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Location: Boise, Idaho | My daughter wants a guitar to take backpacking. I've done the search and read the reviews. She agrees with most of the reviews. A friend has a Martin Backpacker and she said it doesn't sound too good, is hard to play and doesn't fit in a backpack that well.
She's only a bit over 100 lbs., so it's got to be light and sturdy. It looks like they stopped making the Applause and maybe the Celebrities. I've got a bid in on an Applause AE12 on ebay, but wondered if the AE10 was smaller. The Trekker appears to be too big. Anyone tried the Montana?
For those of you who haven't spent a few days climbing mountains with 40 lbs. on your back, don't bother suggesting something 3/4 size. |
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Location: closely held secret | I've always thought the Backpacker sucked (yes, I've played them...). I've played a Papoose, and it seemed pretty solid (for a Tacoma) and sounded pretty good (for an 'A' scale guitar). |
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Location: Tennessee | I have a Traveler guitar: Traveler Guitar . It is very light and very manageable for travel. Downside is that it is designed for individual playing, not for playing around a campfire where others can listen and sing along. Upside is that it is really compact so it will not be a challenge to fit into a backpack. To top it off, it is a full size fretboard. These are made very, very will out of rock maple with a pao ferro fretboard. Streetprice for a new one is right around $300. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The Backpacker is useless. The AA12 is sturdy and can take a beating. The bowl gives great sound and is bullet proof.
The Papoose is the better player but will not be well pretected unless you get a hardshell case.
One more suggestion is a Baritone Ukulele. It is strung like the last 4 of a guitar and is small enough to stuff. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks, Mike. I think the Applause looks like the best compromise of playability, weight and ruggedness. It looks like it might be a little big, though. To bad they aren't being made anymore. If I don't get the Applause, I may go for the Montana. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | My AA12 is currently out on loan to a Youth (they really are nearly indestructible) and he may be done with it.
Want to trial test it?
M(that was not a Lawyer joke)Woody |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i had a 1/2 size Applesauce a number of years a ago....I traded it in and wish I hadn't. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks for the offer, Paul. I responded sooner, but must have forgotten to hit the add reply button. I'll see if I get the one on ebay. If so, I'll do the trial test with the one I buy, like I've done with most of my guitars. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I've tried bunches of these types of guitars, and for the most part they are really dissatisfying. If it's for keeping her chops up while hiking then the traveler is the way to go. I agree that it's the most compact.
Whatever you do, don't get the Martin, it's junk. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Missed the one on ebay. Someone sniped me when I was driving into work. Anybody tried the Montana? This won't be something where the sound is too important. More of a campfire guitar that she can lug around in the mountains. She doesn't have a very big backpack. The Applause was appealing because it could take a beating. I doubt anything else will last through a summer. |
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Location: Waurika OK | Mark,
I tried the Montana at Bro. Bobby's last week, it wasn't bad. After full blown Ovations sound, they all sound weak. He had several crafters, they sounded pretty good, but cost around $230, if I remember.
I had bid on an Applause Voyager a couple of weeks ago, as a matter of fact I wound up with the highest bid. It had been listed twice, never made the reserve, it had been "electrified". Seller never answered my email.
I will be back in that vicinity on Thursday, will see if I have time to check them out a little better. There was one that looked alot like the Montana, but sounded better, but can't remember what brand. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks. I don't think sound quality is much of an issue. At least our expectations aren't very high. Fortunately, this kid is pretty frugal and will appreciate whatever she gets. Until her sister came along she was spoiled rotten, but somehow grew into a great adult. |
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Location: Waurika OK | Mark,
Check this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Applause-travel-guitar-with-softcase_W0QQitemZ7... |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | I'm sorry to say it here, but the Little Martin is my favorite travel-size guitar. The Trekker is too big, the Applause is just OK, the Martin Backpacker is awful. IMHO the Little Martin LMX (all HPL construction) w/plywood neck and Micarta fingerbd is bulletproof, comfortable, and sounds good for it's size. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | That sounds very fair. It is a small market, pun intended, and a tough niche to itch.
Here's a "Little Martin" on Fleabay to see what he's talking about.
May I also grab my Soapbox and state how nice it would be if Ovatipon made an "A" scale competitor to the Papoose! Mandolin sized body, bolt on "LX" neck and GS bowl material! :D |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | MWoody,
Let me join you on that soapbox. | |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I can share!
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | you kids need a support group. | |
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Location: Upper Left USA | ...are we there yet?
Ain't this it? :rolleyes: | |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks for the ebay link. I'll watch that one, although I'm trying hard to avoid wasting so much time on ebay. I know you guys are hoping I'd do the same here. I've tried the little Martin and I agree. It sounds way better than the same size Yamaha and some other brand I can't remember. I thought it seemed awfully flimsy for a backpack, though and they want a lot for an itty bitty guitar that might get busted on the first backpack trip.
We definitely don't need a preamp in a backpack guitar. For those of you that haven't been backpacking, there's nothing to plug into up there. | |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I can smell the baritone uke in your future, Mark... | |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Stop it! This is for my daughter! My wife never believes me, either. Maybe it's the lawyer thing. I think she still suspects I have the wooden roundback and the Artist that I had on the way to and from Phoenix stashed away somewhere and there will be some large unexplained charges to the credit card that show up next month. | |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ....Whatever you have to tell yourself.... | |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I wish I was lying and I still had the WR and Artist and I wasn't just going to visit Dave, I was going to buy up his whole collection because I won the lottery.
Yeah, that's the ticket. | |
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backpack guitar
