Public Vote: Should I Take my Guitar?

Indecisive

As I lack the ability to make my own decisions I have decided to lay my future in the hands of the Indiamike population.

Now then, here are the pros and cons of taking my guitar. Please vote yes or no.

Pros: I have quite a nice soft case which can be worn like a backpack.

I enjoy playing the guitar and would miss it.

I'm not planning to move around that much, and it's not that valuable I'd be gutted if I lost it.

'Might' be a good way of meeting people. I say might, see below.

Cons: I am absolutely bollocks. Well, i'm not that bad at chords and a bit of plucking, but i can't sing. Would carrying a guitar make people assume i am a maestro? Not sure if I can handle people saying 'give us a song man' at every turn.

Carrying it. It's not that heavy but it's obviously big, and i was planning to go hemingway style, with just one daypack.

Looking forward to your answers. This is the most democratic way i can think of to cure my indecision.

Shaktipalooza

Bring it!

You'll have a lot of new friends and I'm sure it'll open the door to many interesting conversations.

It will be big and bulky but who cares.

__________________
IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta!
Pics from India 2006
Traditional Indian Dance

Darmabum

The only reason Hemingway carried one backpack was because he didn't play the guitar. Bring it!

A lotta people (at least more than I imagined) carried one. And beeeeelieve me, not everyone that carries one can play it. You might learn a thing or two from others who are more proficient. Bring it!!

I got one for my next trip. I can sing but can't play all that well . . . if we meet up, I'll be your frontman . . .

Bring it!!!

__________________
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

robotvoice

I carried my sitar with me, so compared to that the guitar would be a breeze to lug around.

ananda2193

Bring it. I did on my first trip, but not the other ones. Wish I had though. And since your not moving alot, you would regret not bringing it. And you can always buy a cheap one there. Bring some good strings though. Don't know how easy it is to buy good one's there.
And if your really terrible and people start throwing tomato's at you, well there's one meal for free.

Oliver Schulz

bring it, indecisive, i am begging you.
i met an english man who became a good friend years ago in northern india. he carried his banjo through the empty plains of eastern ladakh for days until he had cramps in his shoulders. but we enjoyed the nights by the fire playing music so much.
by the way: there is wonderful german word corresponding with your name: "jein", meaning both yes (ja) and no (nein).
oliver

crvlvr

take it along. But, do you really think it will survive the journey in a softcase?

Darmabum

she'd bought a guitar from another traveler, somewhere in the $50 USD range (she found out later it was a Chinese knockoff of a semi-OK name guitar). All she had was a soft case. After traveling in India with it for five months she went to Thailand for a month. Then to Europe for four months. On her way back to Oz she stopped by to see me in the States, her last stop before going home. The guitar was in no worse shape than when I'd seen it last, six months earlier.

palais

bring it! you will make friends and tame elephants.

rab

I think you've answered the question yourself. Leave it at home for everyone's sake!

__________________
IndiaMike Mod Team (The Honorary One)

Sama

he can always yodel, rab....

__________________
My India, 2005-2008
sama: Pali/Sanskrit: that state of consciousness which reflects neither attachment nor aversion

TulsaisntFar

I think it depends how long youll be traveling for and what frequency of changing locations. Ive been playing guitar forever and what really bugs me is when i go on long trips and come back and find myself having to practice 24/7 for a week to get back to where i was. Although i can see both sides i wouldnt bring it if your doing a lot of traveling. You'll miss it sure but you'll get your share of listening to awesome new music everyday over there and you'll come back (most likely) with a new attitude towards your music and a yearning to play more then ever. But its up to you, at least dont bring a guitar that you dont mind getting a few scratches on....or bruises.

Indizen

Don't bring it

Digital Drifter

Once you see the BA/Airlines rules for carry on luggage, you're more than likely to smash the thing on the check in counter top in sheer anger.

I mean, if you can clear your eyes from the tears when you see the additional charge in $$, you better learn to play it well.

For the money's worth at least.

__________________
Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

puppydogben

A hundred times yes! I have brought my guitar along every time I have been to India. In response to the above quote from crvlvr - I have always used a softcase, when in transit stick a load of fragile stickers on it and if your case is anything like mine you will be able to pad it out and use it as rucksack spill over case by putting towels or jumpers or girls underwear in there also!

It doesn't matter if you're still learning, if you're travelling around you will prob have a bit of time on your hands, and also some of the best teachers I found on the road and in train stations so there will be always someone around to show you some new chords or scales.

Bring it!

__________________

Range after range of mountains
Year after year after year
I am still in love - Gary Snyder

Up the Owls!