bass storage advice

adam ravitz · #1 12-19-2010, 11:06 PM

this may be the wrong place to post this, i was thinking maybe setup/repair, but my problem wont be an issue of setup and/or repair for at least a month.
unfortunately i have no choice but to leave my fully carved bass in a david gage travel trunk under a bus for a month in phoenix arizona. i've never been to phoenix, i'm not sure what the weather will be like, but i'm currently in california and every time i get the bass out from under the bus there is condensation all over the finger board and the top of the instrument. i am worried that in a month when i get back to my bass the condensation will have wrecked havoc on my bass, and possibly done irreversible damage.
can anyone suggest some storage ideas that would help keep the instrument dry. i could put it inside the bus, but that would mean it couldn't be in the travel trunk and so it may shift around when the bus is moved. maybe i cover it with towels, and that may help, but will the moister collect on the towels and cause damage. i'm just really not sure what i should do, and any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

Estherfan · #2 12-20-2010, 07:50 AM

Why are you leaving your bass under a bus for a month?

Depending on the type of bus you can definitely wedge it (without the trunk) into one of the seats and it should stay put pretty well. But is it just going to be sitting on the bus for a month? You may have temperature/humidity problems up there too. Will you be taking it out to play it, or is this a month-long storage site?

adam ravitz · #3 12-20-2010, 11:20 AM

I'm leaving the bass on the bus for a month because we have a break from tour for that long. unfortunately flying home with the bass is to expensive / to much of a hassle so i can't take it with me. It wont be played for this month. So you think that wedging it into a seat inside the bus is a better idea?
Last night someone on the band suggested i use plastic wrap to cover the trunk so no moisture gets in, it seemed like a pretty silly idea at the time but the more i think of it the more i think it could work, any thoughts on that?

iiipopes · #4 12-20-2010, 12:34 PM

Are there locker facilities in the station, or at a local high school, college or university music department, or even a general storage facility that would be available for a month's rent, instead of having it exposed to the elements?

adam ravitz · #5 12-20-2010, 03:09 PM

unfortunately not

fdeck · #6 12-20-2010, 06:22 PM

According to Bob Gollihur's web page, there's a luthier in Phoenix.

PDGood · #7 12-20-2010, 06:34 PM

Man, I'd look for someone I know is trustworthy and leave it at their house. If that's not possible, I think I'd look for a pawn shop. They are essentially a paid storage area if you buy it back. If it's only a month the cost could be far less than repairs from damage.

No way I'd leave it under a bus unless it's a month with very moderate temperature.

baileyboy · #8 12-20-2010, 06:38 PM

I'd take it with me... Unless this is a bass you can do without, is it worth the risk of getting it stolen and/or having it permanently damaged?

Phil Rowan · #9 12-20-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

According to Bob Gollihur's web page, there's a luthier in Phoenix.

To the OP, follow this lead stat.

derft · #10 12-21-2010, 05:23 AM

Call Steve at stringemporium.com He may be able to help you out.

adam ravitz · #11 12-27-2010, 03:21 PM

i had to just leave it on the bus. I wont be present when the bus is picked up and moved from phoenix to florida, so there would be no way i could get the bass back from one of these luthiers or pawn shops. I'm just counting down the days until i can see it again and hoping for the best, keep it in your prayers and thanks for your advice!