Martin Classical Backpacker Acoustic Guitar

Pros: slender; made of solid wood; good construction quality
Cons: uncomfortable to hold; not much fun to play; doesn't sound good

The Martin Backpacker Steel String Guitar is a strange little musical instrument. It looks and feels more like a dulcimer than a guitar (see photo, above), with it's long, skinny body and ultra-light-weight construction, but it's a real guitar, with six ...

Pros: You can carry it anywhere, good playability, cheap price
Cons: Terrible sound, no presence

The Martin Steel String Backpacker guitar is probably the ultimate utility instrument, if you recognize the limitations of the guitar and purchase it with those in mind. The instrument has its pros and cons, and I'll give you my take on those in a...

Pros: novelty
Cons: lacks utility

I think the Martin Backpacker is a nifty little instrument. It's light, it's portable, it has a likeable tone, light & trebly, if kind of weedy. The action is easy, and you can do some really interesting things with open string hammer-ons and pull-offs ...

Pros: This is a great guitar for children or beginners.
Cons: Am not able to get a real loud sound.

I have to tell you that my family and I are really enjoying our Martin Steel String Backpacker. I am a owner of several guitars and had bought this one with a specific purpose in mind.

I bought it because my children and guests who come for a...

Pros: Super small Size.
Cons: Tone? what tone?

I owned my Martin Steel-string Backpacker since 1998. Bought it on a whim while on the road when I was consulting in Maryland. I bought it for $160 back then. I recently sold it for $50 on craigslist.org. I was amazed that quite a number of people where ...

Pros: Travels well, plays easily - unless you are used to something much easier!
Cons: Factory set-up is hideous! Needs too be custom set by your local luthier.

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 ...

Pros: Goes everywhere, inexpensive.
Cons: Hard to hold, less then stellar tone

**UPDATE AT END OF REVIEW, Dated 12June06** Full disclosure: I am a rank beginner guitarist, with barely a year under my belt. If you are an old hand, you may want to move on to the next review. Since the Martin Backpacker really offers more to ...

Pros: Small and portable
Cons: Sounds bad, never feel like playing it, just makes you hungry for your real guitar.

Overview

The concept of this guitar is a good one, but in practice it isn't really worth the money. It does not produce a pleasing sound, and it isn't well suited to play most of the time - even when traveling. Besides, it's not so...

Pros: Excellent fretboard, solid intonation.
Cons: Difficult to hold on to, sounds like a banjo.

I didn't actually purchase a Martin Backpacker; my father did. However, I did spent quite a bit of time with this instrument in an effort to improve its performance, and I learned a few important things about getting the most from this instrument.
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Pros: size, quality of materials and finish
Cons: sound...it just isn't a good guitar sound

The Martin Backpacker is a great little travel guitar......if you can handle the sound it produces. When I first purchased this instrument from my son, I thought it would be a great little instrument to have for practicing and taking on trips.....and it...

Pros: Good value, no-problem guitar to leave laying about, ultimately portable
Cons: Small sound, which I expected, came set up with too-high action

I don't know why other reviewers are surprised that the Backpacker sounds small, it IS small, that's the point. For what it is - a genuine Martin that you can carry on a plane or anywhere else for around $150 - it is an excellent value. I bought mine ...

Pros: Easy to tote almost anywhere.
Cons: It's not a concert dreadnought -- don't expect it to be.

That's what I'd hear every time I pulled out my Backpacker. I wanted a guitar that was easy to pack with me when I went to Iraq in the fall of 2003 -- my Ovation was simply too big. I settled on the Backpacker. I wasn't disappointed. It's not an ...

Pros: Portabiltiy, size, unique sound
Cons: Travel case should be as small as the guitar

The Martin Backpacker is an excellent addition to the guitarist on the go. Just as long as that guit ...

Pros: Surprisingly balanced sound; "take anywhere" feel
Cons: Too small, too light, no resonance, and too faddish

This is one of those fads that will probably pass quickly. The Martin Backpacker looks so outlandish, so strange, that you just have to pick it up when your in the music store. But what good is it, really? It's not good for home playing, because it's...

Pros: Beautiful looking wood, nice chrome, lightweight, very portable and cheap.
Cons: Sound has no body to it, sounds like a toy.

I received this brand new Martin at auction. I was very excited to finally get one. When I opened the package I was in love with the warm rich tones of the wood. The beautiful "Martin" insignia on the neck and the chrome tuning knobs. WOW I thought!...