Have Guitar Will Travel

The only thing I didn't like about our lengthy traveling was not having a guitar to play. I would spend nine months improving my skills and building my calluses only to have both deteriorate over the next three months while we were away.

But then I discovered "The Traveler Guitar", a full scale electric guitar in a compact package small enough to carry on to aircraft. It's not perfect: there's no volume control and virtually nowhere to rest your arm or hand while playing. But the fact that it has 22 frets , six strings and is easy to carry around makes it perfect enough for my current needs.

But what's an electric guitar without amplification? Well, a search on Amazon led me to the Rushhead Max headphone amplifier. It allows me to play without disturbing Brenda and offers effects like reverb, echo, chorus and flanger as well as an endless array of distortion. I can sound like Hendrix at Woodstock, Clapton with The Bluesbreakers or Mark Knopfler, all without having the neighbours complaining about the racket.

Of course I'll be glad to pick up my Strat and ES-335 when I get home, but in the meantime I'll be maintaining my chops and keeping my fingertips as tough as nails.

Rock on!!!Read more