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Martin GCBC Backpacker Nylon-String Travel Acoustic Guitar

Keep this guitar on hand at all times. It's light, compact, and made of solid wood that delivers a sound bigger than it's body would have you guess.

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Product Description

zZounds is an
authorized Martin dealer

Martin's Backpacker can accompany you anywhere in the world -- or beyond. One neat little package gives the guitarist portability, playability, intonation, and durability. It's all solid wood, but light. You can stow the Backpacker, in the special gig bag that comes with it, in aircraft overhead bins, and play it in armchairs, cars, parachuting, on mountaintops, in canoes -- anywhere your adventures take you. Choose your Backpacker from a steel 6-string guitar, or this classical nylon version. Standard features for the 'Backpacker Instruments' include solid wood back, sides and neck, a 1-year limited warranty, and padded carrying bag.

Backpackers(r) are fully playable compact travel guitars economically designed to meet the needs of musicians on the run! For their size, both the original steel-string style and this nylon-string classical model have a surprisingly rich and loud tone. Ruggedly built to withstand the rigors of outdoor situations like camping, hiking, and summer music festivals.

Features:

- Lightly braced solid tonewood top
- Solid Mahogany neck, back and sides
- Backpackers carry a 1-year limited warranty to the original owner zZounds is an authorized dealer of Martin products.

Model: Classical Backpacker Guitar

Construction: Unique To Backpacker

Body Size: Unique To Backpacker

Top: Solid Spruce

Rosette: None

Top Bracing Pattern: Unique To Backpacker

Top Braces: Solid Spruce

Back Material: Solid Tonewoods

Back Purfling: None

Side Material: Solid Tonewood

Endpiece: None

Endpiece Inlay: None

Binding: None

Top Inlay Style: None

Side Inlay: None

Back Inlay:

Neck Material: Solid Hardwood

Neck Shape: Unique Contour

Nut Material: Corian(R)

Headstock: Solid/Tapered

Headplate: None

Heelcap: None

Fingerboard Material: Select Hardwood

Scale Length: 24 in.

# of Frets Clear: 15

# of Frets Total: 15

Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 15/16 in.

Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 3/8 in.

Fingerboard Position Inlays: None- Double Side Dots (At 3,5,7 & 9 frets)

Fingerboard Binding: None

Finish Back & Sides: Hand Rubbed Urethane

Finish Top: Hand Rubbed Finish

Finish Neck: Hand Rubbed Finish

Bridge Material: Select Hardwood

Bridge Style: Unique To Classic Backpacker

Bridge String Spacing: 2 7/16 in.

Saddle: Micarta(R)

Tuning Machines: Chrome w/Small Knobs

Recommended Strings: Darco D-30 HB Ballend Classical

Bridge & End Pins: None

Pickguard: None

Case: Padded Gig Bag

Interior Label: Small Foil Logo Located Above Soundhole

Other Comments: All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging: Shipping Weight: 5 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 36 x 10 x 5 in

Manual

Martin Warranty Martin Warranty Martin offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of their guitars (valid only to the original owner.) Backpackers, Little Martins and Ukuleles are warrantied for one year. Strings are not covered under warranty. If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 610-759-2837

zZounds is an
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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "I highly recommend zZounds. My order was shipped promptly, and the product came in exactly as described, thanks zZounds!" - customer on May 4, 2013

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (54 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 7 Martin GCBC Backpacker Nylon-String Travel Acoustic Guitar Reviews

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. Martin GCBC Backpacker Customer Review

Sound: The classical-style Backpacker doesn't have the rich sound of a quality standard classical instrument. However, it does have a delightful, almost lute-like tone, which was a very pleasant surprise to me since I primarily play Renaissance music. You need good nails to evoke the tone, but it's quite rewarding and noticeable even with a multi-instrument group. Feature: Nicely padded case was included with a handy zipper pocket on the side. The included strap is somewhat uncomfortable (the nylon webbing is a bit rough) but it does the job of supporting the Backpacker properly. Ease of Use: Once the strap was properly adjusted, I found this to be a very comfortable, easy to play instrument. It's most definitely not similar to a normal guitar, but I adjusted quickly. I'm also impressed that additional bridges may be purchased if custom adjustments are desired. Quality: For all its quirkiness, I really like this guitar. However, I do wish the finish was a bit more...generous. It feels just a bit rough, but I'm used to a fully-finished body. The neck is also (relatively) unfinished but is already gaining a patina just from being played. The wood itself is quite nice and the mechanics work well. The tuning stabilized in just a few weeks. Value: It's a Martin! Manufacturer Support: I had an inquiry shortly after my guitar arrived, and contacted Martin directly. I received a useful, informative reply by email the next day. Well done! The Wow Factor: It travels well, which is what it's designed for. I have an excellent, concert-quality guitar but do NOT wish to do casual travel with it. Now I can leave my baby and home, safe and sound. Overall: I think the Backpacker is perfect for its designed purpose. It's fun to play, gets interesting reactions, and has a very pleasing, if unexpected, voice.

Style of Music: Primarily classical, some folk & rock

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. "The Ultimate Portable Classical Guitar"

Sound: The Martin Steel-string Backpackers have a "tinny" sound due to the small body, but this Classical Backpacker sounds like a Lute. Definitely does NOT sound like a Ukelele! The sound is good enough for what this guitar is designed to be, which is a very portable classical guitar. Feature: Bag, Martin-logoed strap. The bag is great, it has a zippered compartment for accessories and includes a shoulder strap. There is a little extra material inside to protect the headstock. Ease of Use: Okay, this is a portable guitar. Very solid, and as one might expect it is neck-heavy. Using the included strap is a must for any seated or standing position. Properly adjusted you can get a good Classical Guitar position when seated. The tuners work very well, they are smooth and I like that they are sealed. The 24" scale neck is excellent for serious practice--I have large hands so this is a critical point. It may take time to get the proper right-hand Classical position, but it can be done. Quality: The Martin quality is all there, very meticulous fretwork and mine had no defects at all. Value: For the price this is an absolutely excellent! I play electric and steel-string acoustic and wanted to dive into Classical playing. This was perfect for me. Manufacturer Support: I have never deal with Martin, there was never a need to. The Wow Factor: Everyone who has seen this Classical Backpacker is very interested in it. Overall: For learning and practicing Classical this is a great first choice for me. The alternative was to wait and purchase a midrange standard Classical, so I saved a lot of money and time by getting this first. Now, I can pursue my Classical studies and when I'm ready I can invest in a really nice Classical!

Style of Music: Varied

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Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

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Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
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