Moving across country?

hunta · #1 06-11-2010, 05:53 AM

Hey guys! I'm planning to move across country soon, and I'm not quite sure what the best way is to get my DB over there. It's a 3/4 Shen hybrid. I'm probably doing the moving cube thing for most of my stuff, and driving in my car with the rest. Unfortunately I can't really fit the DB in my car.

I was thinking getting a hard case and shipping it would probably be the best way? Possibly out of my price range as well... I saw some nice looking cases that cost almost as much as my bass did. Possibly renting one?

If shipping it wouldn't work, I'm not sure what else I could do short of selling it before I leave.... Which I would prefer not to do, but if the bass is going to end up in pieces on the other end I may have no choice.

Thanks!

blockinlay · #2 06-11-2010, 06:07 AM

Get the hardcase and just put it in the cube with the rest of your stuff. Have a drill and skilsaw, or a friend with carpenter tools? If you didn't want to buy a case, you could make a plywood box out of 1/4" plywood using 1x3's and drywall screws. Bubble wrap it well, fill the remainder with packing balls and foam, and seal it up. I wouldn't ship it if you are already paying for shipping the rest of your stuff.

harmonicon · #3 06-11-2010, 06:24 AM

I moved cross-country with a bass a few times (Michigan to California). I was able to fit my bass in my hatch-back with the back seats folded down (how I'd take it to gigs and rehearsals normally), so I just kind of packed around it and made sure that nothing could fall and hit it and that it couldn't move around too much. When stopped I couldn't take the bass inside because everything was packed so tight, so I just tried to park in shaded places and leave the windows cracked if it was hot.

Will the bass not fit in the passenger seat of your car if it's reclined? That of course can be safe, and as a bonus you can take it into hotels easily at night.

MollyKay · #4 06-11-2010, 07:05 AM

Hello…I might be able to help. We have a flight case that I would be willing to rent. You would need to pay the cost for shipping to the west coast and back.

Or you can try a private courier service through Uship. One way from DC to CA is about $400 with door to door service. No bus, no big tractor trailer, no dock with a forklift. Most pick up and deliveries are one stop with a straight through voyage. I have found this service to be excellent for my needs.

Best wishes and safe travels.

eerbrev · #5 06-11-2010, 06:21 PM

Hey there,

I recently moved cross country twice (Northern Ontario > Newfoundland > Ottawa, Ontario), and The most important thing I did, in my opinion, was brought my bass with me in the car. I have a Pontiac Vibe (aka Toyota Matrix), which is a hatchback, and that helps, but it's not necessary.

How many people need to fit in the car aside from yourself? If it's one or none, no matter what size your car is (Austin minis, smart cars and vw bugs excepted), it is likely to fit with a little bit of forethought. one added advantage to bringing it in your vehicle is that when you are inside your hotel, or wherever you plan on staying, you can bring your bass inside, making it less susceptible to theft.

another thing to consider is that how much stuff can you fit into that bass-shaped empty space you now have in your trailer? probably enough to make it worth it. I'd give it a try, at the very least.

regards,

Alex

jdombrow · #6 06-12-2010, 08:05 AM

You could also rent a very small trailer and use it to move the bass and any other items you'd like to take along with you and the car.

jb63 · #7 06-12-2010, 10:55 AM

When I moved a long distance I hung my bass in it's bag from the ceiling of the cube and made sure nothing could fall into it. It worked out just fine.

hunta · #8 06-14-2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Definitely several things I hadn't thought of and/or didn't feel safe trying without the tips. I have a honda insight (one of the new ones) and I could definitely fit it in there with nothing else, but bringing my girlfriend and our chinchilla in the car, along with clothes and whatnot for a week of driving, might be trying to cram our tv in there too... I may have to do some packing tests and see, maybe I'm just thinking it won't fit when it really will.. Never have tried uship before but it sounds like a possibility. Honestly kind of stressing over this whole move, never done the cross country thing before! It's all a little insane really.

I'll update when I figure out what the heck I'm doing and let you guys know how it works out. Thanks a lot!