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Full size Travel Guitar
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=43694		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:32 am ]
Post subject:  Full size Travel Guitar
Here are some pictures showing some features I incorporate into the "travel" guitars I build. They are normally kept in an assembled condition and used as an everyday type guitar, but can be easily taken apart fir transport as needed.
They have a removable port in the bottom that the neck slips into.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
They use a cap head screw to fasten the neck to the body, a cap on the nut to keep the strings in order,tuners that hold the cut ends of the strings, and a hollow in the neck block to secure the peghead when the guitar is set for traveling.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
The bridge is made to allow the strings to slip out the bottom when the strings and neck are loosened. A modified bag clip is used to help keep the strings from tangling.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
The neck pocket encloses the entire end of the neck similar to what the old Stauffer adjustable neck guitars did. One advantage of this is that Action adjustments (neck resets) can easily be done by trimming the heel or adding shims as necessary. The design uses a couple of alignment pins at the top, and the cap screw to hold the neck.
When the neck is slipped inside the body the heel end is secured to the body with the same cap head screw. The port cover, allen wrench and other bits can be put in the pocket of the gigbag.
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
These particular guitars had a fatal flaw for their intended purpose. Care to guess?
Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Very cool.
My flaw guess would be a wood species that is not allowed to cross an international border?
Author:  gozierdt [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Very nice design Clay, thanks for sharing with so many nice pics. Also lots of creative ideas like
the bag clip for the strings, and the pinless bridge design. Since I can't see any other flaws,
I'll go along with Dan and guess the wood species is the flaw.

I made a couple of size 5, removable neck guitars a few years ago, but I didn't think of using
the body to store the neck. The flaw in mine is that they are just a little to big in the body
outline, and a little too deep to fit easily into a standard carry-on bag. Since I didn't have the
capability of storing the neck in the body, I usually stuff it full of socks/underwear/tee-shirts
so I am efficiently using that volume. When I get some time, I intend to build another one
just a little smaller.
Author:  RusRob [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Very cool design! It makes a very nice compact package.

The only "flaw" I can see is it needs a nice little hard shell travel case to go in. Maybe as others have mentioned about the wood but I am sure if you are building them to sell you have taken that into consideration.

I would be interested in hearing how it sounds. I know travel guitars won't have the sound of a a regular guitar because of the beefed up construction but would like to hear it.

Very innovative idea.

Cheers,
Bob
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Those who guessed wood species are right - these prototypes wouldn't make it across the border.

Aside from gig bags I do make simple light weight "coffin" cases. Here is one I'm working on for a OO size guitar. Here is also a prototype for a "travel harp guitar".

The guitars are no more heavily built than those I typically build, and sound about the same (which most people like the sound of).
Author:  RusRob [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Maybe it is just the pictures and the angle of the shots but It appears that the braces are pretty stout as well as the back where the port is.

I certainly didn't mean to sound negative in saying they looked "beefy". I would think if making a travel guitar it would have to be build up in some parts.

I like the case you made for it. Looks like it would protect it pretty well. I am looking into making a vintage looking coffin case for the 1800's parlor copy I did but have not found a lot of info on making them.

Looks like a great setup for someone that does a lot of traveling. [:Y:]

Cheers,
Bob
Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Hi Bob,
The braces on that guitar are a little bit beefier than usual, but I do build guitars with heavy upper X arms, heavy braces around the sound hole and a fairly thick UTB. You are also right that the tail block area is fairly massive. The lower bout bracing is a bit more standard.

I have made a few regular coffin cases for different guitars. They are fairly simple to make. I like to make them from 1/2 inch pine for the sides and 1/8th inch plywood for the tops and bottoms. I line then with corrugated cardboard covered with whatever plushy material I can scrounge from the wife.
Author:  Nick Royle [ Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Fantastic! Thanks so much for posting these pictures, Clay! I've only just spotted the thread. I know what I'm building for the next few guitars but I definitely need to make one of these soon!

My aim is to make one for myself that can fit nicely into an off the shelf hand luggage hard case. I'd like to be able to stow the neck away in the body like yours but likely with a neck joint and two part bridge similar to this...



I can't quite work out how you've done the port. Is it a large plywood tailblock? And how do you secure the cover? I just thought about a strap pin on it?!

Thanks again!
Nick
Author:  Clay S. [ Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Full size Travel Guitar
Hi Nick,
If you look at the first picture posted you will notice the plywood brace on the back side of the cover plug. It spans a length greater than the opening in the guitar and when the screw/strap button is tightened the brace wedges against the back side of the tail block. The pieces of plywood glued to the tail block keep the plug from dropping into the body, in addition to securing the neck when it is inside the body.
I wanted to make my guitar as traditional as practicable, while still making it easy to transport. 95% of the time the guitar can stay assembled and be used as any other guitar, with none of the limitations commonly associated with "travel" guitars.
Brunner makes some unusual guitars and gets good reviews for his "outdoor guitars". The two piece bridge is an interesting concept, but not one I would adopt - I misplace small pieces too easily!
The hardware I use is pretty standard off the shelf stuff - T nuts, cap head screws, and allen wrenches. If damaged or lost, easily replaced.
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