Mandolin on a boat

[seasinger]

I live on a boat cruising the Bahamas and eastern US. I got the urge to learn something new and last week I bought a Fender starter kit from a local music store. I realize it is a cheap instrument but I want to keep it in the best condition that I can. Right now I am playing it every day to toughen up my fingers and I wonder if I should be loosening the strings after each session. I have an electronic tuner and it appears to be holding tune fairly well from day to day but I worry about the effects of changing humidity and temperature, especially now in the fall. I would greatly appreciate advice on general care and maintenance for a boat instrument? Thanks!

[Mike Scott]

I am no expert on this stuff, but if you are playing it daily, you can leave it in tune and just tweak it prior to playing/practice. Not sure of your mandolin, but assuming that it is a laminate body, the humidity on the boat (especially in the tropics) shouldn’t have too much affect on it, but could on the neck, fretboard, etc. So assuming you have a case maybe you should throw in some of those dry pack things. Hope this helps.

[Billy Packard]

seasinger,

If you are playing it daily the only thing I would urge you to do is keep it in the case, tightly closed, when you aren't playing it.

I recommend good case with a professional quality humidifier that shows moisture ratings and such so you can maintain a constant humidity.

Something else to consider is the strings you use. Constant high humidity will quickly oxidize the wrapped strings if they aren't of the "coated" verity. I like the Mapes brand which you order direct from the company only. All of their strings have a very light coating.
https://www.mapesstrings.com/product/mandolin-strings/

Moisture and humidity are your big enemies but if you are diligent you should be OK.


Billy

billypackardmandolin.com

[DavidKOS]

Or buy one of these and either keep it tuned like a 'ukulele, or get one of those special
string sets that let you tune it GDAE:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/21inch-ABS-Plastic-Ukulele-Four-stringed-Hawaiian-Instrument-for-Kids-Toy-Gift/142490305719?hash=item212d1584b7:m:mcCq-CgWKujfZBO-u8PXDtQ

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DdMAAOSw8lpZL3Tw/s-l1600.jpg

Even the tuning machines are ABS plastic - they say you can play it on your surfboard.

GDAE strings:

https://www.amazon.com/Aquila-30U-Ukulele-SOPRANO-Mandolin/dp/B005WFTJPK

[tonydxn]

Generally speaking, stringed instruments and moisture do not go together well. I'm not familiar with conditions in your part of the world, but it might be an idea to get hold of a hygrometer (they're not expensive) so you know more about the conditions you're asking your instrument to deal with.

[darrylicshon]

Salt water can be mean make sure you wipe everything down after playing

[jesserules]

Possibilities include a carbon fiber mandolin:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?130716-Ava-Mandolin-carbon-fiber-bowlback

or a solid body electric like the Kentucky KM-300E

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-traditional-instruments/kentucky-km-300e-electric-mandolin

[pops1]

We are not talking about a Loar here, I would say play the Fender, enjoy the dickens out of it, and if something goes wrong that costs too much to fix, get another. A little care will go a long way. I play a weekly boat cruise and it is humid and hot, when I get home I leave my case open to dry the mandolin somewhat as it is not as humid as on the river. Been doing this for at least 10 years with an expensive mandolin and no problems so far. I realize you are on the boat all the time, but somewhere in your cabin it must be drier than on deck. I would keep it out of the spray and not play on deck unless it is a lazy day with no wind and most of all enjoy, enjoy enjoy.

[Nevin]

Just play it and enjoy it. Plenty of stringed instruments do just fine in high humidity places.

[Paul Busman]

I think the biggest problem is big rapid changes in humidity.If you're living on a boat, it's probably always pretty humid so it probably wouldn't be a worry at all.

[soliver]

I know we are discussing humidity as an issue, but with a laminate instrument I’m guessing that it’s not that much of an issue.. but I’m also thinking about set up... you mentioned “toughening up your fingers;” a lot of the less expensive Mandolins like fenders are badly in need of a set up... you can either have a luthier do this (next time you are in a port somewhere) or get Rob Meldrum’s ebook and do it yourself (I recommend the latter)... not only will it make this easier in your fingers, but a decent set up will improve the sound that your Mando will make!

[JeffD]

What about the salty atmosphere?

[DavidKOS]

Generally speaking, stringed instruments and moisture do not go together well.

Yup - that' s why I suggested a plastic ukulele tuned like a mandolin...see below


Possibilities include a carbon fiber mandolin:



I'm sure these are nice but that plastic uke sounds GREAT....and I bet it's a lot cheaper.