Anyone have any experience with Voyage Air guitars?

[Sue Thompson]

I'm wondering whether anyone owns and/or has traveled with one of those Voyage Air folding guitars. I've played one (the high end Dreadnought model) once, but I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has more extensive experience with them. What do you think of the sound? How has it held up with use? Any hassles carrying onboard small commuter aircraft?

Thanks!

[Alan Aleksander]

I have a VAD 2. Dreadnaught with rosewood back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard. I would say that the sound and workmanship was pretty good. I like it but have made a number of modifications to it that I felt it needed. I replaced the corian type saddle with a bone saddle and had my luthier deepen the saddle slot which on the VAD 2 was very shallow. I also replaced the plastic bridge pins with some bone pins that I already had. I probably wouldn't have done that if I didn't have an extra set but I'm sure it didn't hurt. Those two things definitely improved the sound. I also lowered the action which of course most guitars need when new. Just recently I had my luthier change out the frets. The frets that it comes with are rather large, more like the frets on an electric, and I prefer the smaller size frets that a Martin would typically come with. I travel a lot and it easily fits in the overhead on a regular size plane however on some small planes it won't fit in the overhead but, will fit under the seat. I've never had a problem getting it on the plane. If you can I would definitely recommend that you try out the one that you are planning on buying just to make sure that it meets your expectations. If you are ever in Santa Barbara your welcome to try mine out.

Alan Aleksander

[Sue Thompson]

Thanks so much for your reply Alan. If I'm in SB, I'll give you a holler. I'd love to check out your hot-rodded version.

Sue

[Mike Pullen]

Hey Sue,

     I'm probably late on this reply but you might email Robin Kessinger. He has one that he told me he really enjoyed. It's been close to two years since I heard him talk about it.

[Sue Thompson]

Thanks Mike!