Martin Backpacker Mandolin

Martin Backpacker Mandolin

by Martin
4.0
List price:  $349.00
Your price:  $239.95
Save:  $109.05 (31.25%)
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Features

  • Top: Solid Tonewood
  • Neck: Mahogany
  • Back and Sides: Mahogany

Product Description

MODEL Backpacker Mandolin
CONSTRUCTION: Unique To Backpacker Mandolin
BODY SIZE: Unique Backpacker Mandolin Size And Shape
TOP: Solid Spruce w/ F-Holes
ROSETTE: none
TOP BRACING PATTERN: Unique To Backpacker Mandolin
TOP BRACES: Solid Spruce
BACK MATERIAL: Solid Tonewoods
BACK PURFLING: none
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid Tonewood
ENDPIECE: Chrome Engraved Tailpiece w/Cover
ENDPIECE INLAY: none
BINDING: none
TOP INLAY STYLE: none
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Solid Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Unique Contour
NUT MATERIAL: Corian®
HEADSTOCK: Mandolin Shape
HEADPLATE: none
HEELCAP: none
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Morado
SCALE LENGTH: 13.875''
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 21
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/16''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET:
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: none
FINGERBOARD BINDING: none
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Hand Rubbed Urethane
FINISH TOP: Hand Rubbed Finish
FINISH NECK: Hand Rubbed Finish
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Morado
BRIDGE STYLE: Unique To Backpacker Mandolin
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 1 9/16''
SADDLE: none
TUNING MACHINES: Chrome w/Small Knobs
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin Customized Light Gauge Mandolin
BRIDGE & END PINS: none
PICKGUARD: none
CASE: Padded Combo Bag
INTERIOR LABEL:
ELECTRONICS: not an option
OTHER COMMENTS: All prices & specifications are subject to change without notice.

Reviews

4.0 Feels right, travels well.
The Martin Backpacker Mandolin fills a specific niche:

It is designed to be small, fit into an easy-to-carry canvas gig-bag (included with the purchase of the mandolin), and be playable.

It plays as well as a quite nice mandolin priced many hundreds of dollars more (like in the >600 dollar range). By that I mean that the strings are set up correctly and the fretting is accurate. Playing/practicing on this instrument feels like a "real" mandolin, and it travels much easier.

BUT - it is not designed to sound good, and it does not. The tone is very trebly and "tinny" (as you'd expect from such a small box).

So.... if you want a good-sounding mandolin, this isn't it, but if you really want a mandolin that you can throw into a bag and carry with the rest of your stuff and still plays like a real mandolin, it fits the bill just fine.