Yes, Peter, I totally agree - this guitar is a Good Thing. I really liked your non-nonsense review, too. I'm subscribing. :-) As a life-long beginner player and tinkerer, I have to say that this is one of the most FUN guitars I've owned. I bought it IN SPITE of a friend saying it was substandard (and she wishes she'd gone for the steel string model...) but, frankly, for all-round pickup-ability and sound and play-ability, this guitar is 'da bees knees'. Totally. It's a nice one. Folks, if you're even THINKING about one, go ahead -- GET IT (before they stop making them...). There you go. :-)
I just got a classical acoustic/electric from an eBay sale....I got the steel string version from another eBay sale the other week. I know folks complain, but I can tell you another good reason for them: if you have shoulder impingements like I do, they are a life-saver cus even my 3/4 guitars were too bulky for my shoulders to allow my arm around without pain. My teen daughter has inherited both 3/4's now....I look forward to making guitar music again....apologies to my ukulele,but it's not the same. ;)
This is a nice review video; good post! I'm very keen on buying one of these as I love to play nylon for friends & family but just like you @Studio to Stereo I don't like to drag my favorite classical guitar around everywhere I go. I'm also blow-away at the tone you get from that little guitar, even after all the degradation that the digital compression inflicts on the sound, it still sounds great through my speakers! I wasn't very impressed with the steel-string version of this guitar when I first played it at Guitar Center about ten years ago. Now that I've read several positive reviews from classical players like yourself, I'm sold! Christmas is coming, and it is the season for giving...myself a Martin backpacker!
I love these and I think it has always been a mistake of "compare" these to common guitars, if the instrument is a different shape and size it will of course have a different sound. Nice, thanks for the vid, enjoy the unique sound:)
absolutely! even as a travel guitar, in my humble opinion you'd do alright if this was the only guitar you owned. i wouldn't say that about the Traveler Ultra-Light or even the "Little Martin". this thing feels and plays like a full-size guitar. :D
@legendsveil the chords are: Em G6 D A. the bridge is G D Bm A, if i remember correctly. you can download the full song at archive . org - it's called "the ever-living flame" by The Right Hand (a.k.a. me), from the album "Kindred Spirit". ;?)
Peter, thanks for the review. I just ordered one! Years ago I got a $90 concert sized guitar in Taiwan for knocking around that plays well, but it's still too big for travel, especially with the hard case. From what I hear, the Backpacker can handle rough treatment. I was concerned about the sound quality, but from your video, my fears were allayed.
I think this one sounds better than the Washburn nylon, at least after listening to your video. Maybe it's just your better playing ... I own a Rover 'classical' travel guitar and also one each of the Martin backpackers, the classic (nylon) and the steel string. Fun to drag around, but they all sound like toys compared to my 'real' guitars, ha. All three of mine are great fun to play. Thanks for posting this. :)
@PowerThirteen it doesn't have quite the low end (bass) of a full-size classical, but it has a lot for its size and i certainly wouldn't describe it as tinny. for my purposes, whether sitting on the couch or around a camp fire, i find it to be a very good tradeoff. it's loud enough for informal acoustic performance and the sound quality is great. note decays are a bit sharper (not as severe as a banjo, but same idea), so due to this and the lack of bass, i still use my standard for recording.
I was always concerned that the backpacker steel string sounded a bit tinny, but from this demo it seems the nylon is quite a bit warmer. From your experience with the nylon, is that a fair description? Following stevetheurkmanurkel's digression too, I just switched to a goatee. Having the full jaw beard makes me look unkempt, and I look odd without a beard, so the goatee is a good middle ground for me! :)
Hi, I am in college and want to learn acoustic guitar. I know the comment below says it'd be fine, but I'd like some other opinions. Do you guys think I could make this be my only guitar at least while in college? I wouldn't want something that takes up a lot of space and would be easy to take home and back. I know some people say it is quieter too which might also be good for if I'm playing in my dorm. Let me know please, thanks.
@guitargeek1122 i'm not sure - i don't have a steel one to compare it to. i always did enjoy the slightly wider fretboards offered by classical guitars in general, and the Backpacker is wide enough for my sausage fingers whereas most steel strings are not. ;?)
Would I be able to put steel strings in it without ruining the bridge or any other part? I think nylons sound too much like ukuleles. Not that I don't like ukulele, I play it. I just love steel string sound. Thanks in advance!
They make a steel-string version of this guitar. It's exactly the same design except the hardware and setup is for steel strings. Definitely go for the steel string version if you play steel strings as your primary guitar type.
I have the original steel string version of this and I haven't played it in a while. The action is high. I was thinking of selling it, but the nylon string version sounds good when you play it. I know that classical guitars are not designed for steel strings, but what about the reverse? Can I put nylon strings on my steel string backpacker? Are there modifications I'd have to make?
I had written Martin customer service with the same question and this is their response: "You can use Nylon strings on the steel string Backpacker, but you will need to have your local guitar tech reslot the nut to accommodate the wider nylon strings. You may want to consider trying our M-130 Silk & Steel strings, they are the closest thing to a nylon string without the extreme change in size and may eliminate the need to modify the Backpacker at all."
Those M-130 Silk & Steel strings are great. Also, flat-wound strings for jazz are an excellent way to get a more mellow tone from any steel string guitar. I'm a big fan of specialty strings because in my experience, the right strings on your instrument will make all the difference. Whatever style you play, you've got to choose a good set of strings to compliment your playing style; otherwise you'll be constantly "fighting" to get good sound from your strings.
STOP THERE.. You wrote : "this is a must-have for any serious guitar player who wants a small, portable instrument that plays like a big one." ...... This instrument is crap. Please don't compare this to a guitar. It may have strings and look like ... some part ... of a guitar. But be not fooled; cus' it's not.
![Six Hundred Strike [EPIC: The Musical] Full Animatic](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zov6NXIAuow/mqdefault.jpg)
I got my Dad's old backpacker from the 90's when he was living in California, it sounds great!
Yes, Peter, I totally agree - this guitar is a Good Thing. I really liked your non-nonsense review, too. I'm subscribing. :-) As a life-long beginner player and tinkerer, I have to say that this is one of the most FUN guitars I've owned. I bought it IN SPITE of a friend saying it was substandard (and she wishes she'd gone for the steel string model...) but, frankly, for all-round pickup-ability and sound and play-ability, this guitar is 'da bees knees'. Totally. It's a nice one. Folks, if you're even THINKING about one, go ahead -- GET IT (before they stop making them...). There you go. :-)
I just got a classical acoustic/electric from an eBay sale....I got the steel string version from another eBay sale the other week. I know folks complain, but I can tell you another good reason for them: if you have shoulder impingements like I do, they are a life-saver cus even my 3/4 guitars were too bulky for my shoulders to allow my arm around without pain. My teen daughter has inherited both 3/4's now....I look forward to making guitar music again....apologies to my ukulele,but it's not the same. ;)
Wonderful video Peter. It made up my mind to buy a Backpacker - and now I've played it - I love it. So, thanks. I love the music too. Mike
This is a nice review video; good post! I'm very keen on buying one of these as I love to play nylon for friends & family but just like you @Studio to Stereo I don't like to drag my favorite classical guitar around everywhere I go.
I'm also blow-away at the tone you get from that little guitar, even after all the degradation that the digital compression inflicts on the sound, it still sounds great through my speakers! I wasn't very impressed with the steel-string version of this guitar when I first played it at Guitar Center about ten years ago. Now that I've read several positive reviews from classical players like yourself, I'm sold! Christmas is coming, and it is the season for giving...myself a Martin backpacker!
I liked your video very much. Thanks for sharing it.
I love these and I think it has always been a mistake of "compare" these to common guitars, if the instrument is a different shape and size it will of course have a different sound. Nice, thanks for the vid, enjoy the unique sound:)
I have a steel string Backpacker.
Great sound.
Excellent size. Take anywhere
I really like this with the nylon strings vs steel strings...softer and sweeter!
absolutely! even as a travel guitar, in my humble opinion you'd do alright if this was the only guitar you owned. i wouldn't say that about the Traveler Ultra-Light or even the "Little Martin". this thing feels and plays like a full-size guitar. :D
@legendsveil the chords are: Em G6 D A. the bridge is G D Bm A, if i remember correctly. you can download the full song at archive . org - it's called "the ever-living flame" by The Right Hand (a.k.a. me), from the album "Kindred Spirit". ;?)
Peter, thanks for the review. I just ordered one! Years ago I got a $90 concert sized guitar in Taiwan for knocking around that plays well, but it's still too big for travel, especially with the hard case. From what I hear, the Backpacker can handle rough treatment. I was concerned about the sound quality, but from your video, my fears were allayed.
I think this one sounds better than the Washburn nylon, at least after listening to your video. Maybe it's just your better playing ... I own a Rover 'classical' travel guitar and also one each of the Martin backpackers, the classic (nylon) and the steel string. Fun to drag around, but they all sound like toys compared to my 'real' guitars, ha. All three of mine are great fun to play. Thanks for posting this. :)
@PowerThirteen it doesn't have quite the low end (bass) of a full-size classical, but it has a lot for its size and i certainly wouldn't describe it as tinny. for my purposes, whether sitting on the couch or around a camp fire, i find it to be a very good tradeoff. it's loud enough for informal acoustic performance and the sound quality is great. note decays are a bit sharper (not as severe as a banjo, but same idea), so due to this and the lack of bass, i still use my standard for recording.
Thanks for the review.
hey i got that tuner! :O and ooooh i always wanted one, once i get the money that guitar is all mine baby! lol
what is that intro song? My ears want more haha. I really do love the guitar and your playing though
I was always concerned that the backpacker steel string sounded a bit tinny, but from this demo it seems the nylon is quite a bit warmer. From your experience with the nylon, is that a fair description?
Following stevetheurkmanurkel's digression too, I just switched to a goatee. Having the full jaw beard makes me look unkempt, and I look odd without a beard, so the goatee is a good middle ground for me! :)
There is a big bolt behind the fretboard from the strap.....doesn't that get in the way?
Still hoping to find an answer... do I need to replace the bridge to do this?
Did it come with those tuners? I've been looking to buy the backpacker and all the pictures show a different head.
Mine did. Nice and smooth.
Name of the song o songs?
The Ever-Living Flame by The Right Hand (original song!) ;-) You can download it for free: archive.org/details/WhatICouldNeverSay
And here's the album it's from (also free): archive.org/details/TheRightHand-KindredSpirit
Hi, I am in college and want to learn acoustic guitar. I know the comment below says it'd be fine, but I'd like some other opinions. Do you guys think I could make this be my only guitar at least while in college? I wouldn't want something that takes up a lot of space and would be easy to take home and back. I know some people say it is quieter too which might also be good for if I'm playing in my dorm. Let me know please, thanks.
@guitargeek1122 i'm not sure - i don't have a steel one to compare it to. i always did enjoy the slightly wider fretboards offered by classical guitars in general, and the Backpacker is wide enough for my sausage fingers whereas most steel strings are not. ;?)
is the nylon one a thicker neck?
Yes
Would I be able to put steel strings in it without ruining the bridge or any other part? I think nylons sound too much like ukuleles. Not that I don't like ukulele, I play it. I just love steel string sound. Thanks in advance!
They make a steel-string version of this guitar. It's exactly the same design except the hardware and setup is for steel strings. Definitely go for the steel string version if you play steel strings as your primary guitar type.
I have the original steel string version of this and I haven't played it in a while. The action is high. I was thinking of selling it, but the nylon string version sounds good when you play it. I know that classical guitars are not designed for steel strings, but what about the reverse? Can I put nylon strings on my steel string backpacker? Are there modifications I'd have to make?
I had written Martin customer service with the same question and this is their response:
"You can use Nylon strings on the steel string Backpacker, but you will need to have your local guitar tech reslot the nut to accommodate the wider nylon strings. You may want to consider trying our M-130 Silk & Steel strings, they are the closest thing to a nylon string without the extreme change in size and may eliminate the need to modify the Backpacker at all."
That's exactly what I did recently, and it is definitely more playable.
Those M-130 Silk & Steel strings are great. Also, flat-wound strings for jazz are an excellent way to get a more mellow tone from any steel string guitar. I'm a big fan of specialty strings because in my experience, the right strings on your instrument will make all the difference. Whatever style you play, you've got to choose a good set of strings to compliment your playing style; otherwise you'll be constantly "fighting" to get good sound from your strings.
Nice intro song
you are nice dude
hesitant to get one... I hear they're terrible.
It tells me where my bitches are?!? I do lose them a lot... 3:20
jajaja pitches!
STOP THERE.. You wrote : "this is a must-have for any serious guitar player who wants a small, portable instrument that plays like a big one." ...... This instrument is crap. Please don't compare this to a guitar. It may have strings and look like ... some part ... of a guitar. But be not fooled; cus' it's not.
it sounds gruesome, like a toy
waste of money
This guitar really, really sucks.