Martin Backpacker

The features have been listed in numerous reviews.

Feature complaints would be configuration of the tuners cause intonation problems on low E string (even wound backwards).
It is also very awkward to hold at first. Using the strap exclusively takes a litte getting used to especially if you play sitting down most of the time. That being said, I still love this instrument.

The guitar probably sounds like a mandolin with 6 strings.
Chords are muddy on the low end due to lack of volume in the bass strings. Capo up a few frets and it sounds better. The Nashville tuning trick mentioned in a review below would sound wonderful. Unfortunately, this reviewer is not talented enough to deal with alt tunings! Ha. This guitar is a wonderful practice/travel instrument. It does NOT sound like a full size guitar. I personally love the sound BECAUSE it is different from my other guitars and have toyed with the idea of using it in specialty situations for a different sound.

I bought mine used, but the action was increadible. Better than some of my electrics and no buzzing. I can bend these strings further than on my semi! It is a joy to play, easy on the fingers. The short scale takes a little getting used to. The size and design are actually quite clever. It fits neatly in overhead compartments, compact car trunks, backseats, backpacks (imagine that), etc.

This guitar will survive just about any thing you can reasonably expect of it. However, the light finish will not. It will start looking rough after a few dings and aggressive picking. It is not an heirloom instrument. This is the one you take when you are afraid to take your treasured guitar.

I have never had to use them.
However, their reputation is second to none.

I've been playing over 20 years. I've played alot of guitars, but never well. This thing is one of the handiest little things I've ever owned. I leave it at work most of the time and jam at lunch.
I take it with me on every trip out of town. I can't express how happy I have been with it.

Purchased new in 2002, 15 frets, solid spruce top. Straight acoustic steel string model. Body and neck are a single piece of mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard. Good quality Martin branded tuners, simple block bridge. Came with case and strap.

THE feature, though, is the extreme portability. I wanted something to replace the Steinberger I have been using as a travel axe - something I could hear. Well, I can hear this.

The sound is way better than I expected out of this bizarre little guitar. I kind of LIKE the tinny bass, for thumping with the thumb in fingerpicked pieces. It is easy to sing with, you can REALLY feel the resonance through your body as it is played. I'm delighted with the sound.

No comparisons, now. That wouldn't be fair. This isn't your daddy's Martin. I give it a 10 here based on what it IS.

It came with lousy setup, with what seem to be medium-light bronze strings. The action was way high, and the tension extreme with the stock strings. A little saddle work and a set of extra light Elixers cured what ailed it - although muting the sound some. The unadjustable neck has near perfect relief. When I wear the frets out - which I will - I'll refret with jumbos. I guess for the price, I couldn't really expect a fine setup - but this was really poor for what the guitar is capable of.

Otherwise, the craftsmanship and finish are gorgeous. I give it an 8 on this, and a 2 on the setup. That averages to a 5, I guess.

Durable and reliable - that pretty much sums this axe up. I've already whacked it and dropped it a few times, with no ill effects at all. The very light rubbed finish picks up dirt easily though, and doesn't seem to clean up. It is going to get ugly as time goes by - but it is going to remain intact.

Don't know, other than reputation.

I have been playing for 36 years, in classical, rock, finger-style and jazz. I got what I expected - no surprises. I would certainly replace it if it went away for any reason. I have a wide range of guitars and other instruments, but primarily play steel six strings these days. I love the quirky shape of the Backpacker, the ruggedness, and its ability to get tucked into loaded vehicles that have no more room in them - and I love that I can HEAR it. I compared it to Baby Taylors, Papooses and a couple others. For portability, neck quality, ruggedness and just plain uniqueness, this thing won out even over the Baby.

When I'm not travelling, the Backpacker will live in my office. I'm not the least bit concerned about how it will be affected by humidity, temperature and other conditions there, as I would be about any other decent acoustic instrument.

Nice small affordable instrument. This is my first guitar and it was not what I expected but I have been pleasantly surprised. I could not fiugre out what it sounded like because when I started learning it just didn't sound like a guitar to me. Now that I have read the other reviews I realize it does sound like the child of a banjo, acoustic guitar and mandolin. I don't kow much about guitars but I like it and it came bundled with everything I needed.

I guess the sound is bright, tinny but unique. I like it alot. It is not too loud for my apartment which I like alot.

Seems to get out of tune very easily especially the B and G strings. Being a new guitar student it is real hard for me to keep it sounding good. But what do you expect for $140?

Since this is my first guitar I cannot make any comparisons but it does feel a little awkward playing this instrument at times. Looks to be well made and my guitar instructor thinks the craftsmanship is excellent. He should know he makes his own guitars so he knows what to look for.

So far so good. No problems.

I brought this guitar because I had seen some guy demonstrating one at a wine festival I went to with my fiance. It sounded good to me then. Best of all they had a left handed model for sale on the website I ordered from so that meant I could play it out of the box. This was a big selling point for me! Overall this is a good instrument I would recommend especially for a newbie on a budget. However, because of the non-guitar like sound I will be looking at getting a full sized guitar when I get to be a better player.

Made in '97 or '98 in Mexico.....glad Martin found something good to do with that factory! Solid spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides. Rubbed urethane finish and backpacker body style....if you're looking you know what that is! Best "feature" is its solid construction and incredible portability so it gets a....

Here is what I don't understand. Does anybidy really expect this thing to sound like a full sized guitar? It doesn't and never will and it's not supposed to! You're supposed to be able to drag it anywhere and practice your chops or perform an impromptu jam session, not play a 5000 seat room with it (although Ani DiFranco does through the miracle of electronics...which can make it sound like pretty much anything). Its very loud, especially for its size and sounds like a, well, small guitar. Therefore it gets a.......

Mine really was set up great. If the action is too high for you, well, that's why you can take that piece of synthetic material they call a bridge out and sand it down to your liking. Trust me, I am really a critical, everything needs to be perfect kind of guy. Seems to have good quality woods and is solid as can be. Frets are great. Yes, holding it does take some getting used to. Don't try to play it without the strap and you'll be ok. Therefore it gets a.......

It is as solid as can be. Use it for whatever you want...just don't expect it to be something its not! Therefore it gets a.......

It is a Martin...enough said!

Been playing on and off froo about 25 years. Not very good, but I do like good quality stuff. I have owned many, right now I also have a D-35, DM, Larrivee LS-10 and a Baby Taylor. The Baby is fun to play, but the intonation is pretty bad on mine and it doesn't have side markers...I'll probably add them. You can throw the backpacker anywhere... it is so easy to tote around! Isn't that what you really want in a travel guitar? IMHO this is the best guitar for the intended purpose, and therefore it gets a resounding......

Made in Mexico, You guys know all the other details. I got the "electric" version. Very cool feature.

This, as many have pointed out, doesn't sound like a full-sized guitar. That's because it's not. Go down to your local shop and play it. If you don't like the sound, then don't buy it. There's not much low-end, for reasons of physics. Thru my Crate VC20 it sounds nice. (please note I'm rating this as a travel guitar, not against full-sized ones. That'd be like comparing a Mercedes to an F1 and rating them on speed. It's just not fair.)

Action blows. No doubt. Way too high. Otherwise, the workmanship is impressive. The finish is rubbed urethane - not "no finish" as reported below. Very durable, or so bowling ball manufacturers think.

Totally roadworthy, in the business trip/weekend hiker way.

I've been playing since '90.
Own a Gibson L series from the '50s.
Fender Bass.
Cheezy electric for when I'm in a rock 'n roll mood.

Well, a Backpacker is a Backpacker is a Backpacker, so to speak - not a whole lot can change from one to the next. Mine is the acoustic (i.e., non-classical) version, accompanied by its standard brown strap and black bag. Quality woods, from what I can tell.

The standard debate around this guitar goes either as "This guitar sounds in no way like my full-body, it sucks" or as "It sounds weird, but it does the job, and it might actually grow on you". I'm of the latter clan - yeah, it sounds nothing like my Norman B-30, it has a rather banjoish or balalaikaish ring to it. Sustain is rather weak (although some harmonics ring for a surprising amount of time), bass is not exactly booming, and treble is crystalline but pleasant. I play with D'Adario custom lights, which are a good compromise, giving a bit more substance to the sound than extra-lights. The sound becomes more pleasant as you get used to it, but it always remains peculiar. Muted chords sound surprisingly great, though; the slight highs spring out of the general muffled noise to give you recognizable chords.
The rating is given keeping in mind this guitar's size and purpose; compared to any of my standard acoustics, it'd be a 2 or 3.

Action is fairly high and the neck is very rounded, therefore thick in the middle. The lightweight body and heavy neck/headstock make it very weirdly balanced, and the size makes it hard to wedge between thigh and chest; playing with the strap is a must, unless you play it very vertically, classical-style. Open chords are easier to do than barres.
High quality assembly; Martin didn't skimp on the materials or the worksmanhip. Thin varnish, I think it's urethane. Manufactured in Mexico.
Good Martin tuning keys, nothing to write home about, but they do the job. Needs retuning fairly often.
No truss rod.

As mentioned, the overall thing remains a Martin: good material, VERY good assembly, from what I can tell. This thing is tiny and light but feels solid. The finish is very light varnish as to keep maximum resonance, so this must be dealt with a bit more carefully, although it gives a very nice look and feel. No pick guard since there is no soundboard to scratch, although the whole thing is fairly scratch-resistant. I have the utmost confidence in the strap buttons, since they have so little weight to carry.

No idea, never dealt with them.

I've been playing guitar fairly intensively for about 2 years, but making music for 6. Guitar-wise, I own a Norman B-30 and an Ibanez JS-100 with a Fender Ultimate Chorus amp, a DiMarzio single coil pickup and a DiMarzio stick-on pickup. I think it's pretty obvious by now that I like this thing... it's much easier to bring with me everywhere than my full-sized acoustic, and still does the job. I wouldn't gig with it unless I specifically wanted that sound for artistic purposes, but for a campfire or beach or simple-nice-get-together-with-friends guitar, I love it. The shape is very endearing and raises a lot of eyebrows ("-What is that instrument called? -Um... a guitar"). I'd read the reviews before buying it, I knew what I was getting into sound-wise, and I'm actually pleasantly surprised, I think the D'Adario custom lights help a lot in this department.

One word of warning: if you intend on plugging that thing, the soundhole is too small for soundhole-fitting pickups.

Read above, its all been covered. Mine was a Steel String Backpacker purchased in 1998. Best guitar features were the case and strap. More on that later.

Sound is poor for any guitar and with Martins reputation I expected better. Normal chords come out like they have been played by a $4 transister radio. No bottom, None. Stays in tune for about 10 minutes if you don't play it. Just terrible.

Action was much as you would expect for a cheep guitar. Professional set-up is a must for playability. To acutally play it you need to have the strap (which Martin provides) and then be willing to be bit of a circus preformer to get your body to hold and play the instrument. Frets buzzed before and after setup. Light strings are required but only hurt the already awful sound.

Owned it for about a year. It traveled very well on airplanes and cars. Had to be careful due to soft case. Best thing about the guitar was its durability.

As a relatively short time player and frequent traveler, I wanted a guitar which would go with me and make playing in hotels possible. This guitar was portable but it sounded so bad that I found myself making excuses not to play it. I am now looking at Baby Taylors and other travel guitars to fit this bill. To bad that Martin could not make a quality guitar. I have already sold this largely unplayable item and stick to my full size guitars.

I am an amatuer guitarist who plays little more than popular folk songs made of a few repeating chords and a few popular tab licks. This guitar is great for that purpose when traveling, either by air, car, or foot. I have learned to love its unique twangy mandolin banjo hybrid sound. I purchased it mainly for its compact shape, which fits nicely wedged under the side compression straps of my backpack. Bottom line, if you are a backpacker, this is the best guitar for running through miles of trails and welcoming the sunset and campfire with music. Bring along some harmonicas and a harp holder, they add a lot to a song and are very portable. The small sturdy resonance chamber of the Backpacker can take a beating would break any 3/4 size guitar. It is cheap, rugged, and is loud enough to get the job done.

Purchased in 1998; added a "stick-on" pickup in 1999 (foolish me to have not bought the model with the built-in pickup); other features as other reviews have indicated, no need to repeat them.

The sound is indeed light, virtually dulicmer-like. It's great for practicing when travelling, won't wake anybody up late at night in hotels, but can be used for performance in the right spots: I took it to Tahiti with me in 1999, jammed every night with locals at a hotel bar. They were playing local music on homemade ukes, 2 full guitars; the Backpacker fit right in, like it was made for this music! (I played way up the fingerboard, coaxing every drop of treble out of it.) At the end of my stay, the guys said goodbye, but could I please leave my guitar -- they loved it! The sound is great for what it is, don't compare it to a full-size guitar.

The guitar was set up perfectly, action seems just a tad high, but no problem. There is no finish to speak of, but it seems to last. The wear it gets (suntan lotion spots! sweat! a few nicks) add character, like stickers of where you've been on a piece of luggage.

This guitar is built like a rock. Mine has gone to Australia, Tahiti, England, France, Switzerland, the Caribbean, all over the USA, and is absolutely solid. You must play it with the strap. I've found that, with the strap on, I can rest my right forearm on the top of the guitar, pressing doen just a little, and play all day with no balance problems.

No problems, no need to call.

I've been playing for over 40 years, own 17 other guitars (don't ask), but this is great for travelling (I wouldn't use it for anything else). It's so convenient that I bought one for my son, and when we're on vacation we jam all the time. It's a great value for the money, just remember what it's supposed to be what it's not supposed to be. And you'll attract attention wherever you pull it out ("what the heck is that thing?").

I love this guitar, so want to add my views on just how great an instrument it is, despite the unlikely design. Mainly the same details of build as given in other reviews - the Backpacker is made out of a solid block of wood with neck attached and is very slimline indeed, looks unique and can be fiddly to hold. The wood is unfinished, so watch for knocks and scratches, it's very smooth to the touch though.
The neck is standard, looks a little shorter, it has a nice curved shape and feels very comfortable under the fingers, the action is very low too, this is a great beginner guitar as well as for travelling round with. Mine is the basic steel strung acoustic model, no pickups
It comes with a case and a strap - and believe me, you need the strap to hold it properly, its top heavy, fine once you get used to it though.
I would imagine this would be a great guitar for someone with a disablility, its light enough to be held for long periods and wouldn't be as cumbersome in a wheelchair, say, as full-size models.

I'm a beginner, learning chords and fingerstyle, mainly folk stuff. The sound of the guitar is unusual, louder than you might expect from something so small, it doesn't have the resonance of a full bodied guitar but its a pleasant sound nonetheless, a bit like a cross between a mandolin and a banjo, can get quite a range of sound from quiet to loud from it. Using a pick is ok, I get better results from fingers however. The top 4 strings sound bright and clear, the bass can be a little fuzzy at times when strummed.
Sometimes the twangy sound is annoying, and often chords don't sound as full, fingerstyle works very well on it however.

The set-up is fine, nice low action. The guitar needs light gauge strings, the recommended ones are Martin Silk & Steel or something, anything heavier and there's too much buzz. The overall finish is very nice, no flaws I can see, quality wood, machine heads shiny and secure. You can get replacement bridges if the action needs adjustment. The natural finish means the grain of the wood stands out, very attractive overall though it might seem a little plain to anyone used to a glossy finish.

The Backpacker isn't really designed to be gigged with, though I know some folks have, its quite a sturdy build so should be fine being travelled around with, its small size means it tucks away very easily so is less likely to be bumped or knocked. I've managed to scratch the wood just slightly, but then this is designed as a travel guitar, so a few blemishes aren't a real problem. Its reliable and because of the one-piece design of the body, hasn't got much that could go wrong. I doubt I'd gig with it, except as a specialist item.
I love the way I can take it around with me, I usually have it in the car and play it if I'm stuck waiting for someone, the small size means there's plenty of space for playing it, unlike a normal size instrument. I know there's one up on the Space Station where size really does matter!

Haven't had to deal with anyone. It has a 12 month warranty.

Been playing for about a year, I have a Yamaha AEX500, Peavey Blazer amp and classical guitar: the Backpacker is my only steel strung acoustic. I read a lot of reviews on this and wasn't 100% sure about it sight and sound unseen but am very impressed. Its a good solid well-made guitar for someone on a budget (much cheaper than the Baby Taylor or the Go Guitar, which I also considered). If anything happened to it I'd definitely replace it as soon as I could. I suppose I wish it had a pickup fitted, but doubt I'd use it with an amp much. For the price and quality, and sheer versatility, it's great!

Made in mexico by someone associated with Martin [ Martinos?] Got mine about 6 years ago [1995]. I wanted something different [ well got it] It still turns heads- no-body is sure just what it is. I play mostly bluegrass and even "Martin" people have never seen one. It is a striking strange duck of a guitar!
It's all stock- With a pickup [ which i only use to tune with an electronic tuner- the sound electrically is weak at best- it was never designed to be an electric/acoustic standout] BUT is is a nice travel/special use guitar. I use it on stage with 2 capos [ one drop D keyser and another keyser for the 6th string- I string the sixth string light to match the 4th in gauge but keep the E tuning- double capo to the fifth fret for a Banjo/guitar/nashville tuned/dulcimer sound all mixed together.

Good for a very small guitar. Its not a Dreadnaught! IT never will grow up to be one. Its sound is thin like a dulicmer. IT HAS NO BOTTOM. NONE! I didnt expect one. but-- its just not there. The pickup sound even through a good amp is weak and muffled. Acoustically it sounds much better. But, the sound is not that of a guitar. Its [ well????] like a backpacker. It works well in our school bluegrass band. Its sound is between the guitar and mandolin. Like a tenor guitar almost, with a banjo/dulicmer flavor. Its not a Tony Rice type picker, but a great soft but cutting chord sound. If you want a D-45 this is not it!.

IT made in Mexico. Fair fit and finish. Very light. It has no real FINISH on it. Its all mahogany/spruce? [I think] BUT the guitar has held together well, and I take it everywhere. No actual flaws in the construction, BUT its not made very well. With a cost of: $200 with pickup and gigbag [ cheaper now]. The metal parts have held up very well. Tuners are grovers i think and very good. No set ups was involved but with my weird tunings I'm always 'tweeking' it.

Been Playin' it hard for 6 yrs. Its still in good shape. DONT OVERSTRING IT. EXTRA LIGHTS only. and i custom fit the 6th string to no more than a 25. It is dependable. The guitar IS A BACKUP so i dont back it up.

Martin co. was great. They misplaced the gig bag at the shop and martin replaced it with new one quickly - no hastle! Typical martin style and service.

Ive been playing 30 years and i own quite a few instruments.
Its a neat little guitar for SPECIAL PURPOSES. Ive played other travel guitars and THEY SOUND MORE GUITAR LIKE than the martin does. But if you want something different - its different [ and cheap for a martin] Its fun to experiment with. It does a lot of things. [ Well most people dont want their guitars to sound like a banjo or a dulcimer so its not a strong selling point. but if you do its a lot of fun.] BOTTOM LINE; the little thing IS A LOT OF FUN. BUT its not professional guitar. My acoustic GUILD will blow it off the stage.

This is a uniquely built travel guitar. The sides of the body and the neck are all one piece - the sides have been splayed out (kind of like a wishbone) and then the top, back and tail have been applied.
Where I think Martin dropped the ball on this guitar is right up at the nut: The neck isn't shaped there and is actually still very square. I've remedied this with a capo, but on a light little guitar like this it throws the delicate weight balance way out and I shouldn't have to that anyway.
The finish isn't the least bit glossy - it has a very thin satin finish.
I've found the tuners to be a little "slippy".
Super light - 2.5 pounds or so.

This guitar sounds almost like a banjo sometimes. There's a serious lack of bass and very little sustain. It sure is surprisingly loud, though, given its diminutive size.
In an effort to find a sound I liked, I took up playing slide. In this role, the Backpacker is excellent.

Action leaves a little to be desired.
There's not much of a finish to speak of.
The joinery is quite nice.

I've played this guitar in ten countries on four trips. It's been around the world with me twice and it goes on every business trip I take. The softcase actually makes a nice carry-on because there's room for spare (light) clothes etc.

Can't say.

I've been playing for sixteen years.
I've looked at other travel guitars and this is the smallest I've seen. If I lost this one I might consider another brand for better sound or comfort, but size would be a major issue.
Remember that this guitar is a compromise for travel, so you give up a little on comfort and sound for the payback of being able to play anywhere. In this role, it's a 9. In a stage or bedroom role, it's a 4.

Features? This adoreable little 15-fret dwarf acoustic serves it's main purpose - convenience. I have considered travel/portable guitars for years but have always ended up not getting one. Then one day I was on an Amtrak from Sacramento to Los Angeles and this 50-year-old hippie dude whips a Backpacker out of his compartment and proceeded to play comfortably in a 2" area without whacking his seat partner with the headstock...which is something I have always managed to do with even 3/4 sized acoustics. That did it for me. I bought one in L.A.

I used this guitar in 6 of 10 tracks on my CD just for fun. It has a very unique sound. It's annoying to some - but not to others. People always ask me what kind of guitar it is when they hear it. I just smile.

The action on the steel version is just fine. As said numerous times before: use extra-light strings! You'll prolong the life of the guitar. I loved the finish, but had to fight the temptation to have it customized. The guitar remains the same.

It's the most durable little monster I have ever owned. I never have to worry about it getting beat up or damaged.

N/A

After 20 years of slinging strings, this is the only guitar that I actually named. Her name is Willow - she's earned a place in my heart as well as anywhere else that I can cram her into.

Very portable and sturdy.

Unfortunately the backpacker sounds exactly how you would expect it to sound. Pretty tinny, and less appealing than a uke.

The action is ok- I just cant get past the sound. Get a baby taylor!!

As I stated before, looks to be very durable.

Martin has unfortunately been making lower quality instrument over the past years. (Check out all their laminated guitars for 400 to 800+) I can't believe they would damage their name the way they have been. Yes the high end guitars are still superb, but put the lower quality stuff under the Epiphone label like you have done for years.

The basic shape,size etc has been described by the other reviews so I won't go over it again.
Mine is the model without the pickup, although I've thought about putting having one fitted, the guitar is always an attention grabber and would like kinda chic on stage (although maybe not for heavy metal etc)

I bought this little axe about 4 years ago and due to the nature of my work it has been around the world about four times. It's been bounced on it's head by a brain dead fellow passenger who opened the aircraft locker without looking, and it's had to suffer a few thousand miles of African roads ( I use the word "road" loosely)in the back of a 4WD. There is no doubt this is a tuff little sucker and with the supplied carry bag is a genuine piece of backpacking equipment.
I use it basicaly for practising and the occasional jam so I'm not really concerned if it dosen't sound like a dreadnought, the tone is not bad, however, just lacks base. When I'm home I tend to play my other guitars but I'm away from home a lot and the backpaper has become a travelling companion that I'll probably keep long after I've replaced my other axes.

The fit of the frets could be better but really it dosen't affect the playability. Overall it's utilitarian but has a charm that grows on you. Make sure you only use ultra light strings (did I mention that mine is the accoustic version)cause I'm pretty sure theres no truss rod in there and heavy strings could bow the neck. In fact I tend to tune mine down an octave from concert pitch and it seems to hold tune better.

Tuff and light!! One slight annoyance is the way it goes out of tune with any change of humidity, probably due to the lack of a truss rod, in fact it's almost a barometer..pitch going up? get the brolly out.
The strap supplied is OK but I replaced it with a heavy duty unit and this makes the guitar a lot more stable to play- well worth the money because any guitar with a body this small tends to slide around a bit.

Had no problems so far.

No other guitar I know of could have done what I asked of this one, a long term travelling mate that has done it tough, kept me playing and supplied the music when theres nothin else around.

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.