On its back or on its side?

Simandl Fan · #1 07-14-2011, 05:01 PM

I've been putting my bass on its back in my car, on a thick foam rubber pad. I'm wondering, from a structural point of view, if the back is better, or the side? Any thoughts?

Ben Mitchell · #2 07-14-2011, 05:05 PM

I've always layed it on its side, but I don't know, maybe for a flatback it would be okay on its back. With my mere mortal sense of the contruction of a bass, it seems like the side is more structually sound than the back.

Actually, I just thought about it more and realized that for trips in the car its always on its back, and I make sure the neck block is cushioned so that no weight is on the scroll.

tstone · #3 07-14-2011, 05:15 PM

I like it on its back for stability. But I pad under the upper part of the upper bout so the neck and scroll are cantilevered out and take none of the weight.

hdiddy · #4 07-14-2011, 06:03 PM

Only in the car is it on it's back cuz the car is small and can't put it on it's side - but I have something supporting the neck as well. Otherwise it's always on it's side.

Dilbertisme · #5 07-14-2011, 10:27 PM

I figure it can't fall over if it's already on its back.

Slax · #6 07-14-2011, 10:36 PM

I lay mine on it's side when possible.

Eric Swanson · #7 07-15-2011, 06:16 AM

Depends on the rest of the vehicle's load. If the bass is on the back; with padding under the neck heel, with no pressure on the sound post area or scroll/neck. If the bass is on the side; tied off to the side of the vehicle, so it won't fall.

drurb · #8 07-15-2011, 07:20 AM

On it's back with a thick roll pillow under the neck block.

Simandl Fan · #9 07-15-2011, 09:42 AM

these are all great replies. I hope we also hear from bass repairmen on this topic.

rjspear · #10 07-15-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simandl Fan

these are all great replies. I hope we also hear from bass repairmen on this topic.

If you put the bass down on its back, you'll see that the instrument only rests on two points; the underside of the scroll and the lower part of the back near the endpin. Downward pressure on the bass, say if something heavy should fall on it, or sometimes (as once happened to me) a severe jolt due to the Pothole From Hell, can briefly apply a lot of force to the neck joint. Most of the time, a bass in good repair can handle this, but . . .

Bass players need to own vehicles large enough to carry a bass on its side. But then you need foam padding or wedges or something to keep it from tipping over as you go screeching around corners

. That said, I've seen basses stuffed into 70s-era VWs with their scrolls sticking out the window in the dead of winter. Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances.

damonsmith · #11 07-15-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

On it's back with a thick roll pillow under the neck block.

Agreed, I use that in my Girlfriend's Mini Cooper. I have a Subabru station wagon, I put one seat down and have it on it's side with the upper back against the other seat.

drurb · #12 07-15-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonsmith

Agreed, I use that in my Girlfriend's Mini Cooper. I have a Subabru station wagon, I put one seat down and have it on it's side with the upper back against the other seat.

Good choice as well. I'd have the bass on its side in my car too if I could block it from rolling over like you do.

Michael Case · #13 07-15-2011, 10:09 AM

I lay the passenger seat of my car flat then put the bass on it's back. It works really well because I don't need to keep the scroll from resting on anything.

drurb · #14 07-15-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjspear

Bass players need to own vehicles large enough to carry a bass on its side.

I have a vehicle that's large enough to put the bass on its side. Still, I won't do it because of the danger that the bass could roll over (perhaps onto the bridge). On it's back in a heavily padded case with a pillow under the neck block is quite safe and stable.

wallawallabob · #15 07-15-2011, 03:09 PM

I always haul mine on its side, with the case strapped such that it can't fall over short of a fairly major accident.

bejoyous · #16 07-15-2011, 03:58 PM

When I had a Taurus, I always put it on its back even when the 40% side of the back seat was up. There was usually enough music in the lower pocket and musical accessories in the upper pocket that the bass had contact all over its back.

Presently, I have a Matrix and with the 40% side of the back seat up to accommodate my daughter, the bass has to go on its side and the neck is resting on the arm rest between the front seats. So that is 3 points of contact.

However, the visibility is very much decreased with the bass in a vertical position. I'd prefer it to be on its back.

The Matrix is much better on gas though and it is not breaking down all the time.

When my family is not with me, I usually put down the entire back seat and have the instrument on its back.

teleharmonium · #17 07-15-2011, 04:52 PM

I can only get a bass in my car on it's side in the front passenger seat. I lift the seat back up a little after the bass is in place, until the headrest supports the bass under the neck joint, so that no part of the neck or headstock are resting on anything. And I use the passenger seat belt around the body. Between that and the padding in the bag, it seems safe. If I'm making a sharp turn, I put a hand on the bass, like a protective mother.

Simandl Fan · #18 07-15-2011, 08:34 PM

Thanks for all the interesting replies. Now I'm going to narrow the scope of my original question.

When I drove a Honda van, I had my bass on its side, on a foam rubber pad, secured with the seatbelt for the third seat. It never budged an inch. Now I drive a Subaru Outback, and the bass lies on its back on the same foam rubber pad. The neck, unsupported, sticks out past me as I drive.

So, assuming you have a car large enough to hold the bass in any position, and secure it so it won't fall over, does the bass withstand the car's motion better on its side or on its back, considering issues of seams, soundposts, and other structural issues?

transition · #19 07-15-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simandl Fan

Now I drive a Subaru Outback, and the bass lies on its back on the same foam rubber pad. The neck, unsupported, sticks out past me as I drive.

I also drive an Outback ('97 Legacy Outback). I fold the back seat down and put the bass on its back with the endpin going where the front passenger seat and side door meet, and the scroll at the back driver's side corner. (with a foam pad to keep the neck up so it doesn't rest on the scroll.)

How thick is your pad? It seems like the neck would still be resting on the folded-down back seat, but maybe I'm not imagining this correctly.

Simandl Fan · #20 07-15-2011, 09:57 PM

My pad is about 4 inches thick, and about three feet long and 18 inches wide. My Subaru wagon is a 2006 hatchback, and I slide the bass in neck first. The neck sticks out between the two front seats, and the whole bass lies on the foam pad.

I worry about this because my luthier told me he does not like bass wheels, because they could transmit vibrations throughout the instrument and can cause damage. So, I wonder how much damage could result with the bass absorbing all the motion of the car.