Martin Steel String Backpacker Left  

I shopped around for a traveling guitar for some time - tried the Martin and was very disappointed - crappy action, sounds awful.  I finally got the Washburn Travelor - much better, less costs

Don't be put off by the unusual shape, this little gem of a guitar is worth every penny! As all left-handers know, finding a decent guitar can take an age - even more true when looking at travel guitars so thanks Martin for producing the Backpacker as a lefty. Tone and volume are of course compromised by the very small body but that considered, it produces sufficient tone, volume and sustain to make practice worthwile. It handles dropped tuning pretty well too, maintaining clarity of low strings even when dropped to D or C. Clearly weighted towards the neck, I found that using a strap even when sitting provided balance. Great little instrument that spends most of its time in my campervan, taking up very little space - which is something to be recommended when travelling with the family!

Well, I am leaving for Spain in a few days, and I wanted a little guitar I could take on board with me because I don't want to send my other acoustics to the bottom of the plane. This thing was cheap,so I bought it. It's a great guitar. It has a full sound. Not like a dreadnaught or anything, but surprisingly has as much sound if not more than some parlor guitars I've played. The solid spruce top helps that a lot. The tuners are great, and keep it in tune. The frets are nice and clean, no sharp frets. The action is a bit too high for my taste, but sanding down the bridge can help that. It is a real pleasure to play, and even comes with nice Martin strings. If something happens to it on my trip, I would replace it in a heartbeat. I love this little guitar.