Thank you! I have put off buying the backpacker as I want to find and have googled & youtubed how to get lower tone from the backpacker but I haven't found a resource explaining and all you did is swap strings. Thank you!
Thanks, Steve. Since making this video, I changed to silk and steels on my acoustics and acoustic / electrics as well. I agree - fuller sound, easier on fingers, win - win! Best. Bob
Hey Bob! Came across your video and took your advice on my Martin Backpacker. What a great improvement! Of course it still isn't a full sized sound, but the overall tone and volume improved. Thank you for your recommendation. Stay well.
That's much better with the silk and steel. I'm watching because I wasn't considering doing the same thing with mine. I'm probably going to go with a bit of a heavier gauge and rosewood pegs. I keep this thing in my car lol
Hello, Howard. Thanks for watching, and for your comment. You have a keen eye, or should I say, a keen ear. Yes, the attack on the silk and steels is probably lighter than on the original strings, which were, as I recall phosphor bronze. But that was, in my opinion, due to the fact that the silk and steel strings, having less tension, require less pressure and less of an attack than do the phosphor bronze strings. So, if you noticed a "softened attack", I think it was due to my strumming with the amount of "gusto" necessary to produce the best sound from the phosphor bronze strings and from the silk and steels respectively. Thanks, again. I appreciate your input. Bob
Thanks so much for making this! I had just gotten myself a Backpacker and was about to buy the ultra lights as recommended, but now I’m definitely going to grab myself some silk and steel!
I like the silk and steel on my Backpacker as well. I think the sound gets better as the strings age as well. I've also used flat wound jazz guitar strings on mine and it really helps with taking away the "tininess"
@@bobthebuildergc1 How about the Thomastik Plectrum Bronze Extra Lights? They're a bit different because the Wound strings have a layer of Silk between the Core & the wrap wire to make them softer, along w/ Colored Silk wound around the ends to protect them & help them grip onto the tuners better.
It’s a little tricky at first, due the the size and shape. But once you get used to it, it’s actually pretty cool, and really convenient to travel with. Enjoy!
Thank you for this video. I've been thinking about getting a Martin Backpacker and have watched a number of YT videos about them. Overall I do like them but wasn't 100% sold on the sound. Just a little too tinny to my ears, but I do like the way it sounds with the Silk & Steel strings. When I get one, I will definitely have it set up with them.
Haven't done silk/steels yet. I bought one of these over the weekend at a pawn shop. Strings were left on it, they were almost black. I put some 10's on it and it was untunable and unplayable. I dropped it a full tone, but it was still untunable and barely playable. So - off came the acoustic 10's. I put extra light electric strings on it. Was able to tune back up to concert pitch and it was easy to play. Still had trouble tuning it but it was much better. Hopefully silk/steels will take it the rest of the way.
I got a used backpacker too and was wondering what strings to use. i was considering some elixer, but I'll try your suggestion first. Thanks for the info!
Thanks. How do you measure the cut point for restringing? All the instruction videos talk in terms of tuning heads (like 1-1/2 tuning heads length), but that wouldn't apply to the short headstock on the backpacker? I guessed wrong the last time I restrung my backpacker and ended up without enough string length to tune to pitch.
Bass Maiasa I’m really not an expert on the subject, but I usually start winding with about 1-1/2” to 2” of slack in each string. I also don’t cut the string until each one is wound and tuned. That way, if I see that I’m running short, I can unwind it and let out more slack. Hope this helps.
Of you skip back and forth in the video to A/B them.... Wow.... Just that that backpacker needed. I am putting them on mine, and also going to try Monel alloy Martin Retro (MM10) for a similar mellowing and enrichening effect.... I'll report on which I think works better.
Much warmer, less brassy. I’m now going to change the strings on mine, a great idea. It’s a funny wee guitar and it’s tone has always niggled me. This is a good fix.
@@bobthebuildergc1 Thank you so much for responding to me. I am impressed and grateful. By the way, please excuse the typo in my previous comment. Your video was very informative as well as entertaining!
Thanks. I’ve pretty much changed to silk and steels on the way around. May not produce the volume, but I like the mellower sound, plus they’re a lot easier on the fingers.
Thanks for watching, and for your comment. If I’m correct (emphasis on the word “if”), the difference is that the 130S strings have silk wrapped ends which are intended to prevent wear on bridge and the bridge holes. I’ve used them both, and, other than the silk wrapping, can’t tell any further difference between them. Regards.
I was excited when my new Martin Mini Backpacker arrived today. Upon closer inspection I found they sent me a rare Marti ! It's not a knock off but a production error, the embossed letter N fell off. They were eager to get it back and my new Martin is on it's way 🎸 😉 BTW, the Marti sounded great for a little guitar 🎼I'll
bluesbrothergerry Might be worth extra as a “Marti”. But definitely more authentic once you get the missing “N”. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy the guitar.
@@bobthebuildergc1 I noticed that your backpacker has what looks like the Martin logo at the bottom of the neck. My guitar has the Martin brand logo on the head. There are two models of the backpacker. I was wondering if that tinny sound has anything to do with the construction difference of the two models. Mine sounds fine but when the time comes I'll change out the strings like yours. Thanks for the tip.
bluesbrothergerry Very interesting, and you may well be right. Your comment got me thinking, so I did a little research. Martin changed the design in 2002, and mine pre-dates the change. Up until now, I thought the change was purely cosmetic. However, it appears that new design was actually more than cosmetic, and was intended to increase the volume and tone quality. Next time I see a newer model, like yours, I’ll try it out. I’m curious as to the difference in playability and sound. Thanks for taking the time to point this out.
Michael - thanks for your comment. My backpacker is an older model (pre-2002). It's my understanding that Martin made some changes in the more current models which were designed to improve the overall tone. I've never played one, so I can't say for sure, but it would be worth your checking into if you're considering getting one.
Sorry- but I just saw your question. Interestingly enough, I just got a Washburn Rover Ro10 traveler. I’ve tried several different strings, including Martin ultra lites (10), and the silk and steels. Still was also looking for that elusive “lower tone”, so I just put on a set of DAddario EJ 16’s (12 ga) just to see how it played. It did drop the tone, but it might be too much stress on the neck. I have to check the recommended string tension vs. the tension from the 12 ga. strings. Maybe just have to accept the fact that the travelers are not going to give the same sound as our everyday players.
@@bobthebuildergc1 I bought a Martin Backpacker about a week ago. In the owners manual, it suggests trying different Martin strings, from 10 to 13 and (I think) 47-52. I still have originals on but have picked up some silks like your video and a pack of Retro 12s
Michael Edwards thanks for that. Let me know how it works out, please. Like you, I am looking to get it to sound as well as possible. By the way, I checked on the Washburn Rover, and surprisingly it comes with the Elixir EJ 16’s (12 ga.) that I just put on it. So, apparently, the neck can support the tension.
Thank you! I have put off buying the backpacker as I want to find and have googled & youtubed how to get lower tone from the backpacker but I haven't found a resource explaining and all you did is swap strings. Thank you!
I agree, the silk and steel strings sound better.
Thanks, Steven.
I was pleased with the difference they made. Glad to hear that it was noticeable in the video.
Regards. Bob
Sounds much better for sure!
drumhd1 thanks- the silk and steels are pretty much all I play now. Nice mellow sound and much easier on your fingers too.
I’ve been putting silk & steel strings on my acoustics for years. They not only sound much fuller and cleaner they’re easier on your fingertips.
Thanks, Steve. Since making this video, I changed to silk and steels on my acoustics and acoustic / electrics as well. I agree - fuller sound, easier on fingers, win - win!
Best. Bob
I recently snagged a used Backpacker and going to lighter strings than what the previous owner had on.
Thanks for your comment. I’m sure you’ll notice a difference in both sound and action, just like I did. 👍🎸
I also think it softened it up
Thanks for watching, and for your comment.
Hey Bob! Came across your video and took your advice on my Martin Backpacker. What a great improvement! Of course it still isn't a full sized sound, but the overall tone and volume improved. Thank you for your recommendation. Stay well.
Hi there- and thanks for your comment. Glad my little video was of help to you.
Nice review sir very well done and spoken, God Bless you and keep you and remember Jesus is near you at all times Have a great day.
If I had this guitar.. It will be my nightly player while I am lying on my bed plucking this until I fall asleep..
That's much better with the silk and steel. I'm watching because I wasn't considering doing the same thing with mine. I'm probably going to go with a bit of a heavier gauge and rosewood pegs. I keep this thing in my car lol
Wow! I can't believe Martin would release a guitar that awful 😮 it's probably why you got it used
The only thing that softened was his attack
Hello, Howard. Thanks for watching, and for your comment. You have a keen eye, or should I say, a keen ear. Yes, the attack on the silk and steels is probably lighter than on the original strings, which were, as I recall phosphor bronze. But that was, in my opinion, due to the fact that the silk and steel strings, having less tension, require less pressure and less of an attack than do the phosphor bronze strings. So, if you noticed a "softened attack", I think it was due to my strumming with the amount of "gusto" necessary to produce the best sound from the phosphor bronze strings and from the silk and steels respectively.
Thanks, again. I appreciate your input. Bob
It sounds like something Wylie Chayote got from 'Acme' 😅
I'm not happy with the sound of my new Backpacker but I'll try your idea before returning it.
You might find, as I did, that it makes a difference. Never going to sound full size, but it does help. Good luck with it!
Thanks so much for making this! I had just gotten myself a Backpacker and was about to buy the ultra lights as recommended, but now I’m definitely going to grab myself some silk and steel!
Thanks- glad it was of help to you.
Wow. Thank you for this recommendation. I have one, and love it. I'll definitely give this string change a shot.
Thanks for watching- I hope it works out as well for you as it did for me.
Love this guitar and those silks sounds great. Now to add a cowboy hat and fall asleep next to a fire
thanks for the string comparison and for your comments re the backpacker.
And thank you for your comment. ‘ hope it was of some help to you.
I like the silk and steel on my Backpacker as well. I think the sound gets better as the strings age as well. I've also used flat wound jazz guitar strings on mine and it really helps with taking away the "tininess"
Thanks, Ken. I recently put the silk and steels on a Washburn Traveller and had similar results.
what flat wound jazz guitar strings did u use? light tension too?
@@giovannilucianoseveri2310 D'Addario Chromes Extra Light 10-48s.
@@kengilbert2620 they're for acoustic? the neck of your backpacker bended or it is ok?
@@giovannilucianoseveri2310 I had no issues with the neck and I used them for a few years until I found out about the silk 'n steels. YMMV!
Have you tried nylon strings? I wonder what they would do to the sound on it....
Thanks for your comment and idea. I haven’t tried nylon, but might do so the next time I change strings.
Thanks, again.
Silk & Steel Strings work great on this Guitar too, guess the Label isn't updated
Thanks for your comment. I’ve been using the silk and steels and find that they work well pretty much across the board. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment. I’ve been using the silk and steels and find that they work well pretty much across the board. Cheers!
Thanks for your comment. Hope they work for you as well.
Cheers!
@@bobthebuildergc1 How about the Thomastik Plectrum Bronze Extra Lights? They're a bit different because the Wound strings have a layer of Silk between the Core & the wrap wire to make them softer, along w/ Colored Silk wound around the ends to protect them & help them grip onto the tuners better.
Have hesitated to buy a Backpacker for the exact reason you state. The silk & steel strings are a really good idea. Problem solved. Thank you.
It’s a little tricky at first, due the the size and shape. But once you get used to it, it’s actually pretty cool, and really convenient to travel with. Enjoy!
Great to see what can be done to change sound , softer warmer and less brash with steel & silk..😉👍🏆 well done great video..!
Thanks. I appreciate your watching, and your comment.
Thank you for this video. I've been thinking about getting a Martin Backpacker and have watched a number of YT videos about them. Overall I do like them but wasn't 100% sold on the sound. Just a little too tinny to my ears, but I do like the way it sounds with the Silk & Steel strings. When I get one, I will definitely have it set up with them.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Good video. Are you playing 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out' ?? on the new strings. They are definitly an improvement.
Thanks, you have a good ear.
Yes, that’s what I was attempting to play. Much better with the silk and steels, I think.
Thanks very much mate, great video!
Thanks for watching and for your comments.. glad you enjoyed it.
Haven't done silk/steels yet. I bought one of these over the weekend at a pawn shop. Strings were left on it, they were almost black. I put some 10's on it and it was untunable and unplayable. I dropped it a full tone, but it was still untunable and barely playable. So - off came the acoustic 10's. I put extra light electric strings on it. Was able to tune back up to concert pitch and it was easy to play. Still had trouble tuning it but it was much better. Hopefully silk/steels will take it the rest of the way.
Thanks for your comment, Steven. Let me know how the silk and steels work out for you.
I got a used backpacker too and was wondering what strings to use. i was considering some elixer, but I'll try your suggestion first. Thanks for the info!
Thanks for your comment. Hope they work as well for you.
Cheers!
Thanks. How do you measure the cut point for restringing? All the instruction videos talk in terms of tuning heads (like 1-1/2 tuning heads length), but that wouldn't apply to the short headstock on the backpacker? I guessed wrong the last time I restrung my backpacker and ended up without enough string length to tune to pitch.
Bass Maiasa
I’m really not an expert on the subject, but I usually start winding with about 1-1/2” to 2” of slack in each string. I also don’t cut the string until each one is wound and tuned. That way, if I see that I’m running short, I can unwind it and let out more slack. Hope this helps.
It did sound like trebly ukulele when the strings were replaced 🎉 a little rounder than the original
Thanks for watching, and for your comment.
Of you skip back and forth in the video to A/B them.... Wow.... Just that that backpacker needed. I am putting them on mine, and also going to try Monel alloy Martin Retro (MM10) for a similar mellowing and enrichening effect.... I'll report on which I think works better.
Thanks for watching, and for your comment. I would be interested to hear how the MM10s work out in comparison. Cheers!
@@bobthebuildergc1 plenty of people hate the backpackers.... I LOVE mine. They have their cult following.
No difference?
Have you ever tried to put nylon strings on this guitar?
Never tried nylon strings. Might be interesting to experiment with though.
Much warmer, less brassy. I’m now going to change the strings on mine, a great idea. It’s a funny wee guitar and it’s tone has always niggled me. This is a good fix.
Thanks, I’m sure you’ll notice the difference they make.
Thanks, that's a great idea and sounds ;-) . Have a nice day.
Thanks for watching, and for your comment. Changing the strings worked for me, and I hope it works for you too!
Thank you. I have a Washburn Rover and will be switching the the strings to Martin skis and steels.
thanks for your comment. I also have the Rover and the silk and steels made a huge difference, as I think you will see.
@@bobthebuildergc1 Thank you so much for responding to me. I am impressed and grateful. By the way, please excuse the typo in my previous comment. Your video was very informative as well as entertaining!
They do soften the sound. Even though this is a year earlier. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for checking it out. Glad to hear that you agree.
Awesome! Love the silk version. I also have different light strings on my guitar. I’ll have to dig around and recall what I added.
Thanks. I’ve pretty much changed to silk and steels on the way around. May not produce the volume, but I like the mellower sound, plus they’re a lot easier on the fingers.
Sounds a lot better ,whats the difference between the 130 and the 130S one is in blue and the other like yours are Green .Cheers
Thanks for watching, and for your comment. If I’m correct (emphasis on the word “if”), the difference is that the 130S strings have silk wrapped ends which are intended to prevent wear on bridge and the bridge holes. I’ve used them both, and, other than the silk wrapping, can’t tell any further difference between them.
Regards.
@@bobthebuildergc1 Thanks got one on the way from ebay so will try them strings .Cheers
I was excited when my new Martin Mini Backpacker arrived today. Upon closer inspection I found they sent me a rare Marti ! It's not a knock off but a production error, the embossed letter N fell off. They were eager to get it back and my new Martin is on it's way 🎸 😉 BTW, the Marti sounded great for a little guitar 🎼I'll
bluesbrothergerry
Might be worth extra as a “Marti”. But definitely more authentic once you get the missing “N”.
Thanks for your comment.
Enjoy the guitar.
@@bobthebuildergc1 I noticed that your backpacker has what looks like the Martin logo at the bottom of the neck. My guitar has the Martin brand logo on the head. There are two models of the backpacker. I was wondering if that tinny sound has anything to do with the construction difference of the two models. Mine sounds fine but when the time comes I'll change out the strings like yours. Thanks for the tip.
bluesbrothergerry
Very interesting, and you may well be right. Your comment got me thinking, so I did a little research. Martin changed the design in 2002, and mine pre-dates the change. Up until now, I thought the change was purely cosmetic. However, it appears that new design was actually more than cosmetic, and was intended to increase the volume and tone quality.
Next time I see a newer model, like yours, I’ll try it out. I’m curious as to the difference in playability and sound. Thanks for taking the time to point this out.
@@bobthebuildergc1 FYI th-cam.com/video/6ewz_vq0j38/w-d-xo.html
I changed mine to silk and string and love the sound.
Great! Thanks for your feedback.
S&S sound good
Thanks for watching and for your comment.
Nice Bob, thanks!
Thank you, Sean. I appreciate your comment.
Yes it sounds better.
Thanks for watching, and for your comment.
Are there any other Martin strings that you've found are changeable and get a lower tone from the guitar?
Michael - thanks for your comment. My backpacker is an older model (pre-2002). It's my understanding that Martin made some changes in the more current models which were designed to improve the overall tone. I've never played one, so I can't say for sure, but it would be worth your checking into if you're considering getting one.
Sorry- but I just saw your question. Interestingly enough, I just got a Washburn Rover Ro10 traveler. I’ve tried several different strings, including Martin ultra lites (10), and the silk and steels. Still was also looking for that elusive “lower tone”, so I just put on a set of DAddario EJ 16’s (12 ga) just to see how it played. It did drop the tone, but it might be too much stress on the neck. I have to check the recommended string tension vs. the tension from the 12 ga. strings. Maybe just have to accept the fact that the travelers are not going to give the same sound as our everyday players.
@@bobthebuildergc1 I bought a Martin Backpacker about a week ago. In the owners manual, it suggests trying different Martin strings, from 10 to 13 and (I think) 47-52. I still have originals on but have picked up some silks like your video and a pack of Retro 12s
Michael Edwards thanks for that. Let me know how it works out, please. Like you, I am looking to get it to sound as well as possible. By the way, I checked on the Washburn Rover, and surprisingly it comes with the Elixir EJ 16’s (12 ga.) that I just put on it. So, apparently, the neck can support the tension.
Good job and thanks Bob.
Thanks for watching, and for your comment. Bob
Thank you
Thanks for watching, and for your comment.