Martin Guitar Backpacker Steel String with Gig Bag, Left-handed

I love that it comes with a strap and case. I love that it is steel string. It is super light ( literally like 2 pounds ) and very convenient. I use it for when I need to watch my daughter at the park, or for lunch break at work, also when I travel to keep my big guitar safe, and when I just need to hash out a few notes for transposing.It is soft compared to a full sized guitar but it is 100% perfect for what it's intended. And to be honest, the fretboard and sound now makes me want to get a full sized Martin. I have now become a Martin loyalist.To be honest, I'd even suggest it to someone who wanted to learn guitar on something affordable as they save up for a custom big guy.No matter what you use it for. It's awesome.

It’s perfect! The sound quality just magnificent!

-First off I have to say I really like the sound of this guitar it borders on almost banjo-like. There are a couple difficulties I have experienced in its play however. The body design is just weird. Had they just squared it off a little more it wouldn't be so difficult to handle, it tends to turn a little when I get comfortable(aka lazy) after playing for a while. I like to rest my forearm on the body from time to time and you just can't do that with this. The neck of the guitar is very thick which makes it nice and strong so I am not worried it will snap at any point in its length but it does bring it off balance a bit. It makes use of a capo a little difficult but with all the designs out there these days I am sure to find one that will fit.-Recently I added Marten Silk Wound Strings which as usual for these outstanding strings changed the play and tone to a great playing and sounding guitar. If you buy this guitar I fully reccomend restringing it with these you won't regret it.-Another note. I can't seem to locate a hard case for it. I travel a lot and would like to stow it away in my checked baggage rather than lug the little guy about as a carry-on as I have other things that need to be hand carried.

The guitar is a Martin, you cannot expect something bad from it. The tunning lasts for long time and the calibration is perfect, giving you good chords/notes across the entire fret.The sound is really good for its size, especially using strings 0.11, the smell is awesome too, once I enter into the room where I put it I can get that wood fragance overall the place.It is kind of hard to hold it if you don't use the strap, but it takes only a few hours to get used to it. This does not represent an issue for me.Recommended for travel, the weight is very convinient.

I am doing the Pacific Crest trail this year and I can't imagine hiking for 6 months without a guitar. So a friend bought me this online. I asked for the classical version because there probably isn't a steel reinforced neck and the tuning pegs looked lighter. When you are hiking 2660 miles you count every gram on your back. Unfortunately my friend was told that this was the classical version and they just sent it with classical strings. And did not let her return it. Obviously that was not a Martin dealer, so I have not knocked any stars off yet. I got the guitar and never having a steel string before, I was impressed by the sound and playability this tiny body could produce, so I decided not to fight the dealer and keep it. HOWEVER:THERE IS A REASON WHY MARTIN DOES NOT LIST THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THIS GUITAR ANYWHERE. They put the heaviest tuning pegs on the market on this guitar. They are chrome and weigh exactly 32 grams each. If you think that's bad the useless gig bag that it comes with is 1lb 3.6oz, and that's without the shoulder strap. The reason why I say useless isn't because its so heavy, its because its not weather proof at all. The only thing you don't want your guitar to get when you are backpacking is WET. So I constructed a lightweight waterproof gig back that is waterproof that weighs 5.9 oz for about $25. First obstacle cleared.But the guitar itself weighs in at 2lb 10.5oz with the included strap, which you need otherwise it is unplayable. My full sized Flamenco guitar weighs about the same, and has 19 playable frets, to the Martins 15 playable frets. The flamenco is 3" deeper in the body, 6"taller and twice as wide.I could never add 3lb 14.1oz to my base weight for long hiking adventures my. backpack plus tent don't even weigh that much. Martin needs to use carbon or aluminum for its neck reinforcement and tuning pegs, and it needs to waterproof it gig bag, to get 5 stars.I gave it 2 stars for its price and sound quality. Sorry Martin I tried to like it.

I bought this not for travel, but to have a guitar to stick in the corner of my bedroom without taking up much room, so I could pick it up when inspiration strikes. No, it doesn't sound as full and rich as a regular acoustic, but it's not supposed to. You would probably not want this as your only acoustic guitar for that reason. But it's unique banjo/mandolin sound has it's own benefits and I've used it for recording. And the craftsmanship is outstanding; I find myself just admiring the looks of this instrument. At around $200, this is a bargain in my opinion.

This little gem, for what it is, is a treat. Do not expect any sound quality but it makes sound! Most surprisingly, after lowering the bridge it plays quite well and it's in tune all the way up the neck! Definitely better than hauling around a high dollar on a trip if it's just me noodlng around.

When I first got this guitar I wasn't impressed. With the skill I had, I could make it sound thin and reedy but not substantial and true and having depth - it just sounded like a kid's guitar. After gaining a lot more experience in playing, and coming back to it, it sounds simply brilliant. Very like a mandolin, melodic and clear. I'm beginning to love it.