SONICAKE Travel Guitar QGT-01 User Manual

1. Product Overview

The SONICAKE QGT-01 is a portable acoustic-electric travel guitar designed for musicians on the go. It features a solid mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard, and a versatile digital pre-amp with various sound shaping options. Its lightweight and detachable design ensures maximum portability without compromising on playability or sound quality.

Figure 1.1: The SONICAKE QGT-01 Travel Guitar and its complete accessory kit, including gig bag, pick, tuner, USB-C cable, and truss rod wrench.

Figure 1.2: The QGT-01 Travel Guitar fits conveniently into its included gig bag for easy transport.

1.3 Guitar Components

Figure 1.4: Key components of the QGT-01 guitar.

• 1. Headstock: Houses tuning machines and the SONICAKE logo.
• 2. Fretboard: Rosewood fingerboard with frets for note articulation.
• 3. Neck: Mahogany neck, C-shaped for comfortable playability.
• 4. Body Core: The central solid mahogany section of the guitar.
• 5. Upper Frame: Detachable wooden frame for ergonomic support.
• 6. Lower Frame: Detachable wooden frame for ergonomic support.
• 7. Bridge: Rosewood and bone bridge for string anchoring.
• 8. Endpin/Strap Button: Also serves as the screw for attaching frames.
• 9. Control Panel: Integrated pre-amp and control interface.

1.4 Control Panel Functions

Figure 1.5: Detailed view of the QGT-01 control panel.

• 1. Power Button: Press and hold to turn the guitar on/off.
• 2. Power Indicator: Lights up when the guitar is on.
• 3. Charging Indicator: Lights up when charging, turns off when fully charged.
• 4. Volume Knob: Adjusts the overall output volume.
• 5. Bass Knob: Adjusts the low-frequency equalization.
• 6. Treble Knob: Adjusts the high-frequency equalization.
• 7. Body Button: Activates or deactivates the body resonance enhancement effect.
• 8. Type Knob: Selects between 7 different body-shape simulations (D, GA, OM, Jumbo, Humbird, Concert, Thin, Mini).
• 9. Effect Knob: Selects between Reverb 1, Reverb 2, and Chorus effects.
• 10. Headphone Output (3.5mm): For private practice with headphones.
• 11. USB-C Charging Port: For charging the internal lithium battery.
• 12. Aux-In (3.5mm): Allows connection of external audio sources for play-along.

2. Setup Guide

2.1 Assembling the Guitar Frames

The SONICAKE QGT-01 features detachable wooden frames for enhanced portability. To assemble:

1. Align the upper and lower wooden frames with their respective slots on the guitar body.
2. Gently slide the frames into place until they are flush with the body.
3. Secure the frames by screwing in the provided endpin/strap button into the designated hole at the bottom of the guitar. Ensure it is tightened securely to prevent wobbling.

Figure 2.1: Illustration of attaching the detachable wooden frames to the guitar body for full playability.

To disassemble, simply unscrew the endpin/strap button and slide the frames off.

2.2 Initial Charging

Before first use, fully charge the guitar's internal 2000mAh lithium battery. The battery provides approximately 10 hours of continuous use on a full charge.

1. Connect the provided USB-C cable to the charging port (11) on the control panel.
2. Connect the other end of the USB-C cable to a compatible 5V USB power adapter (not included).
3. The charging indicator (3) will light up during charging and turn off once the battery is full.

Figure 2.2: Charging the QGT-01 via the USB-C port.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Powering On/Off

Press and hold the Power button (1) on the control panel for a few seconds until the Power indicator (2) lights up to turn the guitar on. Repeat the process to turn it off.

3.2 Adjusting Volume and EQ

• Use the Volume Knob (4) to control the overall output level of the guitar.
• Adjust the Bass Knob (5) to increase or decrease the low frequencies in your tone.
• Adjust the Treble Knob (6) to increase or decrease the high frequencies in your tone.

3.3 Body-Shape Simulations and Effects

The QGT-01 features an advanced digital pre-amp with multiple body-shape simulations and built-in effects.

• Body-Shape Simulations: Turn the Type Knob (8) to select from 7 different acoustic guitar body-shape simulations. These simulations alter the tonal characteristics to mimic various guitar types such as Dreadnought (D), Grand Auditorium (GA), Orchestra Model (OM), Jumbo, Hummingbird, Concert, Thin, and Mini.

Figure 3.1: Visual representation of the different body-shape simulations available.
• Body Resonance Enhancement: Press the Body Button (7) to activate or deactivate the resonance enhancement effect, adding depth to your sound.
• Built-in Effects: Turn the Effect Knob (9) to select between two Reverb types (Reverb 1, Reverb 2) and a Chorus effect. These effects add spatial and modulation characteristics to your guitar tone.

3.4 Silent Practice and External Audio

• Headphone Output: For silent practice, connect your headphones to the 3.5mm Headphone Output (10). This allows you to hear your playing without external amplification.


Figure 3.2: The QGT-01 supports silent practice via headphone output.

• Aux-In: Connect an external audio device (e.g., smartphone, MP3 player) to the 3.5mm Aux-In (12) to play along with your favorite tracks.

3.5 Product Demonstration Video

Watch this official product video for a visual demonstration of the SONICAKE QGT-01 Travel Guitar's features and sound capabilities.

4. Maintenance

4.1 Truss Rod Adjustment

The truss rod allows for adjustment of the neck's relief to optimize playability and intonation. Adjustments should be made carefully and incrementally.

1. Locate the truss rod access point at the headstock end of the fretboard.
2. Insert the provided truss rod wrench.
3. Turn the wrench clockwise to tighten the truss rod, which reduces neck relief (straightens the neck).
4. Turn the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the truss rod, which increases neck relief (adds forward bow to the neck).

Figure 4.1: Truss rod adjustment for neck relief.

Perform small adjustments (e.g., quarter turns) and allow the neck to settle before re-evaluating. If unsure, consult a qualified guitar technician.

4.2 General Care and Cleaning

• Keep the guitar clean by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth after each use.
• Avoid exposing the guitar to extreme temperatures or humidity fluctuations.
• Store the guitar in its gig bag when not in use to protect it from dust and physical damage.
• Regularly check string condition and replace them as needed to maintain optimal tone and playability.

5. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your SONICAKE QGT-01 guitar.

If you encounter an issue not listed here or if the suggested solutions do not resolve the problem, please contact SONICAKE customer support for further assistance.

6. Specifications

Figure 6.1: Approximate dimensions of the QGT-01 Travel Guitar.

7. Warranty and Support

For detailed warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official SONICAKE website or the documentation included with your purchase. A comprehensive user manual in PDF format is also available for download:

Download Official User Manual (PDF)

For any technical assistance or inquiries, please contact SONICAKE customer service directly.