Martin GCBC Backpacker User Reviews at zZounds

Martin GCBC Backpacker Customer Review submitted February 11, 2009

By a customer from cox.net

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Nearly 40 years of guitar

Music Style: Primarily classical, some folk & rock

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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.

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"Backpacker Guitar does everything I want it to!!" submitted January 8, 2012

By a customer from earthlink

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Value

Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Jaming a Bass and guitars at home for fun.

Music Style: Rock, progressive, blues, country.

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Sound: This is a suprisingly large sound for such a compact acoustic instrument. Feature: everything seems to be just what it is supposed to be. In todays world, that is more than I could have asked for. Size, sound, feel and appreance are all great!! Ease of Use: This played great from the begining. I did find that without the strap, just resting the guitar on my knee, this was uncomfortable, but once I was standing and playing it was fine. Time will tell. Quality: Since this is brand new, I cannot tell you how many years it will be last, but if it is anything like my other Martin product, it will be fine forever. Value: Yes. Manufacturer Support: I have not contacted martin since getting this product, but if they are as responsive as their product is made well, I am sure I will do fine. The Wow Factor: I have always wanted one, now I have one. Life is better today than yesterday! Overall: This guitar serves a purpose. If I lost it, I would most likely replace it.

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"The Ultimate Portable Classical Guitar" submitted August 16, 2008

By a customer from kj7l.net

Overall

Sound

Features

Ease of Use

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Multi-instrumentalist / Indie Composer / Producer

Music Style: Varied

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

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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!

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"Don't do it." submitted September 13, 2004

By a customer from clan-dot.org

Overall

Sound

Features

Quality

Value

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: alt

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Sound: Imagine a hollow bat with strings on it. That's what it sounds like and that's about how comfortable it is to play. This guitar does a disservice to Martin (I'm a proud Martin guitar owner but this, this is a worthless POS). Feature: You will not believe how awkward to play this thing is. I bought to travel with and found the only position in which it is even remotely comfortable is if I play it laying down and its wedged between an elbow and my chest. There is no natural position for a guitar shaped like this. Also, it sounds like crap. I ended up buying a cheap Yamaha to take on the road and it sounds better anyway. Quality: Martin really should have put the "Sigma" stamp on this one. (Sigma is their "down market" brand name.)

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Martin GCBC Backpacker Nylon-String Travel Acoustic Guitar

User Ratings

Martin GCBC Backpacker Customer Review submitted February 11, 2009

"Backpacker Guitar does everything I want it to!!" submitted January 8, 2012

"The Ultimate Portable Classical Guitar" submitted August 16, 2008

"Don't do it." submitted September 13, 2004