• From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Topic: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Greetings,

    I just pulled the trigger on one of these splendid looking portable guitars. I LOVE my Silverburst Les Paul but lugging it to work every other day to play with people at lunchtime is getting tiresome! (It weighs 13 pounds)
In contrast, the Backpacker Guitar weighs a measly 2 pounds. Much easier on my arms and back for just jamming with co-workers.

I wanted the ability to play anywhere with little effort or strain so when I saw this guitar I jumped out of my seat.
I have read that it sounds very thin but with the size of it and the small resonating area, I expected as much.
I am going to have a pickup installed in it eventually but which would be the best for this guitar?

Does anyone have one already and can tell me what they're like? Mine won't be here till like...friday and I would like to learn as much before it gets here as I can.

http://www.misterpirate.com/images/crew/atwork/MusicalMac1.jpg

Thanks,
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

There's some video on youtube of Shawn Lane jamming with some folks in India with one.  Now, Shawn Lane could play a shoe box and make it sound awesome, but I liked the sound he was getting out of it.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

You can probably get a comprable guitar for less money. You're payin' for the name on the head stock. I've played one a they're nice, but so are many others, for considerably less money. Here's a few to look at;

http://www.music123.com/-i1324801.Music123

http://www.music123.com/Squier-Mini-Str … 6.Music123

http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-CGS102-1 … 6.Music123
http://www.music123.com/Washburn-RO10-A … 6.Music123

http://www.music123.com/Gretsch-Guitars … 6.Music123
http://www.music123.com/Martin-Nylon-St … 3.Music123

http://www.music123.com/Martin-Steel-St … 4.Music123

http://www.music123.com/Traveler-Ultra- … 7.Music123

Give everything but up.
  • From: Orpington London
  • Registered: 2006-10-22
  • Posts: 390

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

I have an Ozark travel guitar which serves the same purpose as a backpacker

Its a nice guitar - and I like taking it on walks - however it does lacks bass and volume so I wouldn't want to play it in an ensemble.

try the guitar in the shop is my advice

johncross21's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

johncross21 wrote:

I have an Ozark travel guitar which serves the same purpose as a backpacker

Its a nice guitar - and I like taking it on walks - however it does lacks bass and volume so I wouldn't want to play it in an ensemble.

try the guitar in the shop is my advice

Thank you. I will try to find a local retailer.
The one I bought online was only 20 dollars. I can afford to waste that....if it doesn't sound good, I'll give it to one of the kids in church.

=]
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Anyone else?

Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

I own a BACKPACKER Martin. You can also buy a "BABY TAYLOR", great sound, small guitar.
But the thing I love so bad using the "backpacker", is the SPECIAL sound. In fact that guitar is a problem for me, because I can not stand for 10 minutes, due to my car accident, and it is difficult playing when you sit. What I love most when playing the backpacker is the fact that the sound is between a GUITAR and BANJO, MANDOLINE?? I mean, they have a fantastic type of sound, and you can use it with a preamp, to play on stage, it gives a complete other sound, as I told. But I love my backpacker.
Are there other "travel" guitars, like taylor, ozark??

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Chicago, IL
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 20

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

I own a Martin Backpack guitar as well.  It is very portable and stays in tune through a myriad of temperatures.  Definitely use a strap with it as it is difficult to play without one.  I have the steel string version and the sound is.....thin.  I've played the nylon string version and the tone is a bit warmer.  Yes, the steel string does kind of sound like a banjo.  Hope this helps!!


Peace in.  Peace out.

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Here's that video of Shawn Lane in India playing a Backpacker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyn2Qs5sYlw

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

ZappaDjango wrote:

I own a Martin Backpack guitar as well.  It is very portable and stays in tune through a myriad of temperatures.  Definitely use a strap with it as it is difficult to play without one.  I have the steel string version and the sound is.....thin.  I've played the nylon string version and the tone is a bit warmer.  Yes, the steel string does kind of sound like a banjo.  Hope this helps!!


Peace in.  Peace out.

Can you put nylon strings on the steel string version of the guitar?
The one that I ordered is the steel string version.

Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

11 Reply by Detman101 (edited by Detman101 2007-09-14 20:28:34)

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

gitaardocphil wrote:

I own a BACKPACKER Martin. You can also buy a "BABY TAYLOR", great sound, small guitar.
But the thing I love so bad using the "backpacker", is the SPECIAL sound. In fact that guitar is a problem for me, because I can not stand for 10 minutes, due to my car accident, and it is difficult playing when you sit. What I love most when playing the backpacker is the fact that the sound is between a GUITAR and BANJO, MANDOLINE?? I mean, they have a fantastic type of sound, and you can use it with a preamp, to play on stage, it gives a complete other sound, as I told. But I love my backpacker.
Are there other "travel" guitars, like taylor, ozark??

OOOOOH!!! Kewl!!!
I can't wait till mine comes in this weekend.
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/12000523/Images/2/hawgreen1.JPG

I hate waiting for delivery.
Stupid postal system....

Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Ok I haven't seen these mentioned so I'm going to throw it in the pile of suggestions. Look into the TakaMini by Takamine. I had a martin backpacker, and the Takamini at the same time. I sold the martin if that says anything... The sound of the tak was just far superior in my opinion. Plugged in it is incredible. Here's a link  to one http://www.takamine.com/?fa=series&sid=357  Highly recommend this guitar if your looking for a travel guitar with electronics and a grown up sound. Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

13 Reply by gitaardocphil (edited by gitaardocphil 2007-09-15 16:29:32)

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

I repeat: they sell 2 backpackers, one with steel, and one with nylon strings. So theoretically I think you can change strings, and put nylon strings. Guitarpax, my fellow chordian, you are 100% right. I don't consider my backpacker as a guitar, and certainly not when you tried other "small" guitars, like baby taylor. Baby sounds more like father taylor. I keep my backpacker for only one reason: it doesn't sound at all like a real acoustic guitar, BUT the sound you get is like I read "thin", more, it is a sound difficult to put it in a categorie. Detman is 100% right, you can leave your backpacker 1 month without touching it, it is still in tune.
It sounds more like a mix guitar/mandolin/unknown instrument. I had the opportunity to play with baby taylor, I think there is also a baby guild. Those guitars are THE REAL STUFF, easy to take it with you and to write songs, wherever you are. I am considering to buy (maybe) a baby taylor: rich, warm and full tone. But are there other "mini-guitars" on the market? I didn't know that there was a Takamini (nice word by the way). You can tell me to trade my martin for another, I was thinking about it, but I decided to keep the Martin, because of his "Bob Dylan-like" sound.
I forgot something again: Martin is producing now also baby martins, fender too: link
http://www.wholenote.com/cat--Travel-Guitars--1397
______________________________________________________________________________

GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: MY TAYLOR IS A RICH MAN

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

There is a problem putting nylon strings on a guitar built for steel ones. The grooves in the nut are narrower for steel than nylon so the nylon ones will not bed down properly unless you are willing to modify the nut.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Well, there you have a point. They try to make double profit.
I had once an ovation, by the way I just surfed to the Ovation site, and what did I see: a baby ovation, 2 different bodies, but the nicest is the Ovation TREKKER Model TS012 with prices near 500$, but at first sight they have a SUPER NICE LOOK. If the sound is good, better as good as their father, it looks interesting. The major problem with Ovation is, if you use it acoustic: we can speak more about the "sound of silence".
ROGER, wouldn't it be nice, and splendid to sell AIR GUITARS on eBay? hahahahaha.
I am sure, that if you ask 5$ for an "air guitar" that some people will buy it.
About the Ovations I mentioned: you have an Ovation CC012 Celebrity Trekker Travel for $179.
The other model, really beautiful top, I don't find the price.
___________________________________________________________________________

GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: APPLAUSE FOR OVATION

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

16 Reply by Detman101 (edited by Detman101 2007-09-17 16:34:03)

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Martin Backpacker Guitar - Reviews? Opinions?

Holy cow.

Boy did I get what I paid for...
$20.00 got me a toy basically.... LOL!!!
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/12000523/Images/2/hawgreen1.JPG
The guitar is made out of what feels like plywood veneer and sounds like a ukelele (sp) being strangled by a cat.
The intonation is horrible...thanks to the unglued bridge.
Yes...I did say "UNGLUED BRIDGE"!!!
When I received it I went to tune the strings and the bridge completely fell out from under the strings!!
I replaced it as it should have been and tuned it up as best as I could.
The strings on it are "crapola x 20" and need to be ditched.
The tuners won't hold the strings in tune.
The thing has no spuds for a strap!?!
I had to tie a piece of string around the neck at the nut and at the holder for the strings in order to wear it.
*sigh*
I'm going to replace the strings for fun and see if I can get the bridge placement figured out to get the intonation right.
If it works after that I will keep it. If not I will give both guitars away to kids in my church. (I got a pink one for a for a friend but she took one look at it and said that she was going to trash it. She didn't even play it...LOL!)
Of course, it will be given to kids without enough age or sense to know what a worthless piece of tomfoolery they are....LOL!!

Well, at least I'm getting a good laugh everywhere I go with this thing.

big_smile
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website