Cruising/sailing with musical instruments... ?

chrisncate · #1 03-08-2012

Seems like for many (myself included) having a full sized "normal" guitar onboard is impractical at best, and really (possibly) bad for the instrument at worst...

I'm taking up the the piccolo and flute as they are small and storable, nickel plated and hopefully fun to play "out there"...

I now own both, and I am finding that I can make pretty decent tones with them. I don't know how to read music or properly play them yet, so it's something new to learn while cruising.. so far I like the piccolo better..

What musical instruments are some of you playing on your boats?

BostonSailor · #2 03-08-2012

Harmonica could be great!

travlineasy · #3 03-08-2012

Chris,

The major problem is finding a safe, secure location to store the equipment. In my case, I'll be hauling an arranger keyboard, stand, console, seat, amp and a cart to transport the gear up the dock to the venue where I'll be performing. The equipment will likely fill half of the quarter-berth, but that's the least of the problem.

Salt air and moisture is deadly for most musical equipment, especially acoustic guitars. The only protection is the cases the gear is stored in, and of course if they are made of laminated wood, a good coating of highly polished wax should be applied after each use. My keyboard case is not air tight, which is the way it should be, but most guitar cases, especially hard cases, can be utilized to store a guitar in relative safety. The electronic gear, which is what all of my equipment consists of, is very susceptible to the marine environment and every possible precaution must be taken to prevent its untimely demise.

Gary

chrisncate · #4 03-08-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlineasy

Chris,

The major problem is finding a safe, secure location to store the equipment. In my case, I'll be hauling an arranger keyboard, stand, console, seat, amp and a cart to transport the gear up the dock to the venue where I'll be performing. The equipment will likely fill half of the quarter-berth, but that's the least of the problem.

Salt air and moisture is deadly for most musical equipment, especially acoustic guitars. The only protection is the cases the gear is stored in, and of course if they are made of laminated wood, a good coating of highly polished wax should be applied after each use. My keyboard case is not air tight, which is the way it should be, but most guitar cases, especially hard cases, can be utilized to store a guitar in relative safety. The electronic gear, which is what all of my equipment consists of, is very susceptible to the marine environment and every possible precaution must be taken to prevent its untimely demise.

Gary

Wow, that's a lot of stuff Gary! Maybe some custom canvas cases for the electronic stuff? Canvas with a liner of Stamoid sewn in might protect the electrical stuff pretty well?...

I thought about a small "portable" acoustic, but nixed it for the reasons you mentioned above..

Boston - I like the harmonica idea though! I have one, I need to make sure to bring it along..

RichH · #5 03-08-2012

5 string clawhammer banjo ... using Nylgut strings that dont corrode in salt air as does 'wire'.
Wife always takes her fiddle.

Plenty of jammin' when travelling if youre looking for some.

Bagpipe chanter .... I dont 'really' play the bagpipe but it helps when someone anchors on top of me ... temporarily anchors on top of me until I start 'practicing'. Better than a Honda generator to chase away too close anchorers. :-o

For any instrument simply spray "Boeshield" on any component that will corrode in salt air.
Take the Guitar!!!!!

chrisncate · #6 03-08-2012

Nice Rich, good stuff! I love bag pipes, I bet they are fun to own and play

I would love to bring my good acoustic along, but I really just don't have any room for it on our small boat. It's kind of a bummer, but I do enjoy playing other stuff (like the picc and the flute). I may still pick up one of those really small "portable" acoustics that are "space savers" (don't know the proper name of them).. do you know the type I mean?

BostonSailor · #7 03-08-2012

Taylor makes an awesome "travel guitar" which is nicer than my own real guitar !

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/series/baby-taylor

chrisncate · #8 03-08-2012

I was thinking something like this

Amigo AMT10 Travel/Portable Acoustic Guitar with Bag

Pretty cheap, so if it gets screwed up it isn't a huge loss..

travlineasy · #9 03-08-2012

Chris,

All my gear is in heavy-duty, padded, insulated, canvas cases. It will all be going on the boat with me October 1st. The beauty of an arranger keyboard is you have every instrument in the world in the keyboard and they really sound great. Essentially, with an arranger keyboard you are a one-man-orchestra. Here's a recording of one of the songs I recently performed. It was recorded during the performance, so it is unedited, therefore you get to hear my mistakes as well.

Gary

Wonderful Tonight.mp3 - File Shared from Box - Free Online File Storage

chrisncate · #10 03-08-2012

Nice, I look forward to hearing you play sometime this year out here on the bay