Voyage-Air Drops Into the Shark Tank!

ABC-TV's newest 'reality show' named Shark Tank featured Voyage-Air President Jeff Cohen and his son Josh, during Episode #3 on August 23, 2009. Culled from thousands of applicants, the Shark Tank show chose Voyage-Air as a promising new product, and worthy of investor attention before a national TV audience.

How did it turn out? You can watch the complete episode here on your computer.

Amazed at the technology, and the fact that folded guitars stayed in tune when opened, the previously skeptical investors started a barrage of low-ball offers, bidding for a majority stake to control the company. Unfazed, seasoned entrepreneur Jeff Cohen took control and countered, with a limited license to use the Voyage-Air patent technology. No deal.

In summary, the Sharks weren't prepared to make a realistic offer for a product that is so well developed, so well established, and with a national dealer network in place. And yes, the show hinted at new products and technologies that will prove to be very very interesting. We'll report here ASAP!

Nettie Tackles Brazil with a Voyage-Air

We recently fixed up Rev. Nettie Spiwack with a Voyage-Air Songwriter, and she sent us this letter after a trip to the center of Brazil:

"As an interfaith minister, musical devotion leader and founding member of Soulfyre Musical Ministries, I've been faced with the challenge of transporting my guitar to places far and wide. Ever in search of a way to avoid the panicky moment boarding the plane: "Will there be room in the closet? In the overhead? If not will I have to >gasp< let them put it in luggage?" I have also been dealing with the uncomfortable fact that as the years have gone on, my guitar cases got heavier and heavier, with no roadie in sight!

"Due to its smaller size, I was about to buy a Baby Taylor when I found the TakeYourGuitar.com website. The Voyage-Air was the answer to my prayers! On my recent trip to Brazil, this folding guitar flew in the domestic and international overhead compartments, no problem!

"It did evoke curiousity at one security check-in. The guitar did everything promised...held its tuning, produced wonderful sound, and, critical for me, was light enough for this 50+ traveler's shoulders. All in all, it transformed my experience of bringing the music with me. Everyone who sees it folding into its case is fascinated, especially musicians.

"This is an invention too long in coming! My friend wants to know when they'll do it for 5-string banjos. Now, if only they'll add on-board electronics..."

Oh wow, and thanks Nettie! About those electronics... no pun intended, but stay tuned!

Bob Kilpatrick - Christian Radio Host, Composer, Musician

To those familiar with contemporary Christian music, Bob Kilpatrick needs no introduction. As a radio host at K-LOVE, his 3x-a-day show has over 3-million listeners. As a musician, his concerts draw 100,000+. Bob's music and message truly reaches a world-wide audience.

Last Sunday, Bob had a chance to play a Voyage-Air guitar, and passed along the following comments:

“I have played guitar all my life, and have toured the world for thirty plus years performing worship music. Some of my songs are considered "classics" in Contemporary Christian music. In fact, I’m a columnist for Christian Musician Magazine, which recently had a review about the Voyage-Air folding travel guitars.

“You know what? I read that review, in the same magazine I write for, and I didn’t believe it. How could a guitar fold in half for travel, fit in the overhead bin of an airliner, and still play and sound like a great acoustic guitar? I own high-end guitars. I know what a good one sounds like.

“Very recently, I played at a church and met Jim Wolcott of TakeYourGuitar.com. Knowing that I was skeptical, Jim raced back to his shop and brought back a Voyage-Air Dreadnought for me to try. This was an all-solid Premiere Series guitar, with solid Rosewood back and sides, and solid Sitka Spruce top.

“I was very impressed! I never imagined that a folding guitar could sound this good. I talked to Jim, and he explained the features and construction. It still doesn't make sense to me. But it doesn't have to. I know from playing it that it sounds great!

“By the end of the evening, I asked Jim if I could take one of these Voyage-Air guitars on my upcoming tour to Italy, and I was SERIOUS. The Voyage-Air Dreadnought is a simply amazing guitar, and I would be proud to take it on the road. A full-size Dreadnought guitar that takes only half the space would be very handy for me and all the other guitarists who are climbing on airplanes week after week. In a month, I’ll be playing in front of a festival audience of over 100,000. I would be thrilled to use a Voyage-Air guitar for that performance.”

Sincerely,

Bob Kilpatrick

Bob Kilpatrick Ministries

Dave Carroll: United Breaks Guitars!

Songwriter/Musician Dave Carroll put pen to music paper based on his experience flying to a gig on United Airlines. After watching the ground crew heaving his bass player's instrument, moments after destroying his prized Taylor 710, Carroll tried to file a damage claim with the airline.

No deal. After long and futile efforts in dealing with the airline, the official position was "you signed a damage waiver when you checked your bag. Damage is not our responsibility." You can read the whole story here.

So Carroll has created a music video of the experience, and posted it on YouTube, and you can view it here. Good stuff Dave.

Um.. Dave? have you heard about Voyage-Air Guitars?

Ray Eckhardt - SOLD on Voyage-Air

Imagine MY surprise when I recently returned a phone call from one of my customers:


"Jim, I wasn't sure you got my e-Mail, but I want to help get the word out about these Voyage-Air guitars. I bought this as a travel guitar, but I have to tell you... I have two nice Martin guitars, and two other really nice Taylor guitars... but now, this Voyage-Air is the only guitar I play."


I went back and found Ray's e-mail to me, and I'll just copy and paste it here:

"I would like to thank Jim Wolcott for a chance to own such an exquisite instrument. Jim has been quick to respond, very helpful and you won’t find a friendlier guy to deal with. This voyage-air guitar is second to none. I have owned at least one of every major brand guitar available.

"The tonal quality of the VAOM-2 is the most impressive that I have ever heard. After playing the guitar, the main reason that I bought it is actually just an added bonus. The harmonics ring out like no other guitar I have played. Fretting action is, without a doubt, equal to the best. I spent nearly a decade traveling coast to coast with rock icon Dick Clark. I was lead guitarist in a group that opened shows, lead guitarist and band director for single acts, occasional road manager of special events and tour promotion assistant in Dick Clark’s Cincinnati, OH office. Whether we were traveling by plane, bus or car I always had a guitar with me. With all of the personal items we had to pack for traveling months at a time, it would have been great to have Voyage-air guitars taking up half the space.

"If you like a full, rich acoustic sound you should consider the Voyage-air guitar. It’s not just a travel guitar; it’s a quality instrument you will be proud to own."
Ray Eckhardt
Franklin, OH

United Airlines Pays You $30 to Travel with a Voyage-Air Guitar

JUST GOT BACK from our Honeymoon trip (say 'hi' to Catherine - the new Mrs. Wolcott, next time you see her). We flew on United Airlines and traveled light - just one checked bag. And of course, we carried-on our favorite Voyage-Air rosewood Dreadnought guitar.

Imagine MY surprise when the single bag that we checked-in cost an extra $15 each way for our trip! We had already bought our tickets online, and this was completely unexpected. WOW. Like nowadays, you're expected to travel without checking any luggage? I guess so!

But had that been a regular guitar that's $15 each way - $30 - that we didn't have to spend on our trip because we carried a Voyage-Air!

With our discounted prices here at Take Your Guitar, simple math tells me that ... about 24 trips on United Airlines gets you a FREE Voyage-Air Songwriter Guitar. This, based on the savings from not having to check your full-size acoustic guitar as baggage. I have friends in the Silicon Valley that rack up this kind of travel in less than a year. True story.

Voyage-Air on Harmony-Central

Harmony-Central.com has long been the Internet resource for independent musician's reviews of guitars and other instruments. Recently, three reviews of Voyage-air guitars have appeared.

Oh yeah: all three are from TakeYourGuitar.com customers.

Click here for the reviews!