This is the most innovative product I've purchased in years. It was a bit of a fluke, but I was at a music store and saw Kerry King (Slayer) of all people signing autographs. As I browsed the store I noticed the Washburn Rover and was thinking in terms of a guitar I could have with me (since I travel so much) to work on my chops during the long nights in hotel rooms. The first thing I noticed was the "big" sound it makes. The sonic quality for the size is definitely something to behold. Just stick with it a few times until you find the right playing position for you and your forearm will be in shape in no time! Once you can run up and down the full scale 19 fret neck with ease (the action is awesome!)you will go play your electric and be able to shred! Being able to work on writing and keeping the arm in shape is invaluable if you travel (and the airlines let you carry it on too!) It comes with a nice case that also holds my MP3 recorder and metronome. Great job Washburn! p.s. I did get in line and had Kerry King sign it (made him laugh since all these kids had been bringing in their various electrics, but he could see the practicality of it for the serious musician).

Includes nice carry-on travel case with optional strap or handle. This case will protect your guitar!

Nice woods, quality tuners that actually stay put! If you take care and you keep it in the case (these woods are high quality)I think this guitar will last a very long time.

I still own a Washburn G-IV (Force 4) from the eighties. Although I have changed the pickup a few times over the years, the rest of the guitar is original and in great shape. I believe the Rover will last too. Washburn makes high quality products that last, and they were made in Buffalo Grove, Illinois!

You will never ever find this caliber of a travel guitar for this price, guaranteed!

It is practical but also a lot of fun. When I play in the corner at the airport (long layovers) or just around friends or family, it definitely catches people's attention and has generated a lot of very interesting conversations.

My search is finally over! I plan to give one to my "nomadic" brother and I would replace it with the same model if something ever happened to mine.

I have played music my whole life. Now,I teach guitar and hang out with old musicians. This product is more than you think you are getting.It sounds like a travel guitar. Well, thats what I wanted, but I had no idea it was crafted the way it was.You,ll be impressed.Believe me, the little thing went thru sometough tryouts today by some "old salts" and came thru like a little champ.The case and accessories alone were worth what I paid for it!

The case is perfect. It will fit overhead in a plane or easily thrown in your back seat. An extra nut,that was cute. I like its construction the most.The arch back is impressive and the size of the neck and fret board is great.

Very nice finish!

I,m very happy with my purchase.

For such a tiny guitar, the sound is pretty amazing... but don't expect it to sound like a full sized Martin.

Great travel case... I abuse this thing by travelling all over the world with it... even carry it on my motorcycle trips! The full sized fret board is awesome, which is why I bought it (for practicing while on the road).

The small size takes getting used to, but once you learn the correct position to hold it, it works just fine,

For the price, the quality is second to none!

Not needed yet..I've had this guitar for three years.

Great design for those who want a true travel guitar to practice on while in the hotels. The full sized fretboard is very nice!

Note: I gave the "Sound" rating a 10, not becuase this is a great sounding guitar, but its the best sounding *travel* guitar I've found. All travel guitars have small bodies and by their nature will sound weak and thin compared to a full sized guitar. However this one sounds significantly better than others, including the Martin backpacker, and once you get used to its unique tone, it is really rather pleasing. And, becuase its small and can be tucked away almost anywhere, you'll find yourself playing more often and in situations where your "real" guitar just won't be available.

The tuning machines on this guitar are a bit substandard, but other than that it has the look and feel of quality workmanship and finish. The full sized neck is very playable with good action and a nice feel. Washburn includes an additional bridge piece and shims so you can adjust the action height if desired. It also comes with an allen wrench to adjust the tension rod in the neck. The case is rectangular and VERY solid while also being very lightweight. I would feel comfortable stacking heavy luggage on top of it. It has a 3.5" x 11" storage recess inside, and a 6" x 9.5" zippered pouch outside so there's plenty of room for a tuner, capo, spare strings, etc.

If they put better tuning machines on this guitar I would have given it a 10.

No experience.

This is better than other travel guitars that cost much more.

The shape and finish are very appealing. When you see this guitar you definitely want to pick it up and try it out.

The sound is somewhat crisp (some might even call "tinny") but considering the size, it is to be expected. You don't buy it for its sound quality, anyway. As far as I'm concerned, it's fine. Plan to put a pickup on it and am anxious to see the result through a finely tuned amp.

The strap is set up with a string tie on the end to be secured over the head. I hate it. I got a sax-type clip on that goes under the guitar and clips in the hole. It works fine -- but the guitar is too "floppy" if you let go of it. So, I added a strap button where the neck joins the body and used the strap that came with it. That works best for me. The case is canvas with a cut out foam core inside, covered with black velvet-type cloth. It zips closed (would prefer clips similar a regular case).

Looks great and is well made. The fretboard is excellent and almost better than my Telecaster and my custom Mosrite Ventures model. The fretting is absolutely true to pitch whether playing in low or high positions.

I think it's worth the going price of $150.

It's unusual and unique "look" makes it a keeper. You're gonna get a lot of interest and questions from listeners when you play.

I've played all the other travel guitars -- and this is by far the best -- much better than the Baby Taylor and the Martin. Only complaint I have is that it's sooooooo small that my right arm doesn't have any place to rest on while playing -- unless you use your right hand way up the fretboard. But I guess that'll just be a matter of getting used to.

Great tone for what it is. Not a full size, but very usable. I bought mine mostly to take camping, and it's sound is just fine for practicing or learning new material.

The Rover has a great neck. Nicely shaped and the action is quite playable out of the box. The upper frets are very accessible and I find it's my favorite acoustic in many ways...

Mine had a problem with the treble E string peg hole being oversized - the peg kept popping out. A single wrap of transparent tape around the peg (shim) solved the problem nicely. Otherwise, it has very nice fit and finish with a strong feeling of "quality" when played.

Don't know...

After reading the reviews I never even tested the Martin travel guitar, so I can't compare the two. The Rover is great for $150. It allows me to leave my more expensive guitars at home without sacrificing a nice neck and acceptable sound. I'd definitely buy another if it were lost.

It's a travel guitar, so don't expect a lot in the way of sex appeal. It is a great solution for it's role though...

The sound is a little like what you would expect. There is no bowl so the sound is "tinny" and shallow but not intolerable, considering that it's only a small practice guitar. It is certainly workable, if you are sitting alone in a hotel room.

The best feature of this guitar is the case. The case is hard and molded to fit the guitar and it certainly protects the guitar. The strap is similar to a cheap computer bag, it's the bare minimum.

The quality is good even though it's made in china. I own a full size Washburn as well and have never been unhappy with the quality or the components. This is no exception and it is the good quality that makes you want to play it inspite of the ackwardness of the size.

Don't have any experience with this.

It's a good value for the money when you compare it to other travel guitars. I have to wonder though if the case isn't worth more than the guitar.

The design is nice enough. It is so small and different that you can't help but to pick it up just to see if it really plays. My 11 year old daughter loves it.

I have never played a travel guitar before and am a little dissapointed at how difficult it is to keep the thing in your lap and to keep it in a comfortable position. The frets are the same size as a full guitar and the neck feels good but it's a constant struggle to position it properly. I suppose this is to be expected from something so small but it would be nice is someone would design an extendable bracket or something on it so that you can adjust it.