BootsnAll Travel Community

Should I bother?

I took my guitar with me on my travels through other countries and found that it was a bit of a pain in the ass at times. Has anyone gone through SA with a guitar? Do the South Americans play a lot of guitar? I get more enjoyment from hearing someone else play the guitar as I am not very good so if there are loads of brilliant guitarists then I may consider taking it for those sing along moments.

Jim

I'm interested in this myself - I'm thinking about taking a guitar, but I've been investigating some of the local models - i.e. the cuban tres, venezualen cuatro, or charango - while not exactly guitars, they're close enough, their WAY smaller (25-30"), and you can probably buy them for cheap down there.

The con is the sound wont be great. However, the pros far outway this - you wont have much invested in it, so you can lose it or give it away if necessary, and you wont be fretting (no pun intended) about having it damaged. Also, you can learn some of the local music. (and south americans do play a ton of "guitar" - where are you going? The differences and variance in country is astounding, not to mention years, and styles - right now I've been listening to a lot of Chilean folk music as interperted by Nueva Cancion. Look into Victor Jara or Violeta Parra if your interested)

My boyfriend at the time considered doing this before our South America trip, but then decided against it. With all the treks through customs of various countries, the flights, the bus rides, and the overall high probability that expensive things will get snatched in many Latin American countries unless you've got your eye on it at all times, he decided against it. As much as he whined at the time that "now would be a perfect time to write a song," and all that, after awhile on the road he confessed he was glad he didn't bring it, that it would simply have been too much a pain in the ass. Anytime we did meet up with anyone who had a guitar, he'd borrow it for a bit to play and got his music fix that way. Just a perspective.

--Jessicah

kirkley is on it. Buy it down there.

Then El Cabong it when you go home.

What about a ukelali?

Them things is fun too. Easy to play too, if you can play guitar. I just bought one.

Or a travel guitar?

I think having something you can afford to lose is the key.

Martin makes a "backpacking guitar". It's small, light, under 200 bucks, and you can get it with either nylon or steel strings. Depending on how you travel, you might want something more than just the gigbag that comes with it, but I dunno if there's a hardshell case that accomodates it. Plus, that'll add more weight. The question is how often and how badly do you get the need to play. Travelling with instruments can be a real pain, mostly in terms of lugging it around and worrying about it's safety, but of course great to have when you need to play. My last trip I had one of horns with me cuz I needed it, but I was always worried about it... but it's worth 7k... Homeowners insurance covered mine if it was forcibly taken, but not if I was just careless about it. I locked it in a hostel locker when I didn't have it with me. When I had to carry everything I strapped it to my pack, and it also has it's own backpack straps for when I just had it. It really comes down to whether or not you feel it's worth the extra baggage and whether you can afford to lose it. But also, especially with guitar, you can always find someone that has one. Most hostels I've stayed at even have one you can play.

If you're taking it for other people to play I'd say leave it at home. Unless you're one of those people who strums constantly and writes songs it couldn't possibly be worth the hassle. Those brilliant guitarists will likely have their own.

Maybe take a harmonica.

With all due respect, please leave the goddamned guitar, harmonica, bongo drums and the digere-fucking-doo at home.

signed,

Mr. Cranky Pants

Think I will take the harmonica instead. Thanks for all the advice. I could buy one like suggested anyway.
I will try to remember to stay clear or Mr Cranky Pants if I ever start playing "Last of the Summer Wine" theme tune on the harmonica

Jim

I say, if you love the guitar as much as I personally do, get a cheap one when you get there and at least have it with you until you either break it or are forced to pass it on. My last trip was a guitarless one and everytime I was handed one to play I kicked myself for not having my own. Long live the beater backpacker guitar!!