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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | What's your opinion on the Trekker models?
My place of business has been bought out by the software company we were a reseller for.
I still have my job, but in a new position and it looks like I will be travelling a lot from time to time.
So of course getting some guitar practice in while on the road makes sense to me! And a good excuse to add another Ovation to the small but ever-expanding collection.
Anybody actually fly and take these along?
Are they made overseas?
Any preference between the two models?
How much do they cost?
Thanks! :) |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | OK for a beater. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | they are not bad for what they are. I have sold a bunch of them and everyone seems to like them |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | I've got one. Plays fine. As long as you don't expect Adamas sound out of it, it is a good guitar.
Let me know when you have some time and you can come play mine. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I use my Trekker as a beater. I took it out west on vacation. If I go someplace and I know I'll have a little time I'll throw it in the truck. Because of it's size, I can play it in the front seat of my truck.
Just don't expect more sound than it can give. |
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December 2005
Posts: 111
| Veering off-topic a bit, I've been thinking of getting a Pignose or Fernandes electric "travel guitar," that could also be played in a vehicle, or left at hand on the couch, played with headphones on a train, etc. The older, simpler Fernandez Nomad, or the non-deluxe Pignose occasionally sell used on Ebay for $100-200. Any comments or experience?
Pignose:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pignose-Deluxe-PGG-100-Mini-Elec-Guitar-w-Built...
Fernandes:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--FERNMD02 |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | edzep, don't know about those two, but the Trekker is pure acoustic. Some had pickups for plugging into a traditional amp, but those you have there are strictly electric. |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| Yeah, I had first been interested in an acoustic travel guitar. But, it seems these electrics may be a better combination of small size and decent sound + fun factor. That is, the sound of an electric isn't compromised by dimunitive size the way an acoustic is. Plus, you can't play an acoustic unobtrusively around other people. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | True, true.
It all depends on what you are looking for. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | I've got one of these. The build quality is good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-ZZ-Ryder-MARY-JANE-electric-guitar-3-4-size...
Used one of these for a short while when I was testing a co-workers' daughters' guitar. It can be used with batteries or a wall-wart. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Amps?sku=480196 |
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December 2005
Posts: 111
| BruDeV, that's cool. Hadn't seen it before. You might want to pair it up with this mini amp/fuzz box, for only $25.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Amps?sku=483005
But, I'm leaning toward self-contained amp. |
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May 2005
Posts: 120
Location: Gardnerville, NV | I have that smokey amp. When you plug into a regular amp it gives massive distortion. Kinda fun sometimes. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I travel a LOT ... and also own a Trekker. IMHO, the Trekker is really too big to travel with. Too bulky and hard to get into the overhead bins. (I should note my Trekker is mid-depth). Half the time or more they're going to make you check it ... it doesn't make the "official" dimension restrictions.
So here's how I solved the problem: Traveler . Both piezo and single coil pickup for acoustic or electric noodling. I have a Pandora PX4 which fits neatly in the bag so I'm not limited to just the stethescope. Good quality and full scale length fretboard. No issues carrying this on whatsoever and really easy to drag around city after city. Bonus is that if the seat next to you is empty, you can have your own private jam session in the air. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | Check with your air carrier before trying to bring your traveling guitar as a carry-on. Some carriers absolutely will not allow instruments of any kind in the passenger cabin. Some allow it as one carry-on as long as it fits in the OH bins. However, in practice, some have even allowed bass viols to be carried on!
As far as tone, they sound a little ukulele like, but they are what they are. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | My Trekker in the gig bag fit in the overhead with room to spare. Some airlines might restrict instruments because of problems with people feeling the need to perform for a captive audience. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Has anyone used a Yamaha silent guitar? I tried one at a show and didn't like it much - but they are so different that you would probably need a few hours to decide about them. I played the nylon and the steel. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I tried a nylon string at a GC once.
Thought it'd make a pretty cool gig guitar . . .
(didn't get a chance to play it plugged-in, tho) |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Let's see, Slothead, 2" nut, 26" (25 9/16) scale, 12 frets to the body (sort of), (very) cutaway.
unplugged: yawn :rolleyes:
Plugged in: Really nice!! I'd say on par with a an 1863. remeber, this guitar makes almost no ambient noise. It's got a headphone jack, bass and treble in the pre-amp, aux in, and some reverb too. Some were actually sold as a package with headhones. Perfect for travel or college dorm kinda stuff. Again, not bad plugged into a decent amp, and not dependent on exotic strings... |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I resemble that remark. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5331
Location: Cicero, NY | Which one? "...not bad plugged in..."? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | I played the nylon more than the steel string, but Yamaha's goal was the same on both models. To wit; sound like an acoustic guitar when plugged in. Guess what? They did a pretty good job. I'm not saying there aren't many better sounding AE's out there, but how many are practically noiseless unplugged, and so ultra-portable? Everyone should at least try it. I think I would pass on the steel string. I didn't like the neck profile...
In case anyone wonders what we're talking about
The goods... |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I kinda' LIKE 'em (the nylon ones).
They got a decent neck, and they're not as "awkward" to play as look like they might be.
A Fretless Bass'd be REALLY cool . . . |
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Trekker Thoughts