Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm gonna be traveling alot this summer and will always want to bring something small along with me. I was thinking the Martin Backpacker, but figured i'd see if anyone here knows of a better one, or didn't like the Backpacker.

I haven't found a better one than the Backpacker. That said, all travel guitars are disappointing by nature. The best thing about the Backpacker is that it stays in tune, and it takes a beating. The worst thing is the necessarily thin sound.

I'd get one.

Where are you going John?

Thin sound won't bother me, as long as it's louder than an unplugged electric.

Alisha, going to Spain for two weeks, hopefully Santa Ana in August, and some weekend getaways here and there.

Won't have the chance to, but I definitely would! I'll be closer to Sergio, but not close enough for a get-together.

John,
Try the Washburn Rover RO10. It's got a solid spruce top, sounds fuller than the Backpacker and comes with a really nice case sized to fit airline overhead compartments. It's also cheaper than the Backpacker. You can get it at most stores for $149.
http://www.washburn.com/products/travel/index.aspx

I have a Backpacker and can't get used to the flat fretboard. I don't know what the radius is, but it's so flat it almost feels concave instead of convex, to borrow optical terminology.

I have a Seagull Folk that I use as a travel guitar for the business trips whenever I'm driving. Mind you, I do not carry it whenever I flying; just too much other stuff. (company PC, personal PC, client files, etc.)

John, I visited GC last night and decided I would NOT recommend the Backpacker. I honestly think you'd be better off with a short scale like the low-end Yamaha. Not much bigger, but huge difference in sound.