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I have owned both the classical and the steel string version. The classical is a dud, avoid at all costs. Terrible feel and will not stay in tune. The steel string however....is amazing. Reviews say it is difficult to hold and play while sitting and the strap is a must. I found it quite easy and comfortable to play this while sitting and didn't need the strap to make it work. Easy to carry in the travel bag, and I bring it everywhere I go now when away for the weekend. This is highly recommended for those who don't have time to practice much..you will find you practice quite a bit.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Backpacker is an acquired taste, but as long as you get a "good" one, it is addicting once appreciated. It is a perfect size for a quick strum on the run. To play it, you need the strap for balance. It cannot be balanced on your leg like a full-sized guitar because that will dampen the first string. Though I usually use the rear corner edge as a pivot point against my thigh, the strap is still needed, and you have to experiment with positioning. Once you get the right position, it will become more stable and easier to work with. You can be a little more free with it, and the neck opens up. The fret spacing is not too bad, but the width of the neck (bass to treble) is narrow. You can use fingerstyle if you are precise, but you have to get used to what might feel like a cramped string spacing for your left (fretting) hand in the beginning. The high E-string is a little too close to the edge, and you have to adjust your attack when using fingerstyle. Also, many backpackers ship with a pretty high action. The saddle can be adjusted, but you cannot adjust the neck in any way, which is a limitation. The guitar is lightweight and highly portable. In comparison, the Baby Taylor is shorter but with a shorter fretboard as a result. The Backpacker is longer but more narrow. You can more easily sneak it on a plane because it has very little width and will not take up room, especially if taken out of the original gig bag. It can be squeezed in nearly anywhere on a plane where it will not get smashed. A Baby Taylor sounds better, but is thicker and wider in all respects. As a result, it has a truss rod and is adjustable like a "real" guitar. The Backpacker is not, so make sure it is "good" before you buy it because there is not much adjusting you can do. Sadly, it seems that too many Backpackers--both the old and new designs--crack across the soundboard, not from misuse but poor design. They also seem to vary greatly in color from rich browns to dirty yellows to pale reds. Sometimes, they have a funky grain pattern, too. All in all, try one out before you buy and be ready for a breaking in period. Forget it if you have large hands. I have heard people say, "It's a Martin, so it has to be good." That is not a good reason to buy it, especially in this day and age. Buy it if you want to travel light, move around easily, and have a relatively quiet guitar whose sound will not attract a lot of attention. Buy it if the need/desire to play is more important than the sound you here. Buy it if you are flexible and adaptable to different guitar sizes and neck types. And be prepared for questions about its triangular shape. Everyone will ask you what it is.Read full review
I do a lot of camping/traveling & don't want to take my good instruments to the campfire. The Martin Backpacker seems like the solution, better than an old beater full-sized instrument for this, because it's a really small, light package. Won't take much room & nothing to carry! I am okay w/the sound (for this purpose) when using a pick. W/o it can be used after curfew w/o disturbing anyone. Obviously you can't expect much bass out of this little sound box. It feels like a decent guitar, not as good as my full-sized Martin or Taylor, but functions better than a junker. I have rated it as good because it IS a guitar, but would call it excellent for its purpose.
I am delighted with this guitar! It is so compact and yet has a wonderful sound. Only two drawbacks - a couple of the strings do tend to go out of tune; the other is that it's a bit difficult to play sitting down because of the slender body. But, these are quibbles with an otherwise excellent product and I would certainly recommend to anyone who wants a full-size-sounding guitar in a limited space.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This was a Christmas gift for my daughter. The sound is fuller than I expected, and it holds its tune very well. The fingerboard seems a bit cramped compared to the Martin dreadnought full-sized guitar. She says she will get used to that with more time playing it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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