Martin Backpacker - When and why did the design change? in The D28 Lounge Forum

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Martin Backpacker - When and why did the design change?

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stevezenof.breedloveforum	Martin Backpacker - When and why did the design change?	Lead	[-]
(07/13/09 6:56 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hi. Does any one know when, and exactly why, Martin changed the design of their original Backpacker guitar? Additionally, is anyone aware of any pros and cons between the original or the current version of the Backpacker? While I could speculate as to the answers (e.g., product improvement), I figured someone out there might have more details, which is what I'd be most interested in please. I couldn't seem to find any info online or in any books talking about the details behind the Backpacker guitar's evolution. Thanks much. Steve Zany http://www.zanymagic.com
teherie		#1	[-]
(07/13/09 8:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	From Martin Guitars: A History. Martin started making Backpackers in 1992/93 after Chris Martin spotted one at Luthier Robert McAnally's Booth at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Martin received 5,000 orders at the 1993 NAAM Show. My wife and kids got me one with a thinline pickup for Christmas in 1995 to take camping, hiking, boating, etc. Mine is the smaller body size and they made it slightly larger in 2002 to enhance the tone and volume plus make it easier to balance and hold. They also added a classical nylon string, mandolin and ukelele Backpacker along the way. There are a lot of detractors who say the Backpacker is hard to hold and play and they don't like the tone. I currently have mine strung up for Nashville Tuning and it has been to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Gulf of Mexico, four of the five Great Lakes, Georgian Bay and about 21 states. It easily fits in an overhead compartment on an airplane and is really pretty durable. If you are used to playing a full size guitar, this clearly won't cut it although mine sounds great plugged in and it's a lot easier to tune than my dulcimer which has friction pegs. It will never sound like my D-35 or OM-35 but then again, it's not supposed to and I would replace it in a heartbeat. Hope this helped.
dwtrux		#2	[-]
(07/14/09 6:13 AM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I purchased my original BP in 1993 for a trip to San Diego. It has the smaller headstock and no Martin logo on the body. It is very convenient, but gets taken to fewer places now that the LX175th is in the house, which is now my travel guitar of choice -- unless I'm traveling in my two seater overnight somewhere. Trux D35(1983);E28(1981 solid body Martin);Backpacker(1992);00028EC(2004);000X1(2003);OMC15E(2003);00015S(2006); 0018VS UMGF Sunburst#67( 2006);WashburnD236(1975)Hondo12String(1980); 000XHippie (2008-mrs.trux); LX 175th (2008); 00042VS Custom Vintage Sunburst (2009) ; LX Martin Tour (2009); 00018 Kenny Sultan (2009)
sheeshmc		#3	[-]
(07/14/09 6:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	They are great for travelling or when no other guitar is handy. Mine, purchased in the mid-90s, sounds more like a banjo than guitar and is difficult to hold without the strap. There are better designed travel guitars on the market today, but the backpacker does what it was made to do. I am in a hotel in Steamboat Springs on a business trip right now and mine is here with me.
hogwldfltr		#4	[-]
(07/14/09 6:40 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"You ain't going nowhere..." My backpacker gets almost daily play. It is actually easier for me to see the neck on while playing then any guitar I know of. It does a lot of finger style music and is just perfect for figuring out songs. Mine is the narrow headed one with the gold foil name on the body. That said it doesn't go out much. -Lee *********** I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 (restored): '06 D-18GE : Backpacker : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (restored): DSM : D-16GT : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 (restored) : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke (restored): '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '08 DSM : '80 D-37K : '70 Guild F-112 (restored) : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992, DON'T TRASH THEM; RESTORE THEM! *********** "What do you all look like?" Post #206 Last Edited By: hogwldfltr 07/14/09 6:43 AM. Edited 1 times.
jscio		#5	[-]
(07/14/09 7:12 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My son has one of the original Backpackers with the headstock that looks like "Beaker" from the Muppets. It's not much to write home about but in a pinch it gets the job done. Definitely not my cup of tea, however.
lodiwooster		#6	[-]
(07/14/09 8:16 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Steve, Can you be more specific as to the changes made ? I'd a BP a few years ago (2006, bought preowned yet the body width was slightly larger than the neck - I think that's one change) and enjoyed it until I acquired a Little Martin as boat guitar (I have an Ibanez Day Tripper as NM bike guitar). Again, I'm wondering what changes you refer to. LodiWooster Why is the sea restless ? It has rocks in its bed
rrussell8		#7	[-]
(07/14/09 9:29 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The main design change was the switch to a larger body. This meant that the one piece neck and sides, hewn from a single slab of mahogany, had to be abandoned. Purists wept openly when this unobtrusive example of fine craftsmanship, which eliminated the neck joint and lent strength to the design as well as a beautiful sweeping line to the instrument, disappeared. While this change may have allowed for top bracing to address the propensity of the delicate Sitka spruce top to crack around the soundhole, it has meant that there is a clear demarcation between the original steel string Backpacker and the newer design for collectors. On the extremely rare occasions when original design steel string Backpackers appear in the inventories of the top end vintage acoustic guitar dealers, I have heard of fights breaking out among the lucky customers who happened to be in the store as they vie to secure the purchase for themselves. I should point out that the incursion of dampness from the sea into the stylish Backpacker gig bag means a losing battle against corrosion, resulting in tarnished tuners and disintegrating strings, not to mention mould growth. No doubt the value of a well used, original design Backpacker will soar in future years as the general public begins to understand the distinctive tone, unique playability and innovative design features that delight aficianados. Happy Trails 1926 0 Uke; 1934 0-18K; 1954 0-15; 1966 00-21; 1975 0-16NY; 1993 HD-28; 1999 Backpacker; 2003 OM-28GE; 2004 FeLiX; 2006 OM-45RR; 2007 LK Smith 00
Robert Earl Keen Jr		#8	[-]
(07/14/09 11:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I had one, traded it to a buddy for an 8mm Mauser and a couple of knives he made. I later saw it in a pawn shop. Don't regret it a bit. What have I become My sweetest friend Everyone I know goes away In the end --Trent Reznor
Peter		#9	[-]
(07/15/09 7:13 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will show a picture of my Backpacker hanging on my wall in my office. I have vowed to play it every day here, even for 15 minutes (hey, the union allows for a break!) but have been slack concerning this vow. After 5 years of cubicle living, having an office with a door that closes and my backpacker on the wall is a dream! Even doing the Huttlinger finger exercises is worth having it here. I also have air conditioning so no humidity issues. I feel for anyone who makes their abode in a cubicle. Man was not made for a cubicle. When in that little hole, I used to hide the backpacker a la George Costanza, under the desk. On an off hour, I was playing it when approached by my boss' boss, who clearly expected me to panic and put it away as she marched towards me, heels pounding in ever growing anger. I kept right on playing. thankfully, I am no longer there, and the nightmares and bad dreams are dissipating.... I should start a campaign to free all mankind from the evils of cubicles! Free, government issues Backpackers for all! But then again, if the gov't ran the Sahara, it would run out of sand in 10 years.
ScooterD35		#10	[-]
(07/15/09 11:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The McNally Backpackers are a bit larger than the Martins and have a (non-adjustable) truss rod. Bob has made some interesting variations over the years. Scooter
stevezenof.breedloveforum		#11	[-]
(07/15/09 6:28 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Scooter, Is Bob McNally making and selling his Backpackers any longer? If so does he sell them online? Steve Zany http://www.zanymagic.com
rickf		#12	[-]
(07/15/09 8:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	rrussell8 wrote: On the extremely rare occasions when original design steel string Backpackers appear in the inventories of the top end vintage acoustic guitar dealers, I have heard of fights breaking out among the lucky customers who happened to be in the store as they vie to secure the purchase for themselves. Really? Are they that desirable? I have one of the aforementioned original Backpackers complete with cracked top around the soundhole that I would happily swap out for a Little Martin. When I inquired about trading it in at my local (well-known) guitar shop I was told (very nicely) that they didn't take Backpackers in trade because there wasn't much demand for them. I was also told that I might be able to get as much as $90-$100 selling it on my own. Unfortunately that's not nearly enough to fund a Little Martin purchase. Rick
OLDANDINTHEWAY		#13	[-]
(07/16/09 7:35 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Two events that brought great joy to me, personally, were the sale of my Ford Pinto and the sale of my Martin Backpacker. These events surpassed even the salvaging of my 50's German Lloyd (air-cooled engine) convertable (better known as the teutonic pushmobile). Experience can be both expensive and enlightening.
RevGeo		#14	[-]
(07/16/09 8:37 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've never understood the derision heaped on these neat little instruments by some folks. I've always thought it was a good idea and a cool little design. The name says it all. I think it does a great job for what it was designed to do. I've never owned one but that is because I gave up backpacking some years ago due to health problems. If I was still hiking the hills I would definitely have one of 'em. We carried them in a music store I worked in some years back and we sold several. My area is located in the northern Rockies and there is a lot of hiking to be enjoyed and lots of locals took their Backpackers to many backcountry areas and reported to us some very cool jams in the middle of nowhere. Isn't that what they are for? Rev George
rrussell8		#15	[-]
(07/16/09 1:03 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Really? Are they that desirable? It is true that they are seldom to be found in the inventories of high end acoustic guitar dealers. I thought irony was what bridges were built out of 'til I discovered Smirnoff. However, I do agree with the Rev, for their purpose they are very effective. If you expect them to be a cheap parlour guitar, you will probably be disappointed. Happy Trails 1926 0 Uke; 1934 0-18K; 1954 0-15; 1966 00-21; 1975 0-16NY; 1993 HD-28; 1999 Backpacker; 2003 OM-28GE; 2004 FeLiX; 2006 OM-45RR; 2007 LK Smith 00
dwightvwolf		#16	[-]
(07/16/09 4:05 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I was glad to have mine (newer slightly larger version) on a 5 day mountain biking trip in Oregon a few years ago. I was the only one that thought to bring a guitar, though there was another guy along who played as well. He and I traded that little guitar back and forth around the campfire and on the long final bus ride home. I don't think we ever repeated a song. Lots of folks were glad to have that little guitar along. I have a Baby Taylor as well, but for real portability it's hard to beat the backpacker. And, I think that the quaility of the backpacker's sound is directly proportional to how far out in the middle of nowhere you are. They are what they are--and for some scenarios, they are almost perfect. Dwight
NoSkils		#17	[-]
(07/16/09 4:23 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have one of the original designs and have played the newer ones in guitar stores. I can't say I noticed any improvement in the tone. They are a very practical guitar and fit a distinct need.
Martinukulele		#18	[-]
(07/16/09 7:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I bought mine in Feb. of 1997 and it has never really traveled far. Maybe the back yard in the nice weather. The time it really came in handy was in 2001 after I damaged my left leg in a fall and was in a cast and then a leg brace for about three months. I found it difficult to hold a full size guitar and when I tried the BP it was a perfect fit (with the strap of course). It never left my side during that entire time. Still have it, although don't play it that often. Probably will never sell it. ....Sorry. Veered off topic here. I've no clue as to why the design changed. Nevermind.... Last Edited By: Martinukulele 07/17/09 8:46 PM. Edited 1 times.
stevezenof.breedloveforum		#19	[-]
(07/21/09 10:48 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for all the insights. Well, I finally found an official answer to my original question. The answer was in a 2002 edition of Martin's 'Sounding Board' newsletter: "While maintaining everything that has made the Backpacker® famous, the New & Improved Backpacker® has been refined into a more attractive, easier to play instrument...The new Steel String Backpacker® has a shoulder at the 15th fret and the headstock bears a more traditional Martin shape. The width of the body is considerably wider and the soundhole is larger in diameter. These dimensional changes translate into a louder, more evenly balanced instrument, yielding more volume and tonal response." Image with visual comparison at the link below: http://alturl.com/6tv4 Steve Zany http://www.zanymagic.com
rrussell8		#20	[-]
(07/21/09 11:58 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That answer may be official but it is not too entertaining. Happy Trails 1926 0 Uke; 1934 0-18K; 1954 0-15; 1966 00-21; 1975 0-16NY; 1993 HD-28; 1999 Backpacker; 2003 OM-28GE; 2004 FeLiX; 2006 OM-45RR; 2007 LK Smith 00

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Martin Backpacker - When and why did the design change?

Martin Backpacker - When and why did the design change?