Tips & Tutorials | June 11, 2025

How to Travel and Tour with Your Acoustic Guitar

Expert, road-tested advice to help you protect your guitar and play your best—without losing your mind (or your instrument)

Person sitting outside playing an acoustic guitar in front of a trailer

There’s nothing like hitting the road with your guitar in tow—whether you’re chasing sunsets in a camper van or heading out on a full-blown tour. But ask any seasoned player: traveling with an acoustic takes more than just tossing it in a case and hoping for the best. Your guitar is made of wood, after all—beautiful, resonant, and sensitive to its surroundings. 

The good news? With a little prep and some tried-and-true advice from the pros at Martin Guitar, you can keep your instrument safe, sounding great, and ready to play wherever the journey leads. 

Woman playing an acoustic guitar outside

Road Rules, Straight from the Factory Floor 

We dug into the vault for this one: a throwback episode of Pro Tips featuring Martin Manufacturing Manager Dave Doll. It’s over a decade old, but Dave’s advice holds up better than most travel gear. 

Here’s what he had to say: 

  • No junk near the headstock. Whatever you do, don’t toss capos, string cutters, coins, or keys into the case next to your guitar’s headstock. It might seem harmless, but all that loose gear can rattle around and cause cracks, dents, or worse. Use the case pocket for accessories—and keep heavy items out entirely. 
  • Make sure your guitar fits your case. Too tight? You risk putting stress on the body and neck. Too loose? It can shift during travel. Fortunately, every Martin guitar ships with a case—soft or hard—sized specifically for that instrument. 
  • Loosen your strings. Flying with your guitar? Storing it for a few days or longer? Always loosen the strings. Pressure and temperature changes—especially on planes—can wreak havoc on your guitar. Loosening the tension relieves stress on the neck and bridge. 
  • Take the strap off. We get it—it’s easier to leave the strap on. But Dave warns that some straps, especially ones with silicone or heavy dyes, can leave marks or damage the finish over time. Store it in the case pocket or up near the headstock instead. 
  • Mind your humidifier. If you use a humidification system (and you should!), double-check that it’s secure before closing the case. A loose or leaking humidifier can do more harm than good. 

Bottom line? Treat your guitar like a fellow traveler. Give it the attention it deserves, and it’ll return the favor with every note. 

Watch the full Pro Tips episode below. 

Choose the Right Guitar for the Road 

If you’re looking for a smaller travel companion, Martin has options built specifically for the journey: 

  • Backpacker – Ultra-slim, featherlight, and made for the mountains, the backseat, or anywhere in between. 
  • Little Martin Series – Compact and comfy, with tone that punches above its size. 
  • Junior Series – Newly refreshed and packed with upgrades, these guitars offer a full-scale feel in a slightly smaller body. 
  • X Series – Durable and dependable, these guitars are built to handle temperature swings, humidity changes, and the bumps and bruises of life on the move. 
  • Road Series – These pro-grade guitars feature high-quality tonewoods, smooth playability, and electronics—all at a price that works for working musicians. 


But don’t overlook the full-sized lineup. With proper care, even premium models make excellent travel partners: 

  • The 15 Series offers warm, all-mahogany tone and rugged simplicity. 
  • The 16 Series blends performance-ready design with all-solid-wood craftsmanship. 
  • The Standard Series represents the heart of Martin tone—trusted by generations of players. 
  • The Modern Deluxe Series delivers vintage style with cutting-edge enhancements for players who want the best of both worlds. 
  • The Authentic Series brings the Golden Era to life with historically accurate recreations of iconic pre-war models that sound even better with age. 

With the right prep, any Martin guitar can be a trusty sidekick on the road. View the full lineup of guitars here, including custom and signature artist editions. 

Billy Strings and his guitar tech

Get Pro Advice & Great Stories 

Want more travel tips straight from the stage (and the tour bus)? Sign up for Martin Backstage and unlock access to Ask the Experts—an exclusive series where we dig into acoustic guitar care, unique gig situations, and some very funny road stories. Hear from artists like John Bohlinger, Elle Cordova, Steve Howe, Brooke Ligertwood, and Mary Spender—along with guitar techs for Billy Strings, Jason Isbell, and more. 

Whether you’re learning the ropes or living on the bus, this series is packed with real-world wisdom and inspiration. 

Person with a guitar case on their back

Keep Your Gear in Top Shape 

Martin also offers a wide range of guitar care accessories and tools—from humidifiers and polishes to string winders and microfiber cloths—to help you maintain your instrument on the go. Whether you’re prepping for tour or just keeping your guitar in shape between gigs, we've got what you need to keep it sounding its best. 

And if something happens along the way—it happens—your local Martin dealer or service center is ready to help with inspection, maintenance, or repair. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Pro Tips episodes and stay tuned to the Martin blog for even more expert advice, behind-the-scenes content, and how-to tutorials. 

Until next time, safe travels and happy playing! 

...And don’t forget to loosen those strings.