Traveler Guitar 6 String Escape Mark III (Alder), Right, (MK3 ALS)

I love this guitar! I'm a hard-core amateur guitar player and I'm pretty snooty about what I play. It takes a lot of playability to get me to like an instrument. And even more to get me to write a positive review for anything, let alone a hacked-off shorty practice travel guitar. But this one? This one!!!Let's just say I've been searching for something like this all of my 55 years of playing guitar. It's a bit pricey for what it is. Meaning that as much as I love it, I wouldn't pay more for it, but still at this price it's just what the Dr ordered!For the on-board pre-amp, I used a pair of $20 on-ear Amazon head-phones which I use for casual everything else listening. The sound was muddy but it was still good enough that I could practice some of the more gross fretboard fingering techniques and exercises while away from my gear in my rehearsal studio. And yes, I did use the on-board bass and treble adjustments and it cleaned it up to a point but not well enough so it sounded above a small portable amp (think "PigNose"). But good enough for a traveling guitar player away from their gear. And it was fine without being plugged in for just working on my licks and chords sitting on the bed.I bought a blonde "Warehouse Deals" version which cost a lot less (I wanted the mahogany version but they didn't have one in Warehouse Deals). Unfortunately, the "phase" button did not function at all so I had toreturn it. Which raises the fact that they are marked "made in China," if that matters to you.I would like to save up and replace the defective Blonde version I'm returning for a new Mahogany version even though it costs more.I recommend this Traveler Guitar Mark III.

I wound up being able to compare both the original Escape Mark III and the Mahogany Escape Mark III at home because one arrived with cosmetic shipping damage and I ordered the other to replace it. The differences in sound between the two were noticeable, and since the guitars are essentially identical in every other way it must be because of the tone woods used, the original having an alder body with maple neck, and the mahogany having both a mahogany body and neck.The original Mark III with the alder body has a bright, defined tone and is noticeably louder than the mahogany version. The mahogany Mark III in comparison has a much darker, warm tone and seemed slightly more muted. Personally, I preferred the darker, warm tone of the mahogany, but that's entirely a matter of subjective taste and I know many people may prefer the bright tone of the alder body. It was a tough choice, and the thing that really steered me toward the mahogany body was the sustain. It turned out that notes on the mahogany Mark III would sustain for several seconds longer than those on the alder-bodied Mark III. It was quite noticeable and reminded me so much of my Gibson Les Paul Standard that I decided that's the one I'd keep.The Mark III is advertised as being an acoustic guitar, but I feel like that's sort of a mistake, or at least a misnomer. It's a solid-body guitar just like an electric, but uses acoustic strings and an under-saddle pickup like an acoustic. The result is something of a hybrid. If played without headphones or through an amp, it's more or less going to sound like playing an unamplified electric guitar (meaning very quiet). When used with headphones, the built-in amplifier (also a handy tuner) makes a pretty decent attempt at modeling a hollow bodied acoustic-electric guitar's sound, which I'm pretty certain is going to exceed most people's expectations. It also sounds great when played through an amplifier via the 1/4" output, though I feel like you need to judge that tone on it's own rather than trying to compare it to a full-size acoustic-electric guitar. The Mark III is sort of it's own beast, I think, and needs to be judged as such. When you do that, I think you'll be plenty happy with the sound of the Mark III guitars.I also think the Mark III is remarkably playable for what it is. I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender American Deluxe, and Martin D35, and in direct comparison, well there isn't one. Those full-size guitars play much, much better. However, the Mark III is still fun to play, and I find I grab it a lot more often than the full-size guitars when I want to sit around on the couch and play while watching TV, which has the benefit of leading to a lot more practice/playing time. Honestly, I think having one of these sitting on a stand next to your couch is probably one the best things you can do to inspire you to play more often.As far as the build quality and components go, I think Traveler offers a great value in these guitars. The tuners are very good (for this price level), but re-stringing them is a bit tricky due to the space-saving design (this is not a complaint, just a design reality/trade-off). Of the ones I've tried, they are all playable right out of the box, though I'm sure some people may want to take them into their luthier and have them fine-tuned to their preferences.Fit and finish is generally quite good. However, one caveat here, I've noticed that many of the Traveler guitars I've used/seen are perfect, but a few will have slight manufacturing blemishes/defects in the finish. It seems the same could be said of all guitar manufacturers though (I've been disappointed by both American-made Fender and Gibson in the past on their flagship products as well). If you order one sight-unseen, you are most likely to get one that's perfect, but there's a slight chance you won't (maybe it was a Friday in China where they're made). I'm picky and return the one's I've received with blemishes, but others may not care as the reality is you're eventually going to put more dings in them than even the worst will arrive with when new.If someone told me they wanted to learn guitar, and asked what they should purchase, I might actually suggest the Mark III. I think it's a better quality instrument than you'd generally get for a similarly priced full-size guitar. I think the size makes it a lot more convenient to play and practice with casually, which will have a beginner doing that more often. There's also always this argument about whether it's better to learn on an acoustic or electric because of the strings (acoustic strings being less forgiving and therefore force the development of better habits). Well, this one has acoustic strings, but since it's solid body and built to be used with headphones, it's quiet and a beginner won't drive anyone nuts hacking around on a full-size acoustic, which are actually quite loud in a home environment. Given that the neck is full-size, eventually graduating to a full-size guitar will be easy, and I think the small body size and shape of these guitars actually leads to learning better picking hand placement from the get go; there's so much space to rest your hand on a full-size that I think it's easy to get lazy with your picking hand. The positioning of the tuners on the Mark III also keeps you from developing the bad habit of resting your little finger on the guitar when arpeggiating (that's a bad habit that will eventually hold your playing back).Obviously, the reason most people will be turning toward these guitars is portability. Personally, I think Traveler has really done a fantastic job with their entire line of travel guitars with their novel design that allows them to reduce the size and weight while retaining a full-size neck. I've tried other travel guitars and hated them; they all have shortened necks, are unbalanced and awkward to hold, and typically sound horrible. Traveler offers a hollow-bodied acoustic travel guitar (AG-105EQ), which I also have and love, but it's not as airline friendly as they'd like you to believe (it's more car-camping friendly). The Mark III, when in its travel bag, is just small enough not to raise any eyebrows if you're bringing it along with another carryon as a personal item. I also have the exceptionally tiny Traveler Pro-Series which is another great option, and much easier to travel with, but it doesn't have the built-in headphone amplifier/tuner, which means you have to basically hack something together with a separate headphone amplifier to get sound out of it.One last thing. I discovered that the Mark III pairs really well with the Bose Soundlink III speaker if you connect the Mark III's headphone amp to it via the Soundlink's AUX input. That particular speaker doesn't distort at high volumes and the combination of the two leaves you with a remarkable rendition of playing a full-size acoustic guitar in overall tone and volume. The speaker easily fits in the Mark III gig bag's accessory pouch and gives you several hours of rechargeable battery powered playing time wherever you go. However, the Soundlink III should not be confused with an amplifier, it's not, it's a speaker. If you're looking for a great portable acoustic amplifier and some effects to go with the Mark III, then I suggest the Yamaha THR5A. The Yamaha amp sounds excellent with the Mark III, is designed to play well with the under-saddle pickup, and you can power it with regular AA batteries. However, the THR5A, though compact, will not fit in the Mark III's gig bag and so isn't as travel-worthy a setup.

This is the ultimate practice guitar. At first, I overlooked this guitar because the neck didn't detach and fold like other travel guitars. Then I realized how perfect this design is and how it doesn't need that feature, which I now think is gimmicky. I'm shocked this isn't way more popular.1) it's tiny. My wife and mother-in-law watched me open it and they had to each ask me twice "THAT's a guitar?!?!" You will most definitely have no traveling issues and certainly fit in a carry on, overhead, flight bag. in fact, it's the same length as my Baritone Ukulele (and hence fit in their cases). I carry it everywhere: in my bed, in my car, at the park, on a hike, in a boat, with a goat, in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse, here and there, I carry it anywhere! I do so like this guitar! Thank you! Thank you, Traveler!2) despite it's size, it is a 100% full sized 25.5" scale. This was very important for me because, as a beginner, I did not want to train on a short scale just to suffer when I picked up a full scale. Trust me, you want to get used to a full scale and then if you pick up a smaller guitar, it will be easy. It kind of makes me wonder, why aren't all solid body electric guitars this size?? Seriously, why do they need to be any bigger??3) it's a solid body. I like this because it's QUIET. If you want to get better at guitar, you have to practice a lot, but nobody wants to hear a noob practice on a dreadnought all day. Also, the solid body makes it smaller and more durable for traveling.4) it's an "acoustic" style. This means it uses acoustic strings, which are thicker (including a wound G-string) and at a higher tension than electric strings. Read: harder to play. I liked this from a practice perspective. Again, I think it's important I get accustomed to acoustic strings, so when I play an electric, it's like child's play and a confidence booster. If you disagree with my theory here, well Traveler also makes electric (EG-1 and EC-1), and nylon classical, versions of this guitar, so the choice is yours. Note, it uses completely standard guitar strings, so you can replace them with whatever is your favorite.5) it has a built in tuner. nobody ever talks about this, but I love built in tuners. One less thing to carry around - especially important when we're talking about travel guitars. The electric version EG-1 has one too, but not the EC-1.6) it has a built in headphone amp. Sounds good unplugged, but if you want to jam a little harder by yourself, just plug headphones directly in. Of course, it has a standard amp output too.7) some have expressed concern about the in-body tuners. I think they are fabulous and have great tuning stability. In fact, I think it's even better than headstock tuners that are prone to getting shifted when it brushes up against a wall, your body, or you have young curious kids who turn them when you're not looking. Why aren't all guitars headless these days?? The tuners are nicely protected in the body. I find there is ample space to fit your fingers to tune them and the holes do not get in my way, even when I'm playing fingerstyle. It's slightly awkward crossing your arms to pick a string and tune at the same time, but really not an issue. The actual tuners seem pretty standard, so I'm sure you can replace with one of your choice, and I noticed Traveler sells a locking tuners upgrade, but I don't think they need them.8) I think the mahogany version looks amazing. The tales are true that if you are attracted to your guitar, you will want to pick it up and play more.Conclusion: This guitar will make you play more than any other guitar = will make you better. IMO, as a beginner, you should be less concerned about tone nuances and more concerned about getting your hours in. I would definitely consider the EG-1 or EC-1 electric versions in the future.Some minor criticisms:1) now the sound sucks. But what do you expect with a solid body "acoustic"? You're not going to be gigging in front of a huge audience with this thing. The sound is solely created from a piezo pickup under the saddle. From what I've read, piezo pickups on normal acoustic guitars are one of the least desirable ways to record your instrument. So this is piezo without any acoustic sound to help out. It sounds weird plugged in (headphones or amp), fake sounding acoustic sound, and it's got some gain/sustain, which is weird for an "acoustic". But sound quality is not why you should be buying this. Again, if this turns you off, check out their humbucked electric versions, which I assume sound like normal electric guitars.2) the top edge of the body is razor sharp and very uncomfortable on the forearm. Also note, the black "binding" I believe is just a strip of paint for looks. The back has a rounder edge, so they should really round the top for the next generation.3) there's no pick guard, and it definitely needs it. I was very light on it in the beginning and it already has tiny scratch marks. I've seen this happen to others too. I made my own pick guard with clear packing tape, which works very well. I highly recommend everyone make a pick guard before they start playing.

Todo muy bueno producto en excelente estado y de buena calidad

Looks great, plays great, but tuners should be better quality as they are sticky and hard to turn. The round plastic disc's that guide the strings are not the best, and it really needs to be redesigned. A cheap piece of velcro glued on to stop the strings from rubbing against the wood is tacky. As in, you'd expect to see that on a toy or junk. BUT, it plays beautifully, and I LOVE playing it.

Fretboard colour (stain) wore off from use very quickly. Submitted photos and complaint to Traveller Guitar multiple times but did not get a response.The guitar is easy to take when travelling and is comfortable to play (good practice guitar).

Looks good. Nice finish. Neck is ok. Frets ok, ish. Controls gritty and cheap. Tuning machines sloppy and very cheap. Looks great. No idea what it sounds like as arrived broken from factory.Very cheap electronics, like Chinese dollar-store alarm clock cheap.Battery contacts integral to circuit board. Cheap steel, not stainless spring steel, very thin and arrived snapped off of circuit board. Nice little guitar ruined by a failed 15 cent part.This is not a 500 dollar guitar. This is a 250 dollar guitar with a trick. I have zero faith in the longevity of this product. A gig bag does not make up for good design but shoddy execution and zero final quality control.Returned for refund. If traveler came up with similar in accoustic electric hybrid with quality electronics, not just the pickups, I would be tempted. As is, overpriced and cheaply made with workers breaking it before it leaves the factory.Disappointing, very much so.

I use a 3.5mm cable from the headphone jack to my JBL Flip 3 and it sounds amazing! Product arrived quickly, ready to go. Intonation is fine...one improvement others have mentioned...the edge of the body is sharp and is definitely uncomfortable. I've taped a soft pad to make it playable. The cable tie used to attach the handle is poorly placed...you'll notice it when you play an E chord or a C.All is all happy - make some modifications and it's a winner.