Martin Backpacking Mandolin

“Anybody out there have any experiences with the Martin backpacker series of instruments?”

“It looks pretty sweet, what with the streamlined body and all. I'd definitly want a waterproof cover for it. Unless you already know how to play a mandolin and want a lightweight, somewhat compact and quality sounding instrument to beat up, it sounds like an ideal trail companion. However, you may want to look around for an unwanted used mandolin at yard sales or flea markets for much less $$$.”

“I've heard the guitar. THe sound wasn't anything to write home about. The resonation chamber is really too small to get any sort of good sound out of it. I'd just as soon by a small full sized guitar, maybe with a bigger neck, to lug around if I was going that route.”

“I have heard the guitar as well.. was not all that impressed.. but hey.. I guess it's better than nothing.. but I tihnk if I was gonna haul a guitar.. I would drag my old nylon string up there.”

“My gf works at a guitar store and has heard nothing but bad about the Martin Backpacker.”

“I have a Martin D-12-28 and the backpacker.

Obviously you don't get the same tone and deep resonance of the D-12 in the backpacker, but it does the trick and IMHO, really doesn't sound that bad.

The guitar itself is lightweight but the case is heavy..I'm thinking about sewing something up in Sil nylon

I plan on bringing this on my next TT hike..if you wanna tool around with it, you're more than welcome.”

“TX, you're a player? Kewl, I pick and grin occasionaly, but never get too serious.”

“I live near the factory,and after reading your posts,decided to go check it out.The tone isn't very good,but the neck seems a lot heavier than my Kentucky F-5,or my Martin 2-30.Maybe that would be a plus for inclement weather.It would probably stay in tune.Oh,they are including nylon cases with the instruments now.”

“Why buy a baby mandolin? They are small enough to pack already.

I pack a $50 3/4 scale mexican classical guitar. It's sound is comparable to the Martin backpack guitar; like crap. But its strings don't rust and if it fell off a cliff or had to be used for emergency fire wood I would not cry. If I was going to spend a few hundred dollars on a backpacking guitar I'd get a small Taylor or Washburn.

Somehow those cheap little guitars sound a lot better way out in the woods....”