The Boy Meets World era Rider Strong of traveling nylon string guitars, the Blackbird Rider Nylon, was just released. It replaces the black leather jacket with a sleek looking carbon fiber build, adding some 'tude to nylon-stringed play, as well as humidity-proof maintenance and near-invincibility in a compact body.

This affords classical stylists a safe, high-quality option for practice on the go. The Rider Nylon uses Blackbird's patent-pending, one-piece hollow body, neck and head design, which puts them far apart from tradition. This hollowness throughout allows for louder, more sustained play that even widens what its normal frequency-range would be.

It doesn't stop getting louder there, though, the Soundscoop is the term given to the Rider Nylon's raised right shoulder. It extends to the tenth fret for increased air volume of the entire instrument. The soundhole is also placed here to increase the surface area of carbon-fiber sound board. Yet another sound port projects sound from the soundbox through the neck to the head. Blackbird Guitars founder Joe Luttwak explains:

"We have a holistic approach to achieve maximum resonance from curve-less shape to the 1/32 thick sound board. Its a big sound, small body guitar without compromise: full scale, studio quality voice, nearly indestructible and fits in the overhead bin"

Blackbird made sure not to sacrifice comfort and playability for its futuristic carbon-fiber mania. The back is sculpted for comfortable seated play and the strings are widely spaced for more familiar play on a smaller design.

Fast Features:

• Exceptional Carbon fiber durability
• Resonance enhancing hollow neck and head
• 1/32 (1mm) thick carbon fiber soundboard
• Ultra-light at three lbs.
• Full 25.6' (650mm) scale length
• Gilbert side address tuners
• Optional RMC electronics (individual string pickups)