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Bill E · 09-12-2008, 13:10

Wondering if any of you liveaboards keep and play (acoustic) instruments?
The two issues I am wondering about are:
Does the humidity damage the instrument?
and, do you get complaints from neighbors? I would think that my playing would be no louder than most stereos or TVs, probably much softer.
I play guitar and clawhammer banjo and cannot imagine doing without them.

Stillraining · 09-12-2008, 13:21

Once toured a motor sailor in which the guy had a baby grand piano..He gave us one or his CD's.. I would not have wanted him as a neighbor..hope that wasent too mean.

Esteban could raft next to me anytime.

Catch my drift?

Christian Van H · 09-12-2008, 15:17

Check out Rainsong guitars. You can leave 'em outside , and use 'em as a picnic table. Expensive picnic table though... RainSong

SilentOption · 09-12-2008, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Once toured a motor sailor in which the guy had a baby grand piano..He gave us one or his CD's.. I would not have wanted him as a neighbor..hope that wasent too mean.

Esteban could raft next to me anytime.

Catch my drift?

Remember how Captain Nemos organ playing resonated throughout the Nautilus.

But nobody but that Seal Pup could hear Ned playing the guitar.

Squeaks · 09-12-2008, 16:52

Of course there's room for my blues harps but a guitar is too big so I thought about learning ukulele but thought Tiny Tim ruined the image so switched to madolin. The smaller wooden one is holds up well in it's soft case and the brass-boddied one is tough enough for a bar fight :-)

SilentOption · 09-12-2008, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeaks

Of course there's room for my blues harps but a guitar is too big so I thought about learning ukulele but thought Tiny Tim ruined the image so switched to madolin. The smaller wooden one is holds up well in it's soft case and the brass-boddied one is tough enough for a bar fight :-)

Understand completely. I did a cursory search of famous players of the Ukulele and the mandolin and based on my findings I'd say the Mandolin is the much more manly of the two.

Just a few notables.

Uke players

Tiny Tim
Tessie OShea
Roy Smeck

Mandolin players

Eric Bazillion of the Hooters
Martin Barre Jethro Tull
Don Felder The Eagles
David Gilmour Pink Floyd

And, seeings how we are mostly traveling around unarmed anything handy in a bar fight is a good thing!

Microship · 09-12-2008, 17:39

It's not acoustic, but I'll be hacking an 88-key digital piano to fold in half. My current studio rig is just too big/heavy/expensive to take aboard, so the solution is a cheapie that I won't feel too bad about during keybed surgery.

My partner and I also carry our flutes... much more sensible, though the piano has the advantage of working with headphones when you're still pounding away at pesky measure #17 of the Chopin Prelude in E minor that defies every attempt at fingering <mutter mutter mutter>.

Steve

Squeaks · 10-12-2008, 09:28

SilentO:
Yes - manly! (with a good sense of humor too :-)

Also, Jimmy Page of Led Zep has done some mean mando playing and Yank Rashel (sp ?) is the godfather of mandolin blues. But I also understand Paul McCartney always travels with uks for impromptu jamming. Whatever works.

On a related musical note (pun intended :-) is a killer 12-volt music system by Cambridge Sound Works - the Fleetwood Mac - is an amp & two tweeters that pack into a base-reflex case. As close to a house system w/ plenty of power & quality and runs on 12-v.
Happy playing!
John

Robertcateran · 10-12-2008, 21:03

I had a lovely alto flute that was ruined after about a couple of years in the tropics on boats. My guitars machine heads have never been the same. Next time i go cruising i am hesitant about taking my soprano-sax and will probably learn to play a ukulele a lot better. Simple quality bamboo flutes holds up well. I spent many years on fishing boats and have never been questioned about my masculinity for playing a ukulele.

ajman · 11-12-2008, 00:47

A not-too-expensive guitar in a hard case with desiccant would work. If you had to replace it after a few seasons you wouldn't be out that much. Don't know about the banjo, though...

SilentOption · 11-12-2008, 04:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertcateran

I spent many years on fishing boats and have never been questioned about my masculinity for playing a ukulele.

So you're a commercial fisherman, I am guessing you are 10'11", huge knuckles and weigh.....270, 290 plus...
Funny how certain guys masculinity never gets questioned
No matter what.

nodee · 11-12-2008, 07:01

For a nice compromise between mandolin and guitar, try this:
Tacoma® Products
Nothing wrong with mandolin, however. I plan to take one,along with my Papoose when we shove off next year.
Kirk

OldSarg · 11-12-2008, 08:36

The humidity will not hurt your instrument. The saltwater might. When I moved from the Gulf Coast out west I installed humidifiers for my guitars. I still take them to the coast and have not had any problems in 33 years (and many of the instruments are the same). Yes, I take the mandolin and my baritone ukulele also. Does the banjo have a paper or leather face? That might cause problems.

Heck, I've been pushed into the ocean with my main guitar in 1978 and I just sprayed it off immediately and it's still fine (though I no longer sing verses about my brother).