Martin Backpacker

Martin Backpacker,
has become a trusted musical friend.

Simple and trustworthy.

My style is neo acoustic,
I use SM 58's through whatever house system is on site.

This is primarily my rehersal instrument.
The sound is superb!

All facets of construction seemed well done, a solid little beast.

This guitar has not only withstood live playing,
I took it to a military base in Korea and gigged in the rain with it while wearing a kevlar flak vest...
The finish has held up fine, strap buttons are solid.

While finishing a paper for my undergrad degree,
I called up Nazareth for some facts and figures.
To make a long story shorrt, in about 2 minutes, I was connected to the company historian, Mike Longsworth (sp?),

All question were answered professionally.

I have been playing since 1978,
I own:
Martin OM28
Fender American Strat (87)
Ibanez Bass
PEavey Bass
Custom Fretless
Ibanex electric

I liked this instrument so much I bought 3 more as gifts.

Compared to Baby taylor, papoose, and a few other "little guitars"

I choose this because of the tone, value, and durability.
This is NOT my OM 28,
this is my "blue jeans, t-shirt, have a good time, sing some songs" travel buddy.

1998; Made in Mexico; "mahogany" neck/body; 15 frets; thin neck; included gig bag, strap.

The sound is fine for personal use, but doesn't project much volume and is very light on the bass. The sound is the main weakness, but for practice this thing is great. Can only use extra light strings.

Solid construction; stays in tune and tuning pegs feel solid; good, but not perfect, intonation.

Shows some wear do to lack of pick guard. I fingerpick, but my kids or their friends got a hold of it and it shows some wear. I've had it nearly two years now with no complaints. I don't play professionally, but I probably wouldn't think of using this in a gig.

I play this guitar every day. It is so easy to lay back in my recliner and noodle away for hours. The beauty of this guitar is that there is no real body to get in the way. Of course the main drawback is that there is no real body to give you any sound. There is also the "what's that?" factor that you get when you take it with you and everyone wants to try it. I've taken mine to Thailand and it fits fine in overhead compartments, but the real reason I like it is that it is so easy to pick up and play at home. I love this thing!

My backpacker is only 8 months old. It has 15 frets solid spruce top and solid mohogany neck back and sides. It's a very basic very simple yet cool design and fun to play after you get used to the feel and the strap that comes with the guitar is a must and the gig bag seems to be pretty durable and has a big front pocket for other gear. I love the design due to the simplicity and the unique design. People are curious of what it is and hey I have met a few girls at the park from this bad boy. It really is a conversational piece as I read from someone else.

The sound is what it is, small. It has almost a banjo tone that is actually pretty cool. It is really bright and sometimes to much to handle if you strum really hard. I find that struming with your fingers rather than a pick sounds much better, for my style of playing anyway. The neck is heavy but it is more of a comfort since it dosen't have a truss rod. This guitar will never sound like a full size but for it being a travel guitar it gets the job done exactly what I wanted it to do. A lot of people give the sound a low rating. though the sound is very unique I think it compliments to the unique design.

The action was fine out of the bag. It has a thin satin finish that seems to be fine and looks great. I have found no flaws in the finish or the wood either. The thing about this guitar that I think turns people away how uncomfortable it is to hold at first. You get used to it.

This guitar is solid as a rock. I can be pretty clumbsy and all of my guitars have hit the wall at one point or another. I have yet to find any dings or nicks in this guitar. And also from what I have read about what other people have put there backpackers through I am rather impressed with how tuff these small guitars are. I would never preform with this guitar, it is mearly pure pleasure to have in the back seat when you are out and about.

I have not had to deal with them, no answer.

I have played the guitar for about eight years and was sick of hauling full size guitars camping and picnics and just anywhere when I knww I will only play a few songs. It is exactly what I expected from product reviews and from that I was very pleased and thank everybody that posts these reviews. I do wish it sounded like my Martin DM but it wouldn't be fair to expect that in such a small package. overall rating is awesome. Fantastic value.

My Backpacker was made in 1998, has 15 celar frets on a 24" scale. It has a solid spruce top and no electronics. The neck, sides and back are solid mahogany.

Martin has utilzed a small version of their standard tuners for this instrument. I bought mine with a soft sided 'gig' bag.

The guitar as configured by Martin is not practical for use in performance of my folk, Celtic musical styles - but this was not its purpose. It was designed for complete portability, and for that purpose it is well suited. You can cart it anywhere, play it anywhere and actually produce music.

The instrument sound as congigured has a very minimal sound. The low end strings have no depth. The volume is low, as well. However when the guitar is configured in a Nashville tuning (ie, the bottom three or four strings are restrung with the same pitch one octave higher). The guitar's strengths can be appreciated. The sweet dulcimer-like qualities of the Backpacker's higher notes make this configuration perfect for the instrument. I have written a more detailed article on this configuration and it is available on the front page of jedmarum.com - this configuration has attracted a lot of attention from guitar makers and players alike. The Backpacker produces such a surprisingly strong and pretty sound when it is reconfigured that I have nearly worn it out!

My Backpacker factory set-up was adequate, but its shape and size make it a challenge to play. The fact that it has no size against your body, means that there is no leverage to keep the guitar from twisting as your left hand fingers frest strings. I find it necessary to play the guitar wearing a strap (tied at the head, hooked at the lower strap button). Capoing up the neck helps both the action and diminishes the 'roll=over' effect.

The finish is minimal, but adeqaute. It is a good looking instrument, and mine had no flaws.

The Backpacker has shown significant wear and tear from the few months of performance I have subjeced it to. Primarily from sweat around the body, and from the pick grinding away at the unprotected wood outside the sound hole. I will have to add protection of some sort (eg a pick guard) or replace the instrument once per year, or so. Since this is a part time performance guitar, I do not bring a back-up for it.

I have written to Martin on one occasion, pointing them to my article and seeking their permission to use a copyrightred photo of the instrument. They were very quick to respond, and were positive about the permission request and the article itself (even though I was not exactly compimentary about the instrument). I included their response in my article.

I would replace the instrument if it needed it. I have had some difficulty finding a luthier who is interested in installing a fishman matrix into the guitar because the guitar is so small. I have found a local repairman willing to attack the job.

I do not remember the length of the warranty. The guitar has not required any repair in the two+ years I've owned it.

I have been playing for 38+ years. I own a Larrivee J10, a Santa Cruz 000, a Martin Acoustic Bass and other guitars.

The guitar as sold has little performance value (again - it was never meant to) but when it is reconfigured to a Nashville-style tuning it has wonderful possibilities. The size and shape make it a difficult instrument to play seriously, but these problems can be overcome. If I could redesign it I would resolve the leverage/shape problem so it was easier to play. I would install electronics so it was practical for performance. I would design a finish that would stand the rigors of performance, and I would consider building an 8 string version; that is adding a course of double strings for the top two (B and E) to warm the sound of the octave break when the instrument is configured in a Nashville tuning.

Tiny A shaped travel guitar, with a padded gig bag.
came with a canvas/leather strap.
The model with pickup not available, so I had a local luthier put one in - no problem

The sound accoustically is suprisingly good for the size. The treble strings have good tone, and volume. The Bass strings sound more like a mandolin, and have less volume. This is a small guitar, and suffers because of the inevitable compromises, but does sound disproportionately good. The resonance felt through the body is especially good. I think this is important, because this is what makes an accoustic instrument always better to play than an electronic one. (just my opinion).
The sound via the pickup sounds comparable to a full sized guitar, amazingly.

Nicely made, and aesthetic.
The grooves for the frets seem excessively deep

In an emergency you could use it in a live gig, with a pickup.
It does not feel particularly robust, though. I have had no problems.

No needed

I had a problem with this guitar - the weighty neck in relation to the tiny body forces you to play it in a hunched up position, especially if playing fingerstyle. This gave me tendinitis after 2 weeks, and has forced me to stop playing for a few weeks. I've since decided only to use this guitar for picking, and may swap it for a different one, maybe the Taylor Baby. I would warn anyone using a non-standard sized guitar to be very careful of their posture (of course this is common sense, but I had to learn the hard way)

Truly designed with the traveler in mind. Includes lighweight carrying case (w/pockets) and high-quality strap. The neck is disproportionally deep and heavy which is in this case a virture as travel guitars are by nature subject to more abuse.

To rate the sound of a travel guitar, you have to play several. It's asinine to think that anything with such a small body could produce anything resembling a reasonable bass sound -- and this instrument doesn't. In fact it can be nails-on-the-blackboard piercing. It's not as evenly balanced as its better competitors such as the Tacoma Papose. While I'm not a huge fan of nylon strings, if you really want a Martin Backpacker you owe it to try that model as well.

Despite the fact that this is their loweest priced guitar, Martin makes no concessions on craftsmanship.

This guitar was designed for rugged travel, and it stands up to it well. Mine has more than 250,000 frequent flyer miles logged in overhead bins with no discernable damage -- not even a nick.

This is a fine robust guitar made to Martin's high standards. And it is elegantly designed to boot. I'll put up with the frost-bitten tone beacuse I know it will arrive in one piece at the end of the journey. But in retrospect I wish I would have tested a few more models. I probably would have opted for a Papose, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this model.

1999 (I assume)Mexican Made Martin Tuners Body look to be solid Mahogany No truss rod Fingerboard - not sure, but look like mahogany. Top is spruce. Mine was Falwless!

It is great for what I wanted (a practice/travel guitar). Very bright. I had a jam session with a friend who had a Taylor (my Strat was in the shop), & you can REALLY tell the difference the small body makes.

Action Great - Mine is set up lefty. The Top/Body joint is GREAT. It looks like the tree just changed color. No flaws that I could see. I can't beleive that they can make a profit.

I think you could use it as a canoe paddle during the day & play it around the camp-fire at night. It's built like a tank. I'm not so sure that you'd gig with it ever, but if it makes the sounds you are looking for have at it.

Haven't dealt with them, but I don't think I will ever have to. Warrantee is a year (I think)

I'm fairly new to guitar. Played piano since I was a kid. I would definitely buy it again if someone stole it. I do a fair amount of travel & this is a lot better than lugging my strat around. You can play this standing up VERY EASILY. You can even play it sitting down. The strap is very useful.

Nicely constructed. Built for travel. Mahogany body. Nice Martin Tuners. Made in Mexico under contract from Martin. Natural finish. Great product for the $. Neck is heavy enough to fend off ogling fans.

Sounds kinda cool for what it is. SOund is definetly projected outward since there is little room for resonance. Bass is slim but what I expected for a travel guitar this small. Perfect for what it's inteded for. Sounds like a small stringed acoustic instrument. (duh)

Very nicely made all around. Comments about the neck being clunky are unfounded. USE THE STRAP! I think it's a love it or hate it kind of thing and after much much research on travel guitars this grew on me and the price was right. ($150 inc. shipping from Philly based music123.com - these guys are the BEST!!)

Solid built. All around. Would be a fun BACKUP for a gig- great for impromptu gigs when you're down to your last dime on the street. Gig bag makes a great pillow if you scrunch it up just right.

Martin is usually helpful. 1 year warranty I think

I am a hack amatuer. I have a Martin D-15, an Old Yamaha Fg-150, a hollow body A/E made by my Grandpa, a Johnson Resonator and a Tele. This is a great guitar for the price (you won't find a better price anywhere- they will include shipping if you ask). I thought about a Baby Taylor but it was too much $ and too big for what I wanted. The Applause Voyager is not a bad choice either for a few more dollars ($50 +/-) but the martin grew on me. Many have complained about the neck heaviness and difficulty in playing. While this is sort of true, the included strap solves all these issues so I always use the strap. Comes with a nice bag. If I wanted to spend more I would look into the Outbound made in CA but the Backpacker is a great item.

This guitar was made in mexico and it's just a downsized acoustic made for traveling. Nothing special just a straight out acoustic.

This thing is small so don't expect it to sound full like a normal sized acoustic. It lacks bass but that's understandable for it's size. It's good for those midnight song writing sessions. For what it is it sounds pretty good. What can you expect for the size? You aren't going to have that full sized martin sound. I don't know how useable the sounds are for me so I give it a 5.

The guitar is extremely neck heavy and it's not because of the tuners like the guy said in the other review. It's because the neck has tons more mass then the body. The body is super small so there's no way it can counter the weight of the neck. The neck heaviness makes playing very awkward. You can overcome this by using the string that comes with the strap and tying it to the headstock. The guitar is made well. The tuners are pretty weak and the slots for the frets have been cut too deep. The guitar is pretty solid and it seems like it will last for many years.

This thing is made for practice and travel. For me it won't be leaving the house very often. Maybe for those summer camping trips and for those days at the beach. It seems pretty durable. time will tell I guess.

I have no idea. I've never needed to contact them.

This is a fun little guitar. It's kinda difficult to play. The body is so small that I find myself having a hard time picking. There's no where to rest your upper arm so it's wierd at first. Once you get used to it there's no problem. It just takes a little time. This was given to me by a friend(Cool friend huh?)so I wasn't really looking for this guitar. I wouldn't buy it again. I just don't have a use for it. It's a fun thing to play around with but I rather save up and buy a decent acoustic that you can actually gig with.

Mexican made travel guitar. All solid woods (mahogonay back + sides, spruce top). Comes in padded soft-case. Will fit into overhead compartment in plane.

Don't expect it to sound like a full size guitar. However, the sound has plenty of character. Volume wise is fine when using a flat pick, but for fingerpicking you'll have to work hard (though it's absolutely fine for practice).

Tremendous quality and finish for 200 pounds (how many other guitars around this proce have ALL solid woods!). Action is fine. The only problem is that it is top-heavy so you have to find a way of keeping the neck-end up (I use my righ elbow to keep the body down). It's easier to play stanading than sitting.

This guitar is made for travelling - and it does so with ease. It's superbly built and has coped with being in the trunk of a car and the overhead compartment of planes many times. And it still looks like new.

This is a superb little travel guitar (don't expect it to sound like a jumbo though!). Buy it for travelling and you will not be disappointed. Quality is magnificant and it's as tough as old boots.