Martin Steel String Backpacker Guitar

[BrucePerens]

I got Valerie the Martin Steel String Backpacker guitar so we wouldn't have to pack the big one. It's really light and small and doesn't take up much space, and it's just fine to play - the soundbox is made of good woods, all solid wood, and it sounds pretty good, but not quite as nice as the big guitar. You need to wear the strap to play it, or you can get a thing called the "Compadre" which allows you to play it without the strap. The guitar is sensitive to heat and should not be left in a car trunk. We put it in its case and put it in the back of the SUV with a few coats over it. It can only take lightweight strings, if you use regular strings the tension might split the wood.

[handjstar]

Try a ukulele, cost a lot less than the Martin. But I bring a bunch of stuff to play

[BrucePerens]

Originally Posted by handjstar

Try a ukulele, cost a lot less than the Martin. But I bring a bunch of stuff to play

It is interesting that Amazon has uke's for as little as 35 dollars, and respectable ones for $70. But I'd hardly begrudge a backpacker at $200 at the Guitar Center and perhaps $170 online.