Picking out a tune on board

[bob daily]

I have been looking at the carbon fiber guitars as an alternative to take on board for the times I like to pick out a tune or two. Due to the humidity related issues on board and when I go camping these new models look promising. Was just wondering if any other pickers/players have any knowledge and advice. The price is about 2 to 3 times as much as my baby martin that I take with me, but if the quality is what they advertise I'm thinking it would be worth it. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Bob

 

[Cutwater28GG]

I have a ukulele on board in a soft case. I’m not seeing any changes in a year.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I played for the Ranger gathering in 2013 in Anacortes...

That guitar I am playing is a carbon fiber RainSong Shorty. Carbon fiber is ideal for our traveling lifestyle, which may have us on the humid Gulf Coast or in the dry desert Southwest. Since getting that guitar, I have fully dived into the carbon fiber guitar world. I still have a few wood guitars, but it is my carbon fiber guitars that get 95% of the playing time. We are no longer boat cruising, but still travel a lot. I originally bought that Shorty for the climate impervious, but found that I really like the carbon fiber tone. I tried a lot of different carbon fiber guitars since, and currently own 3 Emerald guitars...

https://emeraldguitars.com/

The first Emerald I bought also showed me how comfortable an acoustic guitar can be, and still have killer tone. That particular model is an X7 (previous generation) - it is still my favorite travel guitar. Smaller and better sounding than that first RainSong, I sold the Shorty. Bought two more Emeralds for the variety of tone. Here's the X20...

Here's a shot with that smaller X7...

Then, I had them build me a custom X10 that bridges the gap between an acoustic and an electric guitar. I play and record a lot, always with the Emeralds. They are only sold direct from Emerald in Ireland. Truly impressive guitars.

That endorsement aside, the cf guitars made by McPherson are nice. If you want a smaller guitar (parlor size) for travel, I would recommend you look at an Emerald X7, a McPherson Touring, a RainSong Parlor, or possibly a used Composite Acoustics Cargo. Journey makes an OF660 model that breaks down (the neck comes off) and fits into a carry-on size bag.

I have been playing for over 50 years. A guitar always travels with us. On our boats, it was a wood guitar until I discovered the ease of carbon fiber: no concerns about humidity (high or low) ruining a nice wood guitar. Before I got into carbon fiber, I owned an Ovation for 14 years (wood top, fiberglass composite back) - it was a decent alternative, but nowhere near the tone and comfort of my Emeralds.

Good luck with the search, and feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions.

Jim B.

There is a Carbon Fiber sub-forum on the Acoustic Guitar Forum: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/for ... y.php?f=48

You will find a lot of good information and other carbon fiber enthusiasts there.

 

[bob daily]

JamesTXSD, Thank you so much for your input, that's the information that I needed to make a good decision as to the best match for my needs. I'm more of a closet picker and use it more for therapy and my enjoyment. Again thank you for the reply. Bob

 

[Rehack]

bob daily, I see that you have a baby Martin and were looking for feedback on carbon fiber guitars (and have likely made a decision by now). For anyone else looking for a travel guitar, I just got a Taylor GS Mini for the boat. The tone is amazing - and big - for a small guitar, and has really comfortable action. It was $500 new with a padded bag and I just moved it from off of the v berth to the shelf below; it fits quite well with the headstock to one side, facing aft. Today I will put a scrap of 4” gel foam (leftover from cutting the mattress topper) under it so it won’t slide out (I hope) when planing, and to alleviate pounding when in 2-3 ft seas offshore.

 

[Rehack]

Re the above, less space taken up using a cut strip of old yoga mat under the guitar case instead of the 4” gel foam for non slippage.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The Taylor GSmini was the wood guitar I carried onboard prior to getting acquainted with carbon fiber. It is an impressive guitar for its size.

One word of caution: I put the Taylor ES-Go pickup in that guitar for playing out. There was a great spot for storing that guitar on our boat at the time... until I discovered that magnetic pickup was throwing off the fluxgate compass when underway! From then on, it stayed on the berth when the boat was moving.

😉

 

[bob daily]

Rehack, and James,
Just a update I went with the Tailor-GS mini. I just couldn't see playing the Crawdad song or Five Pounds of Possum on a carbon fiber guitar. As we used to say in the navy 200 years of tradition unchanged by progress. Thank you for your replies. Bob