Why A Portable Guitar Is A Good Investment For Backpackers

By Essie Osborn


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

While all guitars are in fact portable, they're not always easy to travel with. They can be bulky and unwieldy. However, guitars that were made especially for travelers are a great option. They're smaller than regular guitars but produce the same sound. They're not to be confused with ukuleles, which produce a higher pitch.

One of the greatest things about travel guitars is that they're so easy to take with you on the airplane. Most are designed to fall within the maximum dimensions for a piece of baggage as allowed by most airlines. They're incredibly light too, so you won't have to pay extra for excess baggage. Best of all is that they're small enough to take with you as hand luggage, so you don't have to worry about your instrument being damaged by careless baggage handlers at the airport.

What makes backpacking such an adventure is that you often take the same modes of public transport that the locals do. In many developing countries, this will likely be a bus or a minibus. Drivers and their assistants often insist on placing large items on the roof of the vehicle for the journey but if your instrument is small and compact, you'll be able to keep it with you or put it in the overhead racks. This makes it easier to quickly transfer from one vehicle to another.

Many backpacking destinations offer incredible opportunities for trekking through jungle or among mountains. These journeys can take a few days and you may very well be completely removed from civilization for the duration. You'll be glad that you've brought a musical instrument to help pass the long evenings but you'll be even more grateful that this instrument weighs hardly anything and is easy to carry around.

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

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

While some music stores sell travel guitars, you'll have more luck looking online. Another but usually more expensive option is to have one custom made by a professional guitar builder. However, it's a great investment that you won't regret and that will provide many wonderful travel memories.




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