Has Anyone Toured With a Guitar?

[khain]

I've been thinking about taking my acoustic guitar on tours for a while but although it only weighs about 1.5kg it's far from an easy shape to carry. A trailer would probably be the easiest way but I don't really fancy one.

Has anyone managed to carry a guitar on tour and if so how?

[BTP]

I've been thinking about taking my acoustic guitar on tours for a while but although it only weighs about 1.5kg it's far from an easy shape to carry. A trailer would probably be the easiest way but I don't really fancy one.

Has anyone managed to carry a guitar on tour and if so how?

Touring with mysical instruments can be problematic. Guitars are sensitive to moisture and woods can warp in the heat. Acoustics are light enough to be carried on your back in a soft shell case but unless they are parlour or 3/4 size (eg Taylor GS Mini) they are still liable to be a hazard when you cycle under a low bridge/branches or when a breeze gets up.

A uke might be an easier option (if you don't mind 4 instead of 6 strings!)

Cheers

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my SM-N910G using hovercraft full of eels.

[Vorpal]

Cello Joe is a cellist who tours all over the USA with his bike & cello. He also carries a pedal powered sound system for concerts. http://www.cellojoe.com/p/videos_22.html

I've met people backpacking with guitars, so I don't see why not

I think Cello Joe carries his cello on a rear rack. I expect that he has put a pannier rack attachment system on a cello case.

Some of the folk who do the Bicycle Music Fest use trailers.

And there's viewtopic.php?f=16&t=91202

[simonhill]

You could get a metal worker to make a holder that attaches to one side of your rear rack. Your guitar would fit into it vertically with neck up. It would reduce your luggage carrying capacity, may present a balance problem and would be subject to wind.

Waterproofing may be a problem. The better the case the heavier it will probably be.

I often see backpackers with guitars, they seem to do a lot more carrying than playing. Why bother.

[molzor]

A friend of mine moved house by bike and carried his guitar on a trailer all the way from bulgaria to portugal!

[wheel71]

I've been contemplating taking my "tenor banjo" away with me. I'd love to have it but is it worth the extra hassle of having another valued item to look after?
Maybee learning the tin whistle is a more sensible idea.

[bogmyrtle]

I've been contemplating taking my "tenor banjo" away with me. I'd love to have it but is it worth the extra hassle of having another valued item to look after?
Maybee learning the tin whistle is a more sensible idea.

Tin whistles are great. I always take mine away with me. They are cheap, not affected by weather/damp, pack away easily (I have one that splits in two for extra portability) and don't need tuning.

[LollyKat]

A plastic ocarina is also good - less vulnerable to being bent or squashed, and also less piercing. It fits in a jersey pocket so you could tootle away at red traffic lights.

[khain]

I'm impressed by Cello Joe. If he can manage a cello I'm sure a guitar is do-able.

I certainly wouldn't fancy taking a quality instrument though. I'm thinking more of a cheap guitar, possibly 3/4 size. Cover it with a bin bag to keep it dry. Carrying it on my back is out. I was thinking about just putting it on top of the rack with the neck pointing back and down.

Penny whistles sound crap so that's a non-starter.

[bikerwaser]

I met Joe on the World Naked Bike RIde in Brighton a few years ago. He was with the "Pleasant Revolution" that all had Surly Big Dummys carrying their instruments. it was amazing. We all ended up on Brighton beach pedalling to make juice for them to play.

http://www.pleasantrevolution.net/

I found this for carrying a guitar on a bike. Needs a good welder but I think if taking a guitar on tour is important to you then this is definitely worth a look :

http://www.theadventurejunkies.com/carr ... e-touring/

[LollyKat]

I wonder if the Dutch have something available off the peg? A Dutch friend told me there is an attachment which will hold a cello on one side of the rear carrier.

[andymiller]

I've been thinking about taking my acoustic guitar on tours for a while but although it only weighs about 1.5kg it's far from an easy shape to carry. A trailer would probably be the easiest way but I don't really fancy one.

Has anyone managed to carry a guitar on tour and if so how?

I think you've answered your own question really: if taking a guitar on tour was important enough to you the trailer wouldn't be an issue.

[53x13]

I've seen quite a few people touring Europe with a ukulele or a mandolin, but never a guitar!

[Vorpal]

I wonder if the Dutch have something available off the peg? A Dutch friend told me there is an attachment which will hold a cello on one side of the rear carrier.

If you can find out more about that, I would love to know. My son & I both play cello. I can get one cello in the bike trailer, but not two!

[LollyKat]

I saw it once, when watching the European Broadcasting Union Young Musicians competition. In 1986 there was a cellist called Jan-Erik Gustafsson from Finland who came third. Each broadcast performance was preceded by a short biographical clip; in it he was shown getting on his bike, with his cello, and setting off to his lesson. There was snow on the ground...

The cello was upright and seemed to be supported on a little step at the bottom of the carrier. I don't remember if there was also a bungy, but he put the strap of the case over his shoulder. It looked as if the carrier took most of the weight, and he seemed quite comfortable. When I mentioned this to my Dutch pal (a pro violinist) he said casually that they had such carriers in NL. However that's 30 years ago and I can't find any pictures. Next time I see him I'll ask.

Of course it's much easier if you stick to the violin like I do!!!