Customer Reviews

Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having read many reviews of this instrument, I decided to take the plunge anyway - at a point in my life where a good many long-distance trips are coming up and my 40-year old (hard to play and wonderful) Harmony Sovereign full-size Western Flat Top) is just too cumbersome to travel with. Many of the criticisms leveled by other users are certainly valid.

It is a very small and oddly shaped small instrument with a proportionately small sound. It would, indeed, be easier to play if the saddle were lowered a bit and if it came out of the box as the manufacturer and designer recommended re strings - it does not. It is awkward to hold.

All of that being said, I am able to honestly recommend it - perhaps because my old Harmony is even harder to play! I have never been spoiled by the experience of owning a really well made guitar (like a full size Martin or Gibson)- so, to me, it plays easily and produces a sound much like I feel it is reasonable to expect from such a small body.

I have had it for about a week and am enjoying it a lot.

Of course, it sounds best in small spaces, wired with thin gauge (bronze 80/20) strings and played with a thin pick.... something that is taking some adjustment on my part - having always used medium gauge picks before.

Because the instrument is disproportionately heavy on the tuning-peg end, playing it standing (pretty much a requirement) works a lot better with the strap tied to the tuner - rather than connected with the hardware installed on the neck side of the Backpacker's mini-body. Otherwise, the tuning end is drawn by gravity making it harder to play than is necessary.

The prices have come down quite a bit - partly, I expect, due to the poor reviews both here and at other sites.

I paid $160. from SameDayMusic - shipping included.

To paraphrase an old tune:

"If you can't play the guitar you love, love the one you play." Attitude has a sound of its own!

This does not require a theatrical suspension of disbelief so much as it necessitates realistic expectations and the ability to enjoy a good effort to create a truly portable Martin.

The Martin Backpacker instruments are very useful for the person who:

1. Wants an instrument that "feels right" - meaning the frets are in the right place, the intonation is accurate, the scale is correct, etc.

2. Wants an instrument that you can literally throw into a duffel back or backpack and carry into remote places. (Many American Servicemen I know took them on deployments.)

The tradeoff is that the teeny-tiny sound-box produces a small, tinny noise that is weak in volume and almost metallic in tone - the closest thing I can think of to describe what it SOUNDS like is one of those old hand-cranked jack-in-the-boxes.

It DOES play right, though, and if you want an instrument that will keep your fingers in shape, is decent to practice on, and you CAN take it anywhere you can sling it over your shoulder - then the Martin Backpacker is right up your alley.

The cool thing about this guitar is that it's very portable, but don't compare it to your regular, full-size acoustic.

It's a bit hard to get used to, as the guitar wants to twist and turn in your hands, and it can't be rested on your leg when you play sitting. You have to use the strap, even when seated, and you kinda rest your forearm and elbow on the "side" of the guitar to offset the weight of the neck. Once you get the hang of it your hand will fall right over the strings and the instrument becomes very playable. I got mine because of a shoulder injury, and when held properly I don't have to reach over the top of the guitar as my elbow is pretty much right at my side. And while the neck is a bit thick, it plays and feels much like a normal size guitar.

I took the advice of another here and put Martin Silk & Steel strings on it. Wow, what a difference. While it doesn't sound like a D-18, it really sounds like a guitar now. Go ahead and play it with the included strings, but I highly recommend changing over to hear the difference. You'll lose just a bit of tone and sustain from the steel strings, but in my opinion it's well worth the tradeoff. That banjo sound, which some like and some hate, is gone now.

The guitar seems to be made extremely well, and looks like you could use it to paddle down the river, beat off a few wild animals yet still play tunes when you get back to camp.

I gave it 5 stars for what it is, and I would not recommend this as an only guitar or a first guitar for a beginner or child. It really is made for travel, to have as another unique guitar for your collection or just to have fun with. However, once my shoulder healed I still pick it up a lot.

Do watch our for cheap knockoffs that look like the Backpacker. The Martin is made of all solid tonewoods and sounds like it. It's not a toy.

Well this will never become your primary guitar but if you're into bringing your guitar with you when you travel this is probably one of the better options.

Technically the sound is a little thin and holding it can be difficult to master. In addition I think most people have a bit of a post-purchase "why did I buy this!" But once you have played it a bit and especially after you have travelled with it I'm sure you will find it to be indispensable. Personally I actually have begun to like the sound of the guitar - it's quite unique and can offer all sorts of nuances if you take the time to find them out. So I often find myself at home using the Martin rather than my `good' guitar.

I have mostly used the guitar when travelling interstate for work and on the odd overseas holiday. Its size and sturdy construction mean it can put up with all sorts of treatment and still provide great sound. I have also have a Yamaha Silent guitar which has been a few places but I always find myself coming back to the little Martin. It feels much nicer to play and is so easy to carry about. Combine this with a good selection of sheet music in PDF on my laptop and I'm pretty much set for any destination.

The only advice I'd offer a new owner is to have a look at the strings. I got some really nice sounds from the guitar using Augustine Blues which were well worth the price. I also met a guy who said that pretty much any Flamenco guitar string was worth trying on the Martin.

Also take the time getting used to using the strap before you go the `surgery' option and start using knee rests or attachable frames. It will feel very strange for quite a while until you get used to how it feels. One word of warning - once you get it right don't let anyone adjust your strap ;o).

-First off I have to say I really like the sound of this guitar it borders on almost banjo-like. There are a couple difficulties I have experienced in its play however. The body design is just weird. Had they just squared it off a little more it wouldn't be so difficult to handle, it tends to turn a little when I get comfortable(aka lazy) after playing for a while. I like to rest my forearm on the body from time to time and you just can't do that with this. The neck of the guitar is very thick which makes it nice and strong so I am not worried it will snap at any point in its length but it does bring it off balance a bit. It makes use of a capo a little difficult but with all the designs out there these days I am sure to find one that will fit.
-Recently I added Marten Silk Wound Strings which as usual for these outstanding strings changed the play and tone to a great playing and sounding guitar. If you buy this guitar I fully reccomend restringing it with these you won't regret it.
-Another note. I can't seem to locate a hard case for it. I travel a lot and would like to stow it away in my checked baggage rather than lug the little guy about as a carry-on as I have other things that need to be hand carried.

I bought a backpacker when they first came out almost 10 years ago. It is very durable and I would not hesitate to take it anywhere. I accidently cracked the top of my backpacker but it is still very playable. It almost seems to be designed to take abuse.

Likes include 1) all solid woods (mine even has an ebony fretboard which is unheard of for guitars under $1,000. 2) very playable - the action and neck scale make it easy to play with a pick or fingerstyle. My only dislike is the thin tone and low volume - ok for practice or a very small quiet jam session,

I got my Backpacker a few months ago and didn't expect to find myself playing it nearly every day. After I had the guitar set up and the action lowered slightly, it played wonderfully. You have to use the strap or it won't behave. But once you get used to it, it's natural and is a great little guitar.

Sure, like all the other reviews state very well, it doesn't sound like a full size guitar. It sounds like someone used a graphic EQ to knock 15db off the 150hz slider. But this sound can still be useful for some recording projects for its own special character. Throw a capo on to hear the effect. Experiment!

I did travel with my Backpacker and it survived the trip well. I'm not fond of the soft, padded case. I had to keep my eagle eyes trained for anyone else who wanted to put their carry-on luggage on top of my Martin. Early on, I made the mistake of setting the Backpacker on a chair. Its top-heavy neck caused the guitar to tip over and fall on our hardwood floor. The top was cracked and mooshed in several spots. I paid nearly the original cost of the guitar to have it repaired & setup, and I don't regret the expense for a minute. It plays even better now!

I have been playing guitar for about 30 years now. I have bought sold, traded about every brand of guitar out there. Now, I have 3 regular sized acoustics, and 3 electrics. I also have a Little Martin DX black I bought to travel with, but even found it as small at it is a little to big to travel with for some reason. So, I read about the Martin Backpacker guitar a while back. I finally got to play one at my local music, and loved it, could not put it down. I told the guy I would go home, think about it, and probably come back to get it soon. SO, I went back and got it, and never regreted it for one second. I love this little thing. Sure, I know that its a wierd shape, and people complain that they cant play it sitting down, with out a strap, etc, but actually, I have found out a way to play it comfortably sitting down. I rest my arm on the body, thus pushing down on it a little, and holding the neck a little up higher. It works for me. Anyway, we also have all read the other reviews, and people complain about the sound, etc. My question is, WHAT do you expect out of it. Its was never meant to produce a boomy acoustic sound, nor play like a normal sized acoustic for that matter. It was made to travel with, take to some tropical island, lay in a hammock with a cold drink, and play, etc. It is what is is. Nothing more, nothing less.

I have a beautiful Martin D-41, a couple of Fender electrics, and a Guild 12-string...why this guitar? Therapeutic...I recently became paralysed and need help with A LOT...why do I Love the Martin backpacker?? Because I can retrieve it all by myself; play it anytime, anywhere; and, it gets my fingers (and hands and arms) back into playing mode...it is not too heavy for me...I can hold it up without using my knee (as I could in the good old days)...the fingerboard feels like a Martin...the strings are Martin...the smell is hardwood...the sound?...small, a tad tinny, but "music to my ears!"

For everyone else: this neat little ditty was something I always wanted to buy, simply to bring along everywhere...like when I did not want to bring my "real" guitars...when I was concerned about saving space during travel...when I was worried about heat or cold or rain or whatever else may damage my guitars...when I was on my motorcycle or on my horse or in tight quarters...when an inconspicuous little black bag could unexpectedly reveal the joy of music!! Who could ever imagine anyone sitting around a crackling campfire who would complain that someone pulled out a guitar, any guitar, even a small, tinny-sounding one?!

I own a Martin DC-15E, which for the non Martin afficianados is a Solid Mahogany, cut away, steel stringed guitar. It is a beatiful Instrument, but it is a bit large and heavy to lug up a mountainside or even go to outerspace, (a backpacker was specially made for an Astronaut who took it up with him on the shuttle Columbia in 1994) so I bought a backpacker. It is a wonderful instrument. It is light enough to go backpacking, and it is ton's of fun to play around the camp fire. It also has a beautiful voice. There is a reason why Martin is the oldest guitar manufacturer in America, and why it is considered by many to be the finest manufacturer of accoustic guitars in the world. That reason is evident even in the humble inexpensive backpacker, it is a joy to play! Do yourself a favor, and if you are looking for a small guitar for backpacking or travel, don't waste your time with anything else. Your enjoyment of the instrument has a direct relationship with it's quality and you won't find that type of quality from any other manufacturer. They have instilled that quality in their workmanship since 1833, and a gentleman named Martin still signs the checks there, so you know he cares what the instruments with his name on them sound like. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. P.S. If you happen to have a small hand like I do, you will truly appreciate the neck on the backpacker, sometimes I prefer it over my expensive DC-15E for it's ease of play.