zaldyyabut from Brooks Alberta Canada
Subject:
Better than I expected
Sound:
for me the sound is good for its size i did not expect a full sized martin that's why i was not disappointed with it
Reliability:
I've only had it for a week so i can't really say.
Overall:
For its size the sound is better than i expected.
Playability and Feel:
Neck is just right for me I love it!
Finish:
The Stain look good but i would have preferred it having a gloss finish
Action:
It's ok for me for i mostly do finger picking
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
yes
Date submitted:
Jan 30 2010
Subject:
Absolutely Amazing!!
Quality:
Extremely well made and very dependable.
Sound:
Not as good as a full-size acoustic, but loud and rich for something this size.
Overall:
A great, durable, and compact guitar for backpacking
Playability and Feel:
It's very light and playability is unbelievable. But it only has fifteen frets, so you may not be able to play some songs.
Tone:
It's tone is very bright.
Finish:
Looks VERY nice, better than I ever would've expected.
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Deuce from NYC
Subject:
Best travel investment ever
Quality:
Solid construction. Don't be too rough on it, and it'll last.
Sound:
It's not a grand concert, so don't expect it to sound like any other Martin. It has amazing tone for what it is, and it sounds better than all the dreadnoughts I've owned in the past.
Reliability:
Just got it, so I can't say how reliable it will be. Ask me again after I come back from Alaska.
Overall:
Great sound out of this tiny package. Action is a little too high, and scale takes some getting used to, but overall well worth the money.
Playability and Feel:
Scale takes some getting used to, but it's great for the price.
Tone:
Surprisingly good tone for such an oddly shaped instrument. Yes, it sounds a little like a ukelele, but what could you expect from this form factor?
Finish:
Looks good, smells like it just left the factory.
Action:
Too high... but this was the only drawback.
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
Yes
ART from FORT LAUDERDALE, FL.
Subject:
MARTIN BACKPACKER IS A WINNER
Quality:
LIGHT AND WELL MADE. IT HAS SOLVED MY TRAVEL PROBLEM. I CARRIED MY STRAT WITH IT'S CASE BEFORE. THISIS 2.2 LBS.
Sound:
FOR IT'S SIZE MARTIN DID A GREAT JOB
Reliability:
JUST GOT IT BUT IT IS WELL BUILT
Overall:
GREAT PRODUCT FOR THE PRICE. EXCELLENT FOR TRAVEL. IS LIGHTER THAN MY LAP TOP!
Playability and Feel:
THE FEEL IS GREAT. IT IS "A LITTLE" TOP HEAVY DUE TO THE WEIGHT IS UP TOP BUT EASY TO ADJUST TO.
Finish:
FINISHED LIKE A MARTIN
Action:
ACTION OUT OF THE BOX IS PERFECT!
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
YES
Tommy V from New York
rrmprod@ix.netcom.com
Subject:
Terrific Little Critter Withstands The Test Of Time
Quality:
Very well made, no question about it ... has survived the test of time and abuse, and come thru with flying colors. Exemplary Martin quality thru and thru
Sound:
Surprisingly full and rich, has that legendary balanced tone which Martin is noted for. Just don't play it too hard or the tone will thin out and shrill very quickly.
Reliability:
I tend to bang on my guitars (yes, another Who freak! /laughs), and this has the usual pick gouges on the upper and lower 'bouts' .. almost giving a corduroy look perpendicular to body grain. It has developed a grain crack along the tail leading to the bridge (typical of Martin and acoustic guitars in general, humidity problem on my part apparently). But otherwise is still stable as ever, and neither of these affected its playability or tone in any manner.
Overall:
I bought one of the first-run Backpackers in the early 90's right here on AMS, with the original small headstock and no visible Martin logo anywhere (logo is on a small sticker inside the soundhole). After all these years it's still going strong! Albeit, a bit beat up by me, but still plays and sounds just as good as it did when it arrived on my doorstep so many years ago ...
Playability and Feel:
Don't play this on your lap, this is NOT a sitting down lap guitar! /laughs ... use the included strap, absolutely necessary! Because the body is so small and in a weird shape there is no place to rest an upper wrist for stability, you almost have to play it with your palm pressed against the bridge in order to get any sort of stability. And on the left side, even using the strap this guitar tends to weigh down along the neck (due to the headstock and tuning machines) ... don't let go of it at all, the neck will drop right down! /again laughs ... as I stated before, this guitar *forces* you to play with precision, all along while fighting forces of gravity. Overall I give this section a high 4 rating but only because this Backpacker "just is what it is"
Tone:
Well balanced tone if played in normal fashion ... if played hard then all that goes right out the window ...
Finish:
Top is fairly standard, not gloss but has a nice look to it. Rear and neck are finished in a semi-satin which is very smooth and cozy feeling. Fingerboard is regular Rosewood or similar.
Action:
Action as expected -- *tight and unforgiving* -- which is normal for a short scale guitar. You don't want to go on reckless abandon while playing this thing, it will NOT forgive whatsoever(!). Precision playing is the name of the game here, which is great for learning' songs correctly and also to develop 'muscle memory' in the fingers which can be translated to a more forgiving guitar later on. Tuning hold and intonation were perfect, and remain so to this day.
Do you own this product?:
Yes, an earlier version of it
Date submitted:
April 21 2010
Paul Routon from Forest, VA - USA
flukenjig@verizon.net
Subject:
super nice compact for travel and just pick it up and play acoustic jams
Quality:
worth the price tag at under $200
Sound:
the tone is not that of a Jumbo Gibson, or a Taylor, but lets face it, thats not what you're buying. Keep in mind you have a diminutive guitar with the presence to jam along with any other acoustic instruments and still be heard. Tone all its own, it can lend a different sound to any studio recording as well.
Reliability:
this will not fall apart from normal use, if taken care of it will last through the ages. However, if you take it to a hotel room as I did, and the cleaning lady steps on it, this is an abuse the little guy will not withstand. Short of that, and "Who-like" antics. There should be no issue with it.
Overall:
I owned one of these already. It was damaged beyond use, and I have missed it thoroughly since then. Incredible volume from such a small guitar. Headstock with tuners weighs more than the rest of the guitar, so it tends to be a bit top heavy. Takes a little getting used to, but well worth the little effort that takes. Anyone who plays one will be amazed at how it sings.
Playability and Feel:
Just what you'd expect from a guitar this size. Noted previously in other fields.
Finish:
simple, unimpressive, but fully functional.
Action:
Surprisingly playabale in its OOTB state. As far as any adjustments that may be made, keep in mind any new guitar may need tweaking to obtain the optimal state. Its luck of the draw with instruments of this nature.
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
I owned one previously, and will purchase one again very soon.