Fitting a DB in a Toyota Matrix 2004

[ghotinugget]

Hello All
Anyone had experience putting their bass in a Toyota Matrix hatchback 2004? Can it fit on its back in the back with the backseats down? I want to take it on a move from connecticut to san fran- advisable?
Thanks
jon

[coreybass]

should be a piece of cake. those cars are great. You can probably do it with just half the back seats folded down.

[Mike Goodbar]

I don't know about a 2004, but I love my 2007 Matrix as a bass hauler. I can lay the bass on its back, or do the split-seat thing and lay it sideways, allowing two passengers (one in front and one fairly slender one in the back seat. Still plenty of room for my Contra, and maybe a tenor sax or something if you were car pooling. The scroll does come up thru the two front seats and rests on the armrest.

Again, speaking strictly to the 2007, it is really one of the more comfortable smaller cars I've owned. You feel like you're sitting "up top," and the foam, structure, or whatever gives you a lot of support. I'd drive it cross country with no problems.

[Bishbass]

This car is great. Just bought an 07 Matrix back in January. One night I had me, my DB, my amp,the drummer, the drummers wife, and a drumset packed into the Matrix. It was tight, but it worked. Great "rolling bass case" or RBC. I rented an 04 once, and had no problem fitting an EB, DB 2X10cab and my wife in the car.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Ed Fuqua]

Bass, small jazz drum kit, bassist, drummer, tenor player and horn (which doesn't really count since he can basically hold it on his lap).

Overnight in Stamford...

[thesneakyjesus]

basically the tightest car ever made



bass fits great, good gas mileage.


for my bass, I put the back facing the right and the neck up the middle.
I can then keep the left hand side of the seats in the back up.
Still fits an amp and some other ****. It's great

[RMacBass]

I know it's uncalled for in this thread, but I just have to give props to the Toyota Echo sedan. It's not made anymore, but I have fit two squished people, a guitar amp (Roland cube) and guitar, a bass amp (iAMP 350 and CXL-112), and a cocktail kit with a tiny bass drum along with a 3/4 double bass and ME! It was cramped, but it worked since the Echo sedan had basically no cushions on the seats, and no center console to contend with.

(Method:
1. Push the driver's seat ALL the way forward while loading
2. Slide back the passenger seat and recline it until tight against the rear passenger's legs, and give him a drum to put on his lap
*3. Put the bass neck-first with bridge pointing to the middle of the car in from the rear-passenger door, and put the neck on an angle sticking into the foot space of the front passenger seat.
4. The front passenger should be able to just slip one leg under the neck, or keep their legs tight next to the door.
5. Stand the guitar in the small space behind the driver's seat.
6. I don't remember exactly how I did it, but it's a pretty flexible method as long as you put the bass in like I said, and have a diminutive drum kit.

I still pack my '95 Neon like this, but I haven't tried to cram three people in, since the guys I play now have cars.

Caution: If you try this, make sure the body of the bass is supported by the seats, NOT the bridge. Don't ever apply any pressure to the bridge of an upright bass.)