Which travel guitar? Kiesel Zeus (or other headless)? Yamaha SLC200S?

**rochroch** · 07-07-2018, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

Jeff Linsky plays a Ukulele as an alternative to guitar and he plays it brilliantly so I do understand that it is capable of being a complete and expressive instrument but what it's not is a guitar. I've been playing guitar for 55 years and the idea of switching to Uke for 3 months at a time is about the same to me as the idea of switching to mandolin. I don't doubt that in the right hands it can be a great instrument but they're not the instrument that I play. That doesn't make them better or worse, just different in a way that really doesn't interest me. Yes, it is an alternative to guitar but no, it is not a direct alternative.

To each their own. Whatever feels right. I'm about a traveling instrument. Not a replacement for my fav. For a gittarist, uke(guitar) family tuning in 4ths, is way way way easier than mandolin (violin) family tuning in 5ths.

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**yebdox** · 07-08-2018, 01:49 PM

Hi, Jim,

I have the nylon version of the Yamaha, and the length hasn't been an issue for me, still fits in the overhead bin very easily and is super light and convenient. Sounds a bit better through a headphone amp, though. I also have a Steinberger Spirit that I swapped for better pickups. Shorter, but heavier. It might be more handy in Mexico, as a self defense weapon, given it's heft, but I've never felt unsafe as a tourist there. Might be an added bonus, though

How short do you need it to be?

**coolvinny** · 07-08-2018, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Yeah, I always wondered why they don't make it headless.

My guess is patent/trademark issues. The Aria model was/is made under a license agreement. I played the Yamaha once years ago and I thought it was quite nice - but I also found the overall length to make it a bit prohibitive as a pure travel guitar.

**Jim Soloway** · 07-08-2018, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by yebdox

Hi, Jim,

I have the nylon version of the Yamaha, and the length hasn't been an issue for me, still fits in the overhead bin very easily and is super light and convenient. Sounds a bit better through a headphone amp, though. I also have a Steinberger Spirit that I swapped for better pickups. Shorter, but heavier. It might be more handy in Mexico, as a self defense weapon, given it's heft, but I've never felt unsafe as a tourist there. Might be an added bonus, though

How short do you need it to be?

About 35-36" in a teardrop shape would probably be the max.

**Jim Soloway** · 07-08-2018, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by coolvinny

My guess is patent/trademark issues. The Aria model was/is made under a license agreement. I played the Yamaha once years ago and I thought it was quite nice - but I also found the overall length to make it a bit prohibitive as a pure travel guitar.

I wish I could have bought you Soloette but it really has to be something I can get delivered in Mexico. We're seriously maxed out on anything we can either carry or ship.

**Bach5G** · 07-08-2018, 08:22 PM

There was a German maker building guitars that were very, very similar to the Yamaha design, including steel and nylon string models. They had a couple of YouTube demo videos. So similar, I thought Yamaha might have bought the design.

Maybe someone will remind me of the name of the builder.

**marcwhy** · 07-08-2018, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Bach5G

There was a German maker building guitars that were very, very similar to the Yamaha design, including steel and nylon string models. They had a couple of YouTube demo videos. So similar, I thought Yamaha might have bought the design.

Maybe someone will remind me of the name of the builder.

You may be referring to "Frameworks," which are not sold (new) in the States (but maybe Mexico, if Jim wants to check!). They are expensive, "pro" guitars -- not simply "travel" guitars -- similar to the Soloettes.

**Bach5G** · 07-08-2018, 09:44 PM

Yes. That was it. The videos really impressed me.

**Jim Soloway** · 07-08-2018, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by marcwhy

You may be referring to "Frameworks," which are not sold (new) in the States (but maybe Mexico, if Jim wants to check!). They are expensive, "pro" guitars -- not simply "travel" guitars -- similar to the Soloettes.

Kris has one of their nylons. I didn't realize they also make a steel string with some sort of humbucker. I just shot him a message.

**Bach5G** · 07-08-2018, 10:13 PM

They (Frameworks) were quite happy to ship to Canada, IIRC. I’d be surprised if they couldn’t also ship to Mexico.

A couple of demos:

**Jim Soloway** · 07-09-2018, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Bach5G

They (Frameworks) were quite happy to ship to Canada, IIRC. I’d be surprised if they couldn’t also ship to Mexico.

Any chance you can give me the dimensions of the case?

**Bach5G** · 07-09-2018, 01:26 AM

Never got that far.

**matcarsa** · 07-09-2018, 02:32 AM

Hofner Shorty is very sturdy and moveable anywhere. I use it with a vox amplug and either a pocket loudspeaker or headphones.

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**Jim Soloway** · 07-09-2018, 12:30 PM

For several years I've thought that if I was still in the business I'd put all my focus on designing and building travel guitars (or at least quality guitars that were a lot easier to travel with). It's a real desert out there and the best options can be REALLY expensive. It just can't be THAT hard a niche to fill and I have to believe there is lots of pent up demand.

**kris** · 07-09-2018, 01:43 PM

Attachment 54298
There is a Framework with mini humb/on the pic/.
Frameworks are expenisive guitars.
I played a lot of gigs on my nylon string modern clasical Frameworks.
Great travel and professional guitar with perfect bridge and great RMC piezzo.
Best
Kris

**Woody Sound** · 07-09-2018, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

For several years I've thought that if I was still in the business I'd put all my focus on designing and building travel guitars (or at least quality guitars that were a lot easier to travel with). It's a real desert out there and the best options can be REALLY expensive. It just can't be THAT hard a niche to fill and I have to believe there is lots of pent up demand.

A headless Soloway Loon 15 with removable sides!

**Jim Soloway** · 07-09-2018, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

A headless Soloway Loon 15 with removable sides!

Consider this ... if the sides were detachable, then they could be any size and shape. So in theory you could let the owner specify from a variety of sizes and shapes. And yes, the Loon would mean 24.75" scale length which for a travel guitar would be just fine. And using Hipshot hardware I'm pretty sure it could be done with either a 1 11/16 or 1 13/16 nut for a small up charge. Use torrified woods for the neck, fingerboard and center rail for stability you get the added bonus of easy CITES compliance (a logical concern for a travel guitar).

But it's all just talk now.

**Ray175** · 07-10-2018, 07:32 AM

Jim,
From what I see on their site the guys at Framworks are open to adjusting the specs for the "Jazz Frame"- their "standard" scale is 650cm (25.6") but I'm sure they would accomodate an alternative scale like 24.75", ditto for nut width and pickups.
All this at a price of course.....

**Jim Soloway** · 07-10-2018, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ray175

Jim,
From what I see on their site the guys at Framworks are open to adjusting the specs for the "Jazz Frame"- their "standard" scale is 650cm (25.6") but I'm sure they would accomodate an alternative scale like 24.75", ditto for nut width and pickups.
All this at a price of course.....

I contacted him and as has been noted by a few people, they are very expensive. Add in the currency exchange to Canadian dollars and they would be well beyond my budget even for primary guitar. For a travel guitar, it's out of the question.

**Bach5G** · 07-10-2018, 01:02 PM

JAZZ FRAME playing jazz:

**Jim Soloway** · 07-10-2018, 01:15 PM

Here's an interesting alternative ... The Minicaster by Guitare Garage in Paris. They tune it to standard pitch using 13's. In the case it's 31" long.

Which travel guitar? Kiesel Zeus (or other headless)? Yamaha SLC200S?-tiq3uowuhzw3xkwarxom-jpg

Which travel guitar? Kiesel Zeus (or other headless)? Yamaha SLC200S?-tiq3uowuhzw3xkwarxom-jpg

**Ray175** · 07-10-2018, 01:58 PM

Jim, I've just come across instruments from Strobel Guitars. Dual hubucker at 599$ for the Rambler Classic and 1,699$+ for the custom model (ouch). They fold for travel purposes which may be deal breaker for you but they may be worth considering

Rambler(R) Classic - Strobel Travel Guitars

**BillCoplin** · 07-10-2018, 11:40 PM

Jim - Have you heard of DV Mark’s new Little Guitars?

**Cunamara** · 07-11-2018, 12:49 PM

Well, the Keisel HH nad other headless guitars are pretty travel-able. Or finding a Steinberger or the cheaper Hohner variants. I don't think a full-scale-length guitar can get smaller and more portable than the tiny Steinberger designs.

**feet** · 07-15-2018, 02:39 AM

the litle mark is 700 and the little telecaster thing is 1000 with 200 shipping. not as enticing as they once were.

have you considered, as i once did, simply getting a regular sized bolt on, a popping the neck off when you travel? put some threaded inserts in the body or something and remove as needed?