Traveler Guitar Vaibrant 88 Deluxe - Hot Pink Reviews
With its radically shaped body coated in hot electric colors, hot HSH pickup configuration, and fast-action full-scale neck, the Vaibrant 88 Deluxe picks up where the Travelcaster left off, launching a new generation of Traveler Guitars aimed at more aggressive musical styles. Traveler's take on an '80s pointy classic, the first thing you notice about the Vaibrant is the body shape — only slightly larger than the pickguard — with only the essential contours included. It cuts down on size and weight, sure, but it also looks wicked. The Vaibrant 88 Deluxe is the upgrade model, upping the ante with next-level fit, finish, and appointments. While this guitar is certainly portable, it's not just for travel. Its killer sound and playability ensures you'll play it every day — at home, onstage, and in the studio.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Pretty Cool Traveler Guitar
My wife bought me this Traveler guitar for Christmas. I happened to be one of the lucky ones who has a Awesome supportive wife and when she saw this guitar she told me to order it. She liked the Hot Pink which I'm sure was a determining factor on having me order it right away for Christmas. I was actually interested in the Slime Green since I have the Ibanez 30th Anniversary JEM 777 in Loch Ness Green. But, who am I to argue with a wife who enjoys my passion in guitars. Anyway, my critique on this Traveler Vaibrant series guitar is IMHO a pretty cool and brilliant idea for those of us who are Steve Vai fans, hence the name of this model. It pretty much plays like my JEM's and sounds real close to them as well. It takes some getting used to the smaller cut-away body, which can be a little tricky balancing it on your lap as well as not having a place to rest your forearm of your strumming hand. The neck feels smooth and fast. The quality of this guitar is immaculate. I have two issues with this guitar though. 1. the Floyd Rose upgrade for this model is great, but I was assuming that since this was modeled after the Ibanez JEM 777 guitar that the trem would float. It doesn't nor can you make it float. The cut-away/rout for the trem is designed for single downward action only and sit's flat against the body like the EVH guitars. There is no extra clearance for the trem to even pull up. 2. the Floyd Rose doesn't return to the zero point when used. I have to pull it back as far as it goes to remain in tune. I'll have to check what's going on there and see if it's something I can remedy. Other than those 2 things, I would recommend this for a nice travel guitar (which is specifically why I got it), even if you aren't a Steve Vai fan. It is a little pricey, but the quality can pretty much merit the cost.
Great travel guitar! Not perfect but I would buy it again
I travel by air for work fairly regularly and wanted to get a travel guitar to bring with me so I would miss a day of practicing anymore. I have a JEM777 30th Anniversary in my arsenal and it is one of my favorites and so when I saw this pink Vaibrant travel guitar, I knew it was the one for me.
So I bought one. Received it and liked it a lot but the floating bridge was horrendous. It would stay at whatever position you moved it to and would NOT return, all the while making a creaking noise! The great folks at Sweetwater sent me a replacement and I returned the problematic one. The new one was pretty good but still would not return to pitch after use. No biggie. I removed the tremolo bar, purchased and installed a Tremol-No to lock the bridge in place and now it stays in tune nicely. After adjusting the truss rod and perfecting the intonation on it, it is near perfect. Well, except for the fact I had to disable the floating bridge. It looks like the real thing but two in a row that don't work? Must be bad materials in the springs or somewhere else in the system. At some point I will purchase a Floyd Rose Original and install it just to see if I can get this thing to have a floating bridge that does the job it is supposed to.
So, after all that. Why am I giving it 4 out of 5 stars? Well because it is a fantastic travel guitar and is a darn good guitar in its own right. It feels and plays and sounds pretty darn close to my JEM777 30th Anniversary! What I need it to do it does very well., and that is allow me to practice when I am on the road. It is a little neck heavy as most of the body mass has been removed. It is somewhat annoying but hey, it is a full length scale guitar that otherwise plays like the real thing so my practice is realistic and useful. The fretboard inlays are actual inlays btw. Not a decal or something cheesy like that. I saw someone ask about that in the Q&A. I think with a real Floyd Rose installed, this thing might be just about perfect. Pretty darn sweet even without it though.
I have attached a photo of it taken last week after I arrived at my hotel, gear safe and sound. I had experienced some problems with stuff getting stolen from the case during baggage handling but flying with a "heater" allows me to lock the case and therefore no more theft. This is a pro tip for you from someone who flies a lot. I would buy this guitar again. It is not perfect but I am very happy with it anyway, thus the four stars.
Much love for the Sweetwater team!
CT
