"I recommend avoiding the Martin "backpacker" guitar like the plague -- sure it's portable but it sounds awful -- and, if you want something small to carry around easily, get a parlor guitar or a small classical guitar instead." Sharon

Elsewhere in the Cat I once mentioned that a friend lent me a Martin backpacker and I found what you said to be true. Backpacking is about the only time one would use it- and then only to keep your fingers supple!

A different friend lent me a Baby Taylor- and that was great; it was playable and had a sweet tone. Luckily my shoulder eventually healed and I went back to a full size guitar.