Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $318
Standard/Professional
$200
$601+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Martin Backpacker (Steel-String)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar - the quintessential travel companion for musicians. This lightweight and compact guitar doesn't compromise on quality, delivering the rich, resonant tone that Martin guitars are globally renowned for. Weighing less than 2.5 lb, it's robustly built with solid sapele mahogany, perfect for those impromptu jam sessions wherever life takes you.
Its unique shape is not only eye-catching but also functional, designed to take up minimal space and fit comfortably in a backpack. Yet, don't be fooled by its size - the 15-fret full-size fretboard ensures seamless playability, making transitions between this and any other guitar effortless.
Constructed with solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it provides articulate highs and mids, while adding warmth and depth for a balanced sound. Sporting rust-resistant chrome tuners, the Backpacker stays in tune and intonated even with changes in humidity and temperature.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and compact for easy portability
- Solid sapele mahogany construction for durability and rich tone
- Full-size fretboard with 15 frets for comfortable playability
- Solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides for a balanced sound
- Chrome-enclosed tuners for reliable tuning stability
- Comes with padded carrying bag for protection during travel
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Backpacker, 15-fret |
| Back & Sides Wood | Sapele |
| Top Wood | Sapele |
| Top Finish | Matte |
| Body Bracing | Backpacker |
| Neck Wood | Select Hardwood |
| Neck Shape | Backpacker |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Dots (5th and 12th fret only) |
| Number of Frets | 15 |
| Scale Length | 24" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875'' |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Corian/Micarta |
| Bridge Material | Select Hardwood |
| Tuning Machines | Chrome with Small Knobs |
| Strings | Authentic Acoustic 80/20 Bronze, .010-.047 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Gig Bag |
FAQs
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Is the Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar suitable for travel?
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Yes, the Martin Backpacker is designed specifically for travel, featuring a compact and lightweight body that makes it easy to carry and fit into tight spaces.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Martin Backpacker guitar?
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The Martin Backpacker is constructed with solid tonewoods, including a sapele top, back, and sides, which contribute to its durability and resonant sound.
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How many frets does the Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar have?
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The Martin Backpacker features 15 frets, allowing for a range of playability while maintaining its compact size.
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Does the Martin Backpacker guitar include a gig bag?
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Yes, the Martin Backpacker comes with a gig bag, providing protection and convenience for travel and storage.
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What type of strings are used on the Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar?
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The guitar is equipped with Authentic Acoustic 80/20 Bronze strings, gauged .010-.047, which offer a bright and balanced tone.
Videos
Sawlon
Sawlon "Martin Backpacker Demo"
Reviews
PROS
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Durable and withstands rough handling during travel
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Compact size, ideal for backpacking and travel
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Unique cigar-box-like sound, especially with bass strings
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Easy to transport, fits in tight spaces like airplane closets
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Comfortable neck profile for both large and small hands
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Excellent build quality, typical of Martin craftsmanship
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Good playability with extra light strings
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Can be used for fingerstyle picking for better tone
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Comes with a padded gig bag and strap
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Holds tune well even in changing weather conditions
CONS
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High action can be uncomfortable for some players
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Top-heavy design requires a strap for comfortable play
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Limited volume and projection compared to full-sized guitars
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Thin sound, especially when strummed with a pick
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Some tuners may require extra effort to turn
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Martin Backpacker (Steel-String).
Build quality
Use cases and applications
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The Backpacker is considered more suitable for niche practice or travel rather than as a primary instrument.
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It's versatile for travel, easily fitting in overhead airplane bins and allowing for convenient play during long trips, like in a truck.
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It's noted that the Backpacker shines in a live folk or bluegrass performance context but lacks versatility for broader genres.
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The 15-fret design and 24-inch scale length are ideal for travel but may feel restrictive for advanced players used to full-sized guitars.
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User experience
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Owners have noted difficulty in holding the guitar steady without using a strap.
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Owners often keep the guitar tuned to alternate tunings like CFCFCC for a unique baritone-like sound, which complements the guitar's natural tonal qualities.
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The guitar's neck-heavy design necessitates using the included strap for stability, especially during seated play.
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Other
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The guitar produces a trebly sound, similar to a cross between a ukulele and a banjo, with little bottom end.
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Comparisons
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Yamaha FG-700/800 series is frequently recommended as a superior beginner option due to better playability and price.
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Setup and maintenance
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The guitar is highly resistant to humidity-related issues, even in high-humidity environments like Florida, with no warping or rust reported over the years.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 18 Ratings
74
Great Practice Guitar
This is great acoustic guitar to practice on that has a very unique sound to it.
144
Great guitar
Super good traveler guitar, loud and projective! Could use a bit more sustain. Overall great guitar!
124
actual guitar
x2'a these bad boys ones a esp super special blue guitar ones a grey spray painted second hand tangle wood with a phoenix decal and some white lines
Great guitar
Sounds amazing, plays amazing, feels amazing. Light, portable and great for when you want to bring a guitar on the go. Definitely recommend.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this Instagram photo shared by Ed Sheeran September 2013, he shows a collection of Martin guitars which he has toured with over seven years. The left-most guitar is a Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar. He captions the photo, "7 years of touring"
In this photo, one can see Taylor playing a Martin Steel-String Backpacker guitar.
Guy Berryman's Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar can be seen in Coldplay's End of Decade Sale catalogue. The details of the item are the following:
"This Martin travel guitar has been widely used by Guy, on the road and in hotel rooms. This item comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by the entire band."
According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Finck uses the Martin Backpacker, which is tuned to DADGBE.
In this Instagram post, Robert DeLeo can be seen very clearly playing a Martin Backpacker, easily distinguished by its unique body shape. He also mentions it in the caption.
In his YouTube channel Justin rages against the state of music, the lack of guitar solos and how some hipster in a £600 gucci jumper isn't rock because there's no guitar solos, while demonstrating why on his Martin Backpacker.
In a video on Instagram posted by Álvaro Henriquez, he is seen playing a Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar while performing with his nephew. The video is captioned: "Cantando Beatles con mi sobrino querido @nicanoorr. Una alegría tocar y cantar juntos. Les quiero mandar un gran saludo, que tengan un excelente Sábado y agradecerles los comentarios."
In this live gear list, one of the things that was mentioned in his rig is the Martin Backpacker.
Chuck Ragan mentions on his Instagram that the Martin Steel-String Backpacker Acoustic Guitar is his preferred travel companion, highlighting its suitability for playing on the road.
GuitarPlayer.com states: "Armed with a MIDI-equipped Martin Backpacker guitar, two Roland GR-30 guitar synthesizers, Yamaha EX5 and ES Motif synthesizers, and a Kurzweil K2600 keyboard, Anderson is criss-crossing the globe, performing Yes and solo works in Ray Davies’ Storyteller format, and enjoying the freedom and flexibility of his one-man performance so much that he plans on making it a core component of his career in the future."
Hashtagged and visible in this April 13, 2020 Facebook post.
#guitarist #gibsonl6s #martinbackpacker #misintimosamigos Oscar Fernandez Roho Esunico Audio Fotografía Germán Saez
Zayn states in an excerpt from his self titled book: "Back in the city, we were hanging out one day, shopping for musical instruments, and I told Malay that I wanted to play a lot more guitar. That’s when he told me about the Martin Backpacker. "It's a little travel-sized thing," he said. "You can take it anywhere, it's the size of a backpack. It's like a mini-guitar." When we found a shop that had one, I bought it, and I loved it from the minute I started playing it."
Album Usage
The Martin Backpacker (Steel-String) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Martin Backpacker (Steel-String), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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