Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

The only time I use this guitar is on trips involving air travel. I use it primarily to play scales and other practice exercises when I'm on business trips. For that purpose it works extremely well. I've seen reviews in which people say they find themselves reaching for this instead of their everyday guitars. I would never say that. Also I don't understand when people say, "It's got that Martin tone." It has very little tone, Martin or otherwise. If you understand that this is a very limited instrument, a practice tool really, you won't be disappointed. I'm away from home as I write this, and I am glad to have the Backpacker along for the ride.

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

I take this guitar with me whenever I travel. Easily fits on a Plane as Carry-on,with a bathing suit inside!!! Easy to play, a little difficult to get use to holding at first, but with the strap and a little practice, it's like second nature. I find myself picking up this guitar more often because it's fun to play and reminds me of relaxing on a beach. Great guitar for the $$$

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

This guitar is awesome. I've had one for about 2 years now and I continue to reach for it over my Ovation, Washburn, and Fender full sized guitars. The feel is quite different from that of a full sized guitar, but it took me hardly any time to get used to it. Now it feels as natural as any guitar to play. The sound is amazing considering the small size. My backpacker was recently smashed in a fateful accident, but I will certainly be replacing it.

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

I have had this guitar since last March. I bought it because I wanted to bring a guitar along when we vacation. It is awkward to play at first but you will soon get used to the feel and once you do, it is as easy as your full size acoustic. The gig bag is an excellent addition!! Well constructed with a large pocket to keep your essentials. Although my intent was to use it for travel, I end up playing this guitar for hours on end in the evening after work or on the weekends watching college football. In my opinion, this is where the guitar really shines!!! You can get hours of practice in watching TV in the evenings, sitting in your favorite chair. A day does not go by unless I play this little Martin Backpacker!!!!
Always use Extra Light strings (Martin..of course!!). It requires the same care as your regular acoustic. Excellent value at under $200.00. I just purchased a Little Martin 3/4 size guitar and when it arrives, I will be able to compare the two. Until then, don't hesitate to buy this guitar if you are looking for a small, quality instrument.

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

Took a lot of thinking and considering. The size and sound finally sold me. Many sound like ukes but I found one with a mellow sound and decent mid-range. Slightly awkward but once you figure it out, can be fun and certainly travels better than any other small guitar I've played. Great for finger picking as it has a delicate touch. It is what it is and more and for that is great. The price is now good and Sam Ash makes it right.

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

i play this thing at guitar center all the time, i plan on buying it, it's compact easy to carry around, light. awesome tone. its only problem that i could see was that it was kind of weird to hold cause of its shape, but once you find a comfortable spot its really fun to play.

Comments about Martin Backpacker Acoustic Travel Guitar with Gig Bag:

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.
[...]
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.