Smallest Mobile Guitar rig

Started by Elantric, February 25, 2014, 10:17:25 AM

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Elantric

Started here in 1989
http://the-multi-effects.com/Zoom-9002-Pro.html

https://planetbotch.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-zoom-9002-guitar-multi-fx-processor.html


I travel a lot and for songwriting  / composing in a hotel room,  I always carry the following on a road trip


IpadAir 128GB + Earbuds
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-ipad/ipad-air


Irig Pro ( 24 bit Audio in and MIDI In)
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigpro/


and

Sounuus I2M
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7347.0

The Sonuus is only 16 bit audio, but it works really well as a mono Guitar to MIDI Interface - for recording Synth bass lines on Ipad running Auria or Meteor Multitrack or Cubasis. 
MiniStar Castar





All above works for me as minimum mobile road trip gear.

The Scarlett 2I4+Battery is a bit better than all audio interfaces mentioned above, but is bulkier. Also the scarlet with its Balanced TRS Outputs works better for driving mixing desks, Powered PA Cabs,  or my Larger Protools studio setup at home. 

cooltouch

Well, I don't travel as much as I'd like, but it seems like when I do, I'm on my old BMW motorcycle. One of the things I like about the iPad is it is definitely smaller than my smallest laptop, and size makes a big difference when I'm having to pack stuff for a bike trip. That old Beemer's hard bags are deceptively roomy at almost 10 gallons capacity apiece (37 liters), but there isn't much I can do about long things, except strap them to the back of the bike. Which is what I'd have to do with any sort of travel guitar. Too bad I'm not a flute player.  8) Since I can play keyboards some and often compose on keyboards, a compact keyboard would be a possibility. But a decent compact keyboard won't be all that much shorter than a travel guitar -- I'd still have to strap it to the luggage rack somewhere. With a travel guitar, figure a 24 or 25 inch string length with a Steinberg style headstock (meaning no headstock) with strings that wrap around the bridge area and mount to tuners that can be located forward of the bridge. This sort of design limits total length to scale. A Gibson's being 24-3/4", that's probably the scale I'd go with. And being a guitar builder, I'd probably just build one myself. Shouldn't be too hard should it? Go with a Leo Quan Baddass-style wraparound bridge and a groove or slot up at the nut to hold the string barrels in place. I drew up some rough plans and it looks like I could build a travel guitar out of a single piece of hard wood (fingerboard excluded), shouldn't be too hard.

I read through the description on the Sonuus Music Port at its website, and it seems to be a very capable piece of kit. A bit on the pricey side, but there isn't much of an alternative at that price point, except maybe JO's MIDIGuitar software. I haven't been keeping up with the upgrades on it, but last time I tried it, I was impressed at their accomplishments, yet I realized they still had a long way to go before it would be ready for prime time.

In the near future, should I find myself on the road for some reason, I'll pack my iPad loaded with software that I can use musical notation with, the 2i4, powered USB strip, and that would probably be about it, if it would occur before I bought a smaller keyboard or built a travel guitar. The rest of the space not being used for clothing or other essentials would be crammed full of photo gear. One of the things I enjoy most about traveling is getting to shoot photos of the places I see.
Best,
Michael

Elantric

#2
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-TransAxe-Folding-Electric-Sunburst/dp/B0064RYWDE/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1393393252&sr=8-11&keywords=voyage+air+guitar
Quote. That old Beemer's hard bags are deceptively roomy at almost 10 gallons capacity apiece (37 liters), but there isn't much I can do about long things, except strap them to the back of the bike. Which is what I'd have to do with any sort of travel guitar. T

This one might fit in a BMW Motorcycle 



http://www.voyageairguitar.com/component/virtuemart/detail/9-transaxe-series-electrics/vmj_ritz/28-transaxe-series-belair-tv-yellow?sef=hcfp










These are very small too Traveler Pro  but I like my MiniStar Castar due to the Tremolo
http://www.travelerguitar.com/electric/item/pro-series?category_id=4



and in the past I simply got a cheap Strat - unbolt the Neck and put in a small suitcase for travel  - and re- attach once at the destination
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/56573-anyone-ever-take-apart-their-guitar-air-travel.html



utensil

If Looking for an excellent smallest (I think) footprint when folded guitar I recommend the Snap Dragon Pro, its from a small UK company, it has an evertune bridge so unfolding it means it remains in tune.

Its also equipped with coil tap.  With a triple play and Ipad it's a really portable rig. The only flaw is that when unfolding I found the high E string sometimes breaks , so either you need to unwind a bit before folding (retuning strings when unfolded is easy since the Evertune bridge holds the pitch in the calibrated zone while tuning up). Alternatively I swapped out the .10 high E for a .11 and that seemed to solve the issue.






cooltouch

I've known about folding guitars for some time now. It's interesting to see the design variations of the concept. That Traveler Pro looks a lot like what I had in mind as a compact travel guitar. For me, it won't matter much whether I went with a folding guitar or a compact one such as that Traveler Pro because I don't think either will fit inside one of my hardbags. For sure the Traveler Pro wouldn't because of its scale length, thus it would have to be strapped to the luggage rack. I'd need to know the measurements of the folding guitar, but it looks too big. Elantric's suggestion about just unbolting a Strat is a good one. I'm not sure a Strat body will fit inside of one of my hard bags or not -- it will be close if it does fit. But the neck definitely will not fit. So because of all this, I would be inclined mostly toward a compact travel guitar. It could be strapped to a luggage rack without adding much to the bulk of other items I would also be loading onto it. The iPad, Scarlett 2i4,  powered USB strip, battery, and cabling will be easy enough to add to the bags' contents.

Here's a pic of my bike from a recent road trip with a normal load-out.



And here's a pic of a rough drawing I've made of a travel guitar I can build. Subject to possibly vast changes:


Yet another project.   ::)
Best,
Michael

Elantric

#5
Most Travel guitars are compared here:
http://www.playawayguitars.com/




This one might work
http://www.thebone.ch/DE/cruiserlarg.htm



and the other alternative buy a Mini Strat and take the the Neck off during transit

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratMiniBlk?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CNiOhY6_6rwCFU5efgodIlcA0w




Myself I have  1990's Lotus (Asian)  Mini Strat with 21 frets that has a very short 20" scale, and nice birdseye maple Neck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_(guitar)

cooltouch

Because of the bridge design I would use on mine and the way I'd route the strings, mine has all of them beat in terms of shortness, even the Traveler Ultra Light.

Best,
Michael

Elantric

#7
Go Build one!

But other than PU Location and the deep scoop (for Strumming?) I'm not seeing too much differences between yours here




and  Traveler Ultra Light below



utensil

if ultimate full scale guitar in smallest pack up size is required then get a traveler eg 1 and bolt /unbolt neck. It has no headstock so I can't see any full scale package getting smaller than this. Next Would be a lapstick ( not full scale) which is tuned to A.

Removing the strat neck is still about 20 cm extra in width due to the headstock. The snap dragon folded I mentioned above is fairly close to the traveler with neck unbolted , the extra width is about 10cm from headstock, but overall much easier than removing screws and more playable.


cooltouch

Quote from: Elantric on February 26, 2014, 11:15:18 AM
Go Build one!

But other than PU Location and the deep scoop (for Strumming?) I'm not seeing too much differences between yours here




and  Traveler Ultra Light below




Well, as I mentioned in my previous post, that design is subject to vast changes. The "scoop" you mention was the result of my meanderings regarding pickup placement. If I eliminate the scoop, I'll still have to route out a hole for the pickup. In terms of the work involved, it would be six of one and a half-dozen of the other. Mine would still be slightly shorter than the Traveler because of bridge design. The Traveler has a separate bridge and "tailpiece" I guess you'd call it, whereas the badass-style bridge design incorporates the tailpiece, thus shortening it slightly more than the Traveler.
Best,
Michael

alexmcginness

I got this one with the piezo under the bridge for acoustic sounds and I slapped a GK on it for the electric sounds in the VG-99 I carry to do cruise ships. Can be taken as carryon except for the wires to hook it all together.

VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

aliensporebomb

My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

datsunrobbie

Have not been able to find overall length, but the Hohner G3T I used to have was very small, never a problem as a carry-on when flying. I did find one place that cites 32x11x4 inches as dimensions for the hard case for the guitar

Elantric

#13
Idgolfguy wrote>
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18826.msg134276;topicseen#msg134276
The Positive Grid BT-4 (Bluetooth MIDI Foot controller) does bank and patch. The IK Multimedia BlueBoard (Bluetooth MIDI Foot controller) does the MIDI CC# and has two Roland EV-5 Expression pedals connected to it.

(see rig below)

The IPad  sees both devices as separate units and routes both back to apps. Don't need to use Midibridge etc.


Line-6 SonicPort as Lightning Audio I/O interface with iPad
http://musicappblog.com/bias-fx-review/


utensil

Not seen this mentioned anywhere, just received mine today. No time to play it yet but build quality is first grade. Will post a full review at some point. more info http://sgtech.jp

It takes slightly less space than a traveler EG1 guitar with it's neck removed, but this is way easier to disassemble/reassemble.




Elantric

#15
$1800  = A bit rich for my beer budget
https://www.amazon.com/Dividable-Portable-Electric-SGT-3DPEG31NS-Hardcase/dp/B00GZBSSX4/ref=lp_14696079011_1_16?srs=14696079011&ie=UTF8&qid=1470945955&sr=8-16


https://www.amazon.com/Built--Transmitter-Electric-Travel-SGT-LS01/dp/B00GPFMUTS/ref=lp_14696079011_1_2?srs=14696079011&ie=UTF8&qid=1470945955&sr=8-2




Electric Travel Guitar SGT-LS01 w/ Built-in FM Transmitter

Built-in FM Transmitter & Head Phone Amp.MINI Travel Electric Guitar.
Size:515mm(Neck Scale 455mm).
Smaller than hand luggage size allowed on planes.
Body & Neck:mahogany,Fingerboard:rosewood,Flet:20,Pickup:x1,2 Volume,1 Gain,1 Tone.
FM Frequency:87.9-88.9MHz

Elantric

#16
I get a LOT of use with this one

Traveler Sonic L-22 ( Sold under may other brand names " Shredneck" too)


And the MiniStar
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9504.0


But most of the time I just grab a stock Fender Fishman Tripleplay Strat  in a gig bag and toss in the car with a USB cable and my iPhone + Apple USB Camera adapter  and I can work on tunes using its built in USB Audio interface, or use the Tripleplay MIDI to transcribe my tunes with Notion, or compose driving softsynths    - its a great tool, (sadly discontinued)  was not really marketed effectively IMHO !
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=15509.msg123655#msg123655


utensil

#18
Hey I should point out that Amazon often doesn't have the best prices, I purchased for $940 with international shipping.  All prices are listed on their website. Still pricey but the amazon prices not at all reflective of what you can purchase it for:

http://158.199.218.230/eng/price/index.html

Elantric


BigDon

Quote from: utensil on August 11, 2016, 01:33:43 PM
Hey I should point out that Amazon often doesn't have the best prices, I purchased for $940 with international shipping.  All prices are listed on their website. Still pricey but the amazon prices not at all reflective of what you can purchase it for:

http://158.199.218.230/eng/price/index.html

Amazon now has it for <$1000 - still steep but better.

I have one of the Traveler guitars and never bonded with it. Right now I'm building a Warmoth Jazzcaster with brass neck inserts so I can remove the neck. I'll be using that for traveling and putting in my checked baggage.

Further up Elantric posted a link to a thread on strat-talk. Stradovarious there is doing the same thing with his strat but he posted a image where he uses a tupperware container to protect the tuners - I'll have to test out that idea too.

alexmcginness

This one for $299 looks promising. You can still fit a Livid Guitar Wing on it as well as a GK-3 internal.


http://www.travelerguitar.com/guitars/electric/item/travelcaster-deluxe-black
VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

Elantric

#22
QuoteThis one for $299 looks promising. You can still fit a Livid Guitar Wing on it as well as a GK-3 internal.


Quote
I am wondering about this little cutie, for my next guitar:
http://www.travelerguitar.com/guitars/electric/item/travelcaster-deluxe-surf-green

I own a few traveler guitars






Traveler SPEEDSTER
I found this one to be ideal - the body extension on upper left  allows my right forearm to help secure the guitar in a comfortable  playing position while sitting down ( which is the typical scenario for me)






Traveler MOD-X - that adds a piezo bridge for acoustic tones 
( which I got on sale at proAudioStar) t





By contrast - the new Strat pick guard style model looks cute - I played it at 2017 Winter NAMM. but like most mini travel guitars it tends to be awkward to play sitting down , and its a bit longer ( neck Heavy) so you must now use your left hand to not only fret & play, but also support the guitar from falling,  and its not as compact or balanced compared to the headless style models above

BigDon

#23
Maybe for a traveling guitar I shouldn't care about aesthetics, but the looks of the Strat-pickguard one doesn't work for me. I do prefer the Fender scale length, but with the extra inch of scale *plus* the headstock it's a bit longer than the EG-1, and those inches matter on a plane.

I've traveled with their EG-1 Black.
http://www.travelerguitar.com/guitars/electric/item/eg-1-standard-blackout
Portability and quality are good and I also thought about mounting a GK. I still have the guitar, but I just don't like the way it feels in my hands. It's so light that when I go to move my left hand up and down the fretboard the guitar moves with my hand. Lots of folks here have them and like them and I could probably get used to it with practice, but I haven't been willing to put in the time.

BigDon

Quote from: Elantric on March 27, 2017, 09:06:08 AM
Traveler SPEEDSTER
I found this one to be ideal - the body extension on upper left  allows my right forearm to help secure the guitar in a comfortable  playing position while sitting down ( which is the typical scenario for me) ...

By contrast - the new Strat pick guard style model looks cute - I played it at 2017 Winter NAMM. but like most mini travel guitars it tends to be awkward to play sitting down, and its a bit longer (neck heavy) so you must now use your left hand to not only fret & play, but also support the guitar from falling,  and its not as compact or balanced compared to the headless style models above

That pretty much addresses my Traveler issue. I might have to try the Speedster.