A few weeks ago I received a friend request on FB from a new guitar shop opening in Kansas City called “The Guitar Syndicate.” No, I don’t know how they got my name–could be because of my famous work for the Lizards From Afar. At any rate, I visited their website and saw they had a giveaway going on that week for a Martin Backpacker guitar. I signed up, then forgot about it. But, lo! A week later, they told me I had won the guitar. I received it earlier this week.
Here I am playing it in my living room (with a capo):
I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before, certainly not a guitar. Thanks Guitar Syndicate!
As for the Backpacker, I don’t have much to say about it that isn’t already said on various guitar review sites: it’s a Martin and is quality work. The guitar is surprisingly loud, but doesn’t sound like a normal guitar–it lacks resonance and bass. The action is a little high, but that doesn’t bother me too much. At first I found it incredibly uncomfortable to play, but with some fiddling I figured it out and now I quite like it (so long as I’m standing up. The guitar is impossible to play sitting down). Overall, it’s an interesting little novelty. I imagine it will turn some heads if I ever play it in public.
