On board instruments? Guitar? Harmonica?

[Dave_E]

Being a guitar maker (hobby luthier), my concerns are the changing humidity and temperatures. Can't see steel strings staying bright very long. I certainly wouldn't be taking an expensive Martin or something on a boat for more than a day trip. Keep the guitars in their case with a humidity device. My .02.

Dave

[siestakey]

Originally Posted by Dave_E

Being a guitar maker (hobby luthier), my concerns are the changing humidity and temperatures. Can't see steel strings staying bright very long. I certainly wouldn't be taking an expensive Martin or something on a boat for more than a day trip. Keep the guitars in their case with a humidity device. My .02.

Dave

Our Boat neighbor keeps his in sealed travel case with damp rid it probably helps some

[kolive]

Dave E,

Thanks for the concerns but please rest assured that this instrument gets the utmost care. Humidity levels are monitored as well as temperatures and strings get wiped down after every playing opportunity. The strings get changed very regularly regardless of where I take it, nothing like the sounds of new strings. I take care of this guitar and check it every time it goes into and comes out of its case. I have a Martin authorized repair shop look at it regularly and they continue to tell me everything is fine. It went from Vashon Island up to the Broughtons on a 42 day trip and did just fine. We live in Eastern Washington where I am more concerned about lack of humidity and temperature extremes than on our boat. But I appreciate your concerns and hope this explaination helps.

[dhays]

Originally Posted by Dave_E

Being a guitar maker (hobby luthier), my concerns are the changing humidity and temperatures. Can't see steel strings staying bright very long. I certainly wouldn't be taking an expensive Martin or something on a boat for more than a day trip. Keep the guitars in their case with a humidity device. My .02.

Dave

Very good points. OTOH, I have a couple nice guitars that are in excellent shape and very well stored. I just don't play them much anymore. I'd prefer to have an instrument that gets used and gets damaged than an instrument that sits in its case and stays in pristine condition.

[DHeckrotte]

Boating's probably less of a problem for your guitar if it is simply a piece of wood and a pickup. Or carbon fiber.

[pjwhite]

I sometimes take an acoustic guitar, or a hurdy gurdy with me on longer solo trips (I usually don't want to subject anyone else to my noises).
One time, though, I brought my whole band along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eRPPCAJuQo&t=10s

[TimButterfield]

Originally Posted by Dave_E

I certainly wouldn't be taking an expensive Martin or something on a boat for more than a day trip. Keep the guitars in their case with a humidity device. My .02.

I agree with not taking a nice wood guitar along, but that's what carbon fiber is for. Not that I play it well, but I have a Rainsong I could take along, though the hard case certainly takes up a bit more space than a thin electric.

[BandB]

Wifey B: We sing and I play the keyboard. We also have background music, much like karaoke for just singing or songs we don't have sheet music for. Music is a very fun part of our lives and we love taking it with us. Also, tennis rackets and a basketball but have to get off the boat to use them.

[Jerry Williams]

Originally Posted by healhustler

Still keep the ole Tuba on the lounge for spontaneous concertos. Never get any applause though. Thinking about switching it out for bagpipes.

Played the ole Sousaphone myself in the Fighting Gator Marching Band “back in the day” (as my youngest son would say).

We have lots of storage onboard, but after 45+ years without sputtering into a brass mouthpiece I can do without! [emoji41]

I do love to listen to just about any style of music, and wouldn’t deny for a moment anyone who is exercising their talent (?) regardless of how others hear it!

Jerry

Jerry & Sam Williams
Looping aboard Tanuki
Great Harbour N37

[Wayfarer]

I used to keep this Neil Peart style Time Machine drum kit on my boat. Only trouble was, there wasn't room for me to be on the boat with it.

[angus99]

Originally Posted by kolive

I always travel with my Martin HD28V. Love how it echoes off the trees in a remote anchorage.

My son has one of those—a great guitar. Out of th box it sounded better than my standard issue D28.

[kolive]

Originally Posted by angus99

My son has one of those—a great guitar. Out of th box it sounded better than my standard issue D28.

I played a lot of guitars and this one was the top as far as sound goes. It has taught me to be a better musician. Such a wide range of voices it has. I take care of it very well.

[North Baltic sea]

Originally Posted by angus99

Larry, bagpipes are only a half-measure. If you’re wanting positive attention at an anchorage, shift around some of those pillows and install one of these. (Just note that you may have to update your house bank first.)

This was fine, whispered through the ceiling and cool Captain Nemo style.

NBs

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by DHeckrotte

Boating's probably less of a problem for your guitar if it is simply a piece of wood and a pickup. Or carbon fiber.

And FWIW, Yamaha makes a "Silent Guitar" with models for nylon or steel strings. It's essentially a detachable frame and a fingerboard, with enough of a pickup to feed earphones (or I have a small palm-sized Fender amp). I played one when shopping, very interesting, maybe still a possibility if I decide even smaller would be better.

-Chris

[Miz Trom]

I've been perusing travel guitars; there are numerous models.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...s-deluxe-maple

[Montenido]

This is an interesting thread. I also carry a guitar onboard, and I am also not a very good player. It does soothe me and give me something to do though.

Capn, my heart goes out to you. I can't imagine what you are experiencing. Your son is on board with you, through his guitar.

Cheers, Bill

[Bigfish]

Originally Posted by Capn Craig

I have a 1963 vintage Epiphone Riviera that I bought new in high school. It's an amazing blues guitar. My son had it the back seat of my Cadillac on the way home from a jam session, the night he crashed the caddy and died. The guitar had the neck broke off in the crash. I lost everything that night. Amazingly with the help of his Blues mentor I got it repaired and it plays amazing but I haven't gotten the motivation to play it since. God, I miss him.

So sorry for your loss. In 1962 my 18 year old brother bought a brand new Gretsch guitar that he wouldnt let me touch. 3 months later he was killed in a car accident and it became mine. That guitar burned up in a house fire 7 years later but I've been playing ever since. I have a cheapy Lohr 350 jazz guitar, my Yamaha p115 piano and a flute on board. Flute sounds dissipate real fast on a boat as do acoustic guitar sounds. Love m6 piano though!!

[renny]

Check out the Merlin Seagull. We love ours. Super relaxing and easy to play and enjoyable sound. Perfect size too for our trawler. https://guitarvault.com/products/sea...xoCRyIQAvD_BwE

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[Miz Trom]

Looking at the fretboard of the Seagull, it looks like a dulcimer.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Miz Trom

I've been perusing travel guitars; there are numerous models.

FWIW, I tried Martin's Backpacker and a couple of the smaller 3/4-size guitars (Taylor, Yamaha)... the Backpacker was especially difficult to hold steady while seated; just too small for me. Might be better is played standing, with a strap. The 3/4 models were similarly not comfortable, although not as bad. For me I was glad it was an "audition in person" versus a random 'net purchase.

The Yamaha Silent Guitar didn't seem to have those same "slippery" characteristics...

-Chris