Martin Backpacker and Nashville tuning

dinomike77 · August 17th, 2007, 12:39 AM

I've just done a search for threads on the Backpacker thinking that it might be a good choice for stashing on my wildland fire engine. After reading the general disdain for these instruments, I was more than a little discouraged. My intention was to try and find one cheep and string it up nashville-style to make it a cool and different travel axe. Keep in mind that I do not expect it to sound like a real guitar and give me some thoughts. Am I wasting my time? Would a Martin LX or Baby Taylor be a better choice? The reason I am looking to the Backpacker is that I have a nice little space in my fire engine that would accommodate it well. Thanks in advance.

-Mike Medina

jussishow · August 17th, 2007, 02:55 AM

Buy the biggest and "most guitar shaped" guitar You can fit into the nice little space in Your fire engine ...

IMO the biggest problem with the Backpacker is the shape ...

red57strat · August 17th, 2007, 11:19 AM

I've had one for several years and have a love/hate relationship with it.

The tiny body gives it a cigar box kind of tone that it actually quite usable as long as you don't expect it to sound like a traditional acoustic guitar.

I just came back from a 10 day trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and my Backpacker was wonderful. It took very little space in the car and got the job done.

My Backpacker is very well made out of quality materials.

To me, the real flaw with the Backpacker is that the fretboard is dead flat, no radius at all. It's really uncomfortable to someone who's used to modern acoustic and electric guitars.

August 17th, 2007, 12:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
dinomike77 TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 58	Martin Backpacker and Nashville tuning I've just done a search for threads on the Backpacker thinking that it might be a good choice for stashing on my wildland fire engine. After reading the general disdain for these instruments, I was more than a little discouraged. My intention was to try and find one cheep and string it up nashville-style to make it a cool and different travel axe. Keep in mind that I do not expect it to sound like a real guitar and give me some thoughts. Am I wasting my time? Would a Martin LX or Baby Taylor be a better choice? The reason I am looking to the Backpacker is that I have a nice little space in my fire engine that would accommodate it well. Thanks in advance. -Mike Medina

August 17th, 2007, 02:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
jussishow Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norway. Age: 37 Posts: 530 16 Photos	Buy the biggest and "most guitar shaped" guitar You can fit into the nice little space in Your fire engine ... IMO the biggest problem with the Backpacker is the shape ... __________________ B-bender, HW1 Texas & CS Thinline relic ... :-) + a bunch of other stringed instruments ... Pictures (family album...) in gallery

August 17th, 2007, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,118	I've had one for several years and have a love/hate relationship with it. The tiny body gives it a cigar box kind of tone that it actually quite usable as long as you don't expect it to sound like a traditional acoustic guitar. I just came back from a 10 day trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and my Backpacker was wonderful. It took very little space in the car and got the job done. My Backpacker is very well made out of quality materials. To me, the real flaw with the Backpacker is that the fretboard is dead flat, no radius at all. It's really uncomfortable to someone who's used to modern acoustic and electric guitars. __________________ Don