The Lindo Voyager SE – Designed in Bristol, U.K, by Lindo Guitars
Design and Concept
Designed in Bristol, U.K, by Lindo Guitars – the Voyager SE pushes the travel guitar concept to the next level. Through a combination of design features and modern lifestyle influences, it’s a fun instrument that bridges the gap between a ukulele and a full-scale acoustic guitar.
Tonewoods and Shape
With a select solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, all the ingredients are there to deliver a great sound from such a compact body instrument. The unique double-cutaway body offers players full access to the whole fretboard, as well as being exceptionally comfortable to play.
Features and Benefits
The string-through bridge style makes string changes quick and easy. The BS3M preamp with piezo/mic blend system gives you the option to blend the sound from the under-saddle pickup with the sound from the microphone. This is perfect for a smaller-body guitar as the mic enhances all the low-end warmth, whilst you can retain the clarity of notes from the piezo. The preamp also has a 3-band EQ which means you have control of the bass, middle and treble, as well as a master volume. The tuner is chromatic and is displayed on a backlit LCD, so as well as being able to easily shape your sound, you can check the guitars tuning wherever you are and in any light. The notch filter control allows you to cut frequencies within a range of up to 300Hz. Ideal for reducing noise or string frequencies which are better left out of the mix.
The phase button helps to reduce feedback by synchronising the guitar’s sound wave with the amplifier’s sound wave. You will hear the difference because an ‘out of phase’ tone will sound tinny and unbalanced, where as an ‘in phase’ tone will be fuller and warmer. Dual output using jack lead or XLR for plugging into an amplifier, mixing desks or an audio interface. Take the Voyager on an aeroplane, bus, train, car or just a friend’s house; it’s the perfect tool for busking.
Ivan Dionissiev
This is an amazing guitar and i am incredibly happy with its purchase.
As a mountain guide and a mediocre guitar player i needed a portable instrument to take on my trips. After using a cheaper/inferior instrument for about a year i decided to search around for something better. After considering other options, I ordered the Voyager and never looked back 🙂
As mentioned, i play acoustic guitars, so the below observations do not cover the pre-amp and the plug-in capabilities of the guitar, i still haven’t played it with an amp after testing that the pre-amp works fine.
The guitar is beautiful, with a nice finish. The mirrored cut-aways make it stand out and look great. I would guess the symmetrical shape enables an easy (only string re-arrangement) change to a left-handed guitar, which is nice.
As the body is smaller than a regular acoustic, the sound is different from a Dreadnought. Not necessarily worse, just different – the bass notes don’t sound very full and rich and don’t linger for as long. The middle tones and the high notes sound great. Again, as already mentioned, the overall sound is a bit on the mellow side. Naturally, the small body also means that the Voyager sounds softer than a dreadnought as well, so it would need extra effort to jam with a “big” guitar. Guess this is where the pre-amp can kick in. Still, the Voyager is more than loud enough to sing-along with without any amplification.
My Voyager came with a great low set-up. Maybe a better player would like it even lower, but i totally love it as it is. Barre chords and jazzier 6/9 sus and so on chords are played easily and without an effort. No noticeable buzz on the strings with barre chords as well.
The 24 inch scale feels superb – the strings seem less tense and the tone is more on the mellow side, something that i enjoy.
The tuning pegs speak quality – they are steady and turn without effort. They have something of a retro look to them, which i like. The built-in tuner is a blessing. After 3 months I still haven’t drained the battery with it, but i don’t use the pre-amp, so guess this long life is to be expected under the circumstances.
As the body is smaller, the Voyager is neck heavy, as all travel guitars i have tried. The remedy for this is to use a strap. In my case the two bolts for the strap felt too close to each other to allow for a comfortable position. So i have tied the strap behind the nut. I find this arrangement more balanced and easier to play.
There is not much not to be happy with – the only small issue i have is with the fretboard inlays – they are white plastic rectangles built into the fretboard. Mine tended to move in their place and needed some additional glue to make them sit in place. Not a major issue, but maybe worth mentioning.
Another minor issue i am having is with the soft gig-bag. While it does a great job of protecting the guitar (which is the really important bit, i know), the shoulder straps are a bit too short. Being 180 cm/85 kg I find it hard to put the guitar on my back using both shoulder straps. Guess this won’t be an issue for more slender guitarists, but if you are of a heavier built – have it in mind 🙂
To wrap it up – i find the Lindo Voyager amazing. It feels great in my hands and is real fun to play. If you need a great portable instrument to give you joy on your travels – do not hesitate, this is the guitar for you 🙂
KP
This is a ‘grown up’ travel guitar. It is not a cheap little plastic thing that is barely playable, this guitar could easily do gig after gig. It looks great. Lindo have gone for quality components and thought about the practicalities of playing a small guitar too. Unlike the Washburn Rover, the Lindo will sit on your lap properly as you play it AND also hangs well on a strap. Sure, it can sound a little banjo like acoustically – it is a very small body – but its fine for quiet noodling in hotel rooms or the camp site. When plugged in it sounds HUGE and you can EQ out any thin, banjo sounds. The neck is full size so the guitar is not that much shorter in length over, say, a parlour guitar, but this means you get a proper neck that is familiar to your hands and not one that gives you cramp in your left hand within minutes. As delivered by Amazon, my guitar had a couple of issues caused by incorrect storage, but the customer service from James at Lindo has been fantastic. I now have a lovely little Lindo, all sorted. Lindo are a company that cares about its products, its customers and its reputation. I highly recommend the Lindo Voyager if you’re looking for a smaller, easy to travel with but ‘professional’ electro acoustic guitar. Thank you again James at Lindo Guitars.