VOYAGE AIR VAD-2 $2,699 ACOUSTICS When this is removed, the remaining guitar would quite Voyage Air comfortably fit in overhead storage on an aircraft. Folded down, the hinge is VAD-2 $2,699 exposed at the 14th fret and sits directly under the rosewood It folds, but how does it sound? fingerboard. The entire neck joint has actually been cut by Kris Petersen through and rejoined via a single pin and a hand tightening screw that doubles as a strap join. While this probably ith acoustic guitars even opened the box. Arriving case itself consists of two sounds extremely odd, when there really aren’t an in what appeared to be a 2 x 12 sections. The main guitar bag the guitar is once again in one Wamazing number of combo box, the Voyage Air includes a tough contoured piece, the join isn’t noticeable, original ideas throughout guitar was delivered folded outer shell and a detachable visually or when being played. history – but then again we are down and snug in its case. The manuscript/laptop/leads bag. While the majority of the talking about an acoustic guitar. guitar appears to be a well The test of time has allowed crafted instrument consisting this instrument to remain “… in recent times, the need for of a solid sitka spruce top, a solid relatively untouched as a instruments that are portable has rosewood back and sides, a perfect example of the ‘if it ain’t rosewood fingerboard,g oard, aandnd aann broke don’t fix it’ mantra. become more demanding.”g ababalonealone centre ring, a fret However, in recent times, the need for instruments thathat areare portable has become moreore demanding. The travellinging musician is always confrontedronted with the unnerving experienceerience of checking their guitarss into oversize baggage and thenen praying they will be waitingting oonn the other side in one piecee (w(wee all know United break guitars,uitars, can’t say we’ve heard thatt Virgin and Qantas are better).tter). We then come across a relatively unknown conceptept inin acoustic guitar manufacturing.uring. Based out of California, Harveyarvey Leach laid the foundationss ofof Voyage Air guitars in 1972. As a luthier first and foremost, thethe search for his point of difference, while remainingg pure to the traditionalist within, helped him to createe a truly unique concept for thee travelling musician. Our adventure with Voyagege Air guitars began before we Think of how amazed the ground staff will be when they force you to open this at the airport! 60 Guitarist Dec/Jan 2010 GGIT30.rev_voyageIT30.rev_voyage 6600 44/11/09/11/09 44:35:52:35:52 PPMM VOYAGE AIR VAD-2 $2,699 ACOUSTICS playing unplugged, it could cause some feedback issues if you were to install a pickup. The real test on this acoustic came when comparing different techniques. We noticed that although we were changing the way we played the guitar, the guitar didn’t really dictate how it should be played. We find that many acoustic guitars will indicate the best technique to use for its tone and what sort of player it would feel at home with. The Voyage Air seemed to fit right into any style and technique quite comfortably. The relatively low action for a 12 – 54 string gauge made it a real breeze to play and there was never any hint of fretting out or The Bottom Line weird and wonderful buzzing. Sustain was one of our big We like: It’s pretty obvious! questions here. We are all We dislike: No pickup as aware that every part of the standard wood plays a vital role in the Guitarist Says: sound of a guitar. Cutting the Preconceptions don’t apply neck and fret board in half and here. Try before you judge replacing it with a hinge obviously concerned us a little – however when playing the Voyage Air VAD-2 Voyage Air, there is absolutely no loss of sustain. PRICE: $2,699 (inc custom case) This instrument rings out, ORIGIN: USA holds the wave form and TYPE: Traditional full-sized projects just as a top quality dreadnought body design acoustic (in one piece) would. TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce Top It is a real testament to Harvey BODY: Solid Rosewood Back and Leech as a luthier. While the Sides with grained Ivoroid body Voyage Air has a definite point binding It folds in half! And it doesn’t affect the tuning! Or the sound! of difference, its primary role NECK: “C”shaped Mahogany as an instrument has not been SCALE LENGTH: 25.5” “The Voyage Air has really challenged sacrificed. FINGERBOARD: Rosewood what we previously believed FRETS: Premium Nickel-Silver Verdict SADDLE: Bone constituted a good acoustic guitar.” As far as acoustic guitars go, HARDWARE: Patented Voyage-Air the Voyage Air is a great Neck Hinge, Includes Deluxe instrument. It has everything “Voyager” Carrying Case you would expect of a guitar in RANGE OPTIONS: 2 models in marker is the only indication would sound pretty average. its price range and more. songwriter series, 4 in the premier that the VAD-2’s alter ego is the The flow on effect on the tone While the folding down of the series including cutaways nut. Unlike standard acoustic and sustain would be guitar would appear to be a guitars, the nut is subtly higher devastating – or so one would gimmick, the quality of the Allegry Pty Ltd which allows the strings to be think. We were extremely tones created and the 0419 365 936 fed straight through it instead surprised on the first strum of craftsmanship gives it a clear www.voyageairguitar.com of sitting on top. While this this instrument. Our advantage over other acoustics seems a little strange, and a preconceptions about how it in its class. minor issue when restringing, might sound were not only The Voyage Air has really the nut keeps movement on the challenged but completely challenged what we previously machine heads minimal destroyed. This guitar sounds believed constituted a good therefore improving tuning great! There is a noticeable acoustic guitar. Having the stability when the guitar is clarity in the bottom end that ability to fold an acoustic in Test results folded down for transport. you would expect to find in half to make it more portable is the highest of quality acoustic a clear cut advantage for the Build quality Sounds instruments. Every note and travelling musician. The fact Playability Traditional thinking would chord is fat but also clear. that the guitar sounds and Sound suggest that a guitar that has The higher frequencies on plays great as well makes this Value for money had a clear cut through the this guitar are very rich, and one instrument that you have entire neck at the 14th fret while this is a great thing when to check out. GUITARIST RATING Dec/Jan 2010 Guitarist 61 GGIT30.rev_voyageIT30.rev_voyage 6611 44/11/09/11/09 44:36:25:36:25 PPMM.