The Lindo arrived today and I've given it a quick check over.
Well as with all budget guitars there’s good news and bad.
Initially out the box it looks mighty fine. OK the flamed top and the abalone trim are photos, but it still looks great. Bound rosewood fingerboard and inlays are not at all bad.
The worst things are the width of the neck – its huuuuge, the action - which again is way too big, and the fret end finish – which are shockingly sharp and nasty.
Really to make this enjoyable to play I will have a stab at trimming the (rather loose) plastic saddle to reduce he action, and also deepen the nut slots.
Fret ends also need a bit of seeing too.
Sound from it though is not too bad at all for a little guitar like this.
When I sort these bits and bobs it’ll be a nice little unit.
And at the end of the day it’s no Martin, but I have to keep reminding myself it cost me less than 10% of a ‘proper’ Backpacker. So overall, very happy (plus b*ll*cking was not so bad :-) )
1 2009-08-18 22:26:15
Re: Travel guitar (41 replies, posted in Acoustic)
2 2009-08-17 15:32:31
Re: Travel guitar (41 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Meggiedude,
A bargain indeed. Sure the neck is quite wide but it's not unplayable. It takes a few minutes to get your fingers into the swing of it but it's ok after that. Let's face it, if you wanted to sound very impressive and professional you'd take your "real" guitar, but for bashing out a few drunken songs and choruses it's all you need. You'll probably find that you really do need to put a strap on it. I did this and it was not a hard job. And since it cost you peanuts you're not afraid to drill holes in it. I put strap buttons at the base of the neck and at the end of the body. The one on the body I also added a bit of super-glue just to give it a bit of extra hold since the body is quite thin. You'll find it awkward to start with but you'll get used to it and be bashing out a few songs before you know it. I'd also say that it's probably a strummer rather than a picker. Or maybe that's just me.
All the best with it,
Al V
Thanks for that. I did not expect to win it TBH, it was a late night punt after a few glasses of vino.
Of course it will not stop the missues b*ll*cking me when it lands on the doorstep tomorrow :-) but I'm used to that.
OK, I'll stick to the chords then - no fancy fingered stuff.
I could have done with it last week on hols up your neck of the woods - but there's always next time.
I'll let you know what I think of it shortly.
Cheers.
3 2009-08-17 11:04:29
Re: Travel guitar (41 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Well, I got it! It's pretty cool. It is a Lindo and it sounds OK. Here's a wee video of me showing it off...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOBvtOPfu4E
It holds it's tune quite well. So far anyway, although I think a tuner will be an essential travel accessory.
Thanks for the thoughts, folks. Cheers.
Hi there,
Just found this your travel Guitar thread after having a google dig on the lindo 'Backpacker' style guitar.
Have just won an impulsive ebay auction for one of these Lindo's. Got real lucky and it is coming to me for £5.61 plus the postage.
So a cheap and cheerful new travel guitar for less than £19. Whatever it looks, feels and sounds like - I suppose I can't really complain. If its really that bad I guess I can chop it up for firewood.
So, now that you've owned it for a bit what are your views at this point. I suppose the biggest concern to me at this point is the width of the neck. The advert indicates 55mm at the 1st fret and 66mm(!!!!) at the 12th.
Thats really wide - in fact wider than a standard classical guitar and most bass guitars.
Am I going to have to search ebay for finger extensions???
Any advise appreciated.