Martin Backpacker Acoustic Guitar Review :: Martin Guitar Reviews

recommended for those who travel a lot.

steel backpaper guitar

A braced, solid tonewood top with a solid mahogany neck, back, and sides gives this cool little guitar a surprisingly big projection. Built to withstand the rigors of camping, hiking, and off-road traveling. Includes high-quality chrome-enclosed tuners. A unique bridge on the nylon-string version accepts either plain or ball-end classic strings. Weighs less than 2-1/2 lbs. This is a travel guitar so you can leave your big and expensive ones at home.

Sound of Martin Backpacker Guitar

  • the sound is a bit dissapointing, shallow but you can’t expect too much from a travel guitar;
  • doesn’t produce enough quality sound for fingerstyle playing;
  • the sound is mid range and high with little bass;
  • tone is limited by the size of the sound box, however it still sounds good;
  • sounds a bit like a banjo with some tone;
  • sounds pleasant for what it is.

Pros of Martin Backpacker Acoustic Electric Guitar

  • its size and weight and durability are wonderful;
  • the price is right;
  • it fits easily in all airplane overhead compartiments;
  • for what it is, a sturdy travel guitar, its quality, value and overall are good enough;
  • the neck is thick but playable;
  • a good and economical choice;
  • if you want to take your guitar everywhere you go, this is risk-free;
  • good durability;

Cons of Martin Backpacker Guitar

  • the sound is a bit dissapointing;
  • doesn’t hold tune very well.

Suggestions for this Martin Guitar

  • by tying the strap above the nut instead of using the upper strap button, you can play easily and comfortably sitting or standing;
  • with steel strings it does sound a little thin but with the folk strings it truly does sound much better;
  • the bronze strings make up for the lacking bass;
  • Check out the MARTIN LX… (little martins) as well, you won’t get disappointed in those.
Features + Technical Specs
MODEL Steel String Backpacker Guitar
CONSTRUCTION: Unique To Backpacker
BODY SIZE: Unique To Backpacker
TOP: Solid Spruce
ROSETTE: none
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Unique To Backpacker
TOP BRACES: Solid Spruce
BACK MATERIAL: Solid Tonewoods
BACK PURFLING: none
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Tonewood
ENDPIECE: none
ENDPIECE INLAY: none
BINDING: none
TOP INLAY STYLE: none
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Solid Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Unique Contour
NUT MATERIAL: Corian
HEADSTOCK: Solid/Tapered
HEADPLATE: none /Small Gold Foil Logo
HEELCAP: none
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
SCALE LENGTH: 24”
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 15
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 15
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16”
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET:  
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: none
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Hand Rubbed Urethane
FINISH TOP: Hand Rubbed Finish
FINISH NECK: Hand Rubbed Finish
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
BRIDGE STYLE: Unique To Backpacker Steel String
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 1 11/16”
SADDLE: Micarta
TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/ Small Knobs
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin M170 Extra-Light 80/20 Bronze
BRIDGE & END PINS: White w/ Black Dots
PICKGUARD: none
CASE: Padded Gig Bag
INTERIOR LABEL: Paper Label
ELECTRONICS: Optional Martin Backpacker with Thinline 332

Click below on page 2 for more photos of this musical instrument

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