Voyage Air VAOM-02: The Ultimate Travel Ally for Musicians
Introduction to Voyage Air Vaom-02
Hey there, fellow music lovers! Today I wanna chat about a guitar that’s been turning heads in the travel music scene – the Voyage Air VAOM-02. This is an another input to my passion theme: travel guitars. If you’re anything like me, always on the move but can’t bear to leave your six-string behind, this might just be your new best friend.
What's the Deal with This Folding Guitar?
So, get this – the Voyage Air VAOM-02 is a full-size acoustic guitar that folds in half. Yeah, you heard that right! At first, I was like, “No way that’s gonna sound good,” but boy, was I wrong. The folks at Voyage Air have somehow managed to create a guitar that not only travels well but sounds pretty darn awesome too.
The secret sauce is in the patented hinge system. It lets you fold the neck back, making the whole thing compact enough to fit in overhead bins or even backpacks. When you’re ready to play, just unfold, tune up, and you’re good to go. It’s like magic, I swear.
How Does Voyage Air Vaom-02 Actually Play?
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. When I first got my hands on the VAOM-02, I was a bit skeptical. I mean, a folding guitar? Come on. But once I started playing, I was pleasantly surprised. The action was comfortable, and the neck felt smooth. It’s got a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which give it a warm, balanced tone.
Now, I’m not gonna lie – it’s not gonna compete with your high-end Martin or Taylor. But for what it is – a travel guitar – it sounds pretty darn good. I’ve taken mine on camping trips, to the beach, and even on a long-haul flight (yeah, I was that guy strumming in the airport lounge). It’s held up well and always been ready to play when I needed it.
Voyage Air Vaom-02: Specs at a Glance
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’re getting with the VAOM-02:
- Full-size dreadnought body
- Solid spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
- Patented “Voyage-Air Hinge” system
- Includes a backpack-style gig bag
- 25.5″ scale length
- 1 11/16″ nut width
The Good, The Bad, and The Kinda Weird
Pros:
- Incredibly portable – fits in overhead bins!
- Decent sound quality for a travel guitar
- Holds tuning surprisingly well after unfolding
- Comes with a cool backpack case
- Great conversation starter at parties (trust me on this one)
Cons:
- Pricier than some other travel guitars
- Takes a bit of getting used to the folding mechanism
- Might freak out your guitar tech
- Not ideal for hardcore gigging (but that’s not really its purpose)
One thing that took some getting used to was the weight distribution when playing standing up. Because of the hinge, it feels a bit different from a standard acoustic. But hey, that’s the trade-off for being able to fold your guitar in half, right?
Voyage Air Vaom-02: Is It Worth the Investment?
Look, if you’re a serious traveler who can’t bear to be without a full-size acoustic, the Voyage Air VAOM-02 is definitely worth considering. It’s not cheap, but when you factor in the convenience and the decent sound quality, it starts to make sense.
I’ve had mine for a couple of years now, and it’s been on more adventures than I can count. From impromptu beach jams to killing time during layovers, it’s been a reliable companion. Just don’t expect it to replace your main gigging guitar – that’s not what it’s meant for.
FAQ (Because I Know You're Gonna Ask)
Q: Does it really stay in tune after unfolding?
A: Surprisingly, yes! It might need a quick tweak, but it’s not bad at all.
Q: Can I use it as my main guitar?
A: I mean, you could, but it’s really designed for travel. It’s great at what it does, but it’s not meant to replace your primary instrument.
Q: How durable is the hinge?
A: So far, so good. I haven’t had any issues, but I’d still be careful with it.
Q: Does it come with a warranty?
A: Yep, but double-check with the retailer for the specifics.
Voyage Air Vaom-02: Wrapping It Up
The Voyage Air VAOM-02 is a pretty cool piece of gear. Is it perfect? Nah. But for what it is – a full-size acoustic that you can fold in half and take anywhere – it’s pretty darn impressive. If you’re a traveler, a songwriter always on the move, or just someone who likes the idea of having a guitar you can tuck away easily, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Just be prepared for a lot of “Whoa, how does that work?” questions whenever you break it out. And maybe practice your folding and unfolding technique before trying to impress anyone – trust me on that one!