Excellent craftmanship, nice sound for its shape/size, NOT for classical guitar practicing
Written: May 21 '02
Product Rating:
Pros: Nice sound for the size and shape
Cons: Can't be held properly for classical guitar practice
The Bottom Line: Excellent craftmanship. Reasonable sound for its size. Don't expect to use it for practising classical guitar. Works well for strumming and some fingering.
akarin's Full Review: Martin Backpacker Nylon Strings Classical Guitars
I was looking for a classical guitar that I can easily take with me for practice and recreation on trips. When I got it, I was quite satisfied with the sound, mind you that I didn't expect much.
What's remarkable about the guitar is the craftmanship, which is spotless. It is just what anyone would expect from Martin & Co.
Here comes the surprise ending. I ended up returning it to the store about a week later even though I liked it. Even with the strap, it was impossible to hold this guitar in anyway that would allow me a reasonable practice of classical guitar playing.
Even when I managed to find a trick to hang it diagonally across my body, in a way that resembles the usual classical guitar posture. I still face the problem of the guitar flipping over. This last unsolvable problem is due to the position of the strap hooks which are on the center line of the guitar. If one of them had been placed off center, it would not flip.
By the way, that trick I mentioned was simply to run the strap under your right thigh (just before the butt!) rather than aside your body under the right arm. I know it sounds weird to someone, but it works or at least it comes close to that.
If you don't care about holding it properly, then it should works well for you. With strap, it is positioned quite well for strumming and fingering.
I eventually went for another travel guitar --GraduEtte by SoloEtte-- and loving it! I'll review that one when it is listed here.
Martin's Backpacker can accompany you anywhere in the world - or beyond. One neat little package gives the guitarist portability, playability, intonat...More at American Musical Supply
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