The Traveler Guitar Redlands is an acoustic-electric travel size guitar designed for portability and convenience without sacrificing tone or playability. This compact guitar features a full 25.5" scale length and comes with a custom gig bag, allowing musicians to easily take their instrument on the go.

Weighing under 4 pounds, the Redlands has a shapely cutaway body made of maple and mahogany tonewoods. The use of quality tonewoods in a small form factor allows this travel guitar to produce warm, balanced acoustic tones. The integrated preamp provides plug-and-play functionality for live gigs or recording sessions. Overall, the Redlands aims to deliver big sound in a portable package.

Appearance

The Traveler Guitar Redlands AE is striking in its appearance, with a stylish shape and visually appealing design features. The guitar has a smaller, travel-friendly size at just 35.25 inches long. Despite the compact size, it retains the comfort and playability of a full-scale guitar.

Weighing only 4.25 pounds, the Redlands AE is very lightweight compared to a traditional acoustic-electric guitar. This makes it ideal for travel without putting excess strain on your back and shoulders.

This model comes in two eye-catching finish options - a sunburst with a satin finish or a transparent cherry red gloss finish. Both colorways have an elegantly curved cutaway, beautiful binding along the body edges, and black hardware appointments.

The compact but ergonomic shape combined with the sleek finish options give the Traveler Guitar Redlands AE strong visual appeal. It has a stylish look while still being functional for portability and playing comfort.

Another visually striking acoustic-electric guitar to consider is the Ibanez GRGM21MORB. This model features a gorgeous open pore matte finish in morado, a deep reddish-purple tone. The single-cutaway body shape has sleek curves along with a stylish pickguard and chrome hardware.

In addition to its bold and elegant morado finish, the Ibanez GRGM21MORB has striking abalone and pearl inlay along the rosewood fretboard and headstock. This adds to the upscale visual flair. The Ibanez design is also lightweight at just over 5 pounds, making it comfortable for extended playing sessions.

Both the Traveler Guitar Redlands AE and Ibanez GRGM21MORB offer visually compelling looks in addition to great playability. The Redlands has a more compact travel-friendly shape while the Ibanez has a bold deep reddish-purple finish. Players looking for a guitar that makes a statement will appreciate the aesthetics of these models.

When considering appearance, it's important to think about not just color but also body shape, hardware appointments, and decorative details like binding and inlays. Guitars like the Redlands AE and Ibanez GRGM21MORB check all these boxes to offer striking good looks along with quality construction.

Playability

The Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert acoustic-electric has an easy to play 25.5" scale maple neck with a slim "C" profile that will be comfortable for most players. The maple fretboard and nut are smooth and nicely finished, providing a fast feel that makes playing effortless.

The nut width of 1 11/16" is a versatile medium size that works well for chording and single note playing. The action is set low and buzz-free from the factory, optimized for electric like playability while still having enough clearance for acoustic tones. Overall the neck feel and playability make this a guitar that either acoustic or electric players can feel instantly at home with.

The 20 medium jumbo frets are finished nicely and allow for easy bending and vibrato techniques. The smooth angled heel joint also provides excellent upper fret access. Whether you prefer lead or rhythm playing, the Redlands Concert has all the playability features needed to make you feel unencumbered while playing.

The Yamaha CG182S is another great option for an acoustic-electric guitar with excellent playability. This model features a comfortable slim taper neck profile that allows for fast, smooth playing across the rosewood fingerboard. The slightly narrower 1 11/16" nut width provides a balanced feel for both chords and single note lines. The action is also set very playable right out of the box. Overall the CG182S presents a very inviting playing experience for guitarists of all styles and techniques. See more details on the Yamaha CG182S.

Both the Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert and Yamaha CG182S showcase quality construction and attention to detail that provide buttery smooth playability. Their fast, comfortable necks and accessible upper frets are geared towards electric players who want the versatility of switching between acoustic and electric tones. The low action and slim neck profiles remove any struggle, allowing you to focus on making music without impediments. If you're looking for an acoustic-electric that plays like an electric, these models are great options to consider trying out.

The Yamaha CG182S is another excellent acoustic-electric guitar option worth considering. This concert-sized guitar has a solid Engelmann spruce top paired with rosewood back and sides for a balanced acoustic tone. The slim neck profile and shorter 24.9" scale length enhance playability and make chord changes smooth and comfortable. The CG182S also features an ART-based pickup system that accurately reproduces the guitar's natural tone when plugging in. The flexible EQ controls allow shaping of the amplified sound. Overall, the Yamaha CG182S delivers easy playability along with versatile acoustic and amplified tones in an attractive package.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, playability and comfort should be top priorities. You want a guitar that feels good in your hands even during long practice or performance sessions. The neck profile, nut width, fret size, string action height, and overall weight and balance of the guitar body all factor into playability. Testing out any guitar extensively before purchasing is advised to ensure it matches your playing style and feels intuitive when played. While tone is crucial, a guitar that fights you or causes hand fatigue limits your musical expression. Seek out an acoustic-electric that combines easy playability with the acoustic and amplified tones you desire. This allows you to focus on your playing and not the guitar. Both the Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert and Yamaha CG182S are examples of quality acoustic-electrics with excellent playability worth checking out.

Electronics

The Traveler Guitar Acoustic-Electric Redlands Concert uses quality electronics to accurately reproduce the guitar's acoustic tone when plugged in. This includes a custom under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp system with integrated tuner and EQ controls.

The under-saddle piezo pickup captures the guitar's natural acoustic vibrations for plugged-in amplification. Piezo pickups are known for providing a balanced, transparent acoustic tone. The pickup is paired with Traveler Guitar's proprietary preamp, which allows you to shape your tone with bass and treble controls.

There is also an onboard tuner with LED indicators, allowing for quick and accurate tuning. The tuner can be easily engaged or disengaged with a push-button control.

For outputs, the Redlands Concert has a standard 1/4-inch output jack that allows you to plug into an amplifier, PA system, or acoustic guitar preamp. The jack provides a balanced mono signal.

Overall, the electronics package on the Traveler Guitar Acoustic-Electric Redlands Concert is designed to recreate your unplugged tone with accuracy and balance. The preamp gives you tonal shaping options while the piezo pickup captures a pure acoustic sound.

Sound

The Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert has a bright, balanced acoustic tone that projects well without feedback. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce full lows, clear mids, and crisp highs.

When amplified, the guitar maintains its warm, rich acoustic sound thanks to the custom-voiced Shadow NFX2 electronics. The preamp features volume and tone controls to shape the amplified tone to your liking. There's plenty of headroom available from the onboard preamp and pickup. The guitar sounds excellent plugged into an acoustic guitar amp or PA system, with no harshness or quackiness that can plague acoustic-electrics.

The guitar's sound quality is impressive for the price point. Both the unplugged and amplified tones are highly usable for performance and recording. The guitar captures the full-bodied resonance and sustain of a full-scale acoustic, despite its diminutive travel-friendly size. Players who want impressive acoustic tone in a gig-ready travel guitar will be very pleased with the Redlands Concert's sound.

Portability

The Traveler Guitar Acoustic-Electric Redlands Concert guitar was designed with portability in mind. When collapsed, the guitar measures only 29" long x 7.25" wide x 3" deep - compact enough to fit easily into an airplane overhead bin or car trunk.

Despite its small size when collapsed, the guitar features a full 25.5" scale, 22 fret hard maple neck, and full-size acoustic body when set up to play. The included gig bag protects the guitar and makes it very easy to transport.

The folding design with detachable lap rest allows the Redlands Concert to be broken down quickly into a very portable package. This makes it an excellent choice for traveling guitarists who want the sound of a full-size acoustic guitar without the inconvenience of hauling around a large case.

Hardware

The Traveler Guitar Redlands Acoustic-Electric has quality hardware that contributes to its great playability and portability.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed die-cast tuning machines that keep it in tune well. The knobs are good sized and easy to turn for quick and accurate tuning adjustments.

Bridge

It has a compensated bridge saddle for proper intonation across the fretboard. The bridge design allows for easy changing of strings.

Strap Buttons

Dual locking strap buttons are securely mounted on the upper bout and at the base of the guitar. This allows using a strap in both standing and sitting positions for maximum playing comfort. The buttons lock the strap in place securely.

Pros

The main advantages of the Traveler Guitar Acoustic-Electric Redlands Concert guitar are its lightweight, compact size, and quality electronics.

Lightweight and Portable: Weighing only 4.25 lbs, this is an incredibly lightweight guitar, making it easy to transport and ideal for travel. The small, streamlined body fits easily into a gig bag or carry case. You can take this guitar anywhere without hassle.

Compact Size: At only 25.5" in total length, the Redlands has a very compact, abbreviated body size. But it still has a full 24.75" scale length, providing regular guitar playability. The smaller body makes this guitar easy to handle on stage and on the go.

Quality Electronics: The guitar has a Shadow NanoFlex pickup system which cleanly amplifies the acoustic tone. It also has a built-in tuner and discreet volume and tone controls on the side of the lower bout. The electronics setup allows you to plug in and amplify your sound at the touch of a button.

Cons

While the Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert AE is a great travel-friendly acoustic-electric, there are a few downsides to consider:

• May lack low end - Given the smaller body size, some players report that the Redlands Concert AE lacks a bit of low-end punch and fullness compared to a full-size dreadnought acoustic. The onboard EQ provides some boost to the lows, but the smaller body can only produce so much bass naturally. This may be an issue for those who prefer a powerful low end.

• Limited controls - The onboard preamp only offers volume, bass, and mid controls. There is no dedicated treble control or notch filters for feedback. Players who want to shape their amplified tone more precisely may be left wanting more. That said, the simple controls are easy to use on the go.

Overall the cons are minor tradeoffs given the impressive portability of the guitar. The Redlands Concert AE packs an impressive acoustic tone into a compact travel-friendly form factor. Just don't expect the deepest bass or the most comprehensive EQ compared to a full-size acoustic-electric.

Conclusion

Overall, the Traveler Guitar Acoustic-Electric Redlands Concert is a solid and versatile guitar that offers a good combination of acoustic and plugged-in tones. The compact travel size allows it to easily be taken on the road or used in tight spaces, while the full 25.5” scale neck and body design ensure a proper playing feel. The onboard electronics give it the flexibility to be amplified through a PA or amp, while the acoustic tones are lively and resonant.

The hardware is quite solid and the fretwork and intonation out of the box is good. The tuners hold tuning well and the Evertune bridge makes staying in tune very easy. The acoustic projection is decent unplugged though prone to feedback at higher volumes when amplified. It lacks some bass end when running direct but sounds quite balanced through an amp or PA.

For the price, the Redlands Concert offers very good value as a grab-and-go travel acoustic-electric that also works nicely for practice, jamming, and even some gigging. The compact profile and versatility make it easy to recommend to guitarists needing a quality yet very portable guitar solution. While not a replacement for a full dreadnought, it's an impressive guitar for its size and cost.