket guitar functional for a long time and you can fix your own guitar without taking it to a professional; every time you pocket guitar gets a little flimsy. Keep in mind, only a few pocket guitars are fixable like this. Not all pocket guitars come with a hexagonal wrench.

Isn’t it cool that you can walk around with a guitar in your pocket! You can build on your guitar playing skills and never lose touch of practicing on the strings with a pocket guitar. Like I said, whether you’re a pro at the guitar or just a beginner, the pocket guitar is a great investment. Happy shopping!

About Ronald Ross

Being a seasoned musician myself, I share experiences that help other musicians on their journeys. Whether it's about musical equipment, streaming services, instruments or promoting music; I try to cover everything at Loud Beats . Learn more about me here .

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No body, no problem – the Minicorda is a portable acoustic electric travel guitar with a hollow neck build

The 19” nylon-string travel guitar offers Fishman electronics and a super compact footprint

The Minicorda is a compact, nylon-string electro-acoustic travel guitar that’s just 19” long.

The instrument was designed by Augusto Filocamo and Diego Spina, who wanted a suitcase-size nylon-string that could still utilize regular tuning, but did not require any construction before use. 

The result is the Minicorda, which skips the body part of guitar design altogether and uses a hollow-neck design to create resonance.

“We learned guitar moves air that is in touch with resonance surfaces,” Filocamo told MusicRadar . “We simply increased the size of the air-exposed surfaces. The neck of a 19” guitar is the guitar itself. So making it hollow was the answer.”

Though it creates very little sound when unplugged, inside the Minicorda is equipped with a Fishman Sonitone mic and preamp, which amplify the signals and send them to the line-out.

It’s constructed from “65 percent recycled materials," including aluminum and ABS polymer, and went through a reported 25 3D-printed prototype builds, testing for tone and durability, before Filocamo and Spina settled on their final design.

There have been a few concessions made in order to make things work with the all-neck design. Most significantly, the tuning mechanism, which requires the use of a hex key. 

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In addition, the Minicorda also requires a heavier sixth string, (0.04 thicker than a usual low E) to be precise, which is widely available, but not necessarily in pre-packaged form.

These niggles aside, the Minicorda could be a tempting proposition for the nylon-string guitar player who needs to pack light. 

The Minicorda has a price of $270 (with free worldwide shipping). Head to the Minicorda site for more information.

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Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar , Guitarist , Guitar World , MusicRadar , NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound . In 2020, he launched  CreativeMoney.co.uk , which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

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Best Pocket Guitar 2020 Reviews

Are you looking for the best pocket guitar reviews of 2020? Are you curious to see what the market offers for a portable guitar practice tool that allows you to practice just about anywhere? Is the number of frets important to your pocket guitar? What about the guitar dimensions? Do you need a pocket guitar with a carrying case that is easy to carry? Check out this list for reviews of the best pocket guitars!

Top Picks: Best Pocket Guitar

1. ohuhu portable wooden fretboard for guitar - best overall.

Specifications

• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Length When Open: 17.5″
• Length When Closed: 10″
• Includes Carrying Case: Yes

Ohuhu is a merchant of various art and music related products, primarily colored markers, paints, and guitar stands and beginner keyboards. They primarily sell on Amazon or through their website. Their products are inexpensive and seem to be of decent quality.

The Ohuhu Portable Wooden Fretboard for Guitar is the overall best pocket guitar. This portable pocket guitar features a 6 fret span. This is a perfect amount of space for practicing guitar dexterity patterns and scales and chords. The Ohuhu comes equipped with standard guitar strings, although no description includes the string gauge.

Hopefully, you can replace the strings easily if you prefer a heavier or lighter string gauge. The string tension on the Ohuhu can be adjusted with a hex wrench via a bolt on the bottom end of the fretboard.

The Ohuhu measures 17.5″ when fully open and about 10″ when closed. This is a perfect portable size and the fretboard can easily be stored in your backpack for trips. The Ohuhu comes with a soft carrying case and is enclosed inside a high quality plastic shell. The Ohuhu weighs about a third of a pound, which is minimal for the possible benefit for your guitar playing, and is far lighter than a traditional full-size guitar.

Overall, the Ohuhu Portable Wooden Fretboard for Guitar is a fine practice tool and our Best Overall Pocket Guitar. If you are a beginner or intermediate guitarist and are looking for more ways to boost your guitar playing, the Ohuhu could be a great portable guitar practice tool on the bus or in the car on your way to work or school. If you are a professional, I wouldn’t waste time with this.

2. Moguer Pocket Guitar Practice - Budget Pick

• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Length When Open: 17.3″
• Length When Closed: 9.8″

Moguer is a similar brand as Ohuhu. They primarily manufacture inexpensive art supplies and ephemeral goods. I can not find an official website for the company, but they have a selection of various products available on Amazon and other online marketplaces. This item is nearly identical to the Ohuhu Portable Wooden Fretboard, but is slightly less expensive.

The Moguer Pocket Guitar Practice is a portable pocket guitar that features a 6 fret span. This seems to be a standard number of frets for a pocket practice guitar fretboard.

This size pocket guitar is beneficial for pattern-based practice and some chords, but is not enough for practicing larger movements like the connection of scale patterns across the fretboard or the connections between chord inversions as they move up or down the neck.

The Moguer comes equipped with real metal strings and the tension of the strings can be adjusted with a hex wrench similar to the strings on the Ohuhu.

The Moguer measures 17.3″ when open and about 9.8″ when closed. This means that the Moguer is slightly smaller than the Ohuhu. The Moguer also weighs about 0.37 lbs. which is slightly more than the Ohuhu. Like the Ohuhu, the Moguer is housed inside a durable plastic shell and comes with a carrying pouch for safe keeping.

Overall, if you are looking for a pocket guitar on a budget, the Moguer Pocket Guitar Practice is the choice for you. It has all the features you might be looking for in a pocket guitar including enough frets for basic practice, real strings that are readily adjustable, a high strength plastic shell, and a handy carrying pouch. The Moguer Pocket Guitar is perfect for the beginning musician on the go!

3. Jesdoo Pocket Guitar Chord Trainer - Best Chord Trainer

• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Length When Open: 19″
• Length When Closed: 11.2″

Like Moguer and Ohuhu, Jesdoo manufactures a host of seemingly random, disconnected, and ephemeral products including metal detectors and grilling and cooking accessories. It seems that they primarily sell on Amazon and other similar online marketplaces and do not have a dedicated website of their own. The Jesdoo Pocket Chord Trainer is the Best Chord Trainer on this list.

The Jesdoo Pocket Chord Trainer features a 6 fret span and metal strings. Like the other models, the strings on the Jesdoo can be adjusted with a hex wrench on the bottom side of the trainer. The Jesdoo has a rotating LED screen that displays common chord shapes ( 1 ) . The Jesdoo can be programmed to display chord progressions and loops so that you can practice different chord shapes together, which will speed up your development and muscle memory. As the brilliant guitarist Andres Segovia says ( 2 ) :

The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well.

Additionally, the Jesdoo even includes a built-in metronome so you can practice these chord loops with a steady beat!

Because of the built-in LED screen, the Jesdoo is slightly larger than the previous two models and measures about 19″ when fully open and about 11.2″ when closed. The screen does not fold and remains exposed when the fretboard is covered, so you will need to be careful not to damage it. Fortunately, the Jesdoo also includes a handy pouch for safe transport.

Overall, the Jesdoo Pocket Chord Trainer Guitar is the best portable pocket guitar for practicing chords. The combination of basic features like 6 frets and real strings with a rotating LED screen and the option of creating and practicing with various chord progressions is an awesome benefit to the beginning guitarist.

4. Suny Smiling Mini Wooden Pocket Guitar

• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Length When Open: 17.7″
• Length When Closed: 10.2″
• Includes Carrying Case: No

Suny Smiling manufactures a range of items including gymnastics and climbing equipment, backpacks, and pots and pans. Like the other brands on this list, Suny Smiling primarily sells on Amazon and other online marketplaces. They do not have their own website as far as we can tell.

The Suny Smiling Mini Wooden Pocket Guitar is a 6 fret pocket guitar and is similar in style and design to the Ohuhu and Moguer portable guitar products. The Suny Smiling is not a guitar chord practice tool and does not include an LED screen. The Suny Smiling comes equipped with 6 strings made of genuine steel like a traditional electric guitar. Like the other models, the strings can be tuned as you desire and the tension of the strings can also be adjusted with a hex wrench on the bottom of the device.

The Suny Smiling Mini Wooden Pocket Guitar is similar in dimensions to the Ohuhu and Moguer models. The Suny Smiling measures 17.7″ when fully opened and about 10.2″ when closed. This is a convenient size for storage and makes the Suny Smiling a perfect travel companion. The Suny Smiling weighs only about 0.41 lbs., which is slightly heavier than the previous models. The Suny Smiling does not include a carrying case, but is housed in a high strength plastic case.

Overall, the Suny Smiling Mini Wooden Pocket Guitar is a decent choice for a portable pocket guitar. While it is less expensive than other models on the list, the reviews on Amazon indicate that it is basically a useless piece of trash and you shouldn’t buy it ( 3 ) .

This is why the Suny Smiling is not our budget pick, even though it is the least expensive portable guitar on this list.

5. Moreup Digital Guitar Chords Trainer

• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Length When Open: 18.9″

Moreup is a manufacturer of music practice devices primarily for younger, beginning musicians. They produce a digital drum pad kit, a super cool LED light-up ukulele, and a guitar humidifier among other products. Like the other brands represented so far, Moreup primarily sells through Amazon and other online marketplaces and does not have a dedicated website of their own.

The Moreup Digital Guitar Chords Trainer is a 6 fret portable guitar chord tool. The Moreup is similar to the Jesdoo in that it is designed to be a guitar chord practice tool.

The Moreup features a rotating LED screen that can display over 400 different chord shapes.

The chords are displayed using a standard chord box diagram, but don’t appear to indicate any finger numbers. The chords can be looped and played with a metronome to further develop your time feel.

The Moreup Digital Guitar Chord Trainer is similar in size to the Jesdoo model. The Moreup measures 18.9″ when fully open and 9.8″ when closed. Additionally, the Moreup weights about 0.43 lbs., making it easy to bring along for the ride. The Moreup even includes a cloth carry case to keep the screen protected.

Overall, the Moreup Digital Guitar Chord Trainer is a fine portable chord trainer with many high quality features to enhance your skills. It includes 6 frets, 6 strings, an LED screen that displays chord diagrams, and a metronome to keep time. However, the Moreup is about 50% more expensive than the Jesdoo, for no apparent reason.

6. Yuevan Pocket Guitar Practice Neck

Yuevan is a manufacturer of a number of interesting items including pocket saxophone, badminton accessories, and portable car vacuum cleaners. Like all of these other brands, they sell primarily on Amazon and do not have a dedicated website of their own. The Yuevan Pocket Guitar Practice Neck is comparable to the Ohuhu, Moguer, and Suny Smiling models.

The Yuevan Pocket Guitar Practice Neck features a 6 fret neck for adequate practice of scale and chord patterns. The Yuevan also included 6 strings made of steel and that can be tuned and adjusted with a hex wrench like the other products on this list. The product description claims the fretboard is made of maple, but that is difficult to verify. If so, that would make the Yuevan the most realistic feeling portable pocket guitar on this list.

The Yuevan Pocket Guitar is comparable in size and weight to the other similar products on this list. The Yuevan measures in at 17.3″ when fully open and about 9.8″ when closed. This is about average in comparison to the other models. The Yuevan also weighs in at 0.37 lbs., which again is about average. Additionally, the Yuevan Pocket Guitar comes with a cloth carrying case for safe travels.

Overall, the Yuevan Pocket Guitar is comparable to any of the other products on this list. The Yuevan Pocket Guitar features the average number of frets, 6 genuine steel strings, and a fine plastic shell. For some reason, the Yuevan is a few dollars more, so if you are on a tight budget, the best choice would be the Ohuhu or Moguer models.

7. Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice

Greenten is a manufacturer of replacement guitar and bass parts. They produce back plates, bridges, bone nuts, and piezo pickups among other products. They do not seem to have a dedicated website and sell primarily through Amazon and other online marketplaces. The Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice is comparable to the Ohuhu, Moguer, Suny Smiling, and Yuevan products.

The Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice features a comfortable 6 frets and 6 genuine steel strings that can be adjusted with a hex wrench on the bottom of the device. This is standard among all the pocket guitars on this list. The product description claims that the fretboard is made of mahogany. This is doubtful as true mahogany is becoming more rare and it is unlikely that a producer of inexpensive items like Greenten would put mahogany in a cheap practice tool like this ( 4 ) . However, if it is true, then that is a great benefit and would make the Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice feel quite realistic.

The Greenten is about the same dimensions as the other pocket guitars on this list. When fully open, the Greenten measures about 17″. When closed, the Greenten is about 10″. The Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice also comes with a cloth carrying case, so you won’t have to worry about scratching up the high quality plastic exterior!

Overall, the Greenten Pocket Guitar Practice is a fine pocket guitar and comparable to many of the other devices on this list. It includes the standard number of frets and strings and is fully adjustable like the other products on this list. Remember, none of the products on this list are designed to make any noise, so don’t be alarmed when you try to strum the Greenten and now sound comes out!

8. Sutila Pocket Guitar Practice Neck

• Weight: 2.86 lbs.
• Length When Open: 25.2″
• Length When Closed: 25.2″

The Sutila Pocket Guitar Practice Neck is a unique product on this list. Sutila is a manufacturer of various musical instruments including bamboo flutes, steel drums, and kalimbas. They primarily sell on Amazon and have good ratings.

The Sutila Pocket Guitar Practice Neck is a pocket guitar trainer that will really boost your guitar skills. Unlike the other instruments on this list, the Sutila features a full 21 fret guitar neck. All the other products on this list only feature a 6 fret neck. Having a full length neck that is easy to carry is a huge boost to your guitar playing skills. The Sutila Pocket guitar comes with a built-in pickup as well, meaning you can plug into a speaker or headphone amplifier. However, the Sutila can also be strummed like an acoustic guitar, a feature that no other product on this list offers.

Because the Sutila Pocket Guitar trainer features a full 21 fret neck, it is larger and heavier than any other product on this list. The Sutila is the most realistic finger exerciser. The Sutila weighs in at 2.86 lbs. and is over 25″ long. The Sutila is the most like a musical instrument and cannot be folded like the other products. The Sutila does not come with a case either.

Overall, the Sutila Pocket Guitar is one of the best guitar practice tools on this list. The Sutila is great for a student guitarist looking for more time to practice. The Sutila guitar is made to resemble a true acoustic guitar and its full length neck makes it one the best practice guitars available. The only drawback is it is significantly more expensive than any other product on this list.

9. Shredneck Practice Guitar Neck

• Weight: 1 lbs.
• Length When Open: 16.75″
• Length When Closed: 16.75″

The Shredneck Practice Guitar Neck is a 12 fret pocket guitar designed to mimic the 12th to 24th frets on a traditional guitar. Shredneck makes a few different models of pocket guitar finger trainers, including a few signature series models from artists such as Zakk Wylde, Jason Becker, and Billy Sheehan. They also make a pocket guitar finger exerciser designed to mimic a nylon string acoustic guitar, which looks awesome.

The Shredneck Practice Guitar Neck is made for guitar beginners looking for a certain shredder guitarist aesthetic. This finger exerciser guitar is made from real wood and real frets and features a rosewood dot fingerboard with chrome hardware. These realistic elements will be a great boost to your guitar playing skills.

The Shredneck is more like the Sutila mini guitar than any other product on this list. The Shredneck does not fold up like the other products and does not include any case or anything like that. It weighs in at just about 1 pound and measures 16.75 inches long. The headstock of the Shredneck is a little egregious and sticks out pretty far, which might be annoying to some players. The Shredneck also has built-in strap pins so you can find time to practice anywhere.

Overall, the Shredneck is a pocket size musical instrument great for building your muscle memory. This pocket guitar is made for practicing shredding above the 12th fret and even features 12 frets, which is six frets more than most of the other products on this list. If you are interested in this sort of shredder aesthetic, maybe that will justify the high price tag.

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Pocket Guitar

The number of frets on the pocket guitar.

The most important thing to consider when purchasing the best pocket guitar is the number of frets. After all, why would you purchase the best pocket guitar if it didn’t have enough frets to actually get some real work done? All of the products on this pocket guitar review feature 6 frets. 6 frets is enough to accomplish some basic tasks like chromatic dexterity exercises, basic scale patterns like the 5 forms of the major scale and pentatonic scales, and some basic chord shapes.

However, 6 frets is not enough space to practice any scale patterns in relation to one another. You would need a pocket guitar with at least 8 frets to have that benefit. There is no pocket guitar on the market with 8 frets, as far as we know. Additionally, 6 frets does not allow enough room to practice any chord inversions and how they relate to one another. Similarly, you would need a portable guitar with at least 8 frets to have that benefit.

The Dimensions of the Pocket Guitar

It is also important to consider the product’s dimensions when purchasing a pocket guitar. The best pocket guitars are designed to be more portable than a real guitar and should be smaller, lighter, and more compact. The famous musician Joan Jett describes her guitar as ( 5 ) :

… It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.

If this is how you feel, then a pocket guitar might be the best guitar practice tool for you as well. Further, all of the best pocket guitars on this list weigh under 1 pound, and many weigh in at under 1/2 pound. This is important and allows the pocket guitar practice tool to be transported anywhere in a purse or backpack.

Additionally, all of the pocket guitars on this list measure under 20″ when extended and about 10″ when closed. All of the best pocket guitars are compact and come with a high quality sliding shell feature that keeps the fretboard area safe and clean when not in use. All of these benefits combine to make a portable pocket guitar a great guitar practice tool for the times when you can’t bring a real guitar along for the ride.

Do pocket guitars make sound?

No, pocket guitars do not make any sound. Pocket guitars are generally just a portion of a fretboard with 6 strings like a traditional guitar. Pocket guitars are designed to be a portable practice tool and allows you to practice without making any sound.

Are pocket guitars worth it?

Pocket guitars are worth it if you are a beginner and you are interested in a portable practice tool. If you are a professional, you probably have created a solid routine for guitar playing and don’t need something like a portable pocket guitar to practice.

Is a pocket guitar electric or acoustic?

Pocket guitars are neither electric nor acoustic. Pocket guitars do not make any sound on their own and are designed to be a portable guitar practice tool for situations when you have limited space and can not bring a real guitar.

• Jesdoo Pocket Guitar Chord Trainer. Retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Luzon-Trainer%EF%BC%8CPortable-Practice-Rotatable-Beginner/dp/B07SM9DVGH/
• Guitar Sayings and Quotes. Retrieved from: https://www.wisesayings.com/guitar-quotes/page-1/
• Suny Smiling Mini Wooden Pocket Guitar. Retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Suny-Smiling-Portable-Practice-Fingering/dp/B082HBRFWJ/
• Guitar makers regret loss of rare woods. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/06/business/worldbusiness/06iht-sbiz.4.6026426.html
• Guitar Quotes. Retrieved from: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/joan_jett_391801?src=t_guitar

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20 Best Pocket Guitar Reviews 2022

Best Pocket Guitar

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Every musical instrument requires some amount of learning, training, and practice be for anyone can be a professional player. Guitars are not different and require learning students or beginners to understand the basic and fundamental act of playing the chord, working their fingers around the strings including muscle memory. In the course of training, everyone learning how to play guitar professionally will create time to practice, train, and engage in prolonged and continuous learning using the guitar instrument.

In other to enable such continuous practice for rapid understanding, a devoid known as the pocket guitar was made and sold to beginners wanting to learn guitar playing skills. From the inception of this product, many have bought it for use and a lot of people are still willing to buy it. Buying a nice and suitable pocket guitar is good but maybe quite difficult for anyone with limited knowledge about the product. Below are some valuable factors to watch out for, when buying a pocket guitar.

Read Also: Phin Guitar , Travel Guitar , Fingerstyle Guitar , Bluegrass Guitar , Lap Steel Guitar , Bass Guitar , Violin Bass Guitar , Fretless Bass Guitar , Flamenco Guitar

What are the Best Pocket Guitars to Buy?

Most pocket guitars are made to serve well but you should try to consider the best brand based on reviews and years of offering quality and durable products before deciding on the pocket guitar to buy.

2. Material and String Type

When buying a pocket guitar, it is good to decide based on the durability of the wooden material used for the fingerboard and as well as the covering or shell plastic. This is very important, and it will save you a lot of frustration and cash. The string type is based on your desire. Some strings are real steel which is coated to avoid rusting while others may not be coated. Carefully check through and choose the type you want.

3. Portability

Here, you must be sure the pocket guitar you decide to buy is portable enough with its size dimension, weight, and the availability of a protective pouch or bag. Check for products with the above features and you will ensure the guitar practice anywhere you go.

20 Best Pocket Guitar Reviews

1. Moreup Pocket Guitar

An innovative and creative instrument that offers amazing features to beginners and learners even on the go. This product is made by a Moreup brand manufacturer and makes it very easy for players to practice various chords as it comes with 6 strings and 6 frets. It has a compact design, is loaded with about 2000 chords that can be seen on the chart screen to help increase the guitar playing skills of players.

This item is much desired because of its real steel string that is like that of a real guitar even as it is coated to prevent rusting and damage. The string can also be adjusted to whatever the player wants and this with its low voice is perfect for practice anywhere such as in a public bus, school, house, and music classes without disturbing anyone.

It is pocket-size indeed with a dimension of 12.3 by 2.4 by 1.7 inches and can fit perfectly into a bag or pocket for easy transportation. The 8.5 ounces lightweight of this item makes it portable and easy to play anywhere for a longer time without hurting the fingers.

2. YUEVAN Pocket Guitar Version 6

YUEVAN comes with an amazing and very effective kind of a pocket guitar which is loaded with exciting features and functionality to help and aid beginners become professional guitarists even as they have the ease of carrying the device anywhere at any time to build up fingering memory on a real 6 strings and 6 frets. This product and model is an upgraded version of the previous one and it has the ability to emit and produce thrilling low sound suitable for practice without disturbing others in the process.

It comes with real string, so you feel you are on a real guitar chord, offers a sliding to unlock classical design that protects the string and made from premium ABS casing. It is made from durable and lightweight beautiful wood which is compact and can easily be carried inside a pouch. This pocket guitar has a size dimension of about 11.4 by 3.2 by 1.5 inches and a lightweight of about 6 ounces for effortless carriage and log period playing without stress. This product comes with a protective pouch and also offers a 3 months warranty on every purchase.

3. Volwco Mini 6 Fret Pocket Guitar

This product from Volwco brand manufacture is another very nice and effective min pocket-size guitar made to help, and aid beginners learn guitar playing shills fast and relish it when practicing. It comes with a metronome and this ensures that beginners can learn the chord rhythms with a device that is preloaded with about 4000 chords for practice and learning.

It also has 6 frets and 6 real guitar steel-string, and this is to help train the fingers on fast manipulation for various sounds. The strings are equally adjustable in that the tightness can be modified with a wrench that comes with this pocket guitar.

This model of Volwco pocket guitar is made to be compact, has a rotatable chart board, and lightweight to enable portability. It has no sound, and this may be good for some players who never have to worry about disturbing anyone while playing it anywhere at any time. This device has a size dimension of 11.8 by 2.4 by 2.4 inches and a lightweight of 8.5 ounces and can be carried in a cloth bag that comes with the package.

4. Greenten Black Pocket Guitar

Here comes another nicely designed and effective guitar training and a practicing device called a pocket guitar. It is made by the Greenten brand and it works to help beginners gain necessary skills fast and quickly. This device is made of quality wood and string to form a typically compact body or structure that can be taken anywhere to practice and train. The string is able to effectively and efficiently train fingers, hands, wrists and help you with muscle memory.

It comes as a 6-fret mini guitar even as it is portable and without loud sound. Low sound guarantee beginners can play this device on a public bus, train, at a school library, classroom, or even at home without disturbing anyone else with the sound.

This device has a slide-up design that ensures a wooden material covers the string part of the guitar and prevents it from harm or damage as it is being carried about. The covering slides up when needed to practice. The size dimension is 11 by 2.6 by 1.6 inches and lightweight of just 4 ounces. It has a wrench for adjusting string tightness and a protective pouch to keep and carry this pocket guitar.

5. E Support 4 Fret Pocket Guitar

Learning and undergoing training on guitar playing skills without personal training and practice to inculcate and imbibe the skills is an absolute waste of time but with a quality and durable pocket guitar device like this one made by E Support brand manufacturer, you can learn continuously irrespective of the place and location you are.

It made to feature a nice and durable plastic shell, wooden fingerboard, and a real string that conditions the feeling of a true guitar. It has a low sound and with its portability, you can take it to planes, dinners, classrooms, trains, and public busses without disturbing others while playing. It comes as a very lightweight device of 4 ounces weight and a compact size of about 8.6 by 2.7 by 1.6 inches and it is good enough to fit into the pocket. This product is nice and durable while it supports very guitar beginners.

6. ammoon Brown Acoustic Pocket Guitar

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Ammoon is the name of a popular brand manufacturer in the musical instrument niche which is known for quality products. Here comes a unique and outstanding acoustic pocket guitar which is exquisite, classy, and stylish in design, portable, and compact for effective practice and durability for continued usage. This Ammoon device is made up of rosewood fretboard, a quality wood grain plastic as a cover over the fretboard, and an overall attractive look of shiny color.

This device is great for practicing, training of hands and fingers even as you can rapidly develop professional guitar play in skills. The string is nice and high in quality and comes with a wrench to adjust the tightness to relish the best practice experience anywhere and at any time without disturbing anyone in the bus, train, library, school clashes and homes.

The size is compact and has a dimension of about 11.7 by 4 by 1.7 inches while the weight is 7 ounces just as perfect portable pocket guitar which is easy to carry about in the free protective bag or pouch given.

7. Baiwka Rotatable Pocket Guitar

This device is made to be the perfect and flawless professional trainer for any student and beginner. It is made by the Baiwka brand manufacturer and has a good number of preloaded chords that players can master and learn. The digital chord screen display is good enough for practice and builds up muscle memory and perfect working the fingers on the chords.

It is made with quality wood, durable plastic, and a real string that offers the real feeling of the actual guitar. Strings can be adjusted by a wrench to provide the desired practice experience. It is compact and portable with a size dimension of about 11.8 by 2.4 by 2.4 inches and as such, can be carried easily anywhere to practice in a fitting pouch that comes free with the package.

Further, it makes no noise as it offers a low sound and tone that aid its use for practice anywhere and at any time. A lightweight of about 8.5 ounces shows that this device is portable and fit for continuous practice in various locations.

8. GOSONO Acoustic Pocket Guitar

This portable and mini pocket guitar is a brand-new device made by the GOSONO brand and it offers much more for every beginner that wants to learn, train and practice the rudiments of guitar playing skills within a short period of time. Made with popular and common wood types for the fingerboard, the string is real and can be adjusted to please the need of the player. It comes designed as a slide that reveals the string area when players want to train his hands and fingers on the 6 frets and strings.

In addition, it has a low sound quality, and this is to make it usable and functional in almost anywhere for practice. You can practice in the public bus, train, school library, classes, and even at home without causing any form of disturbance. The GOSONO portable pocket guitar is portable based on its compact design, size dimension of about 10.2 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches which easily fits into the protective pouch that helps to carry it around as it has a lightweight of about 6 ounces.

9. Sizet Neck Pocket Guitar

This is a nice and perfect device that any beginner would love to own. Made by the Sizet brand of manufacturer, it comes loaded with exciting features that enable amateur and beginners to learn the skills fast and quickly. It has a genuine string that can be used to train the fingers, a metronome, and a digital chord screen display which makes the chord learning and understanding process easy and simple.

The string can be adjusted by a wrench tool that is packaged with this device even as the sound and tome have been lowered to prevent any disturbance, distraction, and embarrassment to many others present in the location for practice. It is made of durable and high-quality wooden material and plastic material which is used to make the sliding design that prevents the exposure of the string parts when not in use.

The compact body of considerable size can fit into the pocket while the weight ensures it is easy to carry about to various places like the park, school classes, library, public bus or train, and even the restaurant to practice. The drawback is the lack of a protective pouch.

10. Forart Beginner Pocket Guitar

This device comes as one of the pocket guitars with a chord chart screen display even as it is made to help beginners and amateurs learn and understand the chords and other skills on a guitar. It is made by an American brand, Forart, and designed with durable and quality materials for continuous training and practice. It features a genuine and real guitar string that helps leaners build calluses even as they can adjust string tension using a wrench that is included in the package.

Players can create a custom tempo on the chord with a metronome even as the sound is low to avoid any form of disturbance and distraction to others in a public bus or train, classroom, homes, and parks. This device is great with the rotatable guitar chord chart on a screen through which learning and muscle memory can be easily inculcated. This device is handy, compact, portable, and made to feature the slid down design to prevent exposure of the string area. It comes with a protective pouch to carry it even as it weighs just about 9.6 ounces.

11. ammoon Rosewood Pocket Guitar

If you as a beginner or student have ever wanted and desired a pocket acoustic guitar with all you needed for a really fast and rapid learning process through continuous and non-stop practice, then you probably need this device made by Ammoon. It is an acoustic mini guitar made to fit the pocket and help build amateurs into professionals.

It is made from quality rosewood fretboard, wood grain plastic cover over the string area design to slide through stylishly. These materials are durable and last long, so beginners can enjoy it for many years. It is a device made to easily help trainers inculcate the guitar learning pace even as the strings aid the fast use of fingers and hands for chord practice and understanding.

The stings are adjustable with a wrench tool that comes with the package just like the carrying pouch or bag which is protective and usable for carrying the pocket guitar. Size dimension is 9.6 by 4.1 by 2.2 inches and a lightweight of 5.6 ounces all make this product easy and effortless to take around for practice and training.

12. SUNYIN Black Pocket Guitar

This comes as a viable and effective choice for every student and beginner learning the rudiments of guitar chord and general play as a whole. It is a mini size pocket guitar made by a famous manufacturer, SUNYIN and it offers the best of practice experience with amazing features even as it is very durable and long-lasting.

This SUNYIN device is made from quality plastic material used as cover and shell over the wooden board on which the string is tied. The string is real and can be adjusted by players based on choice and desire even as the chord practice is easier and made comfortable to learn and understand.

This mini guitar is modeled after the neck of a real guitar and with a silent tome or sound, beginners can continue to practice and learn in any place such as public bus or train, school library, classroom, and parks. It is portable easy to carry with a size dimension of about 10.2 by 2.2 by 1.6 inches while the weight is about 7.5 ounces. SUNYIN brand offers a 30-day refund or replacement for every buyer.

13. Efaster Digital Pocket Guitar

This pocket guitar is a product of Efaster brand manufacturer and it has a good number of functions and features that allow for easy understanding, learning, and training of beginners who intend to become professional guitarists. This product features a nice rotatable digital chord screen which is required for training finger placements and muscle memory.

This mini acoustic guitar has an inbuilt metronome which is good for learning chord lessons as players are able to use custom tempo for easy understanding. This pocket guitar offers a low sound or tone which ensures that it can be played and use for practice anywhere and at any time such as public busses, trains, school libraries, classrooms, parks, and at home.

Players can learn how to tighten and use string tension to advantage with the era steel string that comes with this Efaster device and can be adjusted by the wrench that comes with the package. It is compact in size, portable, and lightweight with durable and long-lasting wooden and plastic materials. The manufacturer provides for responsive customer support for buyers after purchase.

14. Vbestlife Mahogany Pocket Guitar

Here comes a very effective and efficient type of mini and pocket guitar made for beginners and students to practice and train themselves about guitar playing skills. It is a product made by the Vbestlife brand of the manufacturer and it offers great and dependable strength, sturdiness, and durability with the material used to make the fingerboard and the covering casing.

The fingerboard is made with quality mahogany wood while the casing is of durable plastic which is hard and not easy to break. The entire device offers a rapid and quick way to learn the use of fingering on the real steel strings as well as the chord understanding.

It is a compact and very portable kind of pocket guitar and has a low sound or tone which makes it easy to play and practice with at any time and in any location. It comes with a protective pouch or bag which makes It easier to carry this lightweight 7 ounces device anywhere and also protect it from damage or exposure to external conditions.

15. SUTILA Plastic Pocket Guitar

This particular pocket guitar is unique and innovative as it is different from the many other practice guitars for beginners and students. Made by SUTILA brand manufacturer, it is a well-designed and study device that helps to train beginners about playing speed, finger accuracy, and overall understanding of chords and skills.

It is made of high strength and durable plastic material as a shell while the string is real and provides the actual feel of what a genuine guitar offers. The best part of this pocket guitar is its ability to be used for practice anywhere and at any time even without disturbing anyone with noisy or loud sound or tone. However, you may get a good, thrilling, and desirous sounds at a comfortable location because this device can be connected to a speaker or headphone for louder sound.

It is an electric acoustic device, very portable and of considerable size dimension of 25.2 by 3.9 by 1.8 inches which can fit into a pocket, it has a battery, and all together weights about 1.3 kilograms. The major drawback is the absence of a protective pouch or bag.

16. hy Beginner Pocket Guitar

This product is a nice and efficient mini and pocket guitar for beginners that need to learn basic and professional playing skills through continuous and unrestricted practice on chords. This mini and portable guitar is made by hy brand of the manufacturer and it comes with 6 frets for genuine practice, a real string to help and aid learners to understand and be able to play with speed, train their hands, fingers, wrists, and forearm muscles to adapt perfectly.

This product also has a free eBook that explains about 10 different finger training exercises. This model of hy mini guitar is made from durable material with compact design and lightweight for easy movement to anywhere for practice. It has a low sound which is not comparable with the normal or real guitar sound and this is to prevent disturbance in public transport, library, homes, and even school classes.

It has a size dimension of 10 by 2 by 1 inch which is appropriate and suitable to be kept inside the pocket even as it is of 8 ounces lightweight. It has no protective bag and lacks buyers’ warranty.

17. EONLION 6 Fret Pocket Guitar

This is another type of effective and efficient portable pocket guitar device which is mainly manufactured to help amateurs and beginners learn the skills of the guitar so as to become professionals fast and in no time. Made by EONLION brand manufacturer, it possesses some nice and exciting features that make it fascinating to play and practice with.

This product comes with a real and actual string type and ensures beginners can use it to train their fingers on the real string even as they can build up muscle memory fast and quickly. It is made with durable and long-lasting wood which is strong enough to guarantee quality. It has a nice ABS casing and a classical and sleek slide to unlock feature.

It is not a real guitar and as such comes as a low sound that ensures players do not have to worry about disturbing others while playing this pocket guitar. It is very portable and comes as a lightweight of 1 ounce which makes it easy and effortless to move it for practice.

18. Ohuhu 6 Fret Pocket Guitar

This device is another very important portable pocket guitar made by Ohuhu brand manufacturer. It is made to help every student and beginner to fast track their learning path to becoming a professional guitar player. This Ohuhu model is made from plastic material for the casing, quality, and durable wooded material as a fretboard on which the real string is installed to give the best guitar practice experience.

The cover made of plastic works well to provide coverage over the string and prevent any damage as the device is being carried around in a bus or on a public train. This device is good to practice and train beginner fingers, wrists, and hands in the manipulation mastery of changing chords.

Compact design, portable size dimension of about 11.2 by 2.6 by 1.9 inches which is easy to fit and carry inside a protective pouch or bag that is given free by the manufacturer. The lightweight of about 7.4 ounces also makes it easy to take around for continuous practice anywhere and at any time.

19. Kalaok Electronic Screen Pocket Guitar

This comes as another type of electronic pocket guitar which is made by Kalaok brand manufacturer and it features a chord display screen that is able to rotate and help students and beginners learn the preloaded chords alongside the guitar play skills. This device is made from quality and durable wooden materials that are used to make fingerboard while the covering or shell plastic is also of high quality.

Metronome is present as an inbuilt feature for easy custom-made tempo and speed even as the pocket guitar comes with a real string that offers a feel of what a genuine guitar is. The strings can be adjusted by a wrench, the whole device is portable and easy to transport around with thy cloth pouch or bag freely given by the manufacturer.

The size dimension of this portable pocket guitar is about 11.8 by 2.4 by 1.8 inches and can fit properly into the bag and carried as a light device of 9 ounces weight to any place and location to practice. It has a low tone and sound and therefore can be used anywhere without disturbing or causing any distraction.

20. Ohuhu Pocket Guitar

This pocket guitar is made by Ohuhu brand manufacturer and it offers and provides the best experience for every beginner that wants to learn the art of playing guitar. It comes with a compact body design and a real kind of string which is able to train fingers twisting, wrists, and hand on how to play the guitar.

The materials used to make this model of Ohuhu include a plastic shell and rosewood fingerboard which provides durable and long-lasting usage even as portability is ensured. This product is perfect for practice and this means it can be played at any place at any time such as public buses, classrooms, homes, on the train without disturbing others due to its low sound.

It has a stylish and classic design with its slide feature, comes with a size dimension of about 11 by 2.5 by 1.8 inches, and a lightweight of about 7.2 ounces which shows how portable this product is. It comes with a protective pouch that is useful in aiding the movement with this pocket anywhere for continuous practice.

Choosing The Best Pocket Guitars

In conclusion, the above content has been detailed and fully explanatory about how to decide on the pocket guitar to purchase. It has also given and shown a description of each of the listed pocket guitar somas to ensure that readers do not make mistakes with purchasing the perfect and flawless mini guitar to themselves.

In addition, however, watch out for loudness of the pocket guitar sound or tone because this feature may decide where you will be able to play the practice device. The warranty on each product by the manufacturer is also a determining factor when choosing a suitable pocket guitar.

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Best Pocket Guitars Reviews and Buying Guide

Like many musicians, I’ve often found it hard to fit in as much guitar practice as I would like. Especially when I was away from home, I didn’t have a reliable way to play guitar, as it was inconvenient trying to carry a bulky musical instrument around. That’s when I discovered pocket guitars. A pocket guitar is a phenomenal tool for practicing chords and hand dexterity, and is a must have for guitarist looking for a convenient way to develop their guitar playing skills on the go.

Most pocket guitars are essentially a short 6″ or so fretboard with strings. The sole purpose of these tools is to practice different chord shapes (they aren’t meant to be played as an actual guitar). These are best for beginners solely looking for a guitar practice tool. Other pocket guitars (sometimes called portable guitars) are actual acoustic guitars that are designed to fold into themselves and/or be as compact as possible to transport. These can be played and some sound just as good as normal acoustic guitars, but they are obviously going to be a lot more expensive. These are best for traveling musicians  who need to constantly move around with their instrument.

We will review both types of pocket guitars. For the practice tool pocket guitars, we mainly looked at price, durability, and any extra features the device had to ultimately help make practicing more efficient. For the full size playable pocket guitars, we focused on price, sound, and durability.

Pocket Guitars Designed for Practice

As stated before, these are essentially 6″ fretboards that let you practice pressing down strings for certain chord shapes. They’re great for training finger strength and dexterity, especially early on in your musical journey, but don’t help develop many key skills like rhythm, moving up and down the fret-board extensively, or dynamics when strumming/picking. Still, they are a great way to get some quick practice in when you don’t have access to a full sized playable guitar. These tools are generally very cheap, and their manufacturing quality reflects this. Don’t expect to get a highly durable, amazingly crafted instrument as that really isn’t the purpose of these.

OUR TOP PICK (Practice Tool Pocket Guitars) We recommend the MoreUp Digital Guitar Trainer . The product is affordable and comes with a handy display that shows finger placement for different chords. It doesn’t have the best durability, but due to the price point of these practice guitar tools, none of them really do. If you’re looking for something that’ll last a good while you might have to graduate to the full size guitars. Anyway, enough rambling from us here are the reviews:

MoreUp Digital Guitar Trainer – Top Pick

• Durability:  3/5
• Features: 5/5

Key Features

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 2.48 x 1.77 inches
• Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Steel Strings
• Wood fretboard
• Plastic Body
• Electronic chords display with built in metronome
• Lithium Batteries

The chord display is really convenient for some of the lesser known chord shapes. The metronome is also helpful to add in the timing dimension. In terms of pocket guitars, where the build quality is never that great, this product has decent durability and the overall feel is similar to an actual acoustic guitar. It’s obviously lightweight and extremely portable, and the price is very affordable.

The instructions are hard to read (seems like they’re translated from a different language). The plastic body isn’t ideal but pretty par for the course in terms of these tools. Finally, there are some reported manufacturing defects like smudged ink and difficult tuning due to how the tuning bolts were made (note that since you aren’t actually playing sounds with the guitar, tuning in this case just adjusts the string tensions and changes how hard it is to press the strings down).

Overall Rating 4.2/5.0

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WoGod Portable Pocket Guitar

Another decent pocket guitar is the WoGod Portable Pocket Guitar. This guitar has several features that set it apart from the rest.

• Features: 4/5
• Dimensions: 10.31 x 3.19 x 2.6 inches
• Plastic body
• Steel strings
• Prohands finger exerciser
• Easy carry case included

The main advantage the WoGod has above other pocket guitars is the Prohands finger exerciser, which is designed to increase finger strength, flexibility, and coordination. Honestly this is pretty trivial, I don’t think it adds much value above the actual pocket guitar.

Other than the additional finger exerciser, the WoGod is similar to the MoreUp, except it doesn’t come with a digital display. It’s also almost always out of stock on amazon, but you can probably find it on ebay or something. There are similar complaints about the instructions being challenging to use, but there really isn’t that much to figure out. Just practice chord shapes using the strings. Our take here is you should just go with the MoreUp unless you really want the additional finger exerciser.

• Comes with extra finger exercise
• Lightweight and compact size
• Decent quality as far as pocket guitars go
• No digital display
• No instructions included

Overall Rating 3.8/5.0

Jollystyle guitar trainer – best value.

• Durability: 2/5
• Features: 2/5

If you’re looking for the no frills, cheapest option then the jollystyle is probably your best bet. We won’t lie to you, it’s pretty cheaply made but that is reflected in the price. It won’t last forever but it serves it’s purpose decently well and for under $15 offers pretty good value. If you take decent care out of it you can get way more than $15 worth.

• Dimensions: 10.43 x 3.66 x 1.77 inches
• Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Comes with carrying case
• Lower than typical durability

ElecGuru Portable Wooden Pocket Guitar

• Durability: 3/5

Elecguru’s Portable Wooden pocket guitar is another decent “no frills” option. It’s a bit larger and sturdier than the JollyStyle but will also cost a bit more.

• Dimensions: 10.98 x 2.4 x 1.69 inches
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Plastic shell

The added weight and durability is a nice step up from the JollyStyle if you think you’ll be really using the tool a lot. The ElecGuru serves as a good middle ground between the options we’ve explored thus far. Honestly, every pocket guitar we’ve explored on this list serves it’s purpose decently well, and with the exception of a bit of added durability and some extra features they’re all very similar.

• Relatively cheap
• Good balance of price and quality
• No extra features

Overall Rating 3.6/5.0

Best full size pocket / portable guitar reviews.

While the pocket guitars mentioned above are a great supplement to your training, they will never be able to replace the development you get from playing a full sized guitar. Plus, it’s so much more fun to actually produce sound as you hone your guitar skills, which is why we recommend going with an full size pocket or portable guitar if you have the budget.

OUR TOP PICK We especially recommend the Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar . This tool ticks all the boxes that define the best pocket guitar. It’s lightweight and portable, durable, and affordable. It also comes with a few extras to improve your experience and convenience.

Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar – Top Pick

The Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar is not only a perfect choice for travelers , but can also work well for home players looking for an affordable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, and fully functional acoustic-electric portable guitar.

• Mahogany body and neck
• Rosewood fretboard and bridge
• 11mm string spacing
• SRT Piezo pickups
• SRT Mic Modeling Preamp System (Royer R-122)
• In-ear headphones, 2 AA batteries, and soft bag included

The steel strings and mahogany construction produce a rich, thick tone when the guitar is connected to an amplifier or a laptop. However, you can choose the near-silent option and play the instrument as it comes.

It also features a fully collapsible body, with Yamaha’s SRT technology for the full-body resonance. That means you get the sound of a classic dreadnought, without having to deal with the bulky size or shape.

However, this guitar is not without some downsides. At times, it makes a slight popping sound when playing a different combination of notes. You also need to tune it more often than other guitars, to get the best from it.

• Detachable frame
• Unique design
• Slim and portable
• Bonus accessories included
• 80% quieter than acoustic
• Some popping sound when trying to play a different set of notes

Overall, the Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar is a great option for travelers, studio musicians, and beginners with limited storage space. Its fully collapsible, electric-acoustic body is what makes it stand out from the competitors.

Overall Rating 4.7/5.0

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Traveler Ultra Light Acoustic Guitar – Budget Option

If you don’t have the budget for the Yamaha, the traveler acoustic offers 75% of the same value for 50% of the price. It’s great for practicing, and the sound is decent. It’s a bit weak on the high and low ends, but as long as you aren’t gigging or trying to record professional sounding tracks it should do the trick. (note that it’s labeled as an acoustic but you need an amp to actually hear any sound from it). Overall, this is another quality portable guitar.

• Maple body and neck
• Walnut fretboard and bridge (also available in maple and Indian laurel)
• Bronze strings
• Weight: 2 lbs
• Piezo pickups
• Gig bag included

While the guitar is decent in terms of quality and sound, obviously the main feature and reason you’d buy it is for convenient travel. It’s only 28″ long, very thin, and can fit in an overhead airplane compartment. A great option for anyone that is constantly on the go and doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of transporting a full size guitar.

• Great value for the price you pay
• Lower and higher frequencies tend to drop off

Buying Guide How to Choose the Right Pocket Guitar

There are several things to consider when shopping for a pocket guitar to ensure you get the best unit for your guitar practice needs. These include

While pocket guitars usually are about ten times cheaper than standard guitars, you still have to determine your budget. The higher-priced models are typically better quality. So, if your budget allows, consider going for a higher-priced option that best suits your needs.

You should realize that some of the most popular guitar brands do not manufacture pocket guitars. So, you may not find a pocket guitar in your favorite brand’s name and will need to look to lesser-known brands.

Buying an unpopular brand doesn’t mean you’ll get a substandard product. In fact, brand’s that aren’t as popular as their leading counterparts frequently offer low prices, which can help you save some money while getting a product that meets your needs.

Even if the product doesn’t perform to your expectations, you wouldn’t be very disappointed as the product is very cheap.

There are two main factors to consider when it comes to the design of a pocket guitar.

• Number of frets

The kind of material a pocket guitar is with built affects its durability. The best materials are high-strength plastic for the shell and rosewood for the fretboard. Any pocket guitar that comprises these materials is sure to stand the test of time.

The number of frets also plays a great role in the quality of pocket guitar. The most common pocket guitars on the market are the four-fret and six-fret types. Four-fretted guitar practice tools are considered the basic option, and they are the most commonly used type.

They are the smallest, and hence the best choice if you want a compact pocket guitar. While the six-fretted practice guitars aren’t very rare, they are not as popular as their four-fretted counterparts. These guitars are less compact.

Nonetheless, they are more versatile. You can use them not only for practicing chords but also playing scales.

Final Thoughts

Many of us lead a busy lifestyle, and there’s just no time for sitting down to practice playing the guitar. That’s where pocket guitars come in handy. They can be a great investment if you’re often on the go.

However, there are numerous pocket guitars on the market, and not all of them are created equal. You’ll need to take the time to research and find one that works best for you. The four pocket guitars reviewed above are designed to deliver the best practicing experience. Check them out and choose one that suits your needs.

1 thought on “Best Pocket Guitars Reviews and Buying Guide”

I don’t fancy pocket guitar necks much but I do see how they could help a busy musician. Thanks for the wonderful review, the Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar is indeed a cool piece of gear to own!

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Meet the Minicorda, a 19” nylon-string acoustic electric guitar that fits inside a suitcase

Designed by Augusto Filocamo and Diego Spina, the Minicorda has an innovative hollow neck design and has Fishman electronics built-in

And now for something completely different – the Minicorda, a nylon-string travel guitar that measures just 19” inches long and can fit in your suitcase, and is ready for the stage with onboard Fishman electronics.

The Minicorda was designed by two guitar-playing friends, Augusto Filocamo and Diego Spina, who wanted to design a one-piece guitar that was playable as soon as you took it out, and yet small enough to fit inside the back of a backpack or suitcase.

Filocamo and Spina live some 600 miles apart, and so their collaboration took shape remotely over video link, and sending 3D printed prototypes to each other through the post. 

As acoustic electric guitars go, the Minicorda is quite radical. It has no body. To generate a sound comparable to a regular-sized nylon-string classical guitar , the Minicorda has a hollow-neck design. Filocamo says they simply used the principles of acoustic guitar resonance and applied them in a fresh context.

“We learned guitar moves air that is in touch with resonance surfaces,” explains Filocamo. “We simply increased the size of the air-exposed surfaces. The neck of a 19” guitar is the guitar itself. So making it hollow was the answer.”

Making a 19” neck that was both resonant and durable was less obvious, but using computer-assisted-design and 3D printing with synthetic materials, Filocamo and Spino were able to quickly produce prototypes and test their design.

“We were able to try many ideas before building it,” says Filocamo. “On a regular luthier building process, every prototype will take a month. We did that in hours.”

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The project was not without its challenges. Firstly, they had to find a material that was strong enough but with enough flex to be able to handle the tension put upon it by strings brought up to pitch. 

Secondly, the strings had to work with the body design, and so the Minicorda ships with regular nylon guitar strings only shifted one position down, so a regular 1st string is used as the Minicorda’s second, and so on. 

Filocamo and Spino 3D printed some 25 prototypes to test how minor differences affected the guitar, with the finished Minicorda is version five, and you can order one now for $270. See Minicorda for more details.

Jonathan Horsley has been writing about guitars and guitar culture since 2005, playing them since 1990, and regularly contributes to MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitar World. He uses Jazz III nylon picks, 10s during the week, 9s at the weekend, and shamefully still struggles with rhythm figure one of Van Halen’s Panama.

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Beginner Bass Guitars and Essential Gear for Kids & Teens… A Parent’s Guide

Beginner Bass Guitars and Essential Gear for Kids & Teens… Wishlist Suggestions

This article contains a list of suggestions to help you in navigating gear if your child is asking for a bass guitar..

One of the main considerations is that most children who start playing a musical instrument either change their minds as to what they want to play or quit altogether.

Here is my list of bass gear if I were going to put together a bass starter package for my child:

• Ibanez Gio GSR100EX Bass Guitar – [ VIEW ] $199.99 This is a very simple but effective member of the Soudgear Series basses. The Oil finish won’t show dings and dents as much as a glossy one, The slim neck will work great for smaller hands but this still has a full-length scale.
• Jackson Spectra JS2 Bass Guitar – [ VIEW ] $199.99 Here we have a metallic blue finish, full-scale jazz bass with a slim neck profile, and jumbo frets. This one sports a gloss finish.
• Squier Mini Precision Electric Bass – [ VIEW ] $149.99 This is a good choice for the smaller players as it is about 3/4 the size of the full-scale models. You can’t go wrong with a P-bass with a split single coil pickup.
• D’Addario 3″ Padded Woven Bass Guitar Strap – [ VIEW ] $16.99
• Levy’s M26PD-BLK Top Grain Leather Guitar Strap – [ VIEW ] $29.99
• Gruv Gear SoloStrap Neo – 4″-wide Neoprene Guitar Strap – [ VIEW ] $64.99
• Gator Economy Gig Bag – [ VIEW ] $29.99
• Fender FBSS-610 Short-scale Bass Gig Bag – [ VIEW ] $59.99
• Ibanez PowerPad Designer IBB541 Electric Bass Gig Bag – [ VIEW ] $99.99
• D’Addario PW-CGTPRO-10 Classic Pro Straight to Straight Instrument Cable – [ VIEW ] $14.99
• Pro Co EGL-10 Excellines Straight to Right Angle Instrument Cable – [ VIEW ] $13.99
• Fender 0990820092 Deluxe Series Straight to Straight Instrument Cable – [ VIEW ] $27.99
• Fender 7250M Nickel Plated Steel Long Scale Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.105 Medium – [ VIEW ] $13.25
• DR Strings MR-45 Hi-Beam Stainless Steel Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.105 Medium – [ VIEW ] $19.99
• D’Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings – .045-.100 Regular Light Long Scale – [ VIEW ] $21.99
• Snark SN-1X Guitar and Bass Tuner – [ VIEW ] $13.89
• D’Addario PW-CT-17CBK Eclipse Cello/Bass Tuner – [ VIEW ] $14.99
• Korg AW-LT100B Clip-on Bass Tuner – [ VIEW ] $29.99
• Positive Grid Spark Mini Portable Combo Amp – [ VIEW ] $229.00 This little guy doesn’t take up much space and has a ton of features to offer >>> check out our review here
• Fender Rumble 25 1×8″ 25-watt Bass Combo Amp – [ VIEW ] $77.99
• Hartke HD15 1×6.5″ 15-watt Bass Combo Amp – [ VIEW ] $129.99
• Samson SR550 Closed-back Studio Headphones – [ VIEW ] $39.99
• JBL Lifestyle Tune 500 Wired On-ear Headphone with 1-Button Remote/Mic – [ VIEW ] $24.95
• Sennheiser HD400S Folding Closed-back Headphones with Smart Remote – [ VIEW ] $49.95
• Gator Frameworks GFW-GTR-1000 Single Guitar Stand – [ VIEW ] $16.98
• Hercules Stands GS200B EZ Pack Guitar Stand – [ VIEW ] $23.49
• Fender Universal A-frame Electric Stand – [ VIEW ] $59.99
• If looking for an easy book to get them started, check out Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Band – Electric Bass Book 1 with EEi – [ VIEW ] $12.99

Opening a Can of Worms… 5 Bass Players Take on 15 Instrument Cables For An Unscientific Analysis

Instrument Cables…

Let’s first separate out the tangibles from the subtle: .

Now, I’m not saying all of these assertions are purely marketing hyperbole, to the contrary, they literally are explaining what may make their product different from the crowd.   But, as always, I’m not a lab tech, I’m a player.  I don’t have the tools (or the desire) to put cables through rigorous bench testing apparatus. it’s just not where my interests or my strengths are.

When I thought of how I could be of value to this conversation…

I invited a handful of cable manufacturers to submit their products for this process and we had a blast listening and critiquing each cable against one another. , here is the list of cables we tested:  .

As we cycled through these at random, I played each for a bit (the same line or two over and over) as consistently as possible, and the fellas commented on what they heard.  

• Some of the less expensive cables like the Rapco, ProCo and Hosa’s had a more “EQ’d sounding” and forward-accentuated high end, which some of the primarily live players thought might actually be more ideal for cutting through a busy mix on a loud stage.
• Some of the higher-end cables traded a bit of this articulate “spanky” high-end for more integration in the midrange, cleaner, less “congested” lows and general transparency overall.  The mainly studio players among us tended to favor some of these, while the primarily live gigging players’ ears were drawn toward the cables with more audible bite.   This, to me, is not surprising, given the goals of each type of player.
• One factor that wasn’t captured in this double-blind listening test was the concept of how a cable “feels” as a player experience, vs. how it sounds as a third-party listener. As the guy who played through all of these cables many times, I can attest that some cables felt faster, with a wider dynamic range, whereas others felt slower or more compressed to the touch. I do agree that this was more palpable as a player’s experience, as opposed to a listener’s. This is actually a big can of worms, as we often ask ourselves as testers or players “Yeah it kinda sounds xyz but is anyone gonna hear that on a gig?”.  Well, if you FEEL that on a gig, that’s not nothing, regardless of whether the drunk frat party at table 6 is knocked out by your stellar bass tone.  Your experience with your instrument and your sound as a player is super important, and will affect the way you perform, and likely how much you enjoy the experience.  That’s true for me anyways.  

Well, let’s get down to it, In the category of bass instrument cables, the Oscars go to: 

If i had to pick the top 3 as collectively indicated by the group for sound quality  probably these: .

• Asterope :  “It had a certain clean, crisp yet warm character” that pretty much everyone loved right off the bat and kept referring to as a benchmark.   This was my favorite-sounding cable of the bunch, all things considered. 
• Lava Ultramafic: “Super quick sounding, very clear in the lower and upper octaves”, “Nice build quality, perfect blend of beefy but not bulky feeling”. 
• Evidence Audio Lyric HG : “Really nice high end, lots of presence but not “poky” like some are up there”, “Very cohesive from top to bottom with excellent clarity”. 

Best value MVP’s:  

• Hosa Edge:   Great sound with clear highs and balanced mids and lows, Neutrik connectors, lifetime warranty. A lot of bang for $44.  
• Rattlesnake Snakehead: Very “big” sounding with “bone-rattling” low-end definition and good integration, at a competitive price point and with a lifetime warranty. 

Some interesting and notable comments shared by the group:

• Control (Mogami) : Dark, dry, a bit sterile, but well integrated.
• Lava Retro Silent Coil : “has a “spongy” sound to it.” “Almost like you put tubes in the head”.
• Zaolla Silverline : “Quick and clear, uncolored, highs and mids are well connected”
• Proco Evolution : “Ballsy in the low mid and low frequencies. Slower transients than some”

So, where is all this going? 

Got some thoughts on this , and huge thanks to all of the companies who participated, and sent us cables for testing:, all about flatwound strings.

All About Flatwound Strings…

What are flatwounds and how did they first come about, are there advantages to flatwound strings.

One thing to note about flatwounds. They seem to be one of the few sets of strings that can vary widely depending on the manufacturer. A set like D’Addario Chromes will sound much brighter and different than GHS Precision Flats, and yet they’re both flatwound strings. It’s common to see players use different sets of flats, to match the tonal flavor they’re going for. 

Are flatwounds just for Motown/vintage-style players or instruments? 

What are some of the newer and more interesting versions of flatwounds and how did they come about , are flatwounds easier on the fingerboard and your fingers , what are tape wounds and what are they for , why do flats feel like they’re higher tension/stiffer  , do all flats have more fundamental to their sound than roundwounds , who are some of the more famous players who use flats (and maybe some that are surprising given their style or sound) , what is the ratio of round to flat sets that ghs sells , a buying guide to effects pedals.

A Buying Guide to Effects Pedals…

Overdrive and distortion effects, analog and digital effects, best guitar cables for bass: try these instrument cables now.

The Best Guitar Cables / Instrument Cables for Bass Players…

Here is our current ‘best of’ guitar cables / instrument cables for bass:.

Check out bassist Derek Jones review of the Asterope Cables!

Rattlesnake Cable Company

Cordial Cables

Analysis Plus

More guitar cables for bass on our radar.

Phil Jones Bass The PJB BI-12  Shielded Bass Cable has not only one shielded cable but three. By the combination of carefully chosen materials such as 99.999% oxygen-free pure copper and PTFE die-electric insulation, the BI-12 unleashes the true tone from your bass and gives you a whole new experience. The PJB 4′ Speaker Cable (SS-4) has the lowest possible internal resistance for efficient power transfer.  VISIT >>>> pjbworld.com

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Pocket Guitar Practice Neck, 6 Fret Portable Guitar Chord Practice Tool for Beginner

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• 【Fret & Finger Trainer】The easiest and most effective tool for practicing guitar fingering, that allows you to practice more and quickly improve your muscle memory. It is great for beginners.
• 【Portable Design】The mini size guitar would be a great alternative if you have no guitars in hand, that you can take it anywhere, and practice anytime to keep building the callouses on your fingers.
• 【Durable Material】Premium ABS case that could be slided to unlock. Sturdy and beautiful wood with the real string, so that you could enjoy the practice.
• 【Small Voice】The pocket guitar would produce very little sounds, and would not bother others even in public when you practice your finger. Note: This is not a real guitar, just a fret or finger trainer.
• 【Good Gift Choice】It would be a good choice for you, or as a perfect gift for your dear friends, especially for those who are guitar enthusiasts.

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

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Customers say

Customers like the guitar for its ability to practice chords and finger placement. They say it's a good tool for learning and practicing scales. However, some customers have reported issues with the quality and value of the product. Opinions are mixed on durability and sound quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the guitar good for practice when the guitar is not available. They say it's good for practicing chord transitions or note progressions that are within 5 frets. Customers also say it works perfectly for practice and is helpful in learning the chord shapes.

"...In general, an okay prop for practicing chord shapes - and not much else...." Read more

"...That said, it works great for it's design , and is quiet enough to use while watching TV, commuting, etc...." Read more

"This is an ok practice tool . It is in no way an instrument to be played...." Read more

"This is a tool more than an instrument. It is good for practicing chord transitions or note progressions that are within 5 frets (like many scales)...." Read more

Customers find the finger placement of the guitar to be perfect for practicing finger placement for chords, scales, and finger exercises. They say it's great for learning, excellent for the office, and helps keep calluses and dexterity from deteriorating during an extended period.

"...It's not an instrument and you don't pluck or strum it. It's purely for finger exercises . Google and Youtube finger exercises for your fingers." Read more

"The concept is great but for beginners, they struggle enough to get their hands in the right place, it is vital that what is played sounds like it’s..." Read more

"...It is in no way an instrument to be played. It will help keep your calluses and dexterity from deteriorating during an extended period without an..." Read more

" Excellent for the office or being away from your guitar. Practice your chords and chord transitions. It definitely helps. Its not to be played...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the durability of the guitar pick. Some mention it's well-made and helps develop toughness on the finger tips, while others say it'll easily break.

"...Then the strings on it were super tight and one broke off when we tried to losen it." Read more

"...It also helped to develop the toughness on the finger tips (that I found to be the hardest part of playing)...." Read more

"...Great for muscle memory for chords. Not the most durable . But cost effective." Read more

"...Can’t be used like that. Started tightening strings. One broke with very little tension applied ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the guitar. Some mention that it makes a little sound, and is quiet enough to use while watching TV, commuting, etc., while others say that the length is awkward, and the sound is awful. They also say that it's not designed to make accurate sounding musical notes, and that it sounds like a child's plastic guitar.

"This is good for what it is- a PRACTICE neck- it makes no sound , it's for fingering practice only...." Read more

"...NO - It does NOT feel the same as your guitar.NO - It will NOT make a good sound ...." Read more

"...That said, it works great for it's design, and is quiet enough to use while watching TV , commuting, etc...." Read more

"...This tool is not meant to create music and I wouldn't bother trying to tune it...." Read more

Customers are disappointed with the quality of the guitar. They mention that it has 5 working frets and is not good for actual practice or use. Some say that the product is disappointing and does not play at all.

"...the sound of it, but I think they missed the point, this is not for making music , just practicing the chord placement...." Read more

"...one, but unless your 4th finger is on that one and the rest above, it's useless . I returned it as I realize this isn't enough working frets for me...." Read more

"...After just a few minutes of news it was worthless ." Read more

"...The fret board is plastic feeling, but it's the frets that made this unusable ...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the value of the guitar. They mention that it's cheaply made and not good for actual practice or use.

"...One broke with very little tension applied. This item was too inexpensive for me to bother with the return process. Don’t waste your money." Read more

" Super cheap and it's obvious- doesn't stay in tune at all and you can feel just how cheaply it was made...." Read more

"...YES - it is cheap like other reviewers have said for this and similar products.NO - It does NOT feel the same as your guitar...." Read more

" Not worth the money spent.It's easily broken, doesn't really help simulate fingers placement or changing chorse, etc...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the comfort of the guitar. They mention that it doesn't feel the same as their guitar, it won't make a good sound, and that it does not help build calluses.

"...NO - It does NOT feel the same as your guitar .NO - It will NOT make a good sound...." Read more

"...Will not help build callouses and feels nothing like holding a guitar with tight strings. Returned item the very next day. Very disappointed." Read more

"...allen wrench to try to create more tension in the strings since it's SO SOFT and SPROING! the string broke." Read more

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