My wife and I travelled for 10 years non stop on our motorbike and living exclusively of what we made making street music everywhere we went with our backpacker.(nylon)...everywhere being around the world ! It's over 20 years old, pickup incorporated, and it's had a tough life, but it's taken everything and still going strong ! Need a strap to play it comfortably !
@darrenkelfkens8539Ай бұрын
Wow awesome story!
@domdimensions9219Ай бұрын
Nice little guitar! Has a somewhat boxy tone, which to me sounds similar to those cheap vintage parlour guitars such as the stella. Its definatly has a cool vibe. Obviously nobody would expect it to sound like a big dreadnought haha.
@AdMBandLeader3 ай бұрын
The sound of this makes me name it the Guitjor. Still a unique sounding great instrument to have handy when you travel.😊
@MDOurMD5 ай бұрын
Edit: I got a Backpacker the other day and ragged on the tinny, twanging sound. I took it out today to give it one more play before returning it and I feel in love with the tinny, twanging sound. I also love the action and don't mind the shape, so I'm keeping it!
@darrenkelfkens85395 ай бұрын
It's very much a personal preference thing - if you hate it send it back
@MDOurMD5 ай бұрын
@@darrenkelfkens8539 - I edited my comments. I'm a Backpacker fan now! Thanks.
@darrenkelfkens85395 ай бұрын
@@MDOurMD That's funny...but yeah the sound can be part of the charm! It's a little banjoey ukelele-ish
@darrenkelfkens85396 ай бұрын
I see I am still getting dissenting comments about my quip about guitar woods. Oh Boy...lets talk about guitar woods then...They are all made with Rosewood and Maple fingerboards and they all have Sitka Spruce tops and they all have mahogany back and sides and if they do not have these they then go to woods like Sapele which is basically a type of mahogany or all mahogany like my Martin 00015 etc etc. It was really meant tongue-in-cheek - as the wood conversation is always pretty much the same anyway hence my snarky, wink wink, not-to-be-taken-so-seriously comment. If you want to know the top is (Yup you guessed it) Spruce!! The sides back and neck are - drumroll here - Mahogany!! and the fingerboard is a composite called Richlite - which is meant to mirror the properties of rosewood altho its made from a paper/resin composite which is supposed to be eco-friendly. There you have it then...I feel much more like a serious guitar critic.
@jasonsims62736 ай бұрын
You had me until you said different woods is of no consequence
@darrenkelfkens85396 ай бұрын
Oh Boy 🙂...lets talk about guitar wood...They are all made with Rosewood and Maple fingerboards and they all have Sitka Spruce tops and they all have mahogany back and sides and if they do not have these they then go to woods like Sapele which is basically a type of mahogany or all mahogany like my Martin 00015 etc etc. It was really meant tongue-in-cheek - as the wood conversation is always pretty much the same anyway hence my snarky, wink wink, not-to-be-taken-so-seriously comment. If you want to know the top is (Yup you guessed it) Spruce!! The sides back and neck are - drumroll here - Mahogany!! and the fingerboard is a composite called Richlite - which is meant to mirror the properties of rosewood altho its made from a paper/resin composite which is supposed to be eco-friendly. There you have it then...I feel much more like a serious guitar critic.
@glenmisha7 ай бұрын
Thanks, just bought it because of reviews 🙏🙌 looking forward to getting it 🤗
@darrenkelfkens85397 ай бұрын
Sweet enjoy!
@kpdelaney64609 ай бұрын
I'd love to hear a full cover of banana pancakes on this guitar. great review, looks fun!
@Lloyd-mo9 ай бұрын
i love my martin backpacker
@CedricSatterfield Жыл бұрын
Heh, looks like a strum stick/dulcimer but in std key with all strings. I love this thing, and it doesn't look out of place at a folk music jam or over power other instruments
@unknowuser1843 Жыл бұрын
Just got a chance to try out oneof these. The sound has almost a mandolin quality to it
@damiensings9864 Жыл бұрын
Not bad for finger picking but crap to strum
@RockStarOscarStern634 Жыл бұрын
Ed Sheeran plays this Guitar & man it sounds quite strong.
@shannonsmith297 Жыл бұрын
I Love mine! Rocking at 6621 ft.
@alastair6356 Жыл бұрын
Interesting some people are tuning them to DADGAD and get a better sound Nashville high tuned stings also help bring it to life.
@lazn9863 Жыл бұрын
great playing i m getting one of this
@fabieng6864 Жыл бұрын
Many Thanks from France Darren I play acoustic guitar and I will buy one after watching your video ... really love it
@phucknuts Жыл бұрын
yes..its a real guitar...i learned the leads from...couldnt stand the weather... on this guitar...its a great little guitar..well built too
@Cannibal_Actual Жыл бұрын
I think you’re over looking one thing…it sounds very bad. You tried your best but it sounded very bad.
@Kenstagator Жыл бұрын
Whats the song at 2:55? I cant seem to remember.
@darrenkelfkens8539 Жыл бұрын
Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
@nellyfilmguru Жыл бұрын
The ones I have seen have tons of body cracks.
@darrenkelfkens8539 Жыл бұрын
Wow I have never seen that
@nellyfilmguru Жыл бұрын
@@darrenkelfkens8539 If you do a search on google it seems a number of people had this issue too. I think the older Martin backpacker guitars in the 1990's which were a solid piece had less of this issue
@randydurham9928 Жыл бұрын
Pretty cool! it's got a Ukulele sound!
@bens3767 Жыл бұрын
Picked one of these up today for 150.00 I'd say it's a fair price not a great price but I feel the value is there...
@bryan18244 Жыл бұрын
When flying with it, do you put it under the seat or in overhead compartment?
@darrenkelfkens8539 Жыл бұрын
I keep it with me...so under the seat. Just don't trust other people with their bags in overhead.
@RockStarOscarStern634 Жыл бұрын
I love this little Guitar. The Body on it is a bit longer & deeper so it sounds more like a Normal Guitar.
@kengilbert2620 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the vid! Nice playing! I've had my Backpacker since 1998 and still love it! It's been to SE Asia, Europe and the back woods of BC with me. I use d' D' Addario Silk and Steel strings (very light gauge) on mine and love the tone and feel! Cheers.
@TheMurray1922 Жыл бұрын
I am really thinking about going for one of these fellas for Christmas. I've got limited space and I really miss having a guitar in the house! Always wanted a Martin.
@Genesis.1-12 жыл бұрын
Watching/listening to you play reminded me of my brother. He would sit and just work his way around his guitar for hours. He passed away 15 years ago this coming Christmas...I still miss him. Thanks for triggering some wonderful memories.
@darrenkelfkens85392 жыл бұрын
What a lovely comment...my brother (older than me by 1 year) passed about 2 years ago, still can't believe it.
@FYRFlowArts2 жыл бұрын
I've managed to get one from a collectable shop so it's for sure older than the Martin I'll send a pic if anyone knows the maker (no makers mark)
@User1234567672 жыл бұрын
My acoustic has a very large body which gives it a lovely bassy tone and I've always appreciated how different these sound so small and tinny
@gunpowderboardgames2 жыл бұрын
I have one of these, I love it and it gets better with age! No, it has not got the bass of a large acoustic but it is bright as a button on the sound! You do have to wear the strap and I wish they made a kinda folding back for it!
@raymondhagerty17692 жыл бұрын
B.S. - Heading for the crusher. Lipstick 💄 Pig 🐖, etc!
@darrenkelfkens85392 жыл бұрын
🤣 Everybody has one...not a backpacker...an opinion!
@francesfrance96162 жыл бұрын
Great review 😊👍
@karrot1012 жыл бұрын
nice honest demo ta
@stevescherrer252 жыл бұрын
it's not a substitute for a full-sized guitar, it's a substitute for NO guitar!
Haha...you made me laugh out loud...don't know why but your quip just tickled me!!
@juangcastro2 жыл бұрын
Great video, question, what's the melody at the 3:50 mins mark?
@darrenkelfkens8539 Жыл бұрын
Tears in the rain by Joe Satriani
@draked59682 жыл бұрын
I love this thing. It sounds great even compared to normal guitars at the same price point. That said, if you know how to play, you could fit strings on a broomstick and it will sound great. Yamaha guitalele doesnt sound as good, but it's 1/3 the price, much smaller and actually better if you want to practise your shredding skills. If you want to sing and entertain, this thing is obviously a lot better. I love them both.
@samanthasantos41362 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your review. The MBSS will be my first guitar. The points made regarding structure/finish/features, overall presentation of review, and demonstration of sound has convinced and inspired me. Thanks again.
@dollybird62902 жыл бұрын
Looks like a cricket bat you might wanna smack someone over the head with if they tried to steal it, forgetting that it's a guitar 😂
@fishinwatertv87312 жыл бұрын
Mine is beat up ash but she still plays you can’t even read the Martin logo
@n2noodles2 жыл бұрын
Whats the name of the song in the beginning of the video.
@darrenkelfkens85393 ай бұрын
It's Never going back again by Fleetwood Mac
@papabeareast92582 жыл бұрын
Stop making videos please
@JoE-hv7rg2 жыл бұрын
I don't know if it's your hands or the guitar but it sounds awesome.
@cymro65372 жыл бұрын
My only complaint about this guitar is the lack of a custom fit hard case
@TiberiusWallace2 жыл бұрын
While they are good I think Ed Sheeran using one isn't because they are good but because it's a recognisable Martin instrument and he's a Martin endorsed Artist.
@anyoldorion2 жыл бұрын
Hi Darren. I found your review very helpful and you make it sound much better than I can. My main point is disability is overlooked at times when creating instruments. I have arthritic shoulder joints and getting my arms to hold standard guitars is very painful. This little gem is perfect for me. It’s sits nicely on my lap and no stretching needed to play or fret the strings. There must be a large market for guitarists with shoulder mobility problems. This guitar suits my disability. (I’m still rubbish btw )