Composite Acoustics Cargo

American-made - Carbon Fiber - 3/4 Size - Travel Guitar - With Padded Gig Bag - Massive Sound - Stable Materials - The HOLY GRAIL of Travel Guitars

I opted for the RT finish in Green, without electronics. I believe it is factory fresh, so assume it is a 2009. As most guitarists, I am used to wooden instruments, so this is a new experience for me. Fit and finish are excellent. Everything is tight, and there are no visible blems anywhere on the guitar. I prefer fewer features, and will likely remove the strap buttons and fill the holes. I do not gig, and never use a strap on my acoustics.

The gig bag is heavily padded backpack style with a big pocket. For most folks, this will be fine as the guitars seem pretty tough.

Extremely Sensitive & Resonant - Infinite Sustain - Great Balance - Assymetrical Soundhole is Closer to My Ears!

The sound of this guitar is nothing short of ASTOUNDING. I do a lot of work away from home, so I have owned several smaller guitars, including Baby Martin, Martin 0-sized guitars, Baby Taylor. But this is an entirely different animal. I have been looking at getting a CA guitar for some time. I went and tried a Rainsong at The Guitar Center, and was not totally impressed. I did some more research, and then decided to pull the trigger on the CA GXi (RT Wine). This guitar blew me away, so I immediately ordered the Cargo. While they are relatively uncommon, I firmly believe that in 10 years time, carbon fiber guitars will be everywhere. The Cargo sounds like a full sized guitar. I have compared it side by side with several of my Martins, and to my ear is the equal of my 00-18 in sound and tone. BUT - it has crispier highs, and a deep thumping bass that is more akin to a D-28. I am not kidding. It is great for rock, blues, jazz, country - everything. I flatpick, so cannot speak to its suitably for fingerpicking. The top is extremely resonant, and is killer for percussive strumming, tapping and scratching. The top literally vibrates like my HD-28. Soft thumps with your thumb while strumming give a muffled bass drum accompaniment. Not for everyone - But I love it. Trust me - you will remember the first time you pick this thing up and hit an open chord. It is pretty unbelievable.

I pulled the guitar out of the box. It was in perfect tune. Unwilling to believe this, I clipped on a tuner - dead nuts. The action is perfect, and will never change. I am looking forward to playing this guitar camped out at 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, and dropping down to play it at sea level in Death Valley (115 degrees F) the same day with no change in the action or even the tuning. Some people are whining about the RT finish. I love it. I like the subtle soft-shoe thing you can get with your strumming hand. I hear that some folks have opted to sand down the RT texture on the top - I think this is a mistake. The gotoh tuners are choice. I am still unsure if the CF nut/saddle/bridge pins could be upgraded to something harder, but I would be scared to do anything that might change this tone. The sustain and harmonic vibe is truly special.

I do not fear for this guitar. I normally spend a lot of time in the field, and am always worrying about parking in the shade when I have a guitar in my vehicle. No longer an issue, except for keeping the beer cold. I did upgrade to a Gator 3/4 size hardshell case which is a great fit, and truly makes this a bombproof item to throw in the trunk or backseat for a long trip. I do not doubt that I could put this through as checked luggage for a flight, and plan to haul it to Australia later this year. The RT finish is a great choice for me. I am an aggressive player, and do think the gloss would not look so good after a while with my heavy handed-ness. While the gloss finish does look great, I think it scratches easily.

No comment here as I do not know. I have been in touch with CA a few times, and they seem like great people. I can vouch for MacNichol Guitar, in Salt Lake City. I have bought 2 CA guitars from them now, and just ordered a custom GXi through them. My first Cargo was in Charcoal which I thought was a bit dull, so they traded me out right away for the green. They also throw in spare strings, microfiber polish cloth, and a bottle of polish. MacNichol have been absolutely great. And mind you, there are not a whole lot of choices when searching for these CA guitars. I have listed the MacNichol list price for the Cargo.

I have been playing since about 1975. I am a guitar junky and tone freak. I am utterly thrilled with this guitar. I have sold off a few of my Martins and Guilds because this IS the new kid on the block. It has exactly the sound that I covet, and the playabilty that keeps me reaching for it. It fills the niche occupied by some of my smaller bodied acoustic steel strings, and I have to say, my GXi covers the rest of the sound spectrum to replace some of my dreads and jumbos. I sincerely hope that CA are thinking about building a 12 string - put my name at the top of the list!

My Carbon Cargo (sans pickup, Black RT finish) arrived this weekend. All I can say is this Guitar is BETTER than the reviews. I love a great sounding guitar... May main guitar is a 1981 Martin HD28, I also play a Larrivee OM-3R, a Tacoma Papoose and some other beaters that used to go to the beach...

I love a great sounding guitar... May main guitar is a 1981 Martin HD28, I also play a Larrivee OM-3R, a Tacoma Papoose and some other beaters that used to go to the beach...

The little Cargo, right of our Box, was so surprisingly good I gave up the 3 day trial from Mandolin Brothers and said they could not have the Guitar Back even if they ask nicely!

Why...
For a 3/4 sized guitar is sounds like full sized instrument. Not a Big as the HD-28, (then again most guitars are That Big) but LIKE the HD-28, the harder you strum the louder the Cargo gets. Also with a bit of finger style playing the bass end is just wonderful. It reminds me on playing my old 1968 Gibson country Western (sold it years ago) with it's booming bass end.

This is the perfect 3/4 sized guitar that is just fun to play and it will be sailing with me all summer. It came with elixir lights and when they are gone I will try some non-coated Mediums and it will just get louder.

It is great with no issues.

The Gig-bag is a perfect fit with come stiffening on the top and bottom. Very Nice Access Case.

Life time to the Original Owner. But the guitar is new so I have no idea what it will be like dealing with C.A. I suspect that it will be very trouble free.

Big as the HD-28, (then again most guitars are That Big) but LIKE the HD-28, the harder you strum the louder the Cargo gets. Also with a bit of finger style playing the bass end is just wonderful. It reminds me on playing my old 1968 Gibson country Western (sold it years ago) with it's booming bass end.

Modern design as well as looks. Mine came with electronics, has a 1 3/4" nut. Nice and small. I love the tuners too - precise. The gig bag that came with it is very nicely padded and of good construction.

I like the warm tone. It's bassy but not loud - it's a quiet guitar and generates a sound unlike any other travel guitar out there. You won't get that "small bodied ukulele" type of sound. Not boxy at all. If you close your eyes, you'd think you're listening to a full sized guitar however again it does lack volume. So in a few words, I'd describe the sound as warm, quiet, but full. Plugged in, you'd EQ it so that it brings out the trebles and back off on the mids. Sounds acceptionally great plugged in if you can make some adjustments - you'd think it was a dreadnaught. I'll give it an 8 since it lacks volume and highs but it is full sounding that is rare on these small guitars.

Action was alright out of the box but I had it setup low for ease of use. These CA guitars can be setup REALLY low, not only the Cargo but most all the models. You can lower the action more than all of the high end guitars out there without buzz. It can go lower than my Collings, Taylor and Guild solid wood guitars with no problem. The finish is nothing special, rough and tough like the coating off a truck bed that had lava lining installed or something of that sort.

This is also where the Cargo shines. It's tough as nails. I don't hesitate bringing it anywhere and even leaving in my trunk in the hot sun for a day or two. I sometimes sleep with it on my bed and kick it off with not even a scratch to it. Very solid guitar.

I have no experience with it.

I'd rate this as a 9. You have to remember that this is a travel sized guitar and you can't expect Martin dreadnaught sound in such a small body. As a travel guitar it's a 10, as a guitar it's an 8 so I'm giving it a 9.

2008 / Road Tough Finsih (green in this case), Travel Guitar Size all Carbon Fiber construction, Gotoh Tuners. The neck has a very thin profile all the way to the body, much like a bolt on electric neck, but without the bolts. No electronics on this model, but nice gig bag included that evidently is a departure from the cruddy ones that came with the first models. Not a lot of features, but all are functional.

Compared to other travel guitars that I have owned (GAS Syndrome): i.e. Little Martin, Alvarez MSD1, even an all Koa Larrivee Parlor (when they were still affordable). There is no comparison, the sound is literally in a new category, loud and balanced, in this case balanced means the instrument has bass response. Not quite as loud or broad as by Blueridge BR-140, but close. In it's category there is no comparison.

Factory set up was great. Everything is painted so finish isn't a real big "beauty" issue. I thought the inside of the guitar was a little sloppy, in terms of extra material visible, a somewhat rough finish. I assume this is part of the layup process, when the carbon fiber is molded. Doesn't seem to have a derogatory effect.

This section is kinda the whole purpose of the carbon fiber guitar in the first place: ultimate reliability, weather resistance, and function. This guitar does all well, I know this will last a very, very, very, very, long time.

No experience with this, I doubt I will. The folks at MacNichol Guitar were very helpful and curteous.

I have been playing for twenty years. I have never come across another instrument like this, I worry that I will loose it to my son who is starting guitar lessons this year. Really, how can I say no, what could he do to hurt this guitar? My only complaint is that I don't like the balance of the guitar with the body mounted forward strap button. Even thouh it looks cooler, I think I may tie onto the headstock. The guitar is a bit neck heavy when using the strap. Otherwise I am very pleased.