Playing on the beach

[fatt-dad]

Well we prepare for the week at the beach. For the last few years, I have taken my Montana (Pac-Rim POS) along with my beach chair, cigar, fake beer, dog, etc. to the beach and had a great week. The only "damage" I find is the machines (salty rust) and strings. Yeah, it's been blown, sand-blasted, half-buried, etc. But, it's also been protected from getting into the actual surf.

So, what if I want to take a mandolin that actually plays have decent? Will I render it a junker on day one? Will it just be a matter of sacrificing the tuning machines/strings to the ocean?

Comments?

fatt-dad

[Keith Newell]

I cring at the thought of the heat, grit, salt air and kids/dogs/mishappes. Bring your Walkman and listen to your favorite licks over and over...it will be more productive...
Keith

[steve in tampa]

We take designated instruments to the beach. No biggie. Usually end up around the pool area playing after dark, or sometimes walk off down the beach a ways. Sand comes off and metal can be polished. Take a beater, not your pride and joy. Don't forget your'e on vacation!
I prefer playing outdoors. Bigger auditorium!

[Nick Triesch]

I used to have two guitars: A good guitar and a beach guitar. There is nothing worse for an instrument than hot sun. Cold can be bad also. My sister years ago took her acoustic to the mountains and played near the campfire and the finish on the top cracked like glass the next day. But if you are rich, it just does not matter.

[Tennessee Jed]

I took my mando on vacation to the beach last summer and it stayed in the hotel room. In the car it rode on the floor in front of the back seat out of the direct sunlight as much as possible.

[Ken Berner]

After a day trip tp the beach in the '60s, my well-used Gibson J-45 guitar lost its tone. I figured it was just the strings; WRONG! It never was right again and I think the cellular structure of the wood must have been damaged somewhat. That once-nice guitar sounded like a mud brick.

[odeman]

Do what I did - get yourself a Weber Sweet Pea for heavy air travel, extended vacations, camping and seaside entertainment.

[ira]

my kentucky 150s is perfect. decent sound for what it is, and 200 bucks.

[steve in tampa]

I have easily managed keep all my gear in one piece living a couple of blocks from Tampa Bay in 2 different directions for the last 15 years. Play outside all the time. The new coated strings are the best thing since sliced bread around here. Just common sense to keep myself out of the blazing sun. It sure is fun to go down to the beach or on a pier or dock after dark and play. Use a little common sense and everything will be fine.
How did all those vintage Gibsons and Martins ever survive being kept in cabins with no A/C and stoves for heaters?

[fatt-dad]

Interesting. . . . I am more in the line of Steve in Tampa - not to baby too much and pick the mandolin that has the least to loose. My Montana (really a junker) already has lots of beach play time and the machines have the rusty patina that I expected from the onset. So, it is a definate for the beach. Ken Berner has me concerned as he suggests that the salt air, sun, whatever somehow tempered the wood (unfavorably). It this is the case, then I would probably have to avoid taking an otherwise good Kentucky (even if it is a KM-160s) or even my $75.00 Yasuma (this is what I was considering). I have no desire to take a "good" mandolin (i.e, not otherwise messed up and working just fine) and render it ######. So, the Montana will remain my beach mandolin (even if it plays like a mud brick) and along will travel an instrument for the cottage - probably not my Flatiron - ha.

Receiving comments 'till Friday,

fatt-dad

[Django Fret]

Get thyself a Crafter!

You will kick your self for not getting a mandolin sooner that is impervious to salt walter, cold weather, hot weather, is very inexpensive, and fun to play either acoustic or electric.

[Unseen122]

Those Crafters good mandos in general?

[fatt-dad]

O.k. so I will have to take two with me. Thanks for all the good input. Reports on July 6th (or so).

f-d

[jim simpson]

I have fond memories of taking my mandolin to the beach along with fellow pickers. Wouldn't you know that I was the one that the bikini clad lassie came over to inquire as to what instrument I was playing. I don't remember my wife being as impressed as I was with her inquisition!

[Russ(String-Alley)]

Nice to be back on the board, been really busy as of late. Out here on the sand bar, Im kind of lucky, (Really a packrat of garbage can prizes) a rank ol fender mando, a johnson Uke, a toy accordian and an old washburn dred. I take whatever suits my fancy that day, or who I will run into down there. I got a buddy who shows up with a sax or clarinet somtimes, lots of fun picking there. If your on the beach and have somthing you can afford to bring, do so...nothing like the sound of the waves and strings to bring a smile to my face. plus if your broke you can busk on the boardwalk for beer money http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

cheers all!
-Russ

[GMatt]

Crafters are plastic but sound fine to me.

[fatt-dad]

Inspired by Jim Simpson (originally published on the Haiku post)

playing on the beach
Bikini-clad audience
Rusty mandolin

I may just have to retire from poetry after such inspiration - ha.

I am really going to the beach now. Actually going to put the surfboard on the mini-van, but the moment nears. Montana for the beach and my Aria Pro II for the cottage. So, that covers Korea and Japan - final ha.

fatt-dad

[Django Fret]

Those Crafters good mandos in general?
It all depends on what your definition of "good" is. If you are looking for an investment grade mandolin, or one that brings admiring glances at bluegrass festivals, then I would say "no".

If you want something that is inexpensive to buy, maintain, and fun to play either acoustically, or plugged in, then I would say "yes".

If you cannot afford to spend less than $200, then I would probably stay away from this one, unless you have money to burn, or really want to support the Korean economy in a big way.

I would say that for a great camping, beach, or inexpensive electric mandolin that sounds halfway decent, show me a better buy for the money.

[Unseen122]

How is the action and playability? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[TheNaivePicker]

Take a ß@n¿°!

[Django Fret]

How is the action and playability? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Mine seemed fine the way it came for me, but there are some modifications that can be made depending on your preferences.

[jim simpson]

fatt-dad,
Your Haiku brought tears to my eyes! I actually have a photo that was taken that day at the beach and in the background is the bikini clad lass.
Oh yeah!

[fatt-dad]

Dear NG,

Well, we made it back from the beach. I had my Montana in the sand every day and got somewhat better on Jerusalum Ridge, Ragtime Annie and began to work up White Horse Rag. What really amazed me is that I only had to tune it up once on about Thursday. Something about aged plywood and seized machines that when you get them right, they ain't going anywhere. Audience was sparce, well we were burried pretty deep down the Outer Banks.

My next post is going to try to find machines that do not rust - are they're any?

fatt-dad