Martin and Washburn travel guitar comparison by Jana Stanfield

[bonjourtag]

Oh, so it is available , the Martin, and looks identical as the Martin shown, but a plug in amp version??

Very, very interesting.... Now knowing that fact, I will dig in a little deeper into purchasing one...

I thought it, the non-elec., looked like the student Martins mini sort of if ya know what I mean...

Thank you for your time for answering me

Scott

[bonjourtag]

I thought the Martin steel string backpacker was NOT a electric instrument???

I see Amazon has the noe elect. version anyways, for $ 168 ..

The lady in the video showed the bottom of the Martin, and said that she plays the elect version....

Does she mean the LX1E that is shaped nothing like what she is commenting on?? A reg Guitar?

[ckwindsong]

@bonjourtag The Martin backpacker comes with or without the electronic plug in. This particular one in the video does have it. It usually costs about $100 more than the non-electric instrument. The LX1E is mentioned below in response to micmoable's comment about liking the LX1. Although I also have the LX1E, it has nothing to do with the contents of this video review.

[micmoable]

I have played a backpacker but if you really want a nice sounding small guitar get the LX1 Martin Little guitar--has solid top and feels like full size guitar only smaller

[ckwindsong]

@micmoable yes, I also had an LX1E, the little Martin with the plug in electronics, which does have a nice sound. It is a bit larger than these small ones that we reviewed, but still small enough to put in the overhead bin. My favorite has to be the Go Guitar by Sam Radding of San Diego. We haven't had a chance to post a review comparision yet, but it is both a better shape and sound than the Martin Backpacker or Washburn.

[legendsveil]

The Martin went up in price, I remember when I saw it for 180 Dollars

[raleighman3000]

Double-Milf Guitar Jamboree! Love ya!

[1BrknHrtdRomeo]

I had to choose b/t the 2...the Martin was 215 brand new, Washburn was 175 used with a pickup installed.

As much as I love Martin (JM/Clapton fan) and love the sound and tone coming out of it here...but for a travel guitar, it only has 15 frets whereas the Washburn is nearly full scale at 19 frets. I like hitting those higher notes and I want to have a travel guitar that is as close to a full one as I can get it.

So...Washburn won it for me =)

[adaptiveagile]

Cool review.

[guitargeek1122]

martin is epic, washburn sucks!

[MuzamProd]

Thanks for your helpful comparison. I feel it's a good idea to get a travel guitar that you really like because even if you have a better one at home, it will be there when you're inspired and have and opportunity to express or share cool musical emotions.

[andrekkezero]

number of frets...

[BrokenBard]

@goyatley Oh ya? I've had mine for about 7 months and the smell is still there, even after airing it out on the balcony three times, and using scents and deodorizers on it...oh well.

Yes, I love the little guitar though. Great sound for a tiny body. I also find it stays in tune really well. I've only tuned it about a half-dozen times since I got it. That's a huge bonus.

[BurningIvy191]

I just got the backpacker for a bar mitzvah gifts its louder than my regular acustic and has a better tone overall fantastic guitar

[lastmondaypast1]

martin is a thousand times better lol.

[gcbrign]

in a shallow way... you guys look god next to anything a refrigerator, a plant pot, a travel guitar, anythig. Anyway, I'm thinking about getting one for myself, this was useful to me, nice post, thanks for sharing!

[fjtubie]

It's not no Washburn to begin with. Skylarks sells the same under their name: Skylark TG11 Travel Acoustic Guitar. So it's possibly made by some kid inn China. The saddle came partly unglued, and the case and belts smell toxic: 2 month on the porch haven't changed that. Otherwise, it plays pretty well with all the to be expected sound limitations this size must have. Reminds me somewhat of an old Western piano. Good buy.

[BrokenBard]

I own a Washburn Rover as well and the only criticism I have is the HORRIFIC smell that permanently stains the case and instrument due to the materials used in the free strap and the case glue.

Buyer beware.

You can read reviews and solutions for this smell problem online.

[goyatley]

@BrokenBard This is true, but the smell went away after a month or so and I don't have a porch. But it is sound ciriticism. I love the sound though; the tinny, banjo-y sound lends itself particularly well to acoustic blues. That's when I wish I had a porch.

[splashfizz]

NIce comparison. I just bought a Washburn Rover and was wondering what the Martin sounded like. The Rover is a fun little guitar. If you play up close to the bridge, it sounds like a banjo. (Seriously, try "Dueling Banjos" on it.)

[SROD12321]

You put your 'packer in a suitcase & CHECK IT? SMASH! To all reading this, if you are considering this 'packer with the intention of checking it, just bring your full-size guitar. Here's why: if you are playing anywhere there is ambient noise (ocean, wind, party, other instrument) you are NOT going to hear the little Martin. I love my 'packer for hikes AWAY from ambient noise. But for a beach resort, bring your regular guitar (especially if you are going to check your travel guitar anyway).

[ckwindsong]

@SROD12321 I can understand your opinion on this - everyone has seen the "United Breaks Guitars" video on YouTube! However, we've both checked our small travel guitars in PADDED cases, in the middle of drop bottom duffel bags, and traveled around the world - without any problem. These guitars will plug in and sound great. Of course the sound can't compare to a full sized guitar, but for portability for playing at orphanages in Indonesia and Vietnam, for example, they are just right.

[norcalranger]

Actually playing them a bit would've been helpful.

[ckwindsong]

@norcalranger yes I agree! We're working on incorporating people's recommendations into another comparision video between the Martin Backpacker and the Sam Radding Go-Guitar, which is a custom made travel guitar out of San Diego.

[OregonCoastGhost]

@ckwindsong That would be awesome! Please do =)

[jimmyshitbags]

i like the washburn more, think i'll buy one soon

[AnOddMusician]

the martin had me sold when i saw the nylon string backpacker

[13matalo]

what other travel guitars can i buy that are much more affordable and still have steel strings? please!

[ckwindsong]

@13matalo The Washburn Rover is actually quite inexpensive. You may be able to find one on Craigs List or Ebay at a lower cost.

[AnOddMusician]

@13matalo yeah and the martin is only like 200$

[Kerrithandshan]

The background noise is so loud in this video. It almost makes it pointless for anything other than visual comparison. Thanks for trying though.

[ckwindsong]

@Kerrithandshan yes, we were in Bali and thought the sound of the gamelan playing in the background would be really cool! But it really made it hard to hear the guitars. And if we had actually thought to play each of them, that would have even been better! thanks for the comment

[Chuckdavis54]

very impressed with the Washburn version of the travel guitar. sounds louder then the Martin.

[DYOLFMOT]

the wash burn is shorter but it has more frets

[Britaniola]

You can get the electronics for the Rover and I have it mine. It's a similar setup to the Martin. It's called a Romp and it's made specifically for the Rover.

[marceloiacovone]

I still prefer a normal guitar =]

[ckwindsong]

@marceloiacovone Certainly a regular sized guitar is ideal, and these will not sound or play like that! But when one is traveling extensively oversees, it's nice to have a very small, compact guitar that sounds fairly decent. I'm now looking at another travel guitar made in San Diego call Go Guitar - they have very good reviews.

[lavinfung]

The Martin in the vid is a steel string I assume. I have the nylon version and I have to say that in some sounds it sounds even better than any < 600 Yamaha. It has a distinct sound to it. The only draw back is .. it has no 16th+ fret so there are some songs you cannot play with it.

[DoctorStube]

I love Bali. You should try The Snail also. These handcrafted guitars are made by Rick McCullom in Paradise, Montana in his Montana Guitar Shop. Mine is electric but it really has more than enough acoustic "louder and richer sound." You can see my daughter playing Doc Watson's Deep River Blues on my guitar here on You Tube.

[BlueFlamesHD1]

which one the best??

[GabeFed]

id say the martin sounds better

[MultiParasite]

Well, I hoped you were actually going to play the guitars, but nevermind, you can see that the Martin is slightly bigger physically, that's why it also plays better. By the way, at the Rover, I'd prefer a natural finish..:)

[kat0san]

Very nice vid I just bought one on eBay cant wait to get it :)

[juliekadams]

I like the look of the Backpacker because it looks like a medieval instrument, kind of like a mandolin or lute, etc., but I like that the Rover comes with the hardpack protective carrycase that has detachable backpack straps. I had the neck of the guitar adjusted on mine, but they still recommend I have the bridge lowered sometime. The sound is slightly higher pitched, but I actually get a lot of compliments about the cool and slightly different sound it makes.

[lostwriter87]

@juliekadams nice choice, I chose the Rover as well since it had a very unique tone