Travel/Beater/Campfire Instruments

[steve in tampa]

So, a lot of talk about the finer points of the finer instruments.

What instrument soldiers are taken to battle the harsh elements of traveling out in the world to just have a good time picking without excessive worry?

I have a Dean BGF (paid $400 new WHSC), and an Applause MAE148 (paid $400 new WHSC). If either one got dropped in the fire, it would be a loss for sure but it would be a short mourning period.

These things were made to play and play we do!

[Django Fret]

Try a Korean-made Crafter. Acoustic or Electric, for less than than $200 (USD), you can't go wrong!

[sandcastlefaith]

I tried the Crafters and didn't like them. I have a cheap little Epiphone that plays and sounds great, and I only pai $100 for it on eBay. It's great for learning or for using as a backup mandolin to fool around with and not worry about scratching it up.

Nate

[Stillpicking]

I have a Crafter for a travel mando paid around $200 with a gig bag thrown in , I wasn't shooting for sound just something that I could put in the trunk when traveling during the hot summers and still be able to pull it out of the trunk and not have it in several pieces. This thing is built like a tank with a composite back and even has a built–in pickup. This is not your normal mando put it allows me to play just about anywhere and not have to worry about.

[Lee]

I played a couple F-style Rovers made in China at Gruhns a few weeks ago and they were really very nice. At $395 brand new I was floored. They also make A's which must be much less money.

[John Flynn]

I travel almost every week on business and I have two travel/beaters:

I have a Mederios travel mandolin (made in Colorado) that I have taken everywhere for about five years. I use it just to practice on my own in hotel rooms. In its gig bag, I have packed it in suitcases, stuffed it in airline overhead compartments and left it in hot cars. It "takes a lickin' and keeps on pickin'." #I recently I found an inexpensive hardshell ukulele case for it that fits really well with a little padding. The whole thing packs in my checked suitcase.

Recently I got a used Parsons flat-top (made in W. Virginia) to travel with on those occasions that I will be going to jams on the trip. It is similar in sound and appearance to a Weber Y2K, but at about half the price. It came with a gig bag, but I found an inexpensive Rogue hardshell case that fits it with some padding and an inexpensive Wilson Triad triple tennis racquet case that fits the Rogue case like a glove as a case cover. The whole thing fits easily in any airline overhead compartment.

I never have to miss playing because of travel and if one of them gets damaged or lost, I will only shed about half a tear.

[elenbrandt]

It is almost difficult to reply -- because one man's beater is anothers strad...

That being said. If you have to have an F model- try to find a used MK, or if A's are fine with you, try the Mid-Missouri travel mando (really loud and easy to play).

[Dan Adams]

I bought a couple Johnson MA-120's to refinish, sold one, and kept one after the refinish job. I then bought another one and haven't refinished it yet, but plan on trying to redo the binding when I do get around to the project. I'm going camping this weekend, and the 'blonde' is in the bag ready to camp. They are made from solid woods, with a few flaws but some nice maple, and both sound surprisingly good. They even will hold their own in an impromtu jam. Neither one cost over $120 bucks so if I need more firewood... no great loss.

Sure but how do they sound at 13,000 feet! Dan

[fatt-dad]

My hands down beater is a Montana (Korea) with a four piece top and an oval hole!

f-d

(playing at the beach)

[craigtoo]

My Beater used to be the Tacoma M1- But i just can't stop playing the Lebeda...it goes everywhere. I did 4 countries in 27 hours with it in December.

But camping...i dunno...that would be a stretch...I'd probably bring the Tacoma M1..Tent acoustics are bad anyway...

craig:D

[odeman]

Travel? Camping? Picnics? That's what the Weber Sweet Pea's are for. It's my security blanket because I can take it ANYWHERE.

[steve in tampa]

Just got back from a trip, and it was a gas to see my 10 year old niece grub around on the beater. She had seen and played guitars before, but this was a new thing and in her hands! She got to listen to me and her other uncle (guitar) jam.She might be getting one in the next few Christmases if she keeps up with the guitar and piano lessons.She already has a dynamite singing voice.