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Martin GCBC Backpacker Nylon-String Travel Acoustic Guitar (With Gig Bag and Strap)
Solid Spruce top. 1-year warranty.
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About This Product!
Description
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(R) carry a 1-year limited warranty to the original owner
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.
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(R) carry a 1-year limited warranty to the original owner
Technical Info
Model: Classical Backpacker GuitarConstruction: 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.
What Our Customers Say About zZounds
"Item arrived in new condition, packaging was excellent... I will definitely purchase from zZounds again!" - customer on November 4, 2009
Call
866.ZZOUNDS (996.8637)
and mention priority code: 782VBZN
Item: MRT11GCBC
Martin GCBC Backpacker Nylon-String Travel Acoustic Guitar (With Gig Bag and Strap) Reviews
9 out of 10
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"The Ultimate 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.
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.
Desirability:
Everyone who has seen this Classical Backpacker is very interested in it.
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.
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.
Support:
I have never deal with Martin, there was never a need to.
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!
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.
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.
Desirability:
Everyone who has seen this Classical Backpacker is very interested in it.
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.
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.
Support:
I have never deal with Martin, there was never a need to.
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!
Submitted: 08/16/2008
Style of Music: Varied
8 out of 10
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Martin GCBC Backpacker Customer Review
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.
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!
Desirability:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Desirability:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Submitted: 02/11/2009
Style of Music: Primarily classical, some folk & rock
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