Essential Gear for Cruise Ship Guitarists

Inside The Music - my vlog about all things relating to my multi-faceted music career and my life in general.
May 29, 2023
Join us as we embark on a musical journey through the high seas! In this video, we dive into the world of cruise ship guitarists and explore the essential gear they need to bring on board. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a budding musician preparing for your first gig at sea, this comprehensive guide will help you pack like a pro.
From intimate lounges to lively poolside stages, cruise ship performances demand versatility and reliability. We'll walk you through the must-haves that will ensure your guitar playing shines, no matter the venue or conditions. Discover the top picks for guitars that can withstand the rigors of the maritime environment while delivering outstanding sound quality.
But it doesn't stop there! We'll also delve into the essential accessories that will enhance your performance and keep your gear in top shape. Explore the world of amplification options, effects pedals, and other sound-enhancing tools that will bring depth and character to your playing. We'll share expert tips on how to choose the right equipment for your musical style and the specific demands of cruise ship gigs.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay tuned for more videos on music, gear, and performance tips. Fair winds and smooth strumming!
If you would like to get more access to me and my band and get more content, please consider supporting the channel on Patreon. Some perks include exclusive content, gig reports (an honest, uncensored, and sometimes brutal take on the gigs we play), merch, VIP status at gigs, and so much more! Check it out here: www.patreon.com/davidpaigemusic
GEAR USED:
The following are affiliate links for the gear we use. If you are liking how we look and sound, and you'd like to purchase some of the same gear we use by cliking these links, we do get a small payout for those purchases.
Cameras:
Sony ZV-E10
Sigma 16mm Lens
GoPro Hero 9 Black
Camera Mic:
Rode VideoMic Pro Shotgun Camera Mic
Lights:
Lume Cube 2.0
IVISII G2 Pocket RGB
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davidpaigemusic
www.davidpaigemusic.com
Started Channel - September 26, 2009
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[@nahuelpardini]

thanks for your work man, up a down the stage, awesome human being, amazing musician, and great youtuber! for real, your vids are very very inspiring and useful! thanks man!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you Nahuel!! 🎸🤘🏻 How’s the gig search going??

[@nahuelpardini]

@@DavidPaigeMusic still going! 😎🤘

[@JemmyJems]

Such a great video! Thanks for using some of my footage from my first cruise ship experience! This is a GREAT video!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you so much man! I loved watching your vlogs from that ship experience! It really helped give me and my wife an idea of what to expect when we got onboard! Funnily enough, I was just watching your short of Everybody Wants to Rule the World when I got the notification that you commented on this video! 😂 Keep rockin! 🎸🤘🏻

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Huge shoutouts to the following musicians featured in this video! Jemmuel Magtibay for letting me use some video of an amplifier from his stint on a Princess ship! Richard (Chad) Santiago - acoustic guitarist during our contract on the Carnival Elation Chadley Beukes (bass) and Chad Andrews (guitar) for Blaze Band - the quartet during our time on the Carnival Elation

[@HereTodayWhereTomorrow]

Great video dude! Packed with info and the B-roll to back it all up! Killing it dude!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thanks so much Rob!! I hope you and your family are doing well!!

[@Ederson_Sanches]

Hi David, Thanks for the video, next week I'm starting a contract on Carnival Elation. I watched all your videos 🤘

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

That’s awesome!! I bet you’re so excited!! Thanks for watching!

[@SammyCannillo]

Awesome video, as always!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you so much!!

[@rlford10]

David, I'm curious to know what you brought onboard that proved to be "way too much"? On your next contract, will you be able to reduce the actual number of bags you bring aboard by refining the gear you bring? Are you on your next contract yet?!? Good luck to both you & Stephanie on this great "cruise ship musician" journey!!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you so much!! We leave the first week of August for our next contract! I brought lighting for videos, stands and a separate mixer to record in our cabin, cables, etc. this was the majority of the weight in my second bag. I could have perhaps brought one less bag of luggage. Other musicians also, likely, won’t need to bring an in-ear mixer like we do, but it’s such an important part of my workflow for video creation and it helps us control our mix with the tracks, that I do feel like I need it. HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!! Our new contract on the BRAND NEW Norwegian Viva!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OliWqOm7yVhrc

[@ScottySwanMagic]

I use guitar pro for chords& lyrics or jamzone for both. Plus Jamzone has backing tracks

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

I use Ultimate Guitar for charts, unless it's not there, then I'll write my own chart if I need it. We use Go Button as the app to play and organize our tracks.

[@thepunksofprestidigitation2735]

@@DavidPaigeMusic do you make custom backing tracks? I’ve heard some ships won’t let you use them.

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

@@thepunksofprestidigitation2735 on a few, I do. The ships are not auditing my tracks and have never asked about the origins of my tracks before. I run the tracks all from the same iPad app, so no one can tell the difference. As long as the quality is there, there’s no reason they should have any issue with it.

[@LarryAnthonyTV]

love the video! getting ready for my cruise and really considering the dual MONO case you have! did you travel with it as a carry on?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Hey! Sorry about the slow response. I've been really busy in rehearsals on our new ship and I haven't been able to catch up lately! The Mono case is outstanding. Yes, I carry it on with me on every flight. It fits perfectly in the overhead compartment, with a little room for your backpack as well.

[@LarryAnthonyTV]

@ Your rehearsal posts on IG look awesome! I ended up snagging the case and it’s perfect!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

@@LarryAnthonyTV it’s been BUSY, but I love the work!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

@@LarryAnthonyTV glad the case worked out for you!!

[@randybeidelschies]

As always...great video David ! Did your wireless frequencies ever get jumbled with any other musicians or shows on the ship? Thanks - Cheers !

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thanks Randy! Luckily the only time I’ve ever experienced that was when I accidentally got to play with Tye Guess Who lol I never had a frequency issue on the ship!

[@jknorratl]

I am curious as to what the "power" issue was you were referring to? For instance, I have a power conditioner/strip in my rack case already. Can you elaborate on what power issues to look out for?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Hey! So I’m gonna preface this with a disclaimer that “I am not an electrician” Your power conditioner should be fine (we have one in our rack as well). However, the ships have to hide all the electrical wiring which is normal, but the way they have to do it is sometimes more complicated. I made friends with one of the ship electricians and he showed me this hidden area underneath the Lido stage where there were little crawl ways and a tiny elevator to access the electrical stuff on each deck. It was really cool, but it was super inconvenient for them if something gets fried. There were 2 or 4 normal outlets on the stages we played and we never had an issue. We just know that they really prefer that you use one of their “ship approved” strips if you’re using a power strip.

[@RobbySigman]

Do you have to set up on each stage each time for each performance? Do others use the same stage with their own gear or do they ask to use some of yours? Do you co-op with other musicians/bands on board? Or are you strictly a duo act? How many different stages do you, or are you, expected to perform on on a cruise? Thanks

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Great questions! Thanks for watching! We have 15 minutes to set up and tear down before and after. We use our own microphones and it’s my own guitar gear and in ear monitors. I’m using a Kemper amp modeler because guitar amps are difficult to control in the mix and usually not permitted to use on ships. Each band is responsible for their gear, and depending on the ship, they may have the assistance of a sound tech or two. On the Norwegian Viva, we perform as a duo AND we get to perform with the other lounge singers and the Syd Norman’s band instrumentalists for Ocean Music Fest! It’s so much fun!! You can see more about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKe9p3eBer1lqsksi=XxMPWFYPKbefMc6n We perform on every stage on the Viva. , The Viva Theater, the Penrose Atrium, the Metropolitan Bar, the Observation Lounge, the Pool Deck Stage, the Syd Norman’s Pour House. We did a video about that as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGKbqmuQid2ibrcsi=r28zDToEZHs61Q-l

[@EliecerIzquierdo]

Great video, buddy! Question.. Do the double guitar bag fits perfectly in the airplane cabin?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you! Yeah, the double case fits in the overhead of MOST planes. We signed onto our first contract in Freeport Bahamas, and the second flight (Miami to Freeport) was a very small plane. I had to gate check for that one.

[@nana-ld4cr]

Great video, David! Do you just send a stereo signal to the foh mixer from your behringer? or do you have a splitter for each of the instruments/mics and send those signals to both mixers?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Thank you! Great question!! You can do either. We just send a stereo mix to the FOH. There are benefits and drawbacks to either way. It’s easier to not bring a splitter and it was easier for us to set up in each venue because there nothing that the techs need to do to make us sound good. They just take our mix and turn the volume up to an acceptable level for a ship.

[@nana-ld4cr]

@@DavidPaigeMusicAwesome. Thank you for replying!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

@@nana-ld4cr thank you for watching! I have a ton of content around being a musician on a ship, I hope you find it helpful!

[@RubenMartins-i7l]

U know anything about stage crew

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Yeah, stage crew doesn’t need to bring any gear! What questions did you have? I’ll do my best to help point you in the right direction!

[@RubenMartins-i7l]

U know how much is their salary and work

[@PequestRiverBoys]

Which agency are you with?

[@horselady52]

Not sure if you can answer this but I have organized a line dance cruise, I thought I could bring a bluetooth speaker but found out I can not use a bluetooth. I will have all my music downloaded on an ipad but what can I use as a speaker?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

That seems like something you’ll have to work with the cruise line to figure out. I assume if this is a sanctioned thing and you’re running the cruise, then you’ll have access to the DJs and will work with them.

[@horselady52]

@@DavidPaigeMusic Thanks for replying, I am in touch with the cruise line, they have approved my line dance group of 30. I thought maybe I would bring a speaker but I think they will let me plug into their speakers, I don't want to pay for a dj so hopefully it won't cost me to do that

[@Kalanimauimusic]

Hi David, do you fly to the port? If so, do you put your Mono guitar case through luggage on the airplane? Gate check? I assume you get reimbursed by the ship for the extra luggage? Also, is there an iPad mixer you’d recommend? Going on my 2nd cruise as a duo. Wanted to bring my own mixer and an extra guitar but I fly to the port. Thanks for the informative video!

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Hey! The cruise line flys us to the port. I put my mono guitar case in the overhead compartment. When I have to, I’ll gate check the guitars. Any luggage overages are reimbursed by the cruise line after we get onboard. There’s a submission process, you can handle that through your manager. We use the Behringer XR18 for our in-ears and our main mix. I highly recommend the brand. You can probably get away with a smaller mixer than that for a duo though!

[@Kalanilei-no9mp]

@@DavidPaigeMusic Much thanks David!

[@georgemartinez4355]

So would I survive with 2 guitars and my boss ME80?

[@DavidPaigeMusic]

Hey man! I’m not as familiar with the ME80, so I looked it up. Looks like you’d be totally fine with that one depending on your job or the application. If you’re playing in a rock band, I’d recommend having something that has better amp simulation. If you’re using it for a more clean or acoustic type of tone, it seems like it would be just fine. Certain jobs on ships would actually provide an amplifier, but I’ve really only seen that once. Syd Norman’s Pour House guitarist and bassist get to use an amplifier on the bar stage, but not in the theater.